Simple Tips - Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

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Beading Resources > Simple Tips

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I like to display strands of beads (especially pearls) on walls. It takes care of storage and decorating at once! I buy cheap yardsticks from local hardware stores (under a dollar) and put very small nails every inch for hanging strands on. Then I use two bigger nails to secure the yard stick to the wall. This does less damage to the wall than putting all those nails directly in, and your beads are spaced evenly. It also works on the backs or sides of book cases. I usually paint the yardsticks before I hang them, but if you don't, you can also use them for measuring strings of beads!

- Tabby from Ohio

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I took a linen-type kitchen towel and put string connecting 2, or the short end, corners. Then I placed 1 side of some Velcro® to the other end of the towel and the other end is glued to the bottom of my work table. The string goes around my neck and the Velcro is always attached to the table. In this way, any items that are dropped while working are caught by the towel and easily returned to storage.

- Lynne from Vermont

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My husband used to smoke large cigars that were packaged in glass tubes with cork top closures. These are so nice for seed beads or any beads. What is so nice about it, is it doesn't cost me anything and his cigar smoking friends give them to me also. Happy beading,

- Mary from the U.S.

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I use the plastic containers that hold baby food to store my different beads in. They are cheap, grip tightly, and are easily seen through. They also stack nicely.

- Janice from South Carolina

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If you use tweezers with very fine points, you know that the points seem to try to get bent. I found a way to prevent this when I went in for a flu shot last fall. The shot came with a plastic cover over the needle, which I grabbed before it was tossed in the wastebasket. It is a perfect fit for my tweezers. The cover is usually thrown out, so a request is probably all it would take to get your new tweezer cover. Just make sure that they know you want the cover, not the needle.

- Scott from Virginia

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If the stretch elastic breaks on your bracelet or necklace, use single or doubled strand bobbin elastic (used in sewing and "honey-combing" clothes) to replace and rejuvenate your bracelet or necklace. Finish the knot with a dab of glue.

- Cecilia from Singapore

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The plastic pill boxes that hold a week or more of pills works great for holding small amounts of, or single, beads. I can put matching colors or sizes in the same container with seven compartments. You may be able to find the extra large ones or multiple times a day container. I was given one that was opaque and was frustrated that I couldn't see the beads, so I taped one bead to the top or each "day." Now I know what's inside.

- Debra from Oregon

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I found that a pillbox organizer works wonderful for many little items, like thread, beads, findings and other little odds and ends. They come in different colors and sizes. I use the 7 day organizer to carry certain items in my purse and I use the month organizer for a number of items for use at home. The tops snap closed tight so items stay where you place them. Just be careful and don't get your medication pill organizer mixed up with your beadwork organizer. If you buy one, just look at it to make sure the tops stay closed tight. I bought one at a dollar store that didn’t snap tight, I still use it, I just put larger items in it like thread. I also use some of my husband’s plastic tackle boxes; they work great! Happy beading!!!

- Mary from California

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I use the plastic containers that hold the instant drink powders (ie. Crystal Light and Wylers). You can label them easily and they are translucent. I received my late Grandmother's sewing basket from the estate and I can store approximately 30 upright containers in the bottom. Labeling the containers on their lids gives me a complete view of the materials stored and the sewing basket tray fits easily over the top and holds threads, wires and findings.

- Denise

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I use seedling starter trays from the garden store for keeping beads. I get those sturdy deep ones. This way, I can quickly and easily compare colours and sizes to choose the best coordination. When I am done, I use a sheet of cardboard cut to the size of the top of the tray and strap it down snuggly with rubber bands. A pen with a ball of sticky tape at the top is a great picker-upper, especially for the tiny beads!

- Suresh from Florida

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When I buy Swarovski Crystal Passions® I save the packaging. It comes in a clam shell type packaging with a hanging tab--I also save the foam and the plastic from it. Makes perfect containers for stud earrings or charm/pendants of my own. I just add a bit of my own touch to it and viola. They are very sturdy for shipping too, especially small glass items.

