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
about Jewelry Making
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.
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.
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
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!
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?
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?
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!
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
Ask the Experts Cleaning Q&A
Q: How do I clean my pliers and wire cutters? They have become rusty and old looking.
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?
Ask the Experts Securing Powercord® Q&A
Q: How do you tie off an elastic cord, as in a bracelet?
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?
Ask the Experts Using French Wire Q&A
Q: What is French wire and how do you use it?
Ask the Experts Pearls, Dyed Q&A
Q: Is the color on dyed pearls permanent?
Ask the Experts Wire-Wrapping Q&A
Q: What is the best wire for a beginner to use for wire wrapping?
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?
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?
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?
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!