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.
Ask the Experts Wire Hardening Jump Rings Q&A
Q: I'm learning wirework. Each book leaves out one of the finer points: you can work-harden jump rings with a plastic/rubber mallet. However, do you tap the ring or hit it? How often--1 to 2 or 5 to 6? I'm not able to get to classes, so must teach myself. I appreciate any help you can give.
Ask the Experts Filing Q&A
Q: After wrapping loops, I sometimes need to file the end of the wire smooth. Is there a special file designed for this?
Ask the Experts Beaded Curtain Q&A
Q: I want to make a beaded curtain for a door. What kind of wire should I use considering the large number of beads that go onto one strand? Secondly, what is the best way to attach the strands to a rod? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Ask the Experts Use with Polyester and Nylon Q&A
Q: I'm planning a pearl and mystic topaz necklace and my mystic topaz beads have a tiny hole (.24mm), so I need something very thin for stringing. But I also want it to hold up over time. I thought the thinnest Accu-Flex® wire might be good, but I'm not sure how I'd knot them between the pearls. Can the Bead Knotter™ be used with Accu-Flex® beading wire? Would another stringing material be better? Thank you for your help.
Ask the Experts Sizing Q&A
Q: I would like to start using wire protectors but there are a few sizes, how do I pick the right one?
Ask the Experts Supplies for Resale Q&A
Q: I was wondering if people buy your pendants and supplies and sell them as their own? That wouldn't really be their own design, but they'd still be selling it. Is that still okay?
Ask the Experts Choosing a Bead Tip Q&A
Q: I'm sort of a beginning jewelry maker and wanted to know, how do you know which kind of bead tip to use: bottom vs. side? I'm trying to make a 3-strand (varying lengths) wire necklace.
Ask the Experts Wearing Your Own Designs Q&A
Q: I sell the jewelry that I make, and I love wearing my own pieces. I don't like when people ask to buy what I'm wearing, though. How do I politely tell them it's not for sale?
Ask the Experts Attaching Memory Wire Ends Q&A
Q: I bought some metal beads that go onto the ends of memory wire. The hole doesn't go all the way through. How do I keep that end bead on the memory wire?
Ask the Experts Seed Bead Weaving Q&A
Q: I love working in all kinds of bead weaving stitches. However, no matter what stitch I use the bracelet always stretches or "grows". I use Fire line. I tie knots often. What else can I do to retain size? Thanks in advance.
Ask the Experts Agreement Q&A
Q: I have a formula for pricing my work, but I'm moving into almost exclusively custom work, and I really need to come up with a template contract for clients to read over so they know what they're getting. Is there some place that I can find a generic contract that I could then personalize? Or any ideas as to wording and layout of a contract?
Ask the Experts Designing Q&A
Q: How do you hold the large hole beads on an omega chain bracelet?
Ask the Experts Online Q&A
Q: I've sold some of my handmade jewelry online in the past while I was in high school, but I'm now in college, and I'd like to start again. I'm an Information Systems major, so I've got the skills and am planning to build my own website (though I'll also be attempting to sell some on Etsy). I've also been thinking about doing home parties, but some of my friends who are in different states were interested in hosting parties, which obviously won't really work. Do you have any ideas/tips for doing online jewelry parties so my friends can still host?
Ask the Experts Thread Q&A
Q: What is the best type of seed bead and thread to sew beads onto satin doll clothes?
Ask the Experts Button Converters Q&A
Q: I have some beautiful old glass buttons. How do I make them into pendants? Which size wire and the technique? I just need a picture of the back. Thanks
Ask the Experts Niobium Q&A
Q: Does the color wear off of the niobium jump rings?
Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A
Q: I have many large uncalibrated stones. I would like to create my own mounts with Artclay. Will the prongs bend and not be too brittle for setting the stones after firing?
Ask the Experts Forming Q&A
Q: Can I make earwires from niobium? Can I melt a ball on the end of this wire with a torch?
Ask the Experts Zebra Q&A
Q: Is Zebra Wire tempered as Full/Hard, Half/Hard or Dead Soft? Is Zebra Wire suitable for projects that need to be bent and will it stay wrapped?
Ask the Experts Tools Q&A
Q: It has been suggested that I obtain a rock tumbler with steel shot to clean my pieces as I am making them. I have been reading about ultrasonic wave tanks used to clean, and I wonder how they compare to the tumbler in the end result.
Ask the Experts Tumbler Q&A
Q: I'm new to the jewelry scene and was wondering about the tumblers that are available. Does a tumbler work for all metals, including precious metal? What is the difference between a jewelry tumbler and a rock tumbler?
Ask the Experts Zebra Q&A
Q: Can Zebra wire be polished?
Ask the Experts Tools Q&A
Q: How do you remove the protective coating from non-tarnish copper wire? I made a viking knit bracelet from said wire that did not indicate that it was non tarnish. I want to dip it in Liver of sulfur to antique it. Can this coating be removed in some sort of solution? I look forward to your reply.
