Q: How do I enlarge the hole in plastic beads? I am making a craft that requires running a 1.5 inch ribbon through the bead. What tool can I use to enlarge the hole? I bought the diamond reamer but it does not work on plastic!!!

Q: I have read that you cannot store polymer clay in certain plastic containers as it leaches some of the binding chemicals. Is it okay to store the clay in the bottles that prescription medicines come in as I save them to store beads, etc in? Thank you for your wonderful site and jewelry making components.

Q: How can you prevent open, unused silver clay from turning moldy? We have the unused silver wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, sealed with masking tape to keep the plastic wrap from coming loose. Then we place the silver in an air tight rubber maid container with a sponge that is wet. Does it just turn moldy over time or is there something different we should be doing?

Q: I was wondering if you need any kind of release with the flex molds? I'm thinking for PMC you'd want to oil them, but what about resin?

Q: I have quite a collection of Hill Tribe Silver beads. I have been keeping them in clear hard plastic stackable screw together storage containers. I have noticed that they are beginning to tarnish. It will be quite a job to shine them up again. Could you recommend the best way to store them (for the future) and what would be the best way for me to clean these intricate beads. Many thanks for your help.

Tutorial shows how to punch holes in flat pieces of aluminum, brass, copper, plastic and more with this lightweight, one-handed tool. No electricity required!

Q: I'm learning wirework. Each book leaves out one of the finer points: you can work-harden jump rings with a plastic/rubber mallet. However, do you tap the ring or hit it? How often--1 to 2 or 5 to 6? I'm not able to get to classes, so must teach myself. I appreciate any help you can give.

Q: I use a lot of acrylic beads in my designs, especially "pony" beads. I notice that a lot of them have excess plastic and rough edges left over from the manufacturing process. I was wondering what is the fastest and most effective way to file down these rough spots. Is it possible to use a rock tumbler for greater speed?

Q: Can polymer clay be painted on with water-based paints? Before or after baking? And what kind of sealer do you use on finished product?

As defined by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), stabilization is the use of a colorless bonding agent (commonly plastic) with a porous gemstone to give it durability and improve appearance. Turquoise is a commonly stabilized gemstone.

Add a bit of fairytale whimsy to your outfit with these delicate flower-themed earrings. Lightweight acrylic flower components make enchanting focal points, and their frosted finish beautifully contrasts with shiny metallics and glistening crystals.

Three different scales ranging from 10-100 for measuring the resistance of gels, rubbers and plastics to indentation. Shore A00 measures very soft rubbers and gels. Shore A measures flexible rubbers to semi-rigid plastics. Shore D measures hard rubbers and semi-rigid to hard plastics.

Unwrap a world of elegance and sophistication with an exquisite gift box adorned with decorated brass bookmark, and delicate ribbon.

Acrylic letter beads spell out a very special message in this colorful lanyard.

Also called essence d'orient. A crystalline substance extracted from fish scales and combined with acrylic resins. Used to make imitation pearls. In better imitations, the essence is applied over opaline glass beads; in cheaper imitations, over plastic beads. Discovered in 1565 by Jaquin, a French manufacturer of rosaries, when he accidentally dipped some pearls into water in which he had washed fish. Refined versions today produce spectacular results.

(see also Crow Bead) A bead cut from a tube of glass or plastic, then tumbled and polished to smooth the edges. Used on the bottom of cornrow braids, in fringe and for some Native American styles.

Introducing the Beadalon® Threaded Plastic Clasps – your ultimate tool for effortlessly weaving intricate rings in various sizes and materials, designed by renowned international designer Kleshna.

Twist-in or screw clasps look like double beads when closed, giving jewelry designs a smooth, continuous appearance. Silent animation shows how to use them in jewelry designs. Also included are full step-by-step instructions below the video.

Long tassel-style necklace in a rhythm of bronze and red patterned acrylic and metallic fire-polished beads. Small gold beads punctuate the design.

Rose is showing off some wonderful beads to use when it comes to peyote stitch. Find out what she has planned, and what she is demonstrating off with simple beads.

Costume jewelry is generally thought of as jewelry made from base metals, glass, plastics and other synthetics. It may also be comprised of shell, wood and other organic materials. Costume jewelry can be artisan-made or mass produced.

Attach your ID badge to a fun and stylish lanyard like this one. Acrylic beads keep the design lightweight, accented with sparkling glass and crystal beads.

Bursting with colorful acrylic beads and spacers adorned with rhinestones, this bracelet is dazzling wrist candy. The multiple lightweight strands are expertly held together by Powercord®, ensuring superior stretch and strength.

A form of jewelry, usually decorative, worn around the wrist created from leather, fibers, plastics or metals. Bracelets can be embellished with stone, wood, shell or other materials. Some bracelets are used for medical or identification purposes (such as allergy bracelets).