Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Beading Q&A

Q: What needle would you recommend for a loom project that is about 5 inches (94 columns) wide and uses 11/0 Delica seed beads? I'm having to thread back through just a few columns at a time with my standard #12 needle.

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Stringing

A technique in which beads are gathered on a strand. Beading wire, needle and thread and other materials are used for stringing.

Top 10 Seed Beading Tools

Work smarter, not harder when making seed bead jewelry. The tiny beads can present unique challenges, so here are specialty tools and templates that make all the difference.

Beading Needles: A Comprehensive Guide for Every Project

What needles are best for what types of beading projects? If this question has you in stitches, never fear! Our handy guide is here to give you some sharp advice and tips to keep your beadwork on point.

Ask the Experts Stringing Q&A

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!

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Ask the Experts Peyote Q&A

Q: I am beading a bracelet that is odd count flat peyote (Delica size 11 beads). I am beading it by holding it in my fingers, but when I set it down flat on the table top, it is wavy on the edges. If I flatten the top, the bottom becomes wavy. If I flatten the bottom, the top becomes wavy. Doesn't matter if I use single needle or two needle. What am I doing wrong and can I fix it or should I take it all apart and start over and be careful not to do what?

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Ask the Experts Needle Q&A

Q: What type of needle is used for beading with Power Cord? Thank You

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Ask the Experts Seed Bead Stitches Q&A

Q: I am pretty new at beading and I am in love with seed beads. I am trying to do a two-row base for a necklace. I have tried peyote and square stitch. How do I get the tension right? I end up with it wiggly, or spiral, or twisty, anything but flat. Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Using a Beading Needle Q&A

Q: How do you thread a beading needle? Do you use a double thread as in regular sewing or a single thread?

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Ask the Experts How to Thread Beading Needles with Ease Q&A

Q: I have a major problem threading a size 10 or 11 beading needle with a wire threader, but need to use a thin needle for peyote stitching with seed beads. I use a Wide Eye needle for loomwork and have great success with it, but the needle is too long for off-loom stitches. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Beading Needles Q&A

Q: What needle should I purchase that will go through both beads and fabric, in order to bead fabric?

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Ask the Experts Fast Seed Bead Stringing Q&A

Q: My wife uses size 14 and size 15 seed beads to make little purses, and she is always saying she wishes she had a way to string the beads onto her needle that would be faster and easier than from a saucer and one at a time. I have heard about a bowl that you turn and the beads string onto the needle; is there such an item? Please let me know if you have any ideas.

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Ask the Experts Bent Needles Q&A

Q: No matter how hard I try, my needles always get bent while I'm beading--what am I doing wrong?

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Ask the Experts Restringing Czech Seed Beads Q&A

Q: I'd like to restring Czech seed beads quickly onto Nymo thread, any ideas on how to do that without taking the seed beads off and stringing with a needle, one by one?

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Tigertail™

A braided stainless steel cable-style wire used for jewelry-making, with a nylon coating against corrosion, and stiff enough to be strung without a needle.

Multi-Strand Necklace

Bursts of leopardskin jasper interspersed between fascinating fossil gemstone beads make for a beautiful statement necklace.

Design Idea 019D

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Using Twisted Beading Needles

Twisted beading needles offer some major advantages when creating strung jewelry designs. Here are the points you need to know when using these unique and handy beading needles.

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Needle Size Chart

Easy-to-follow chart gives suggestions for which needles can be used when working with a range of bead types.

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