Ask the Experts

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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Ask the Experts Teaching Q&A

Q: How do I charge for teaching how to make jewelry? I'll be carrying the products myself (beads, etc.). There isn't anyone here who teaches at all in my area. I know in Houston they do but its 2 hrs away.

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Ask the Experts Selling Q&A

Q: With selling jewelry in mind, should I focus my designs into a theme or collection?

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Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A

Q: Can I cross the gold precious metal clay with some of the copper to successfully have rosegold precious metal clay?

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Ask the Experts Stretching Q&A

Q: I've been making beaded jewelry for some time now. The wire/cord of some of my pieces has stretched over time so that there are spaces near the clasp of my necklaces. I am using Beadalon/Accu-Flex type wire. I've heard of prestretching your wire. Do I need to do this to prevent them from stretching out? Do you have any other suggestions to prevent this from happening? Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Wire Gauge for a Wire-Wrapped Ring Q&A

Q: I recently purchased a bead ring from a street vendor. The ring's band is made with a smooth silver wire with two loops, then a bead is attached using a thinner wire which is threaded through the ring's loops and twisted to secure. What kind and gauge of hypo-allergenic wire can be used to make a similar ring for my family and friends?

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Ask the Experts Finding the Largest Lobster Claw Clasp Q&A

Q: Lobster Claw clasps: if a large one is needed, do I order a higher mm or lower one? What is your largest size lobster claw clasp?

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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 Bead Size Charts Q&A

Q: I am new to beading and struggle with understanding bead sizes—especially as I look at websites like Fire Mountain and see beads I like. I haven't been able to find a good size chart to use. Can you recommend one?

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Ask the Experts Proper Gauge Wire for Wrapped Loops Q&A

Q: What gauge wire is recommended for making wrapped loops? I've tried the 22 and 24. They are too soft, for me, to work with. Would a lower gauge wire work best? I'm a newbie at this. Also, what would be the equivalent gauge size of a wire diameter of, say, .014 or .015"? I've seen only diameters of wires given, and I have no idea how to determine what the gauge would be.

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Ask the Experts Turquoise Q&A

Q: I need to identify and price turquoise I purchased in New Mexico 20 years ago. I do know that some pieces are Sleeping Beauty turquoise. What is the best approach to identifying this gemstone?

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Ask the Experts Alternative Donut Ideas Q&A

Q: How can I hang a gemstone donut on a length of cording without using a donut bail?

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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 Hiding Knots Q&A

Q: I make wrap bracelets and I am having trouble tying off my thread so that my knots aren't so visible. Any suggestions? I love your website and I look through my catalog every day! Thank you!

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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 Bamboo Coral Q&A

Q: I have some bamboo rattle snake coral that I ordered elsewhere. It is long jagged pieces and I find it to be very ugly so I have put off working with it. Do you have any suggestions about using this product? What else would go with it? Thank you very much.

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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 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 Firing Q&A

Q: I just bought a new kiln and have tried the time and temperature listed, but my pieces are coming out not completely fired. How do I adjust the time and temperature without ruining more silver and copper clay?

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Ask the Experts Hammering Metals Q&A

Q: Please tell me what tool to use for a hammered look on metals like sterling silver and gold-filled?

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Ask the Experts Gold-filled Chain Q&A

Q: I recently bought gold-filled chains that I will resell to my customers. How do I explain gold-filled?

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Ask the Experts Pinch Bails on Briolettes Q&A

Q: When using a sterling silver pinch bail on a briolette, does pinching it together make a secure attachment, or should I be using some type of glue on the bail?

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Ask the Experts Pliers Q&A

Q: Please tell me the difference between "lap joint" and "box joint" pliers?

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Ask the Experts Crimp Tubes for Leather Cord Q&A

Q: What size tubes with loops do I use with 1mm and 2mm leather beading cord? I'm confused about the sizes in the catalog.

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Ask the Experts Knotting Pearls Q&A

Q: My friend brought me a pearl necklace from China that had a twist-together clasp. I knew right away that continually twisting the necklace would break it, so I was very careful to undo the twist exactly the same number of times and in the opposite direction... it broke anyway right inside the first pearl next to the clasp. There's no way I can fix it! What can I do? I love those pearls.

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Ask the Experts Sterling Silver Q&A

Q: Hi, I was wondering if there is a way to tell if a bead is sterling silver or something else. Whatever they are they are solid, nothing scratches off. Thanks

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Ask the Experts Lengthening a Choker Q&A

Q: OOPS! Should have tried on the choker I was making before I added the bar/ring toggle, crimped, and cut the wire--it is too tight! Any suggestions for "extending" the length of a necklace without removing the toggle? I'd hate to re-string it as it was a very intricate (time-consuming) project. Next time, I'll measure twice, cut once!

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Ask the Experts Knotting Q&A

Q: I am looking to make a necklace where the beads are on the thread but not connected to other beads or spacers. Do I just need to knot around the bead or do I need to do something different to hold it in place?

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Ask the Experts Add-a-Bead Chain Q&A

Q: What is "Add-a-bead chain"? What technique secrets apply to this type of chain?

