Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Beading Wire Q&A

Q: What is the difference between "tigertail" wire and regular beading wire? Which is the strongest for lanyards and badge holders? Thanks

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Ask the Experts Wire Gauges Q&A

Q: What is the best gauge wire to use with the wire jig? The best gauge to make jump rings?

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Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

Q: What kind of wire do you use to make a hoop earring?

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Ask the Experts Storage Q&A

Q: I have read that you cannot store polymer clay in certain plastic containers as it leaches some of the binding chemicals. Is it okay to store the clay in the bottles that prescription medicines come in as I save them to store beads, etc in? Thank you for your wonderful site and jewelry making components.

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Ask the Experts Finishing Q&A

Q: I've made a necklace using wire and thread (Accu-flex wire around the circumference with Fireline thread creating loops that vary in length), but I don't know how to finish it. Is it OK to crimp FireLine and soft Illusion cord?

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Ask the Experts Metal Allergies Q&A

Q: Which wire is best for people who have allergies to nickel? Also, which wires hold up the best with wear and tear?

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Ask the Experts Wire Wrapping Q&A

Q: Is there an easy way to hold wires together when wire-wrapping? Could I use large crimp beads as a holder?

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Ask the Experts Jump Rings Q&A

Q: I've seen Chainmaille sites online and thought, "Wow, that looks cool! I want to make it!" How can I cut the wire to make jump rings, without it flattening the end of the cut part? I know I can buy machine made jumprings that are perfectly shaped and cut, but I want to make my own, so I can fabricate the entire piece. I've been using regular wire cutters, and am looking for a cutter that won't flatten the jumpring ends. Thanks

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Ask the Experts Solder Q&A

Q: How do I solder gold-filled wire?

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Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A

Q: What is the difference between a round-hole seed bead and a square-hole seed bead? Are the two interchangeable?

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Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A

Q: I have a woven seed bead necklace that someone wants me to make earrings for. It consists of regular pink seed beads accented with matte gold seeds. The customer wants to clean the necklace. How do you clean this necklace without removing the color from the beads?

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Ask the Experts Patina Q&A

Q: Can copper colored aluminum wire be patinated?

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Earrings

Mermaid style with plenty of swing! Druzy teardrops bring opal-like colorplay to this pair of long dangle earrings.

Design Idea QB2A

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Bracelet and Earring Set

Translucent pastels bring the understated glitter of ice flake quartz into a springtime look, while antiqued finishes on silver beads and findings add a vintage vibe.

Design Idea PH2A

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Ask the Experts Memory Wire Q&A

Q: Can you explain how to properly use a mandrel when bending memory wire?

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Bracelet and Earring Set

Elevate your style with our exquisite earrings and bracelet featuring stunning lilac stone and yellow calcite beads, accented with silver-plated brass for a touch of elegance.

Design Idea PH26

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Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A

Q: How can you prevent open, unused silver clay from turning moldy? We have the unused silver wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, sealed with masking tape to keep the plastic wrap from coming loose. Then we place the silver in an air tight rubber maid container with a sponge that is wet. Does it just turn moldy over time or is there something different we should be doing?

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Ask the Experts Dichroic Q&A

Q: I am firing Dichro glass. I would like to put some silver wire loops in between the glass to hang the pieces with--what kind of silver flat and round wire can I use that can be fired in a kiln?

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Ask the Experts Metal Beads Q&A

Q: I have old brass curved tube beads in varying sizes. I want to cut or file some of the outside edge of the curve to expose a little cord inside. Do I use a file, a jeweler's saw? What type of blade or file? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Knots Q&A

Q: How do you stop the fishing line type cord from unraveling when knotted at the end of my project? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Teaching Q&A

Q: How do I charge for teaching how to make jewelry? I'll be carrying the products myself (beads, etc.). There isn't anyone here who teaches at all in my area. I know in Houston they do but its 2 hrs away.

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Ask the Experts Selling Q&A

Q: With selling jewelry in mind, should I focus my designs into a theme or collection?

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Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A

Q: Can I cross the gold precious metal clay with some of the copper to successfully have rosegold precious metal clay?

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Ask the Experts Stretching Q&A

Q: I've been making beaded jewelry for some time now. The wire/cord of some of my pieces has stretched over time so that there are spaces near the clasp of my necklaces. I am using Beadalon/Accu-Flex type wire. I've heard of prestretching your wire. Do I need to do this to prevent them from stretching out? Do you have any other suggestions to prevent this from happening? Thanks.

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