Ask the Experts

Q: I've come across the terms "lentil beads" and "melon beads." What are they? How do you describe them?

Q: I am looking for the Crystal Passions® bead colors for all the different cancers. I have breast cancer and want to make bracelets for the nurses at the oncology department at my hospital. I know there are names for them, but they do not match the beads. Can you help?

Q: I think your how-to videos are a wonderful addition to your site. I was watching the bead tip and French wire videos in particular. My question/suggestion is that I don't have a problem with finishing my jewelry on the first end but after the stringing is complete it is the second end which gives me trouble, when you have to tighten the string so that there are no loose beads. French wire is very difficult to use, but doubly so when you are finishing the second end. For example: when I pull the loop, the wire tends to spread and becomes useless. Can you include the second half of the how-to as well as the first?

Q: How do you avoid leaving fingerprints on your polymer clay beads?

Q: What kind of dye can I use on bone beads?

Q: Can crimp beads be used with thread?

Q: What is the difference between side clamp-on, standard and bottom clamp-on bead tips?

Q: Is it better to put a smaller stone in a larger setting, or a larger stone in a smaller setting?

Q: What does "gold-filled" mean?

Q: How do I choose the size stretch cord to make bracelets?

Q: Can any size bead be used for tubular peyote, or is it confined to the smaller beads? What shape bead works best?

Q: I am new to loom working and would like to know how to attach my project to a steel bracelet blank.

Q: I have several strands of tiny 2.5mm diamond beads and am in a quandary as to the best way to string them. I've tried fishing line and extra fine beading wire, but I'm not satisfied with the results. I've also tried stringing them onto jump rings I made with 18K 30-gauge wire, but it made them look too spread out. Any suggestions?

Q: What is the difference between regular sterling silver 2x2mm cut crimp tubes and lightweight sterling silver 2x2mm cut crimp tubes? Under what circumstances would I choose to use one over the other?

Q: What size silk cord or thread is needed to make tassels?

Q: How can Thread Magic® help my seed beading?

Q: A gallery that recently bought some of my jewelry asked me not to sell similar designs through my own website, at shows or to other galleries. I'm not sure how to respond to their request? It feels too restrictive. Any advice would be appreciated.

Q: What is the difference between saltwater and freshwater pearls?

Q: Sure hope you can help me. I'm making a necklace and my pendant is a lampwork bead, sort of rondelle shaped. I want to use a large jump ring, 17mm, but I am having trouble as it does not seem secure on the necklace. Is there something I can use or some technique to keep this ring securely closed? I really don't want to invest in or learn soldering. Thank you so much.

Q: I am wondering how to drill small holes in certain pieces to accommodate certain designs. How would I drill holes in sterling silver or brass components? Also, how would I drill an extra hole in a pendant made of howlite? HELP!

Q: My children tangled my memory wire--is there an easy way to untangle it for use? Thank you!!

Q: How do you take out a bead from earrings and replace with new ones? The bead is glued in.

Q: Hello, I am making lots of sterling silver and gemstone pieces (mostly earrings). How should I care for the pieces? Can I use a silver polish when the pieces have bead components? Thanks for your advice.

Q: I've used toothpaste to clean my silver necklace for about the last 4-5 years. I was just wondering if I was ok in using it, or am I hurting my necklace?

Q: Ring sizes: I notice you often mention ring size 6 or 7 etc. Is this size in mm? And what is the average ring size for a lady?

Q: I have a bracelet I made out of large chunks of turquoise and spaced out with much smaller coral and bronze beads. The problem is that my arm hairs get pinched really badly, even though I tried to leave some room for the beads to move around. Is there a trick to knowing how much room to leave so the beads can move without pinching?

Q: I bought an odd-shaped cameo in Roatán, Honduras. Would I damage the product if I bonded a bail to it? I bought just the piece, so there is no sterling or any other type of metal attached to it already.

Q: What size bead should I use to put between charms for a Pandora or Biagi bracelet? The mm means next to nothing to average people. Thanks!

Q: What is the best way to compensate for stringing beads that have different hole sizes?

Q: I bought some silver Art Clay some years ago, it's never been opened. Do you know if it can still be used? I would be firing it with a butane torch. Thanks!

Q: How do you use Kato Polyclay? Do you need something else to mix with it or use it by itself. How do you know how long to bake it? Thanks.

Q: If I make a necklace that has the gems floating, what type of wire is good, and what type of crimp bead is good for keeping the bead in a suspended hold?

Q: I'm making hatbands, but I don't know how to finish the ends. They need to be adjustable. Do you have any ideas? I'd prefer to NOT sew the bands to a backing. Thanks!

Q: I've been beading for about a year and my biggest issue is the excess wire at the end of my project. Is there a trick to threading it into the strand of beads?

Q: I have a glass pendant that the loop broke off of. How can I wire wrap it and put a loop at the top, where the glass loop broke off?

Q: I am seeing cabochons used with pictures and words, and I want to use this style to make a 50th wedding anniversary piece for my mom. Is it just printer paper, or is there a certain glue or mounting that has to be used?

Q: How do I check for colorfastness?

Q: I'm hearing that aluminum is a good metal for jewelry chain. What are the benefits to using aluminum vs. sterling silver? Also, what is rhodium? Is it hypoallergenic? Thank you.

Q: How do you get the kinks, creases, etc. out of leather cord or other types of cord so it will lay nicely?

Q: Is there some magic way to attach a crimp tube with an attached clasp to a finished piece strung on wire? Attaching the first tube at one end is easy, but when attaching the second one, the wire slips back through the beads (and then the beads fall off the wire causing endless frustration)--and the wire is cut so short (to fit into the crimp), there's nothing to grasp. The opening on the tube is so narrow that it would be nearly impossible to put a long piece of wire through the tube and cut it later. Any suggestions?

Q: How do I attach a ribbon to a beading wire?

Q: I have some carved shell flowers. The hole is in the middle of each flower. How do I attach beads, and how do I make them into earrings?

Q: I am making earrings and a necklace using 2-3 links. Should I use a round jump ring or an oval jump ring to attach the links?

Q: I am totally new to beading. I want to make a right-angle-weave bracelet. Can you tell me where to find instructions for adding the center bead to each right angle group? Thanks.

Q: I just bought some beads, charms and hoops to make wine charms. They look great, but the beads fall off easily. Do you have any suggestions for what I could do to fix this? I bought 25mm, 24-gauge hoops. Thanks!

Q: I would like to string some heavy gemstone beads on elastic. What's the best material to use and how do I finish it? If I tie it, how do I hide the knot? Thanks.

Q: I am just not good with knots. I would prefer to use crimp tubes on stretch cord ("powercord"). I would like some reassurance that finished bracelets would last for a long time with wear. Have you had any testimonies from clients on this, and what is your opinion?

Q: I have sold my jewelry and wire work on consignment before, with pretty good success. However, I recently spoke with a shop owner who wanted me to pay a nonrefundable consignment fee to sell my work. I'd honestly never heard this before, and I'm a bit wary. Should I be?