Ask the Experts Disinfecting Jewelry Q&A
Q: Is there a way to disinfect jewelry when we are selling at our community market that won't damage stones or wire? Customers like to try on pieces to see how they fit, but if they don't buy them, the necklaces/rings/bracelets need to be disinfected before someone else tries them on? How??
Bracelet
The classically knotted pearl bracelet exudes timeless elegance with its delicate intertwining of lustrous pearls, showcasing a blend of sophistication and charm.
Ask the Experts Attaching Clasps to Bulk Chain Q&A
Q: What findings are used for attaching clasps to sterling silver or gold-filled chain sold by the yard? What is the best technique for it?
Ask the Experts Rough Edges Q&A
Q: I use a lot of acrylic beads in my designs, especially "pony" beads. I notice that a lot of them have excess plastic and rough edges left over from the manufacturing process. I was wondering what is the fastest and most effective way to file down these rough spots. Is it possible to use a rock tumbler for greater speed?
Ask the Experts Design Q&A
Q: I have many pairs of cuff links from my father who has passed away. I would like to make earrings out of them for myself and my sisters. Many of them can probably be made into post style earrings and some can be attached to ear wires. I don't have any idea how to go about doing this; any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Ask the Experts Online Q&A
Q: I was thinking of starting to sell jewelry online but I am not sure if I would have to have a business license or any other legal documents to sell? Should I do it myself or go thru a site like Etsy.com? Also are there any other sites besides Etsy that I could try? Thanks!!
Ask the Experts Bead Glass Q&A
Q: Can I use the rock tumbler to make beach glass?
Ask the Experts Remove Foil Back Q&A
Q: How can I remove the foil back from rhinestones?
Ask the Experts Cleaning Q&A
Q: I bought some lovely white agate nugget beads. However, many of them look like their edges are dirty. Can you tell me the best way to clean these beads?
Ask the Experts Cleaning Q&A
Q: How do you safely clean bone beads and antique ivory jewelry?
Ask the Experts Solder Q&A
Q: What flux can you use with solder wire? I'm planning on using 24 ga tarnish resistant copper wire. Thanks.
Ask the Experts Fine Silver Q&A
Q: Can Hill Tribes items be fired with metal clay? This is technically fine silver; but, will it mess up any design?
Ask the Experts Heishi vs. Rondelles Q&A
Q: What is the difference between heishi and rondelles, and how do you determine the hole size?
Ask the Experts Posts Q&A
Q: I would like to take the long earwire off a dangling earring and replace it with a post or something other than the long wire. Can it be done?
Ask the Experts Wire Q&A
Q: I am designing a piece which uses mostly seed beads (11/0) on a fine wire, which has to bend and then double-back through some small gem beads a second time. The wire has to be thin enough to go through 4mm gem beads twice, but still hold the shape to which I bend it. What do you suggest?
Ask the Experts Metal Allergies Q&A
Q: I'm making a necklace with a pendant for a sister-in-law who has metal allergies. The pendant measures 3.5" long. I thought of making the necklace long enough to slip over the head so no metal findings would be used, but with the pendant so long, it would hang too low to look good. How would you finish a shorter necklace (16-17") without using metal findings?
Ask the Experts Scale to Design Q&A
Q: How do I know what size split ring, jump ring and wire to use on a project?
Ask the Experts Measurement Q&A
Q: I have a caliper and I would like to know how to measure an earring finding for a leverback.
Ask the Experts Peyote Stitch Q&A
Q: What is the easiest way to read a peyote stitch pattern without getting lost?
Ask the Experts Multiple Strand Bracelets Q&A
Q: I would like to make a stretch bracelet with three strands, how do I connect them so they stay together? Thank you.
Ask the Experts Bracelet Q&A
Q: What is the best clasp for a bracelet? Magnetic clasps require two hands if they are strong enough for heavier pieces, as do most other clasps. What is the easiest clasp to work with one hand?
Ask the Experts Adjustable Q&A
Q: I want to adapt bracelet designs to make headbands. I want the size to be adjustable to fit a range of head sizes. What kind of fitting or fastener could I use that would enable the wearer to adjust the band to fit and then clip it to that length?
Ask the Experts Findings Q&A
Q: I would like to form my own wire wrapped cones. How do I make these?
Ask the Experts Bead Caps Q&A
Q: I want to make my own bead caps in copper and sterling silver sheet metal using the disc cutters and dapping blocks. What gauge metal do I need?
Ask the Experts Setting Q&A
Q: I have a pretty rose cabochon with petals that can't be set in a bezel. Should I wire wrap it—if so, how do I do this? Thank you.
Ask the Experts Soldering Q&A
Q: How do you use liquid solder? Do you have to use a torch? I am an amateur but need to know how to close silver jump rings.
Ask the Experts Jewelry Displays Q&A
Q: I was wondering if you could help me. I want to start selling my jewelry at craft shows but I have no idea what displays to use and how many to order. Do you have any advice for me? I don't even know where to start. Thank you!
