Q: I have a faithful customer who wears clip-on earrings. What can I use to make them less painful for her? Is there something similar to the coating for tools that could be used?

Q: What is the best size and type of sterling silver wire to make earring wires?

Q: I have seen a necklace that I would love to make, but I need advice on the clasp at the back. The necklace was 10 strands of silk thread with pearls and crystals knotted about 1 to 1-1/2 inches apart. It looked like a crimp with a loop that finished it off, but I am unsure which one to order to complete the necklace, or even if this is the right way to go. Can you please advise? Thanks so much!

Q: How do you make earrings for people who don't have pierced ears?

Q: Is there a rule of thumb for what gauge of headpins to use for various projects (i.e. making dangles on earrings, adding a dangle to a bracelet, etc.)?

Q: What is the difference between side clamp-on, standard and bottom clamp-on bead tips?

Q: Is it better to put a smaller stone in a larger setting, or a larger stone in a smaller setting?

Q: What does "gold-filled" mean?

Q: What is the difference between regular sterling silver 2x2mm cut crimp tubes and lightweight sterling silver 2x2mm cut crimp tubes? Under what circumstances would I choose to use one over the other?

Q: Sure hope you can help me. I'm making a necklace and my pendant is a lampwork bead, sort of rondelle shaped. I want to use a large jump ring, 17mm, but I am having trouble as it does not seem secure on the necklace. Is there something I can use or some technique to keep this ring securely closed? I really don't want to invest in or learn soldering. Thank you so much.

Q: I bought an odd-shaped cameo in Roatán, Honduras. Would I damage the product if I bonded a bail to it? I bought just the piece, so there is no sterling or any other type of metal attached to it already.

Q: I have some carved shell flowers. The hole is in the middle of each flower. How do I attach beads, and how do I make them into earrings?

Q: How do you attach a fold clasp to beading wire?

Q: Are there any downsides to using screw-tites versus crimps? I would like to have info about the pros/cons of the two. Thank you.

Q: I have just restrung a coral necklace my father had given my sister. It was on silk thread and the ends of the thread were glued into the clasp's round bead ends. How do I finish it now that I have all the coral strung on silk? How do I get the clasp on, and what type of clasp can I use on silk thread?

Q: Which bail do I buy to attach to a sterling silver bezel cup, and how do I go about this? I want to make pendants.

Q: What is the best way to make a simple loop at the top of a headpin that will keep multiple beads on the headpin from twirling around (so that they stay stable and facing forward)?

Q: When using a magnetic clasp, I always have trouble keeping the clasp from attaching itself magnetically to my crimping pliers. This makes crimping difficult. Do you have any suggestions for keeping the magnet away from the pliers?

Q: What is the best way to straighten badly bent head and eye pins?

Q: How do you make your own headpins?

Q: What's the trick to using a toggle clasp on a bracelet? Every time I use a toggle clasp on a bracelet, it is almost impossible to get the toggle through the loop to connect. What am I doing wrong?

Q: I've made a necklace using wire and thread (Accu-flex wire around the circumference with Fireline thread creating loops that vary in length), but I don't know how to finish it. Is it OK to crimp FireLine and soft Illusion cord?

Q: I've seen Chainmaille sites online and thought, "Wow, that looks cool! I want to make it!" How can I cut the wire to make jump rings, without it flattening the end of the cut part? I know I can buy machine made jumprings that are perfectly shaped and cut, but I want to make my own, so I can fabricate the entire piece. I've been using regular wire cutters, and am looking for a cutter that won't flatten the jumpring ends. Thanks

Q: Lobster Claw clasps: if a large one is needed, do I order a higher mm or lower one? What is your largest size lobster claw clasp?