Ask the Experts Allergies Q&A
Q: Is titanium a good metal for someone with allergies?
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Ask the Experts
about Jewelry Making
Ask the Experts Natural Q&A
Q: I made a necklace that was almost entirely wood beads. I made it in the winter. This summer the wood swelled and the necklace was too tight to hang right. Now it is winter again and the beads have shrunk back and the necklace is wearable. Any way to address this issue? It is making me shy away from using wood beads.
Ask the Experts Cabochon Settings Q&A
Q: Can you use bezel cups inside cab settings? If yes, which ones?
Ask the Experts Forming Q&A
Q: I want to make my own pins using various wire and different gauges of wire, copper, sterling, etc. These pins would be made using one continuous piece of wire. What is the best way to sharpen the pin end?
Ask the Experts Wire Q&A
Q: I'd like to make a very small simple wire chain base for a charm bracelet. Can size 30-34 gauge wire work?
Ask the Experts Gemstone Treatment Guide Q&A
Q: What do all the initials in parenthesis after the gemstones mean--example coral (IMIT). Thank you, is it listed in the catalog?
Ask the Experts Jumprings Q&A
Q: I am a chain mail artist considering making my own sterling silver jump rings. Is the cost saving to buy sterling wire and make the rings myself worth the effort? My preferences for wire are 16 and 18 gauge half-hard wire.
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.
Ask the Experts Findings/Accu-Guard™ Wire Protectors Q&A
Q: Can I use the wire guardian as the hook for my clasp?
Ask the Experts Briolettes Q&A
Q: I purchased a string of tourmaline briolettes with the holes cut at the top from Fire Mountain. I want to attach them to a gold filled chain (like a string of fish) for earrings. The problem is the holes are much too small to attach with head pins. I have the 26 gauge gold-filled wire from your catalog--but in a dilemma to get the half-hard or full-hard through to make the twisted loop attachment?
Ask the Experts Firing Q&A
Q: I want to make a bracelet that is not a bangle but one that doesn't touch each side. What can I use to mold and fire on?
Ask the Experts Cord ends Q&A
Q: My beaded design is strung on Accu-Flex® wire. I'd like to attach the wire end to several inches of leather or rubber cord before I attach the clasp. I know how to make the connection at the clasp, but what should I use to connect the wire to the cord? I've been looking at cord tips; some have holes, some have loops.
Ask the Experts Stringing with FireLine® Q&A
Q: I've been using Accu-Flex® wire in my necklace and bracelet projects, but I'd like to explore other stringing materials. In particular, I'd like to know how to select the appropriate weight of FireLine® and how to finish off ends attractively and appropriately.
Ask the Experts Ethics Q&A
Q: When I use a pattern found in a magazine, how do I get permission to sell or teach that pattern?
Ask the Experts Beaded Q&A
Q: I am looking for a pattern or tutorial to make beaded beads with size 11 or 15 seed beads. Can you help? Thank you.
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!!
Ask the Experts Shortening a Necklace Q&A
Q: Is there a way to make a multi-strand necklace shorter without pulling it apart?
Ask the Experts Arthritis Q&A
Q: Which tools do you recommend to buy when the person has arthritis?
Ask the Experts Stick Pins Q&A
Q: Does crimping or gluing work best to hold beads on a stick pin?
Ask the Experts Briolette Repair Q&A
Q: While creating a wire wrap for a very large faceted lemon quartz briolette, I inadvertently caused chipping on each side of the top-drilled hole. I've decided not to use the stone as a briolette since the drill hole is no longer useful. Can I repair the damage and what then can I do with the stone?
Ask the Experts Bead Tips Q&A
Q: Can bead tips be used with Accu-Flex® beading wire?
Ask the Experts Molds Q&A
Q: I am interested in creating my own jewelry company. I have started out by making bracelets, however I need to separate my bracelets from other bracelet makers. I have many ideas of beads I want to design myself but am not sure how to go about getting them created. For example, some companies have their logos as pendants on a lot of their jewelry. I want to make a logo pendant for my bracelets but am not sure how to "create" it. Are there jewelry supply companies that can make my logo into a pendant or is this something I have to create on my own?
Ask the Experts Cloisonné BeadsQ&A
Q: How should I clean cloisonné beads?
Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A
Q: If gluing seed beads to a flat surface, is there a spray or glue to put on top to make sure they stay smooth and secure to the object?
