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?
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Ask the Experts Needle Q&A
Q: What type of needle is used for beading with Power Cord? Thank You
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
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?
Ask the Experts Wire Q&A
Q: What kind of wire do you use to make a hoop earring?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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
Ask the Experts Solder Q&A
Q: How do I solder gold-filled wire?
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?
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?
Ask the Experts Patina Q&A
Q: Can copper colored aluminum wire be patinated?
Earrings
Mermaid style with plenty of swing! Druzy teardrops bring opal-like colorplay to this pair of long dangle earrings.
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.
Ask the Experts Memory Wire Q&A
Q: Can you explain how to properly use a mandrel when bending memory wire?
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
Ask the Experts Selling Q&A
Q: With selling jewelry in mind, should I focus my designs into a theme or collection?
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?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
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.
Ask the Experts Turquoise Q&A
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?
Ask the Experts Alternative Donut Ideas Q&A
Q: How can I hang a gemstone donut on a length of cording without using a donut bail?
Ask the Experts Seed Bead Stitches Q&A
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.
How to Add Color to Vitrium® Clay
Vitrium® clay—an air-dry resin clay—comes in transparent white or opaque white. Add color to either type using these two simple steps.
Ask the Experts Hiding Knots Q&A
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!
Ask the Experts Crystal Stringing Material Q&A
Q: What type of threads can I use for crystals? Can I use silk thread or only wire?
Ask the Experts Bamboo Coral Q&A
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.
Ask the Experts Using a Beading Needle Q&A
Q: How do you thread a beading needle? Do you use a double thread as in regular sewing or a single thread?
Ask the Experts Smoothing Bead Edges Q&A
Q: I recently purchased packets and strings of gemstone beads. Some of them have jagged, rough edges. What can I use to smooth them?
Ask the Experts Firing Q&A
Q: I just bought a new kiln and have tried the time and temperature listed, but my pieces are coming out not completely fired. How do I adjust the time and temperature without ruining more silver and copper clay?
Ask the Experts Hammering Metals Q&A
Q: Please tell me what tool to use for a hammered look on metals like sterling silver and gold-filled?
Ask the Experts Gold-filled Chain Q&A
Q: I recently bought gold-filled chains that I will resell to my customers. How do I explain gold-filled?
Ask the Experts Pinch Bails on Briolettes Q&A
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?
Ask the Experts Pliers Q&A
Q: Please tell me the difference between "lap joint" and "box joint" pliers?
Ask the Experts Crimp Tubes for Leather Cord Q&A
Q: What size tubes with loops do I use with 1mm and 2mm leather beading cord? I'm confused about the sizes in the catalog.
Ask the Experts Knotting Pearls Q&A
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.