Ask the Experts Pearls, Dyed Q&A
Q: Is the color on dyed pearls permanent?
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Ask the Experts
about Jewelry Making
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!
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!
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?
Ask the Experts Clay Q&A
Q: What is the easiest way to get Vitrium out of a mold? Thanks.
Ask the Experts Allergies Q&A
Q: Is titanium a good metal for someone with allergies?
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.