Ask the Experts Beading Q&A
Q: I am working with stainless steel wire, knitting a necklace and bracelet. I notice the wire is really dark. What can I do to clean stainless steel wire and make it brighter and more shiny?
Ask the Experts Accu-Flex® Beading Wire Q&A
Q: Which gauge of Accu-Flex beading wire is smallest? Does Accu-Flex beading wire fray?
Ask the Experts Cleaning Q&A
Q: When a natural pearl starts to discolor, does that mean it is "sick"?
Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A
Q: Which gauge wire can be used with size 11/0 seed beads?
Ask the Experts Matching Pearls Q&A
Q: How can I match pearls easily?
Ask the Experts Gemstones Q&A
Q: How do I explain to my customers what jasper is? It goes by so many names. I want to feel comfortable in what I say. I just got some banded jasper and I need something to say about it. Thanks for great products and services.
Ask the Experts Chain Q&A
Q: Are Omega chains stiffer than regular chains?
Ask the Experts Apoxie Sculpt Q&A
Q: Can Apoxie Sculpt be used with polymer? Ex: If I make say a bezel type pendant and want to inlay it with a cab gemstone can I use the Apoxie Sculpt if I choose?
Ask the Experts Tarnish Removal Q&A
Q: I have quite a collection of Hill Tribe Silver beads. I have been keeping them in clear hard plastic stackable screw together storage containers. I have noticed that they are beginning to tarnish. It will be quite a job to shine them up again. Could you recommend the best way to store them (for the future) and what would be the best way for me to clean these intricate beads. Many thanks for your help.
Ask the Experts Sterling Silver-Filled Q&A
Q: Can your new dead soft silver-filled wire be work-hardened?
Ask the Experts Wire Gauge Q&A
Q: What is the best gauge wire for making ear wires?
Ask the Experts Mounting Faceted Gemstones Q&A
Q: I'm trying to make an ankle bracelet and I want to use some faceted round gemstones, like a 4mm London blue topaz and a heart shaped 4x4mm ruby. How do I go about setting these and other stones so I can hang them from the bracelet?
Ask the Experts Pendants Q&A
Q: If the half-drilled pendant findings or screw eyes are too large, what is a good substitute?
Ask the Experts Commission Q&A
Q: I met with a gallery owner recently who wanted a huge commission to sell my jewelry. I was completely turned off and left without making a deal with her. Now I am re-thinking my decision. Should I go back and see if her commission is negotiable?
Ask the Experts Product Warning Labels Q&A
Q: I am thinking about selling the jewelry I make. What are my obligations as far as describing the materials that my jewelry is made from? It can be so confusing!
Ask the Experts Loomwork Q&A
Q: What kind or size of thread do I use on the beading loom?
Ask the Experts Selling Q&A
Q: I'm fine selling my jewelry face to face, right up to the point where I have to ask for the money. Then I get nervous. How common is that, and what can I do about it?
Ask the Experts Art Show Q&A
Q: I just had a bad experience selling at a local show. It was well-attended, but there were mostly ''bargain-hunters'' there who complained about my prices. What can I do to make sure I don't wind up at another ''flea market''?
Ask the Experts Seed Bead Fringe Q&A
Q: How do I correct a tension problem in my seed bead fringe?
Ask the Experts Flat Back Crystal Application Q&A
Q: I am fairly new to beading. How do I attach flat-backed crystals to a T-shirt or blouse?
Ask the Experts Bead Holding Tools Q&A
Q: I was born with only one hand, but LOVE making jewelry. It's my most favorite thing to do. I was hoping that you could suggest some gadgets that would help me when I need to hold two tools in my hand. The hardest things to do are closing jump rings and holding earring backs while attaching drops. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!!
Ask the Experts Making A Flat Briolette Bail Q&A
Q: How do I make a bail for a flat briolette using sterling wire?
Ask the Experts Designer End Head Pin with Loop Ideas Q&A
Q: What can you make using 3-3.5 inch head pins with a designer end with loop? I find it is too thick for most of my beads. Any design ideas for them?
Ask the Experts Setting Marcasite in Art Clay® Q&A
Q: I'm interested in doing silver clay jewelry. What's the best way to get started? I love marcasite. Can I put them in the silver clay and then heat or is it best to glue them in later. Would I use jewelry glue or slip?