Simple Tips - Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

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Beading Resources > Simple Tips

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The best scoop of all for tiny beads is the little piece of cardboard (2-7/8 inchx1-5/8 inch) that comes in the small Swarovski package of tiny beads. Fold in half and tape one of the narrow ends.

- Nina

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When I start storing my bead orders into my plastic bins I use the sticky tags that are on the bags the beads come in and stick it on the inside edge of my storage box so I always know exactly what that bead is and what size it is. I cut the tags down to make them smaller to stick on the sides with only the re-order number, name and size. I also use the anti-tarnish paper and cut it up into small pieces and put it into each jewelry set I have made for resale so I don't have to clean the sterling silver as often. I have had pieces stored in bags with those papers for a solid year and never show any tarnish.

- Stacey from Alabama

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I have a solution to keeping the loop centered. This is working for me. Make the loop about 3/4 around then take chain or flat-nose pliers, put inside loop at that troublesome area to keep 90 degree corner and flick wrist back.This gives you the angle and you have already got the loop past the tricky area. Now finish in whatever way called for in design. Hope this helps!

- Lauren from Alabama

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I'd been using bottle caps in a plastic bin to organize small amounts of beads. Today I was making breakfast and noticed something! Some brands of eggs come in reusable plastic containers. These containers are rigid thin plastic, like a pop bottle. If you clean the container once you've eaten (or colored) all 12 eggs, you have a handy 24-compartment (temporary) bead organizer with a bead tray, which folds in to 3 parts for travel or storage. It's a great way to recycle some plastic and help Mother Earth, too.

- Rider from Ohio

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I am a dance mom and also make crafty things for my girls to wear ... I save all of the baby food jars or baby food plastic containers to hold odds and ends of crafting suppiles. Beads, rhinestones, safety pins, ribbon ... the uses are endless!!! And easliy packed up to take off to competition or place in a drawer.

- Shannon from Texas

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I love working in my studio on a large wooden bead board, but hate cleaning out the excess beads from the many little wells I had dumped them into when I began the project. To remedy this, I line each depression with a small piece of heavy foil, folding it in such a way as to build up sides to the height of the well. Now I dump with abandon the tiny beads knowing I can just pick up the foil liner, mush one end to fashion a funnel and pour my excess beads back into their original container with no fuss or spillage. The foil is pliable yet sturdy enough to last through many projects.

- Sharon from New York

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I trim the labels from the bead bags, leaving the description, count and item number. These fit the parts cabinets drawers perfectly. I keep one cabinet for glass beads, one for gemstone focals, and seperate cabinets for gold-filled, sterling, silver-plate and pewter.

- Vickie

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I use a flannel pillow case to cover a tray with legs on it, so I can do my beading from my recliner. I put all my beads and tools on it. and can relax while working. Works great for handicapped people like myself.

- Joan from Florida

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My tip is if you have a shelf or place to display your earrings, it looks nice to hang your earrings on a small bud vase.

- Shelley from Virginia

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Next time you go and get a slurpie, Save that straw. I take the straw and cut it to about the length of 4' total. I take a lighter and heat the end lightly, and use an old pair of pliers to close it up, pressing the end of the straw to make a bead scoop. The spoon end is great to gather a scoop of beads and fill up the straw. Works great for getting seed beads back into the tubes they come in. You can use whatever size length of straw that you prefer, This length is great for scooping the beads out of the wells that are in the bead trays.

- Sharon

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I drink bottled water all the time, so for recycling purposes for my bead storage and findings storage; I use the small clear water bottles with their lids of course, after they are empty and they dry out.

I use the ones you can buy by the case at Walmart or from where ever.

Put them on a shelf, or back into the box that the water initially came in.

You can also put your labels on them and since they are clear bottles you can always see with ease, just by looking at your bottles. It's especially great for mixed beads and leftover beads.

If a bottle tips over, it's no problem, because you've put the lid back on the bottle and a fall won't break the bottle!! I hope my tip helps someone.

- Ellen from Pennsylvania

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For a very novice beginner, a B and W, hand drawn graph showing "actual size" (mm and so forth) of beads and the same for holes, would certainly be an excellent reference.

- Bonita

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When making my necklaces or bracelets I add a piece of chain at the end. Usually 2 inches on the necklaces and 1 inch on the bracelets so this way your customer can decide their lenghth. Plus it makes it better for the large wrist women.

- Virginia from Ohio

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When cleaning in your beading area, place a section of old pantyhose over the end of your vaccuum cleaner hose to get any of those precious beads that have fallen.

- Beverly from Mississippi

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Always make sure your supply box for your beads is nice and tight in case of little baby's!!!

- Abigail from Michigan

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As a stay at home mother of a 3 year old little girl I find myself having to store away, hide, and move my jewelry supplies around often. I store the majority of my supplies neatly in clear plastic boxes up high on a shelf in my closet, along with finished projects waiting to be sold. Then I pack a sturdy picnic basket full of projects I want to complete throughout the week. The picnic basket is amazingly portable, easy to pack my supplies in quickly, and most importantly--it can be set up on top of the refrigerator, away from little hands. I have clear plastic containers inside so I stay organized and because of this I'm able to pack everything away in a matter of minutes--Just in case a nap ends sooner then I expected.

- Destenie from New Hampshire

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I pick up pretty glass jars with lids from thrift stores and garage sales. Then place beads in them and label size and type. This way I can always see what I have to work with at a glance.

- Debbie from British Columbia, Canada

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Before reusing those plastic bags your beads come in, you can remove the "MADE IN ..." printed on the outside by dipping a cotton ball or a papper towel in acetone (as in fingernail polish remover). You have a clean bag for storage or to use for customers.

- Beverly from Georgia

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I too shop thirty stores for bargains. Look for jewelry grab bags--they are lots of fun. I found a wire sign holder and use for jewelry display love it thanks and be creative and keep on looking. Plus don't forget garage sale time is upon us keep your eyes open for bargains.

- Angela from Kentucky

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I laid out one of my favorite necklace/bracelet on my beading board. With a black Sharpie® marker where they ended. All I do now is design knowing it will be the correct length. Also, if you have any cafeteria food trays, these work GREAT for beading. I covered mine with black felt and it can hold lots of beads and the bead board. One of my favorite bead organizers is a "change" drawer from a money box. Holds beads, tools, bad beads, wire, etc.

- Judy from Texas

46 Item(s) Found.

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