Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Strengthening Necklaces Q&A

Q: I am using Accu-Flex® 7 strands (.012") and crimp beads with pearls and other beads. Some of the necklaces get broken after a while. What can I use to make them stronger?

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How to Use Artistic Wire® Kumihimo Weights

Perfect your wire jewelry crafting with the easy-to-use Artistic Wire® Kumihimo Weights, an indispensable tool for creating flawless pieces. Discover how these weights can enhance your jewelry-making skills and streamline your designs.

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Ask the Experts Choosing the Right Stringing Material Q&A

Q: I was wondering which thread to use when stitching a necklace using a mix of beads, including seed beads and crystals. I would love a thread that is really strong and available in several colors.

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Ask the Experts Rosary Eye Pins Q&A

Q: I am making a rosary and am looking for the thickest and strongest eye pin. I have had trouble with the loops stretching open under normal stress. Any suggestions?

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Artistic Wire® Oval Ear Wire Jig

The Artistic Wire® Oval Ear Wire Jig enables you to fashion smooth curves and consistent shapes for flawless results. Master the art of wire shaping and watch your earring designs take flight.

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Ask the Experts Making Tiles Into Pendants Q&A

Q: I want to make a necklace out of small tiles, but I can't put a hole in them. I need a type of ring to glue on the top to put the beads through. What is it called, and how do I find them?

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Ask the Experts Making Watch Bands Q&A

Q: Hi! I'm new to beading and love it! I want to make bands for my existing watches that have a bar. What do I use to start? Is there a special finding?

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Artistic Wire® Round Ear Wire Jig

Craft consistently flawless ear wires with the Artistic Wire® Round Ear Wire Jig, guided by these straightforward instructions for precision and ease. Perfect your jewelry creations with every graceful curve, ensuring a professional touch to your designs.

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Ask the Experts Bead Crochet Stringing Material Q&A

Q: What thread do you use for bead crochet?

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Ask the Experts Using S-Hook Clasps Q&A

Q: I don't understand how to use S-Hook clasps. Am I supposed to separate one of the S's so that the ring will slide on and off? I purchased one, but the S is too tight on both sides to slide the jump ring on and off.

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Artistic Wire® Open Ear Wire Jig

The Artistic Wire® Open Ear Wire Jig will help you create delicately perfect earrings. With these easy-to- follow instructions, you will begin crafting flawless earwires in no time.

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Ask the Experts Hemalyke™ Information Q&A

Q: I am very interested in learning more about your Hemalyke™ and how it is produced. I will be sending a large order very soon for the magnetized Hemalyke. I need to know more information since I'll be making and selling jewelry containing your trademarked hematite substitute.

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Ask the Experts Mother-of-Pearl Shell Q&A

Q: What kind of beading wire would I use with mother-of-pearl beads or cultured freshwater pearls?

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Ask the Experts Finishing a Multi-strand Necklace Q&A

Q: I believe the answer is a no-brainer but I cannot figure it out. I would like to find out how to finish off a multi-strand necklace, particularly when done on thread. When I go to How-To's, it brings up design ideas. I see the picture and the list of materials, but for the life of me, I cannot find instructions to go with it. How do I find what I want?

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Artistic Wire® Hook and Eye Clasp Jig

Craft your custom hook-and-eye clasps effortlessly using the Artistic Wire® Hook and Eye Clasp Jig. Take control of wire with ease by following this step-by-step tutorial.

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Ask the Experts Best Wire for Earwires Q&A

Q: In general, what is the best gauge and hardness of wire recommended for making earrings?

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Ask the Experts Attaching Beads to Leather Q&A

Q: How do I attach beads or crystals to leather ~ as in a leather cross or even a halter for a horse?

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Ask the Experts Finishing Silk Thread Q&A

Q: If I am making a necklace with silk thread, do I make a knot at the end using a tube crimp and then crimp the tube or just leave it?

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Ask the Experts Fast Seed Bead Stringing Q&A

Q: My wife uses size 14 and size 15 seed beads to make little purses, and she is always saying she wishes she had a way to string the beads onto her needle that would be faster and easier than from a saucer and one at a time. I have heard about a bowl that you turn and the beads string onto the needle; is there such an item? Please let me know if you have any ideas.

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Artistic Wire® Connector 1:5 Jig

Add depth and complexity to your jewelry designs with custom connectors. The step-by-step instructions for using the Artistic Wire® Connector 1:5 Jig will walk you through the process of shaping wire into two distinct patterns.

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Ask the Experts Alternatives to Gold and Silver Q&A

Q: With the price of gold and silver being so high, I'm thinking of using alternative metals, such as pewter or copper. How do other metals compare when used in jewelry?

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Ask the Experts Closing Crimp Covers Q&A

Q: How do I close crimp bead covers without marking them? They are too tough to close by hand.

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Ask the Experts Metal Beads Q&A

Q: What are liquid silver beads and how do you use them?

