Trade shows can make it or break it for you as a wholesale artist. Make your next show your best show ever by following these simple tips!

Discover 20 secret tax break tips for small business owners and self-employed individuals. Maximize savings, so you can enjoy more of life's leisure moments.

How many times have you been working on a beading project, only to have your fingers and hands seize from cramping and fatigue, which force you to take a break?

Determining whether a piece of jewelry is fine or sterling silver can make or break a sale. Learn six different ways to test a piece of jewelry before and after you buy.

Q: I am new to the jewelry making business and have been interested in a business of my own since my work related accident, which forced me into early retirement. I was doing a web search for something that would help in my fixed income and I came across Fire Mountain Gems and Beads and decided that this would be something that I could do from my home. I am interested in both making and buying the pre-made jewelry. I would like to know something about the price point system, regarding the pre-made jewelry. If I buy the pre-made pieces of jewelry, what sort of price range would be the best? For example, if I buy a pre-made necklace, what would my price point be? Say if the pre-made pieces of jewelry at wholesale cost would be $5.34. Would I multiply the wholesale cost by 2, 3, 4 times the cost, or what percent would I mark up the necklace? If I decide to sell this necklace with a bracelet and earrings, what would the markup be on this set? Also, if I buy a set of 6 of the same kind that cost $7.42 for the set of 6 how would I break this down to each individual piece? I will be setting up at the flea market and craft shows and making up my website and ebay store. Thank you.

Q: I recently made a ring out of Art Clay silver, and can't get it off the mandrel! I've found a lot of suggestions for preventing Art Clay from sticking in the future, but none that help me fix what's already been done. How do I get my ring free without breaking it or having to start over?

Q: Should you use heavy Silkon for bracelets with large gemstones or Acculon? I had a bracelet break using Acculon and crimps and didn't know if Silkon would be better or stronger.

Q: My friend brought me a pearl necklace from China that had a twist-together clasp. I knew right away that continually twisting the necklace would break it, so I was very careful to undo the twist exactly the same number of times and in the opposite direction... it broke anyway right inside the first pearl next to the clasp. There's no way I can fix it! What can I do? I love those pearls.

Q: I have been seeing watch bands made with beads and safety pins and they just stretch. What would be a good choice of stringing material to use so the safety pin will not break it and it stretches.

Q: Sometimes when I am working on a bracelet or necklace, the crimp bead breaks off, and I have to start all over again. What am I doing wrong?

Q: My wire keeps breaking when I am using my wire twister tool. Sometimes the wire breaks off in the twister and other times the folded end will break in the vice. This can happen after only a few twists. How can I keep my wire from breaking?

Q: We make silverware jewelry. We like to use gemstones in the center of our bracelets. After wearing for awhile, the wire breaks. I have tried different wire, etc. but have not solved the problem. We use the half hard 24-gauge sterling. Another jeweler suggested we try using virgin silver wire and then tumbling our pieces to work-harden. How do you tumble the finished product without damaging the stones? I cannot figure out a way to tumble the piece without the stone set. Is there a product to cover and protect the stones, etc while polishing? Also, I have tried a few different methods trying to get a gloss on polished gemstones when they are not premium grade. Is there a product that we can use on a Ruby to add luster which will harden and not damage the stone? The last one I tried I thought was the answer, however, after a few weeks the surface seem to soften. Thanks.

Q: I live in Denver, CO and I have a problem with elastic cording breaking. My guess is it due to the lack of humidity. What would be the best elastic cording to use that will last?

Has your metal clay gone bone-dry? We'll show you how to bring it back to life! LauraLynn demonstrates how in just 5 easy steps: break up, grind, sift, rehydrate and reform!

Gold-filled corrugated rounds and saucers create eye-catching breaks in the sparkling crystal shimmer beads and gemstone beads in a combination necklace and earring set.

Fiery crystals wire-wrapped to metal loops create visual breaks in the multi-colored, two-strand design of this necklace set.

Play with visual weight in this necklace design containing multiple wire gauges and pearl bead diameters. This size variety creates visual break-up to capture the eye.