- Anna from Illinois

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When making a necklace using wire/coated thread, use a plastic earnut as a temporary end (as a placeholder). I found this great when seed beading--for the beginning tail and then when you put down/pick up your project again.

- Kathie from the U.S.

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Find a turntable in the kitchen department of a store near you. Then get small cup hooks from the hardware store and a log from your back yard, any length you want. Insert hooks into log and set log on turn table. Instant spinning display any size or shape that can hold a few earrings or bracelets to hundreds!

- Alicia from Ohio

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When looking for a nice storage bin, go to the tool section at WalMart and look for the bins with the pull out drawers. Or another cool idea is go to the fishing department and look for the containers used to put hooks and such, in.

- Elaine from the U.S.

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I try to use all the boxes and bags that come in my orders. I work in a pharmacy and take in the medium sized Ziploc® bags for the many types of drugs that are individually wrapped and won't fit in a bottle. They are great!

- Ruth from Virginia

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I like to order mixed beads, however they often only have one or two beads alike. Sorting this stock could take up all the little slots in by bead drawers, so I sort the bead into likes, similar, or same pattern. Then I loosely sting in groups, all the beads onto cheap bead nylon thread. I make stop beads of the mis-shaped beads in the mix. That way, when looking for that perfect green bead, instead of digging though a mix of green beads--I pull out the string, locate the one I need and cut it off the string. I can then bend the string with a couple of doubled back loops!

- Artie from Texas

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I am writing in response to a recent request about keeping tools accessible, yet out of the way. I like to use a desktop organizer caddy that was intended for office tools, such as pens, pencils, scissors, letter openers etc. It is about six inches tall and five inches square. It has three openings with the center one taller than those on each side. As I finish with a tool, it is easy to set them in the side slots, with one handle inside and the other one out, rather than laying them on the work table where they can get buried. They are easy to identify because the "business" end is upright, and they are accessible with just one free hand. The taller center section holds items that do not have plier-type handles, like rulers and scissors and solder picks. Best of all, the caddy is on a swivel base, so I can spin it to access the tools on the backside. It is heavy enough to keep from tipping over, even if the tools are not evenly distributed. The caddies are available in many places, but I found mine in the decorator desktop items of a hobby store, it matched my other leopard-print items and looks great on my workbench.

- Elaine from Colorado

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My "Memory Necklace" a few months back I started a charm necklace, using old jewelry dating from my baby locket to a pink ribbon charm--and all sorts of things in between. I've added single earrings, my grandmother's ring that is too small for me to wear, a high school charm and much more. Looping across, near the bottom, is a silver charm bracelet I had as a child. Also on my necklace are meaningful and interesting new charms, beads and chains that reflect elements of "me." I keep adding to it and it has become a very personal treasure which I proudly display on the wall when I'm not wearing it. The fun thing about this necklace is that each maker can create something unique, meaningful and truly personal. Such a necklace could also be made for a friend or client.

- Janna from California

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When starting a chain mail piece, I put a twist-tie through the first ring(s) instead of a paper clip. Then I don't have to worry about scratches on my piece. And when I drop it, the tie won't slip out. I also use them as place keepers and markers.

- Kit from New Hampshire

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When I filled up every jewelry holder, box and all other usual things for keeping my jewelry where I could see it and not become tangled, I hung a wire shelf from the top of my bedroom door. Sometimes things would get knocked off so I used shower rings because they can be closed tight and are big enough to put whole sets on 1 ring. When that shelf was full, I hung another shelf (this one was for a Barbeque grill) I used dog leashes so some longer items can hang down behind the second shelf to avoid tangling. Needless to say, I live alone, but I'm sure something similar could be constructed. I believe in "Where there's a will, there's a way!"

- Joyce from Virginia

283 Item(s) Found.

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