Ask the Experts | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Wire Wrapping Q&A

Q: Do you have a catalog specifically geared towards wire wrapping jewelry? I've been interested in pursuing this beautiful craft. With your catalogs having a few instructional sections, I thought this would be a helpful start for me.

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Ask the Experts Apparel Q&A

Q: I need instructions on making hat pins, please.

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Ask the Experts Stringing Q&A

Q: I need basic instructions on how to make stretch bracelets. I live in Puerto Rico and the heat and humidity play havoc on the stretch elastic. What is the strongest and best to use?

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Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A

Q: When using beads and E6000 to glue a cabochon to ultra suede or Lacy's Stiff Stuff, is one row of beads around the base sufficient? Some instructions say to add several rows of progressively smaller beads, some don't. This is for a stationary object not jewelry. Thank you for your help.

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Ask the Experts Lover's Knot Q&A

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?

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Ask the Experts Right-Angle Weave Q&A

Q: I am totally new to beading. I want to make a right-angle-weave bracelet. Can you tell me where to find instructions for adding the center bead to each right angle group? Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Rotary Tumbler Q&A

Q: I recently bought a Lortone Rotary Tumbler and would like to tumble metal in it. How do I do this? The instruction booklet doesn't address this. Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Personalizing Jewelry Q&A

Q: I was at SeaWorld and saw a vendor bending wire into people's names to wear as a necklace. Are there instructions on the method used to twist wire into names? And how do they stay intact and not stretch out of shape after wearing for a time? Thank you for your time.

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Ask the Experts Business Ethics Q&A

Q: I find great inspiration from the Gallery of Designs and the Beading Instructions. Will I get in trouble if I make and sell my jewelry using inspirations from these resources?

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Ask the Experts Finishing a Multi-strand Necklace Q&A

Q: I believe the answer is a no-brainer but I cannot figure it out. I would like to find out how to finish off a multi-strand necklace, particularly when done on thread. When I go to How-To's, it brings up design ideas. I see the picture and the list of materials, but for the life of me, I cannot find instructions to go with it. How do I find what I want?

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Ask the Experts Ribbon Crimp Ends Q&A

Q: How do I use ribbon ends on my loomworked bracelets? Every time I attach one I crush some of the beads because the clamp doesn't seem large enough to cover the beads. I've seen other examples of loom and off-loom bracelets with these ends attached, but I don't know how to properly attach them. Do you have any bar clasps that are made specifically for stitched bracelets and necklaces or some kind of instructional resource on how to use the ribbon clasp on beadwork?

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Ask the Experts Charlottes Q&A

Q: Some instructions call for ''charlotte beads''... What are they, what size are they, and if not available, can another be substituted? I notice Fire Mountain does not have them.

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Ask the Experts Making a Seed Bead Bezel for a Cabochon Q&A

Q: Where can I find instructions on surrounding cabochons with beads? Is there a book that I could get?

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Ask the Experts Business Q&A

Q: I am fairly new to jewelry making (3 yrs.). I have been learning by making items from magazines and books. These items were gifts for friends and family. I recently started creating my own items. In a recent trip to a bead store, the shop owner liked my bangle bracelet. When I told them it was my own creation, they wanted to buy my instructions and teach it at their shop. Should I do that? If I do, how do I put a value on instructions? What am I giving up by doing that? I don't have a business. I eagerly await your reply. Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Metal Sheets Q&A

Q: Thank you so much for providing answers to my many questions. I hadn't realized this was an option. I've been fascinated with Argentium, but I can't find much in the way of instructional materials. I have several questions for you, and I thank you in advance for taking time to answer.

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Ask the Experts Hair Combs Q&A

Q: I'm interested in making some decorative hair combs, but I would actually like to make my own hair comb out of wire. I've been looking everywhere for instructions, and can't seem to find any. Do you know of a pattern that is available for making the actual comb?

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Ask the Experts Wire Crochet Q&A

Q: How should I finish off a crocheted wire necklace with 3 strands or more? I have seen instructions to glue the wires, but I have more than 3 wires so it is heavy. Please let me know what to do and what to use.

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