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Ask the Experts Ribbon Crimp Ends Q&A

Q: How do I use ribbon ends on my loomworked bracelets? Every time I attach one I crush some of the beads because the clamp doesn't seem large enough to cover the beads. I've seen other examples of loom and off-loom bracelets with these ends attached, but I don't know how to properly attach them. Do you have any bar clasps that are made specifically for stitched bracelets and necklaces or some kind of instructional resource on how to use the ribbon clasp on beadwork?

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Ask the Experts Heirloom Jewelry Q&A

Q: I have almost a dozen old family beads. I think they were originally on a bracelet but the old thread has rotted. The beads are 20 x 14mm black rounded rectangles, the back is flat, and the front is faceted. They each have two holes running the short way across the bead. I would like to incorporate the beads into a necklace. One problem is how to go back and forth between beads with a single hole and beads with a double hole. Another problem is how to have the beads lay flat. When they are part of a bracelet they lay in a straight line, but of course a necklace curves when it's worn, so the beads tilt. Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Bent Needles Q&A

Q: No matter how hard I try, my needles always get bent while I'm beading--what am I doing wrong?

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Artistic Wire® Connector Diamond Jig

Create perfectly balanced and symmetrical jewelry connectors with the Artistic Wire® Connector Diamond Jig. Follow these step-by-step instructions and let your creativity get wired.

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Ask the Experts Flexible Bracelet Stringing Materials Q&A

Q: What is the best wire for making a flexible bracelet and the best stretch cord size?

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Ask the Experts Acquiring a Wholesale License Q&A

Q: I don't have a question about jewelry-making but I was wondering if you could tell me how to go about getting a wholesale license? I have no idea how to go about this and I have had no luck searching the internet.

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Ask the Experts Dyed Beads Q&A

Q: How do I wash dyed beads?

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Ask the Experts Faceted Gems and Cabochons Q&A

Q: What are your items that will hold Faceted Gems and Cabochons? Is it best to use glue? If so, what kind?

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Artistic Wire® Round Connector Jig

Infuse your jewelry designs with graceful curves and an airy touch by fashioning custom connectors using the Artistic Wire® Round Connector Jig. These clear and concise instructions will make the creation process a breeze!

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Ask the Experts Hill Tribes Silver Beads Q&A

Q: Sometimes it's hard to string large Hill Tribes silver beads onto Accu-Flex® beading wire as the wire curves before it's through the bead hole. And if I'm working with multiple wires, inevitably one makes it through the bead hole, but I have to struggle to get the rest to cooperate. How can I get the wire through without getting frustrated?

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Ask the Experts Enlarging Pearl Holes Q&A

Q: I was adding a few pearls to my latest design and some of them wouldn't fit onto my needle. I was able to use other pearls in the same strand to finish the necklace, but how can I make use of the pearls that didn't work the first time?

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Ask the Experts Restringing Czech Seed Beads Q&A

Q: I'd like to restring Czech seed beads quickly onto Nymo thread, any ideas on how to do that without taking the seed beads off and stringing with a needle, one by one?

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Artistic Wire® Teardrop Connector Jig

Sculpt your designs into delicate teardrops with the Artistic Wire® Teardrop Connector Jig. Let these user-friendly instructions guide you in effortlessly crafting your own custom jewelry connectors.

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Ask the Experts Basic Jewelry-Making Tools Q&A

Q: What tools do I need to make jewelry?

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Ask the Experts Making Consistent Loops Q&A

Q: When working with round and square precious-metal and color-coated wire, how can I make the same size loops so my project has a consistent look?

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Ask the Experts Reducing Eye Strain Q&A

Q: How do you recommend I relieve eye strain when working with seed beads?

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Ask the Experts Men's Earrings Q&A

Q: What kind of earrings would make good men's earrings to hang dagger or spider drops from? And if I buy the round rubber or leather cord, black, 3mm, for a man's necklace what clasps or crimping beads do I use on the ends to secure and fasten?

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Ask the Experts Attaching a Center-Drilled Pendant Q&A

Q: What is the best way to attach a center drilled pendant to a necklace?

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Ask the Experts Beads for Leather Cord Q&A

Q: What size beads can you use with leather cord?

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Ask the Experts Thread Size for Peyote Stitch Q&A

Q: I am learning to do the Peyote stitch. What size thread do you recommend I use?

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Ask the Experts Secure Eye Pins and Head Pins Q&A

Q: What is the most secure way to attach an eye pin or head pin to a design?

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Ask the Experts Cutting Accu-Flex® Beading Wire Q&A

Q: Would you recommend a particular wire cutter for .019 size, 49 strand Accu-FlexÂ® beading wire?

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Ask the Experts Polymer Clay Q&A

Q: I have just recently gotten into experimenting with polymer clays. I remember hearing or reading somewhere, before I got into clay, that there is a two-part mold-making material that is intended for clay use. I'd like to make some of my own molds. What are my options that will complement the nature and characteristics of the clay?

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Ask the Experts Bead Fixative Q&A

Q: If I spray fixative on a bracelet made with some dyed cylinder beads, will the fixative hurt the skin after it dries? What do you recommend to seal in the color—other than not using the beads? I already made some bracelets, though I can avoid using those beads in the future. Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Tassels Q&A

Q: How do you use ''T'' drilled beads and end beads? Also, how do you make tassels?

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