Ask the Experts Pearls Q&A
Q: What are irradiated pearls?
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Ask the Experts Cabochon Q&A
Q: What is a cabochon and does it have a hole drilled in it to be used for necklace or bracelet?
Ask the Experts Pins Q&A
Q: How do you make shawl pins?
Ask the Experts Finishing Thread Designs Q&A
Q: How do I finish a necklace that has been strung with thread? It has four strands and has a pendant suspended from the combined string.
Ask the Experts Multi-Strand Necklace Q&A
Q: I have just completed a multi-strand necklace with each strand being a different sized bead. The very small strand of freshwater pearls have a hole too small to bring the flex wire through after crimping. What should I do to finish this strand so it does not come undone?
Ask the Experts Safety Pins Q&A
Q: I purchased safety pins (6263FN) for a bead project to go along with stretch awareness bracelets I make and sell. I want to put beads on the pins but realized the beads must be on the opposite side, (have to pass the loop). Do you have any suggestions, can the loop be expanded and closed again or is there another way? This is my first time using safety pins. Thank you.
Ask the Experts Charlottes Q&A
Q: Some instructions call for ''charlotte beads''... What are they, what size are they, and if not available, can another be substituted? I notice Fire Mountain does not have them.
Ask the Experts Viking Knit Q&A
Q: I have learned to make Viking knit chain and want to move from craft wire to gold-filled, sterling silver, or fine silver. I like 26 gauge but I'm not sure if I should use dead-soft or half-hard. After weaving, I draw the wire through a drawplate to even out the weave and stretch/thin the chain. It may be drawn through 2-8 times depending on how thin I want the final result to be. Hammering would deform the chain. Any recommendations? I'm also looking for appropriate end caps for the chain.
Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A
Q: I want to cover a dowel with beads. It is the top part of a beaded wall hanging. What stitch would work best? Thanks!
Ask the Experts Cut Beads Q&A
Q: What is the difference between seed beads and cut beads?
Ask the Experts Wire Q&A
Q: What is Viking knit?
Ask the Experts Care and Cleaning Q&A
Q: I have some lovely dyed wood beads that look great on my necklace designs. The only problem is that I have noticed makeup and grime seem to be attracted to the natural grains and crevices in the wood. Should I try sealing the wood beads to help keep them clean? What type of sealant do you suggest?
Ask the Experts Resizing Q&A
Q: How do I shorten a knotted pearl necklace by 8 pearls without having to restring it?
Ask the Experts Earring Settings Q&A
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.
Ask the Experts Wire Gauge Q&A
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!
Ask the Experts Dyeing Pearls Q&A
Q: How can I dye cultured freshwater pearls?
Ask the Experts Fine Silver and Silver Plate Q&A
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.
Ask the Experts Stringing Material Q&A
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?
Ask the Experts Rotary Grinding Tool Q&A
Q: What do I use to drill a hole in a cabochon? I can't find anything to go through.
Ask the Experts Wire Jig Q&A
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?
Ask the Experts Knotting to Protect Soft Stones and Pearls Q&A
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?
Ask the Experts Finishing a Peyote Stitched Piece Q&A
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.
Ask the Experts Jewelry-Making Books for Beginners Q&A
Q: Is there one book that would be the best primer for getting started jewelry making?
Ask the Experts Pearl Knotting Q&A
Q: I would like to know the proper way to string pearls.