Q: I am making bracelets using 4.6mm alphabet letters and 2mm leather cording. My letters (arranged into a word) are centered on the cord. To hold them in place so they don't slide, I tie a knot on each side of the word. I am looking to use some type of bead, crimp or something instead of the knot to prevent the letters from sliding on the cord. Any suggestions? I saw something called smart beads but I don't think the hole is big enough to fit the 2mm leather through it.

Q: I am looking for hypoallergenic earring posts. My sister has had success with Rhodium plated and platinum plated earrings. Can you recommend anything for me?

Discover the reasons and techniques for cleaning enamel prior to application, through these simple illustrated instructions.

Q: What needle should I use for my seed bead project?

This crazy lace agate and Czech glass necklace project includes crimp tubes with loops, multiple chains and a side closure. Make your own with Tammy Honaman's how-to video!

Want to know more about polymer clay? Read on to learn what it’s made of, what it can be used for and how to cure clay designs.

Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman shows how to finish and polish metal jewelry.

Bezels are an ideal finding to use when you're working with cabochons and flat back crystals. Tammy Honaman, author and jewelry-making expert, is here to tell you all about them.

Looking for wireworking pliers that won't mar wire or metal sheet? Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman shares pliers that won’t make marks on wire in this informative article.

Spend less time finding a specific color in your seed bead collection and more time actually using them! Tammy Honaman shares her personal tips for organizing seed-beading spaces.

Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman explores work hardening metal in this informative article. Learn how to make gold, sterling silver, sterling silver-filled, copper, brass, bronze and nickel metal rigid or malleable to suit your design needs.

One of the most important things in jewelry-making is having the right tools. Check out this handy guide to jewelry-making hand tools to learn the right tool for every job, ensuring a professional-looking finish every time.

Mixing your own polymer clay colors can make it difficult to match shades. This article by Tammy Honaman shows a new, easy way to blend the right colors every time.

There is a lot of metal sheet for you to pick from when you're making your metal jewelry. That is why all of them have been assembled into one chart.

Author and jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman provides you with plenty of tips and tricks for using enameling in your own jewelry-making processes.

Tammy Honaman shows you the tools and techniques needed for soft and hard soldering.

The benefits of torch-firing enamel can be incredible for your designs as you don't need to rely on a bulky kiln. The end result is beautiful enameled beads and metal just for you.

Using cold connections can really change how your jewelry comes together. Find out what metalsmithing master Tammy Honaman says are some of the best tools for cold connecting metal.

Bead stringing is the backbone of many designs; the rest can be done with a few jewelry-making fundamentals. Learn the fundamentals you need to create your own jewelry lines.

Q: Which precious metal wire forms the best, and does it hold its shape?

Have you never worked with leather before? It can be tough (heh) sometimes but don’t worry, Tammy Honaman is here to guide you like only a jewelry-making expert can.

Find the answers to your questions about sterling silver-filled wire and findings in this performance results test conducted by jewelry-making experts. Discover why this metal offer a tremendous value and amazing workability.

There are two styles of glass cutters: dry and oil-filled. This tutorial shows how to use both types, each with illustrated step-by-step instructions.

Firing enamel in a kiln might appear challenging, but fear not—these step-by-step instructions empower you to confidently and safely craft brilliant, gleaming jewelry projects.

Q: I love the look of the gold-plated beads with my gemstones but they "turn" or tarnish with only one or two wearings, and then they look awful! Is there anything I can do to stop this? I can't afford to use the real thing.

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: Would you please explain the differences of sterling silver wire dead soft/half hard and what type of projects they are best suited for. Thank you much!

Q: When working with wood beads, what type of stringing material works best?

Q: How do you make earrings for people who don't have pierced ears?

Q: Do you know of a way to clean cat's eye beads?

Q: Is there a rule of thumb for what gauge of headpins to use for various projects (i.e. making dangles on earrings, adding a dangle to a bracelet, etc.)?

Q: How do I get my pieces clean after people handle it at a show, and get fingerprints off, too?

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: 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: What does "gold-filled" mean?

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

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

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

Q: What is the best wire for a beginner to use for wire wrapping?

Craft delicate, intricate and exhilarating chain designs. These user-friendly instructions will guide you in creating your own custom links.

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

Q: What type of string or cord should I use for glass beads? I have glass bunnies and other beads but don't know how to get started for a bracelet or necklace. Help!!

Q: Can bead tips be used with Accu-Flex® beading wire?

Q: Which gauge of Accu-Flex beading wire is smallest? Does Accu-Flex beading wire fray?

Q: I have quite a collection of Hill Tribe Silver beads. I have been keeping them in clear hard plastic stackable screw together storage containers. I have noticed that they are beginning to tarnish. It will be quite a job to shine them up again. Could you recommend the best way to store them (for the future) and what would be the best way for me to clean these intricate beads. Many thanks for your help.

Add color to copper beads or components with this torch-based enameling technique. This illustrated tutorial includes step-by-step instructions, safety tips and color suggestions.

Q: What is the best gauge wire for making ear wires?

Q: If the half-drilled pendant findings or screw eyes are too large, what is a good substitute?

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

Q: I just had a bad experience selling at a local show. It was well-attended, but there were mostly ''bargain-hunters'' there who complained about my prices. What can I do to make sure I don't wind up at another ''flea market''?

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

Q: Do I have to use crimping pliers when using crimp beads?

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: When I close my jump rings, they won't close enough to keep from letting the other jump ring slide out and have the piece come apart. The space is very small, only enough for my fingernail. I use the tool I purchased from you that looks like a ring and fits on the finger.

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.

Learn this "stained glass" technique that adds a silver rim to the edge of your glass, and is often referred to as tinning.

Q: What needle should I purchase that will go through both beads and fabric, in order to bead fabric?

Q: How many seed beads are in a hank?

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

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: How do you select the right size bail? I want to use the bails for donuts and other pendants. The pendants are generally medium to large size.

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

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

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?

Q: I am making a rosary and am looking for the thickest and strongest eye pin. I have had trouble with the loops stretching open under normal stress. Any suggestions?

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?

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: How do I wash dyed beads?

Q: How do you recommend I relieve eye strain when working with seed beads?

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?

Q: How do I shorten a knotted pearl necklace by 8 pearls without having to restring it?

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.

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!

Q: How can I dye cultured freshwater pearls?

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.

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?

Q: What do I use to drill a hole in a cabochon? I can't find anything to go through.

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?

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?

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.

Q: Is there one book that would be the best primer for getting started jewelry making?