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Ask the Experts Mother-of-Pearl Q&A

Q: Can I dye white mother of pearl beads with Rit dye? What do I cover them with to keep the color from transferring? Thanks!

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Ask the Experts Extender/Safety Chain Q&A

Q: What do I need to add to my bracelet designs to keep them from falling off and being lost—my customers are asking and I want to be able to offer them a solution. Thanks.

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Ask the Experts The Best Knot for Donuts Q&A

Q: What is the best knot to use for putting a donut onto a cord so it hangs properly?

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Ask the Experts Release Q&A

Q: I was wondering if you need any kind of release with the flex molds? I'm thinking for PMC you'd want to oil them, but what about resin?

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Ask the Experts Making a Twisted Necklace Q&A

Q: What is the correct technique to make a twisted 3- or 2-strand necklace without unraveling the strands? What is the best beading wire to use? It's driving me nuts trying to figure it out.

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Ask the Experts Patina Q&A

Q: Instead of Liver of Sulfur, will using muriatic acid in small amounts to oxidize metal make the metal brittle? I like the gunmetal look I achieved in gold- and silver-plated chains but am unsure how long the patina will last. Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Cleaning Q&A

Q: How do I clean my pliers and wire cutters? They have become rusty and old looking.

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Ask the Experts Genuine Q&A

Q: How do you tell the difference between a cameo that is carved out of a single piece of shell, and one that has the image glued onto the background?

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Ask the Experts Securing Powercord® Q&A

Q: How do you tie off an elastic cord, as in a bracelet?

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Ask the Experts Avoid Marring Wire Q&A

Q: When I'm working with wire, I notice my tools are leaving marks behind. How can I avoid marring the wire?

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Ask the Experts Using French Wire Q&A

Q: What is French wire and how do you use it?

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Ask the Experts Pearls, Dyed Q&A

Q: Is the color on dyed pearls permanent?

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Ask the Experts Wire-Wrapping Q&A

Q: What is the best wire for a beginner to use for wire wrapping?

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Ask the Experts Hinged Earwires Q&A

Q: I purchased a pair of hammered sterling silver earrings online for my daughter. The earrings have a bar closure that broke off (the bar and hinge). I have made a lot of jewelry myself. I tried to replace them with something similar, but could not find anything here on line. How can I repair them?

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Ask the Experts Repair Q&A

Q: When I restick rhinestones with jewelry cement they lose their sparkle. Why is this? Does the stone need some sort of coating or a special glue?

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Ask the Experts Cleaning and Polishing Q&A

Q: I have trouble with gold/silver filled findings darkening over time. What can I use on them to keep them shiny as if new?

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Ask the Experts Art Shows Q&A

Q: I am interested in selling jewelry at craft fairs and shows. I will need to have a pretty large inventory of necklaces, bracelets and earrings. What do you recommend as a good amount of inventory for a fair or show? Thank you!

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Ask the Experts Measurements Q&A

Q: How can I tell what gauge chain a necklace is made of? I want to buy a chain that is the same gauge, but don't know what it is!

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Ask the Experts Conversion Q&A

Q: I have a pair of post earrings that I want to make into dangles but there is no hole. How do I do that?

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Ask the Experts Clay Q&A

Q: What is the easiest way to get Vitrium out of a mold? Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Allergies Q&A

Q: Is titanium a good metal for someone with allergies?

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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.

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Ask the Experts Cabochon Settings Q&A

Q: Can you use bezel cups inside cab settings? If yes, which ones?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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.

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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 Findings/Accu-Guard™ Wire Protectors Q&A

Q: Can I use the wire guardian as the hook for my clasp?

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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?

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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 Shortening a Necklace Q&A

Q: Is there a way to make a multi-strand necklace shorter without pulling it apart?

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Ask the Experts Arthritis Q&A

Q: Which tools do you recommend to buy when the person has arthritis?

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Ask the Experts Stick Pins Q&A

Q: Does crimping or gluing work best to hold beads on a stick pin?

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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?

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Ask the Experts Bead Tips Q&A

Q: Can bead tips be used with Accu-Flex® beading wire?

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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?

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Ask the Experts Cloisonné BeadsQ&A

Q: How should I clean cloisonné beads?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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Ask the Experts Cleaning Q&A

Q: When a natural pearl starts to discolor, does that mean it is "sick"?

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Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A

Q: Which gauge wire can be used with size 11/0 seed beads?

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Ask the Experts Matching Pearls Q&A

Q: How can I match pearls easily?

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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.

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Ask the Experts Chain Q&A

Q: Are Omega chains stiffer than regular chains?

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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?

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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.

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Ask the Experts Sterling Silver-Filled Q&A

Q: Can your new dead soft silver-filled wire be work-hardened?

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Ask the Experts Wire Gauge Q&A

Q: What is the best gauge wire for making ear wires?

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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?

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Ask the Experts Pendants Q&A

Q: If the half-drilled pendant findings or screw eyes are too large, what is a good substitute?

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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?

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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!

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Ask the Experts Loomwork Q&A

Q: What kind or size of thread do I use on the beading loom?

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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?

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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''?

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Ask the Experts Seed Bead Fringe Q&A

Q: How do I correct a tension problem in my seed bead fringe?

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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?

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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!!

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