Ask the Experts Cut Beads Q&A
Q: What is the difference between seed beads and cut beads?
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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?