Ask the Experts | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: I have been asked to make beaded pull chains for ceiling fans and window shades. I want to rise to this challenge, but how can I make something secure enough to handle the force? I appreciate your advice.

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Ask the Experts Stringing Q&A

Q: Will seed beads fit on necklace memory wire?

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Ask the Experts Stringing Q&A

Q: I have 10mm Opal Beads - I'm looking to put a gold spacer bead between them - I want to keep this necklace elegant - What would you suggest to the size of the gold spacer bead to look the best?

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Ask the Experts Beading Q&A

Q: I recently emailed you a question on what size beading bracelet thread should be when using 8mm beads. I am inquiring again. Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Bead Caps Q&A

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.

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Ask the Experts Q&A

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.

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Ask the Experts Best Stringing Material for Wood Beads Q&A

Q: When working with wood beads, what type of stringing material works best?

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Ask the Experts Finishing Jewelry with French Wire Q&A

Q: I think your how-to videos are a wonderful addition to your site. I was watching the bead tip and French wire videos in particular. My question/suggestion is that I don't have a problem with finishing my jewelry on the first end but after the stringing is complete it is the second end which gives me trouble, when you have to tighten the string so that there are no loose beads. French wire is very difficult to use, but doubly so when you are finishing the second end. For example: when I pull the loop, the wire tends to spread and becomes useless. Can you include the second half of the how-to as well as the first?

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Ask the Experts Small Beads Q&A

Q: I have several strands of tiny 2.5mm diamond beads and am in a quandary as to the best way to string them. I've tried fishing line and extra fine beading wire, but I'm not satisfied with the results. I've also tried stringing them onto jump rings I made with 18K 30-gauge wire, but it made them look too spread out. Any suggestions?

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Ask the Experts Stringing Q&A

Q: What is the best way to compensate for stringing beads that have different hole sizes?

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Ask the Experts Illusion Necklace Q&A

Q: If I make a necklace that has the gems floating, what type of wire is good, and what type of crimp bead is good for keeping the bead in a suspended hold?

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Ask the Experts Stringing Q&A

Q: I've been beading for about a year and my biggest issue is the excess wire at the end of my project. Is there a trick to threading it into the strand of beads?

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Ask the Experts Stringing Q&A

Q: I would like to string some heavy gemstone beads on elastic. What's the best material to use and how do I finish it? If I tie it, how do I hide the knot? Thanks.

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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 Measurement Q&A

Q: A customer recently complained that I described the measurements of a bead incorrectly. If I say a bead is 10mm, does that mean wide on the string (perpendicular to string), or thickness hole to hole (parallel to string)?

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Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

Q: I want to string some beads for outdoors. What wire could I use that would not rust? Thanks

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Ask the Experts Stringing Materials Q&A

Q: What kind of wire or string should be used when making a necklace where the beads go all the way around the neck so it will lie flat?

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Ask the Experts Crystal Stringing Material Q&A

Q: What type of threads can I use for crystals? Can I use silk thread or only wire?

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Ask the Experts Smoothing Bead Edges Q&A

Q: I recently purchased packets and strings of gemstone beads. Some of them have jagged, rough edges. What can I use to smooth them?

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Ask the Experts Stretchy Q&A

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.

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Ask the Experts Stringing Glass Beads Q&A

Q: What type of string or cord should I use for glass beads? I have glass bunnies and other beads but don't know how to get started for a bracelet or necklace. Help!!

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Ask the Experts Stringing Material for Knotting Pearls Q&A

Q: What size silk thread should I use for knotting pearls?

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Ask the Experts Beginners' Guide to Stringing Materials Q&A

Q: HELP! I have just started to bead and have some questions about what kind and what size of thread/wire I should use with my projects. What do all the numbers/gauge/sizes mean?

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Ask the Experts Stringing a Continuous Necklace Q&A

Q: How do I string a continuous necklace without using a crimp bead?

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