Ask the Experts Closing Crimp Covers Q&A
Q: How do I close crimp bead covers without marking them? They are too tough to close by hand.
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Ask the Experts
about Jewelry Making
Ask the Experts Metal Beads Q&A
Q: What are liquid silver beads and how do you use them?
Ask the Experts Ribbon Crimp Ends Q&A
Q: How do I use ribbon ends on my loomworked bracelets? Every time I attach one I crush some of the beads because the clamp doesn't seem large enough to cover the beads. I've seen other examples of loom and off-loom bracelets with these ends attached, but I don't know how to properly attach them. Do you have any bar clasps that are made specifically for stitched bracelets and necklaces or some kind of instructional resource on how to use the ribbon clasp on beadwork?
Ask the Experts Heirloom Jewelry Q&A
Q: I have almost a dozen old family beads. I think they were originally on a bracelet but the old thread has rotted. The beads are 20 x 14mm black rounded rectangles, the back is flat, and the front is faceted. They each have two holes running the short way across the bead. I would like to incorporate the beads into a necklace. One problem is how to go back and forth between beads with a single hole and beads with a double hole. Another problem is how to have the beads lay flat. When they are part of a bracelet they lay in a straight line, but of course a necklace curves when it's worn, so the beads tilt. Thank you.
Ask the Experts Bent Needles Q&A
Q: No matter how hard I try, my needles always get bent while I'm beading--what am I doing wrong?
Ask the Experts Flexible Bracelet Stringing Materials Q&A
Q: What is the best wire for making a flexible bracelet and the best stretch cord size?
Ask the Experts Acquiring a Wholesale License Q&A
Q: I don't have a question about jewelry-making but I was wondering if you could tell me how to go about getting a wholesale license? I have no idea how to go about this and I have had no luck searching the internet.
Ask the Experts Dyed Beads Q&A
Q: How do I wash dyed beads?
Ask the Experts Faceted Gems and Cabochons Q&A
Q: What are your items that will hold Faceted Gems and Cabochons? Is it best to use glue? If so, what kind?
Ask the Experts Hill Tribes Silver Beads Q&A
Q: Sometimes it's hard to string large Hill Tribes silver beads onto Accu-Flex® beading wire as the wire curves before it's through the bead hole. And if I'm working with multiple wires, inevitably one makes it through the bead hole, but I have to struggle to get the rest to cooperate. How can I get the wire through without getting frustrated?
Ask the Experts Enlarging Pearl Holes Q&A
Q: I was adding a few pearls to my latest design and some of them wouldn't fit onto my needle. I was able to use other pearls in the same strand to finish the necklace, but how can I make use of the pearls that didn't work the first time?
Ask the Experts Restringing Czech Seed Beads Q&A
Q: I'd like to restring Czech seed beads quickly onto Nymo thread, any ideas on how to do that without taking the seed beads off and stringing with a needle, one by one?
Ask the Experts Basic Jewelry-Making Tools Q&A
Q: What tools do I need to make jewelry?
Ask the Experts Making Consistent Loops Q&A
Q: When working with round and square precious-metal and color-coated wire, how can I make the same size loops so my project has a consistent look?
Ask the Experts Reducing Eye Strain Q&A
Q: How do you recommend I relieve eye strain when working with seed beads?
Ask the Experts Men's Earrings Q&A
Q: What kind of earrings would make good men's earrings to hang dagger or spider drops from? And if I buy the round rubber or leather cord, black, 3mm, for a man's necklace what clasps or crimping beads do I use on the ends to secure and fasten?
Ask the Experts Attaching a Center-Drilled Pendant Q&A
Q: What is the best way to attach a center drilled pendant to a necklace?
Ask the Experts Beads for Leather Cord Q&A
Q: What size beads can you use with leather cord?
Ask the Experts Thread Size for Peyote Stitch Q&A
Q: I am learning to do the Peyote stitch. What size thread do you recommend I use?
Ask the Experts Secure Eye Pins and Head Pins Q&A
Q: What is the most secure way to attach an eye pin or head pin to a design?
Ask the Experts Cutting Accu-Flex® Beading Wire Q&A
Q: Would you recommend a particular wire cutter for .019 size, 49 strand Accu-Flex® beading wire?
Ask the Experts Polymer Clay Q&A
Q: I have just recently gotten into experimenting with polymer clays. I remember hearing or reading somewhere, before I got into clay, that there is a two-part mold-making material that is intended for clay use. I'd like to make some of my own molds. What are my options that will complement the nature and characteristics of the clay?
Ask the Experts Bead Fixative Q&A
Q: If I spray fixative on a bracelet made with some dyed cylinder beads, will the fixative hurt the skin after it dries? What do you recommend to seal in the color—other than not using the beads? I already made some bracelets, though I can avoid using those beads in the future. Thanks.
Ask the Experts Tassels Q&A
Q: How do you use ''T'' drilled beads and end beads? Also, how do you make tassels?
