Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

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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Ask the Experts Chainmaille Q&A

Q: I have discovered the joys (and tribulations) of working with jumprings in making chainmaille jewelry. Besides soldering the rings closed, is there a special glue that can be used? I love working with jumprings of all sizes and would like to know that the jewelry I make will stay together. Thank you!!

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Ask the Experts Ankle Bracelet Length Q&A

Q: What is the average length for making an ankle bracelet?

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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?

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Ask the Experts Pins Q&A

Q: How do you make shawl pins?

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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