Q: I am attempting to make a jeweled leather dog collar. I would like to affix rhinestones and other colored crystal stones to the smooth leather face of the collar. The stones I am using are framed and backed in silver tone metal without rivets or claws to grip the leather. What is the best way to permanently attach these stones to the leather collar?

Q: I have seen a necklace that I would love to make, but I need advice on the clasp at the back. The necklace was 10 strands of silk thread with pearls and crystals knotted about 1 to 1-1/2 inches apart. It looked like a crimp with a loop that finished it off, but I am unsure which one to order to complete the necklace, or even if this is the right way to go. Can you please advise? Thanks so much!

Q: I have made and sold over 50 beaded lanyards since November. Now all of a sudden people are coming back because they have broken. I used Accu-Flex® beading wire 7 strand 0.019 clear for stringing. Do you have any suggestions for something stronger? I have a large order coming up and really don't want to restring.

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: 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: I'm making a wind chime from some old stained glass pieces. I bought some memory wire from you a while back, but haven't tried it yet for this purpose. Will it hang straight when used or do you have another idea for connecting my pieces. Thanks!

For professional-quality results, embed pin backings directly into your Metal Clay designs. These easy-to- follow instructions will teach you how to install pin findings and adjust pin lengths with precision.

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: I met with a gallery owner recently who wanted a huge commission to sell my jewelry. I was completely turned off and left without making a deal with her. Now I am re-thinking my decision. Should I go back and see if her commission is negotiable?

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

Q: I was born with only one hand, but LOVE making jewelry. It's my most favorite thing to do. I was hoping that you could suggest some gadgets that would help me when I need to hold two tools in my hand. The hardest things to do are closing jump rings and holding earring backs while attaching drops. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!!

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.

Q: I have some beautiful old glass buttons. How do I make them into pendants? Which size wire and the technique? I just need a picture of the back. Thanks

Q: How can I remove the foil back from rhinestones?

Q: I am designing a piece which uses mostly seed beads (11/0) on a fine wire, which has to bend and then double-back through some small gem beads a second time. The wire has to be thin enough to go through 4mm gem beads twice, but still hold the shape to which I bend it. What do you suggest?

Q: Can you bring the shine back to mother of pearl?

Q: I have two questions: 1) How do you glue a cabochon into a setting that doesn't have a back? If I glue around the edge, I still have problems with it being too easy for the cabochon to come off. 2) Besides the metal settings that are sold, are there other ways to create a setting that would allow a cabochon to become a pendant without drilling a hole in the cabochon? Thanks.

Q: Pricing: I have read and followed your suggestions on pricing, but am still unsure if I am fair, too low, or too high. I have seen some very nice work on an artist's website and found similar work priced quite low, considering the high end beads and components used. Back to square 1—how else can I determine if I am fair? Thanks for your help.

Q: Hi, I am very new to beading and have run into a problem. I made a three strand bracelet and put 3 strand spacer bars (8995MB) into it. The back of the spacer bars look so lonely with the little strands of wire. Is there something I can use for that? Thank You.

Q: Hello, I am having a hard time getting my earrings to hang straight. They want to turn either to the right or left. Is it because I'm hand drilling the center of my brass? Thank you.

Q: I have some pieces that have some rhinestones in them that don't look so good. I want to remove and replace them without damaging the metals, but it seems they are glued in. Is it possible to remove them?

Q: I want to put a star sapphire into a ring setting. What needs to be done so that the back won't scratch during wearing?

Q: I had some left over Art Clay and wrapped it back into the original packaging. When I went to work with it again a few weeks later, it crumbled. I added some water and put it back in the packaging but it is still in pieces. Can you suggest another way of reconstituting it?

Q: When finishing a piece, I don't have a problem with crimping or threading the wire back through the finished beads but I have to pull on it a little too tight for comfort to make sure that the piece doesn't have too much slack in it...and be ruined. Some pieces cannot abide a crimp cover and the crimp will be hidden well but still, is there a secret to achieving the aforementioned task without using a winch?

Q: I want to create earrings by bending, shaping, bending back and so on. I design as I go but not sure what gauge and softness to use.

Crystal transfer sheets make precision designing and crystal embellishing easy.

Learn how to easily use two-part pendant settings to mount Crystal Passion® flat backs.

Dalmatian jasper, better known as Dalmatian stone, is an opaque, white spotted gemstone with brown and black will make people turn around and look back at jewelry featuring it.

Attach flat back crystals with Hot-Fix™ coating to various materials using a Hot-Fix™ applicator. Follow these simple steps to bond crystals to a range of materials, including textiles.

Learn how to glue a cabochon into a closed-back ring setting with this tutorial. Clear images demonstrate each step in this how-to.

Not sure how to finish your seed bead bracelet? Explore six different ways to give your seed bead jewelry designs the perfect closure--all with how-to videos!

The compact, vacuum tool allows for precision placement. It works great for placing chatons, flat backs and small stones and when creating pavé-style jewelry.

A form of weaving that creates a material with a glossy surface and a matte back. Commonly used in formal dress material, ribbon and cording.

A length of metal with a small hole on one end used to draw stringing material through beads and components, or used to draw thread through textiles, leather or other backing material.

Becky Miller delivers dazzling and delicate 360° blooms in this embellished hat.

Award-winning artist Christi Friesen shows you how to make an owl pendant in this simple polymer clay tutorial that uses Premo! Sculpey® jewelry clay and some flat back rhinestone crystals.

Use a cloisonné technique with polymer clay in this dramatically sparklicious dragonfly project with polymer clay guru Christi Friesen. Follow along with her to shape wings from flat aluminum wire, then fill them with polymer clay and finish off by adding Crystal Passions® flat backs.

Make a "sparkle flower" pendant in this polymer clay project led by award-winning artist Christi Friesen who walks you through the steps using Premo! Sculpey® clay, flat back hot-fix rhinestones and crystal headpins.

Easily set Crystal Passions® fancy stones or flat-backed cabochons using these these two-sided calibrated bezel mounts. Rose shows you how it’s done—all it takes is pliers and a prong pusher to create stunning pendants for jewelry.

If a rhinestone doesn't have a foil back, then the stone can lose shine when set in polymer clay. Christi Friesen, award-winning jewelry artist, shows a trick for ensuring rhinestones stay sparkly no matter what they're set in.

For Stephanie J. Eddy there is never enough protection in the frozen nights. Her piece shows that fashion can be truly fierce.

An earring form consisting of a short post with attached chain. The post serves as a "needle," allowing the chain to be threaded front-to-back through the ear.

A finding, usually metal, used to create ear jewelry. The post or stud passes through the ear, and is secured by an earnut on the back. Also see Earpost.

A finding, usually metal, used to create ear jewelry. The post or stud passes through the ear, and is secured by an earnut on the back. Also see Earstud.

The earthy tones of red jasper, sunstone, petrified wood and rose quartz give this bracelet and earring set a sophisticated yet laid-back vibe.

Create your own pair of delicious gummy bear earrings using resin and make a unique fashion statement.

These stylish filigree earrings give your ears a bit of sparkle wherever you go. The best part? They're clip-ons, so all ears can enjoy a bit of bling!

Add a touch of sparkle to your favorite outfit with this pair of crystal earrings.