Ask the Experts Luster Q&A
Q: Can you bring the shine back to mother of pearl?
Ask the Experts Barrettes Q&A
Q: I make beaded barrettes. I have tried to use glue to hold down the beadwork but eventually the glue doesn't hold. I sew beadwork onto leather/suede, should I sew through the leather/suede and the bottom part of the barrette? What is better to use, Nymo® thread or wire?
Ask the Experts Art Clay® Is Pure Silver Q&A
Q: I am interested in working with metal clay but was wondering if there is a difference between the silver clay and the pure silver that you can buy. Also, if I sold a piece of silver made from the clay, would I have to make a special note of it to the customer or could I just say it is pure silver?
Ask the Experts Ball Style Q&A
Q: I am making a turquoise necklace and want to use the silver ball chain with the turquoise. How do you connect the chain to the turquoise?
Ask the Experts Straightening Q&A
Q: I've been making feather earrings but find the feathers I am buying are curled or twisted and don't lay straight when worn. Is there a special type feather I need or is there some way to straighten the feathers out?
Ask the Experts Disposing of Liver of Sulfur Q&A
Q: After you have used a liver of sulfur bath for a fired metal clay piece, how do you dispose of the liver of sulfur? Thanks for your help.
Ask the Experts Size Q&A
Q: How does the gauge of the head pin coordinate with the size of the head pin?
Ask the Experts Flex-Shaft Q&A
Q: I have been looking at your Rotary tool located in Metalsmithing. I am a new graduate from Jewelry Design and Repair and I'm wondering if this tool can take the place of a Flex Shaft. And if I purchased this rotary tool will it do all of the same jobs done that a flex shaft does or will I still have to purchase a Flex Shaft to do some jobs?
Ask the Experts Gluing a Cabochon Q&A
Q: I have two questions:
1) How do you glue a cabochon into a setting that doesn't have a back? If I glue around the edge, I still have problems with it being too easy for the cabochon to come off.
2) Besides the metal settings that are sold, are there other ways to create a setting that would allow a cabochon to become a pendant without drilling a hole in the cabochon? Thanks.
Ask the Experts Selling Q&A
Q: Pricing: I have read and followed your suggestions on pricing, but am still unsure if I am fair, too low, or too high. I have seen some very nice work on an artist's website and found similar work priced quite low, considering the high end beads and components used. Back to square 1—how else can I determine if I am fair? Thanks for your help.
Ask the Experts Protection Q&A
Q: When I am making simple loops and otherwise finishing jewelry, my thumbnail seems to take the most abuse. Is there anything I can put over my thumbnail to keep it from damage?
Ask the Experts Non-Tarnish Silver Wire Q&A
Q: What is the best silver wire to use that will not tarnish over the years? I am going to be decorating some hair combs for a wedding.
Ask the Experts Beading Patterns Q&A
Q: I have a bracelet that is made with seed beads. I want to learn to do the pattern so I can make my own. Where would you suggest I look for great patterns to learn from? thanks!
Ask the Experts Copyrights Q&A
Q: Sometime ago you had an article about copyright laws concerning bead patterns. I just sold a necklace that I now see the author of the pattern says it has been copyrighted--not to use for sale--I am terrified, please help.
Ask the Experts Setting Stones in Earring Findings Q&A
Q: I just purchased leverback earrings with settings to set stones into. I have both cabochons and faceted stones, which one is appropriate for this type of setting? Also, can you please advise how to set the stones so I'm sure they stay secure?
Ask the Experts Painting Q&A
Q: Could you tell me what paint to use on wooden beads that doesn't chip off? What varnish do you recommend to use after you paint?
Ask the Experts Using Crimp Ends with Accu-Flex® Beading Wire Q&A
Q: I purchased Accu-Flex® beading wire and crimp ends to make bracelets. The crimp ends just fit on the end of the cord; will this be secure enough if I crimp with a crimper, or is there more to be done, maybe a drop of glue?
Ask the Experts Metalsmithing Q&A
Q: I love the look of hand hammered brass washers from the hardware store. Do you have any tricks or tools for texturing both sides?
Christmas Tree Earrings
Gold wire swirls around sparkling Crystal Passions® beads to create the perfect holiday silhouette. This understated earring design needs only three shapes of crystal beads to make a lightweight design.
Ask the Experts Making a Seed Bead Bezel for a Cabochon Q&A
Q: Where can I find instructions on surrounding cabochons with beads? Is there a book that I could get?
Ask the Experts Large-Hole Beads Q&A
Q: Is there any way to make the hole of a moderately sized bead smaller so it will work well on a headpin or Accu-Flex® beading wire?
Ask the Experts Glass Pearls Q&A
Q: I love to use vintage glass pearls in my pieces, but very often these old pearls have a coating that is flaking off. While it adds to the character of the piece, I worry that, with wear, the coating will come off entirely. Is there some way to seal the pearls to prevent more of the coating coming off? I've seen Designaseal mentioned in many of these articles--is it appropriate for glass pearls, or will it destroy the coating? Thank you!