Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: I would like to make findings using wires. How can I make these? What kind of wire should I use and how can I make a secure finding so that the stone or gem I want to attach will be secure?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Reaming Beads Q&A

Q: Why does the glass bead split when I ream out all the white powder? Will the powder wear away eventually if I don't ream it out? Thank you

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A

Q: Can I use different metal clays on the same piece, e.g. bronze, copper, and or silver?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Head Pins Q&A

Q: What is the best way to straighten badly bent head and eye pins?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Earrings Q&A

Q: I purchased clip-on earring, silver-plated, 18x8mm perforated hoop. What is the best way to attach beads to this item? I have tried several ways and none are satisfactory. Glue? Thread? wire?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Headpins Q&A

Q: How do you make your own headpins?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Toggle Q&A

Q: What's the trick to using a toggle clasp on a bracelet? Every time I use a toggle clasp on a bracelet, it is almost impossible to get the toggle through the loop to connect. What am I doing wrong?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Cording Q&A

Q: Help! I'm trying to find cording that will knot well, is sturdy and visually appealing (like macrame) as much as the beads. I am making a Shekere, which is a percussion type instrument made from gourds. I will also need to know what size beads will fit with the diameter of the cord you recommend.Thank you so much!

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Thread Q&A

Q: Should you use heavy Silkon for bracelets with large gemstones or Acculon? I had a bracelet break using Acculon and crimps and didn't know if Silkon would be better or stronger.

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

Q: I want to string some beads for outdoors. What wire could I use that would not rust? Thanks

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Personalizing Jewelry Q&A

Q: I was at SeaWorld and saw a vendor bending wire into people's names to wear as a necklace. Are there instructions on the method used to twist wire into names? And how do they stay intact and not stretch out of shape after wearing for a time? Thank you for your time.

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Peyote Q&A

Q: I am beading a bracelet that is odd count flat peyote (Delica size 11 beads). I am beading it by holding it in my fingers, but when I set it down flat on the table top, it is wavy on the edges. If I flatten the top, the bottom becomes wavy. If I flatten the bottom, the top becomes wavy. Doesn't matter if I use single needle or two needle. What am I doing wrong and can I fix it or should I take it all apart and start over and be careful not to do what?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Shells Q&A

Q: I have collected lots of abalone shells. What is the best way to drill holes in the shells, shine, polish, etc., to make jewelry?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Beading Q&A

Q: I'm just starting out in beading. My interest is in beaded bracelets and necklaces. I'm starting with bracelets first. To prevent waste, how long do I need to make the beading wire before I cut it? How much extra do I leave? 1 - 2 inches? Thank you

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Oxidized Q&A

Q: I have read that both copper and sterling silver can be oxidized using Liver of Sulfur or ammonia. During the oxidizing process, both metals will go through a range of color changes before getting to the antique-look. My question is: are you supposed to use some kind of sealant on all pieces that have been oxidized BUT not to the point of the antique-look. For example, oxidizing copper until it turns blue. None of the articles that I've read mention use of sealants. Thanks very much!

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Wire-Wrapping Q&A

Q: What type of half-round wire do you recommend for wire wrapping jewelry?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Thread Q&A

Q: How do I thread silk thread through a needle so that there is not two layers of thread that makes it too thick to go through the beads?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Needle Q&A

Q: What type of needle is used for beading with Power Cord? Thank You

Read the Answer

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

Read the Answer

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?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

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

Read the Answer

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.

Read the Answer

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?

Read the Answer

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?

Read the Answer

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?

Read the Answer

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

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Solder Q&A

Q: How do I solder gold-filled wire?

Read the Answer

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?

Read the Answer

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?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Patina Q&A

Q: Can copper colored aluminum wire be patinated?

Read the Answer

Earrings

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

Design Idea QB2A

View Design

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

View Design

Ask the Experts Memory Wire Q&A

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

Read the Answer

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

View Design

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?

Read the Answer

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?

Read the Answer

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.

Read the Answer

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.

Read the Answer

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.

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Selling Q&A

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

Read the Answer

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?

Read the Answer

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.

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Wire Gauge for a Wire-Wrapped Ring Q&A

Q: I recently purchased a bead ring from a street vendor. The ring's band is made with a smooth silver wire with two loops, then a bead is attached using a thinner wire which is threaded through the ring's loops and twisted to secure. What kind and gauge of hypo-allergenic wire can be used to make a similar ring for my family and friends?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Finding the Largest Lobster Claw Clasp Q&A

Q: Lobster Claw clasps: if a large one is needed, do I order a higher mm or lower one? What is your largest size lobster claw clasp?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Stringing Materials Q&A

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?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Bead Size Charts Q&A

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?

Read the Answer

How to Make a Sterling Silver Pendant Setting

Create a custom cabochon setting using these step-by-step instructions. This project tutorial explores bench jeweler metal fabrication techniques such as sawing, soldering, filing and polishing.

View Instructions

Ask the Experts Proper Gauge Wire for Wrapped Loops Q&A

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.

Read the Answer

Categories

Tags

Learn