Ask the Experts Chainmaille Q&A
Q: I have discovered the joys (and tribulations) of working with jumprings in making chainmaille jewelry. Besides soldering the rings closed, is there a special glue that can be used? I love working with jumprings of all sizes and would like to know that the jewelry I make will stay together. Thank you!!
Ask the Experts Ankle Bracelet Length Q&A
Q: What is the average length for making an ankle bracelet?
Ask the Experts Pearls Q&A
Q: What are irradiated pearls?
Ask the Experts Cabochon Q&A
Q: What is a cabochon and does it have a hole drilled in it to be used for necklace or bracelet?
Ask the Experts Pins Q&A
Q: How do you make shawl pins?
Ask the Experts Finishing Thread Designs Q&A
Q: How do I finish a necklace that has been strung with thread? It has four strands and has a pendant suspended from the combined string.
Ask the Experts Multi-Strand Necklace Q&A
Q: I have just completed a multi-strand necklace with each strand being a different sized bead. The very small strand of freshwater pearls have a hole too small to bring the flex wire through after crimping. What should I do to finish this strand so it does not come undone?
Ask the Experts Safety Pins Q&A
Q: I purchased safety pins (6263FN) for a bead project to go along with stretch awareness bracelets I make and sell. I want to put beads on the pins but realized the beads must be on the opposite side, (have to pass the loop). Do you have any suggestions, can the loop be expanded and closed again or is there another way? This is my first time using safety pins. Thank you.
Ask the Experts Charlottes Q&A
Q: Some instructions call for ''charlotte beads''... What are they, what size are they, and if not available, can another be substituted? I notice Fire Mountain does not have them.
Ask the Experts Viking Knit Q&A
Q: I have learned to make Viking knit chain and want to move from craft wire to gold-filled, sterling silver, or fine silver. I like 26 gauge but I'm not sure if I should use dead-soft or half-hard. After weaving, I draw the wire through a drawplate to even out the weave and stretch/thin the chain. It may be drawn through 2-8 times depending on how thin I want the final result to be. Hammering would deform the chain. Any recommendations? I'm also looking for appropriate end caps for the chain.
Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A
Q: I want to cover a dowel with beads. It is the top part of a beaded wall hanging. What stitch would work best? Thanks!
Ask the Experts Cut Beads Q&A
Q: What is the difference between seed beads and cut beads?
Ask the Experts Wire Q&A
Q: What is Viking knit?
Ask the Experts Care and Cleaning Q&A
Q: I have some lovely dyed wood beads that look great on my necklace designs. The only problem is that I have noticed makeup and grime seem to be attracted to the natural grains and crevices in the wood. Should I try sealing the wood beads to help keep them clean? What type of sealant do you suggest?
Ask the Experts Resizing Q&A
Q: How do I shorten a knotted pearl necklace by 8 pearls without having to restring it?
Ask the Experts Earring Settings Q&A
Q: What type of earring settings can I use for an undrilled pearl? I have a pair of perfectly matched pearls and I hate the setting they are in. I just want to reset them so I can wear them. They are approximately 4mm.
Ask the Experts Wire Gauge Q&A
Q: What gauge of metal wire should I use for making a beaded Christmas tree with size 11/0 seed beads? The wire needs to be strong enough to support the weight of many glass seed beads, plus miniature ornaments of metal and glass, but it also needs to be narrow enough to fit through the seed bead holes. Thanks for your help!
Ask the Experts Dyeing Pearls Q&A
Q: How can I dye cultured freshwater pearls?
Ask the Experts Fine Silver and Silver Plate Q&A
Q: I made my first bracelets using silver-plated clasps (not from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads) and they discolored. I want to make good quality jewelry for gifts and don't want to waste money buying precious metal findings if they're not necessary, but I also don't want my pieces to tarnish easily. Can you guide me on when to use precious metal findings? What's the shelf life on silver-plate and gold-plate? I have asked others and researched online but am not getting a clear answer. Again, I might just have started with poor quality clasps and maybe both Fire Mountain's silver-plated and sterling will give me good results in all cases.
Ask the Experts Stringing Material Q&A
Q: I make magnetic bracelets and would like to use a wire to string the beads. What is the best choice and do I use the crimp bead method for the magnetic clasps?
Ask the Experts Rotary Grinding Tool Q&A
Q: What do I use to drill a hole in a cabochon? I can't find anything to go through.
Ask the Experts Wire Jig Q&A
Q: I'm just learning to work with wire. I'm ordering a jig, but have no idea what wire type, gauge, hardness, etc., to use. Can you give me some guidelines please?
Ask the Experts Knotting to Protect Soft Stones and Pearls Q&A
Q: I've noticed that for some beads such as natural pearls and malachite, it's recommended that they be strung on silk or similar with knots between beads to protect them, while other beads such as amethyst and crystals can be strung touching each other on something like Accu-Flex® beading wire. Is there an easy way to determine which beads should be strung and knotted on silk, and which ones will be okay strung on metal?
Ask the Experts Finishing a Peyote Stitched Piece Q&A
Q: I've been watching your videos on peyote stitch and you don't show how to attach a clasp at the end. I like wide bracelets and can't figure out how to finish the piece. Thank you.