Ask the Experts

Q: How do I finish beads with bead caps? I love the professional finish the caps bring to the beads but don't know how to use them.

Q: I am making bracelets using 4.6mm alphabet letters and 2mm leather cording. My letters (arranged into a word) are centered on the cord. To hold them in place so they don't slide, I tie a knot on each side of the word. I am looking to use some type of bead, crimp or something instead of the knot to prevent the letters from sliding on the cord. Any suggestions? I saw something called smart beads but I don't think the hole is big enough to fit the 2mm leather through it.

Q: I am looking for hypoallergenic earring posts. My sister has had success with Rhodium plated and platinum plated earrings. Can you recommend anything for me?

Q: What size settings do you use with what size cabochons?

Q: Mom wants to make some clip-on earrings with her seashells. How do I do this?

Q: What is the difference between saltwater and freshwater pearls?

Q: What needle should I use for my seed bead project?

Q: When I use my split ring pliers to open the ring and put a charm on, I seem to "ruin" the ring. It doesn't close back up properly, but remains separated from the center. Am I opening them incorrectly?

Q: Can garments which have been embellished with hot fix rhinestones be ironed safely? Or will the heat of the ironing cause them to un-adhere? I would be ironing at synthetic or silk settings, not at high.

Q: I would like to know what wire to use for bead crochet.

Q: I recently collected a lot of small stones and pebbles on the beach and want to wire wrap them and turn them into pendants. However, after the stones dried, they lost some of the appeal that made me pick them up in the first place. How can I treat the stones to give them the ''just out of the ocean'' look again? And I need this to be permanent and safe to wear. Thank you,

Q: Which precious metal wire forms the best, and does it hold its shape?

Q: How do you secure cord coils to rubber cord? The fit is pretty tight, but is there some way to secure it further? Thanks.

Q: I would like to start using pure copper beads and findings, but I'm not sure about whether or not they can be cleaned at all, and if so, how? What about copper plated items?

Q: A customer of mine told me that a competitor was bad-mouthing my business. We're in a small town, and I know the competitor. What should I do?

Q: How do you cut memory wire into individual loops for use with strand separators?

Q: Hi, I am new at jewelry-making. Do I have to use a beading needle with the Accu-Flex® wire? Will it speed up the process? Thanks!

Q: I'm curious about cup chain and cup-chain link mesh. Exactly what is it and how is it used? Thank you

Q: I am looking to sell my jewelry online. Do I need to get a business number if I only plan on selling $100 or $200 worth of jewelry each year, if I am lucky?

Q: I love doing shows! The problem I have is when there are several people standing at the booth. I'm afraid if I focus on one person, the others will leave because I am not paying attention to them. What do you recommend I do?

Q: I am going to add some crystals to wooden letters. What would be better, flat backs or hot fix, and what glue would I use? If hot fix is better, how do you use them? Thank you

Q: My great aunt used to tie her beaded necklaces into a lover's knot, but I have lost the instructions. Do you know how?

Q: I recently started selling jewelry. I've had a repeat customer that has bought my standard sized beaded bracelets. However, she now wants them re-sized to be smaller. Should I charge her a fee to do this? I don't want to lose money on my supplies to do this, but I don't want to lose a repeat customer.

Q: How do you know what size thread to use for a necklace strung with knots in between each bead? I have had experience with the beads slipping over the knots.