Protecting Beadwork Tip

[Gledanh Zhinga]

I can't remember who told me about this, but to protect your beaded fan handles from sweat, you can rub in some boot wax, like Mink Oil or Sno-Seal. Rub in a thin coating lightly and gently, and then brush the handle with a soft bristled brush. If you don't have a brush, you can use a soft wash cloth and give a light buff. The wax protects the threads from sweat, spilled drinks, or whatever.

We often see good looking handles covered up by a cotton cloth or a small face towel. I understand the reasoning, but this seems to defeat the purpose of having all that nice beadwork.

[Redstone]

Goodness, I was just told the same thing a month ago by a friend in Arizona. They saw me carrying a fan with a white hankie wraped around the the portion I was holding. The suggestion was to put mink oil on it, and get rid of the hankie. Haven't tried it yet, but I have been seriously thinking about it!

[billyjoejimbob]

or you can just leave it in a display case!!!

[superndngyrl]

or u can just leave the beads on the hanks. ;)

[wa-zha-zhe]

My Dad gave me his dance stick when I was a young teenager. That same year on Sundays, while
sitting on the bench listening to the Individual Songs being sung, I kept beat with the drum using that
stick hitting the bench. I didn't realize that I was busting the beads until it was too late.

I used Elmer's glue to keep the other beads from coming off. And, found out that the glue dried clear.
This suggestion could be used as a quick fix. On any of your gear until you have time to make the necessary repairs.

OIT. (Old Indian Trick)

[powwowbum49]

Ok ... the use of the hankie is from a belief that the sweat will rot the threads. This is true if you beaded the handle with cotton thread, however the nylon nymo that is used today (and for many years now) does not react the same way to sweat and it will not rot like the cotton did. The mink oil trick still aint a bad idea though. Canuba floor wax would work too. I use it on all my wood, horn and antler pieces. Which ever you use though...take a hair dryer on high heat and blow hot air on the piece after application. This melts the oil/wax and will allow it is seap into the piece where the threads are. Then you can buff any excess residue on the surface with a soft cloth giving your beads a nice shine.