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?

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?

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.

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?

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

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.

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!

Q: What type of threads can I use for crystals? Can I use silk thread or only wire?

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.

Q: How do you thread a beading needle? Do you use a double thread as in regular sewing or a single thread?

Q: I recently purchased packets and strings of gemstone beads. Some of them have jagged, rough edges. What can I use to smooth them?

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

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?

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.

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!

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?

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

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!

Q: I saw a tennis bracelet pattern in Bead and Button book. I have made quite a few of them for gifts for my family although I used 6mm bicone crystals instead of the 4mm the instructions called for. The best one I've made so far was for myself, it was made using 6mm crystal AB. What I'm asking you is this: The pattern calls for mono filament beading thread. I am wondering if this line is going to get cut using the bicone crystals? Also, the pattern calls for a box clasp, mine keeps coming apart every time I wear it--what else can I use instead?

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.

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

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?

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.

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?

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

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

Q: Is the color on dyed pearls permanent?

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?

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!

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?

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

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.

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

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?

Q: I'd like to make a very small simple wire chain base for a charm bracelet. Can size 30-34 gauge wire work?

Q: What do all the initials in parenthesis after the gemstones mean--example coral (IMIT). Thank you, is it listed in the catalog?

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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?

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

Q: How can I match pearls easily?

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.

Q: Are Omega chains stiffer than regular chains?

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?

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

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

Q: I am fairly new to beading. How do I attach flat-backed crystals to a T-shirt or blouse?

Q: How do I make a bail for a flat briolette using sterling wire?

Q: What can you make using 3-3.5 inch head pins with a designer end with loop? I find it is too thick for most of my beads. Any design ideas for them?

Q: I'm interested in doing silver clay jewelry. What's the best way to get started? I love marcasite. Can I put them in the silver clay and then heat or is it best to glue them in later. Would I use jewelry glue or slip?

Q: I'd like to make a rosary using either wood or glass round beads. What kind of chain do I use? I've never worked with chain before.

Q: Is 0.014-inch beading wire a good size for 10mm lapis lazuli and 16x12mm tourmaline beads? Will a 0.08mm inside diameter crimp work?

Q: What is the most secure way to attach a charm or bead to chain?

Q: How are seed beads made?

Q: Do Delica® beads fade?

Q: How do you make multi-strand necklaces and fasten the wires to a cone-style clasp? How do you attach the cone to the clasp?

Q: I have a major problem threading a size 10 or 11 beading needle with a wire threader, but need to use a thin needle for peyote stitching with seed beads. I use a Wide Eye needle for loomwork and have great success with it, but the needle is too long for off-loom stitches. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.

Q: What is the difference between "heated" and "dyed" colored stones?

Q: How do I attach a clasp to ball chain? What type of clasp do I use?

Q: What is the best gauge head pin to use for 2'' dangle earrings? I'm looking for something that is thin enough to work with, but thick enough that the earrings won't bend too easily. Thanks.

Q: I want to make a wide bracelet. What do I use to join the rows of beads together?

Q: I am having trouble with the tension on my bracelets/necklaces when doing the second side of them. No matter how much I pull the wire through the crimp bead there is always a gap between the crimp and beads. What can I do?

Q: I am looking for a thread/cord that WON'T STRETCH and can be used with heavier beads and knotted to finish. I have read that Dandyline braided beading cord is a good one, but you don't carry it. So, which is the correct one to use? Also, I would like it to come in colors. Thank you.

Q: Sometimes when I am working on a bracelet or necklace, the crimp bead breaks off, and I have to start all over again. What am I doing wrong?

Q: I recently came upon and purchased several pieces of natural quartz in various sizes. Mostly spear or column shaped. I know most times these are wire wrapped for wearing, but I was wondering about drilling a hole to string them that way. Would that be possible? If so what kind of drill bit should I use? Should I do anything to prepare the quartz before that? Thanks.

Q: I'm new to beading but have started working a peyote-stitched tube with seed beads. I need to add additional thread to extend the length of the tube. Any suggestions?

Q: How many seed beads are in a hank?

Q: What kind of knot do you tie when using elastic cord for a bracelet so it is secure when you're done beading?

Q: What do I use for a bail with a single pearl?

Q: When working on a multiple strand necklace, what advice do you give as far as handling the ends while you're beading? I've tried it and sometimes drop a line and my beads go everywhere!

Q: I am allergic to nickel, sterling silver and gold plating. I used to use brass barrel clasps, but I am now having problems finding clasps that are not gold-plated. Can you recommend something besides 10Kt gold? I purchased some findings from other companies that claimed they were ''hypoallergenic,'' but they weren't.

Q: Will silver-plated pieces get the antique color that regular silver gets, get a bad color or never change color?

Q: How do crimp covers work? How do they take up slack on jewelry without restringing?

Q: Are dyed, heated or stabilized gemstones less valuable than the natural ones? And what is the difference between them?

Q: Is your Devcon Jeweler's 2 Ton Epoxy safe for freshwater pearls? Thanks.

Q: I'm looking for information on mixing different metals within one jewelry piece. Specifically, I'm wondering if there would be any bad reactions between brass and sterling silver. Is there somewhere I can find that kind of information? Thanks.

Q: In terms of selling my jewelry at shows, should I look for events where I'll be the only one selling the kind of jewelry I make, or one where there are others who do similar kinds of jewelry?

Q: What size silk thread should I use for knotting pearls?

Q: When I buy beads in bulk, they often have a white powdery substance in the bead hole. I am using a small file or a fine drill bit to clean out some of them, but there must be an easier way to do this.

Q: Which wire works best when doing a wrapped loop necklace or earrings? Or which gauge? I want it to look delicate.

Q: I want to paint silver charms with enamel. What kind is the best paint and what is the proper procedure?

Q: Is there any difference between gold-finished and gold-plated, or is it just a new way to market gold plate?

Q: HELP! I have just started to bead and have some questions about what kind and what size of thread/wire I should use with my projects. What do all the numbers/gauge/sizes mean?

Q: I am making a necklace with glass beads, but when I put on the crimp bead to hold the bead in place, the hole in the bead is bigger than what the crimp bead holds. What do I do to keep my glass bead in place?

Q: I would like to knot some gemstone beads. Is a bead tip sturdy enough to hold the heavier gemstone rounds and nuggets? What are the options for attaching a clasp if a bead tip is not used? Can a knotted strand be attached to chain?

Q: How do you bend 16- or 18-gauge wire into a neckwire or choker?

Q: How do I string a continuous necklace without using a crimp bead?

Q: How do you attach beads to "illusion" cord?

Q: I am using Accu-Flex® 7 strands (.012") and crimp beads with pearls and other beads. Some of the necklaces get broken after a while. What can I use to make them stronger?