This discovery was like finding a “Million Pound Note” in my back pocket. That said I am not bothered about money but what this discovery means is that I can now produce worry beads that are almost indestructible. The kangaroo leather I wrote about in a previous blog is incredibly tough but merely the word “steel” creates an image of impossible to break. I have had to go outside of Britain however the benefits are clear to see. There is one benefit that I was not expecting. With the leather and silver cords there is a certain degree of friction between the stones and the cord so moving stones slowly alone the cord can be done with ease. The stainless steel chain I have sourced is so fine that the slightest of inclines means the stones fly down it. I have developed a new distraction with these worry beads that is both challenging and engrossing. As I said it takes the slightest of inclines to get the stones moving really fast so the new skill is to get them moving slowly, in fact as slow as if they are on kangaroo leather which has the roughest of surfaces. I have spent many an evening perfecting the art of stone shifting, OK that sounds boring but try it. It is not easy and I think that is why I have not got bored of it.
Over the last few months I have started using the 1Pear to do the tricks I have already learnt with my 2Pear. It is a lot more difficult as the stones do not wish to stay at each end of the cord as with the 2Pear wooden weights. If I am stressed or obsessed with something learning these tricks has been a great distraction. Of course the natural progression was to try a 1Pear thread with stainless steel chain. This is a whole new ball game. The speed at which the stones can get going means that doing the tricks has to be done very fast so as to keep the stones at each end. Any slow up means the stones will come to rest, at just the wrong time, so the worry beads are out of balance. My latest distraction is to see how slow I can get a trick with steel chain and not send them flying across the room. As I love a challenge I always try slower and slower until the inevitable happens and they do go flying. If you wish to try this make sure all breakables and people are at a safe distance!
I will finish this blog where I started with the strength of the steel chain. Try as I might I find it impossible to get sufficient hold on the chain to make any sort of distortion to it. I am sure if you fixed either end in a vice and moved them apart the steel chain will break but I cannot see how someone will be able to break the chain with there hands. I must point out that the sets are not designed for you to test this strength and the weak point will always be where the two ends are brought together to form the pear’s stalk. Whilst this is sealed in plastic and glued please do not test this strength as it will result in the bond being broken. The reason for sourcing this steel chain is so that with high everyday use a set from The English Worry Bead Co will potentially last a life time.
Kevin
The English Worry Bead Co
www.englishworrybeads.uk