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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 Caprice Q&A

Q: Please can you tell me what size snake chain is best to use for Pandora beads. If I buy the chain in lengths without clasps how do I fix the clasp to the chain?

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Ask the Experts Necklace Q&A

Q: I have started making personalized, metal-stamped, sterling necklace charms. I am having a hard time figuring out what type of "necklace" material to use. I love the look of a chain but cannot seem to find spacer beads to fit over the clasps on either end to go between the silver discs. (I do not want to use crimp beads, as I like the movement and changeability of the charms, and this would inhibit it.) Thank you SO much for your time and help!!

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Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

Q: When making wrapped wired drop earrings, how can I be sure they will be the same length? Thank You.

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Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A

Q: Can you mix the different Art Clays, the slow drying and the regular? Or do they need to be used seperately because of different working times?

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Ask the Experts Memory Wire Q&A

Q: I want to make a necklace by memory wire, but the diameter of the necklace memory wire is smaller than the diameter of the necklace that I want to make. How can I make the wire open a little bit bigger than its memory diameter?

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Ask the Experts Metals Q&A

Q: Is nickel used in the making of copper wire for jewelry?

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Ask the Experts Beading Q&A

Q: How do I enlarge the hole in plastic beads? I am making a craft that requires running a 1.5 inch ribbon through the bead. What tool can I use to enlarge the hole? I bought the diamond reamer but it does not work on plastic!!!

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Ask the Experts Design Q&A

Q: How do you keep top-drilled beads going in an alternating pattern on a necklace or bracelet? I have some small pearls that I would love to use.

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Ask the Experts Organizing Q&A

Q: I need tips, please, on how to organize a large inventory of beads and findings. Not the physical components—trays, bags, etc.—but the logical organization. Do the experts find it most useful to organize by color? By size? By material? By shape? Which are the main categories, and how are items sorted within the main categories? For example, beads might be organized first by main color (pink, yellow, black), then by big category of material (gemstone, glass), then specific material (calcite, mookaite, crystal, crackle glass, lampwork). Then within material by size or shape. What logical organization works best for you to help you find what you need quickly? Do different people organize different ways? How do you organize strands that have mixed colors or materials?

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Ask the Experts Art Clay® Q&A

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?

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Ask the Experts Earwires Q&A

Q: I want to make my own ear wires. My "affordable" jewelry is made with sterling silver plated wire that has a clear tarnish resistant coating. Is this kind of wire "safe" to use as ear wires?

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Ask the Experts Bead Reamer Q&A

Q: I was given a battery operated bead reamer as a gift, but am hesitant to try it. I was watching your bead reamer video and didn't even see a powered version mentioned as an option. It seems to me the hand versions offer more control. Do you have any recommendations?

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Ask the Experts Wind Chime Q&A

Q: I'm making a wind chime from some old stained glass pieces. I bought some memory wire from you a while back, but haven't tried it yet for this purpose. Will it hang straight when used or do you have another idea for connecting my pieces. Thanks!

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: I would like to make findings using wires. How can I make these? What kind of wire should I use and how can I make a secure finding so that the stone or gem I want to attach will be secure?

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Ask the Experts Reaming Beads Q&A

Q: Why does the glass bead split when I ream out all the white powder? Will the powder wear away eventually if I don't ream it out? Thank you

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Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A

Q: Can I use different metal clays on the same piece, e.g. bronze, copper, and or silver?

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Ask the Experts Head Pins Q&A

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

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Ask the Experts Earrings Q&A

Q: I purchased clip-on earring, silver-plated, 18x8mm perforated hoop. What is the best way to attach beads to this item? I have tried several ways and none are satisfactory. Glue? Thread? wire?

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Ask the Experts Headpins Q&A

Q: How do you make your own headpins?

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Ask the Experts Toggle Q&A

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?

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Ask the Experts Cording Q&A

Q: Help! I'm trying to find cording that will knot well, is sturdy and visually appealing (like macrame) as much as the beads. I am making a Shekere, which is a percussion type instrument made from gourds. I will also need to know what size beads will fit with the diameter of the cord you recommend.Thank you so much!

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Ask the Experts Thread Q&A

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.

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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 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 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 Beading Q&A

Q: I'm just starting out in beading. My interest is in beaded bracelets and necklaces. I'm starting with bracelets first. To prevent waste, how long do I need to make the beading wire before I cut it? How much extra do I leave? 1 - 2 inches? Thank you

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Ask the Experts Oxidized Q&A

Q: I have read that both copper and sterling silver can be oxidized using Liver of Sulfur or ammonia. During the oxidizing process, both metals will go through a range of color changes before getting to the antique-look. My question is: are you supposed to use some kind of sealant on all pieces that have been oxidized BUT not to the point of the antique-look. For example, oxidizing copper until it turns blue. None of the articles that I've read mention use of sealants. Thanks very much!

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Ask the Experts Wire-Wrapping Q&A

Q: What type of half-round wire do you recommend for wire wrapping jewelry?

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Ask the Experts Thread Q&A

Q: How do I thread silk thread through a needle so that there is not two layers of thread that makes it too thick to go through the beads?

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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 Beading Wire Q&A

Q: What is the difference between "tigertail" wire and regular beading wire? Which is the strongest for lanyards and badge holders? Thanks

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Ask the Experts Wire Gauges Q&A

Q: What is the best gauge wire to use with the wire jig? The best gauge to make jump rings?

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Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

Q: What kind of wire do you use to make a hoop earring?

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Ask the Experts Storage Q&A

Q: I have read that you cannot store polymer clay in certain plastic containers as it leaches some of the binding chemicals. Is it okay to store the clay in the bottles that prescription medicines come in as I save them to store beads, etc in? Thank you for your wonderful site and jewelry making components.

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Ask the Experts Finishing Q&A

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?

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Ask the Experts Metal Allergies Q&A

Q: Which wire is best for people who have allergies to nickel? Also, which wires hold up the best with wear and tear?

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Ask the Experts Wire Wrapping Q&A

Q: Is there an easy way to hold wires together when wire-wrapping? Could I use large crimp beads as a holder?

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Ask the Experts Jump Rings Q&A

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

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Ask the Experts Solder Q&A

Q: How do I solder gold-filled wire?

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Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A

Q: What is the difference between a round-hole seed bead and a square-hole seed bead? Are the two interchangeable?

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Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A

Q: I have a woven seed bead necklace that someone wants me to make earrings for. It consists of regular pink seed beads accented with matte gold seeds. The customer wants to clean the necklace. How do you clean this necklace without removing the color from the beads?

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Ask the Experts Patina Q&A

Q: Can copper colored aluminum wire be patinated?

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Ask the Experts Memory Wire Q&A

Q: Can you explain how to properly use a mandrel when bending memory wire?

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Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A

Q: How can you prevent open, unused silver clay from turning moldy? We have the unused silver wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, sealed with masking tape to keep the plastic wrap from coming loose. Then we place the silver in an air tight rubber maid container with a sponge that is wet. Does it just turn moldy over time or is there something different we should be doing?

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Ask the Experts Dichroic Q&A

Q: I am firing Dichro glass. I would like to put some silver wire loops in between the glass to hang the pieces with--what kind of silver flat and round wire can I use that can be fired in a kiln?

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Ask the Experts Metal Beads Q&A

Q: I have old brass curved tube beads in varying sizes. I want to cut or file some of the outside edge of the curve to expose a little cord inside. Do I use a file, a jeweler's saw? What type of blade or file? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Knots Q&A

Q: How do you stop the fishing line type cord from unraveling when knotted at the end of my project? Thank you.

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