Essential How-Tos | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

How to Use the Vintaj® One-Step Looper Pliers

Transform a challenging task into a breeze with the Vintaj® One-Step Looper Pliers! Easily shape head pins to perfection for all your jewelry designs.

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Warping a Mirrix Loom for Beadwork with the Shedding Device

Bead weaving on a loom is more convenient with a shedding device. Here's how to warp a Mirrix loom for bead weaving while accommodating the shedding device.

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How to Use the Kemper® Clay Square Hole Cutters

Cutting perfectly square holes into or shapes from clays and clay resins is easy with this two-step tutorial for the Kemper® clay cutters.

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Using the Elastacord™ Bead Threader

Never has it been easier to string beads than with the Elastacord™ Bead Threader. These concise instructions tell you everything you need to know to use this convenient tool.

Design Idea EA5B

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How to Use the Artistic Wire® CONETASTIC™ Hourglass Mandrel

Follow these instructions for the Artistic Wire® CONETASTIC™ tool to create custom coiled wire double cones. Developed by metalsmith Sandra Lupo, it includes three sizes of two-piece hourglass mandrels.

Design Idea F64H

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How to Assemble the Beading Station Organizer

Assemble the beading station organizer using these illustrated step-by-step instructions from the manufacturer.

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How to Use Patina Gel

Patina gel by Cool Tools is a sulfur-based antiquing solution in a stable form for use on bare clean copper, bronze or silver. This illustrated tutorial guides you through each step.

Design Idea B12V

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How to Use the Artistic Wire® CONETASTIC™ Inverted Mandrel

From the ingenious mind of metalsmith Sandra Lupo comes the Artistic Wire CONETASTIC mandrel for creating custom wire-wrapped cones. Use this tutorial to create three different sizes of inverted cones using these full instructions.

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How to Attach Pop Clasps

Pop clasps feature glue-in ends for attaching jewelry cording. See how to add cord with these illustrated instructions.

Design Idea BB9G

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Terminating Leather Strands with Cones

Learn how to elegantly terminate leather strands with cones in this simple tutorial.

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Soldering Iron Owner's Manual

Owner's manual for using a soldering iron in jewelry making. It contains all the information to safely and properly set-up, operate and maintain your soldering iron.

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How-To Secure Drops to an Ear wire with Peg

Add a top-drilled component to a fishhook ear wire with an extra-long peg to create easy earrings with this 3-step tutorial.

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Art Clay® Gold 22k - Clay Type

Art Clay® Gold Clay creates pieces made of 22Kt gold after firing. This tutorial includes guidelines for preparation, molding, drying, kiln firing and finishing this clay material—plus handling tips and safety precautions.

Design Idea F93D

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How to Make a Peyote Stitch Mandala

Create intricate beaded mandalas with ease by following these straightforward instructions. Your beadwork has never been more extraordinary!

Design Idea D18R

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Fusing Glass Frit in a Slumping Mold

Fusing glass frit can be a beautiful and creative expression of glasswork. Here are tips and techniques for fusing glass, including four firing schedules for a glass kiln.

Design Idea BBB9

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How to Use Grommets

Metal grommets safeguard the edges of stringing holes in large-hole beads. This four-step guide walks designers through the process of securely gluing a grommet into the bead.

Design Idea AB5Q

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How to Load the Metal Clay Syringe Pen™

Confused about the mechanics of loading a metal clay syringe? Check out these simple instructions and you’ll be on your way to crafting in no time!

Design Idea G12Q

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How to Use a Brooch Converter

Follow the three-step instructions and transform a horizontal or vertical brooch into a stylish pendant using a brooch converter.

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How to Use Ball Chain Connectors

Using ball connectors is a pinch. Learn how in this step-by-step tutorial.

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How to Make Your Own Clay Cutters

Learn how to make your own clay cutters to create custom designs using metal sheet and polymer clay.

Design Idea J33C

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Glue Crystal Flat Backs

Crystal transfer sheets make precision designing and crystal embellishing easy.

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Prometheus® Bronze Clay Instructions

Explore the fascinating process of working with Prometheus® Bronze Clay, from handling wet clay and troubleshooting common errors to successfully firing your design in the kiln. Everything you need to master this art is right here.

Design Idea G33Y

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Prometheus® Copper Clay Instructions

Unlock the world of Prometheus® Copper Clay with this comprehensive text tutorial. From crafting jewelry and ornaments to sculpting statues, unleash your creativity and bring your imaginative designs to life.

Design Idea G33Z

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How to Use the Artistic Wire® Toggle Jig

These photographic instructions show you how to use the Artistic Wire® toggle jig to create perfect clasps every time.

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How to Use Ring Findings

Learn how to assemble multi-hole ring findings using stretch cord with this step-by-step guide for creating custom, comfortable rings.

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Art Clay® Silver Clay

Learn the steps for using Art Clay® Silver Clay for jewelry-making: preparation, molding and drying, kiln firing and finishing, including handling tips and safety precautions.

Design Idea F93F

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How to Open and Close a Pop Clasp

Pop clasps are perfect for breakaway styles like lanyards and badge holders. They “pop” open when pulled and snap shut when pressed. See how to use them in these instructions.

Design Idea BBA9

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How to Create a Resin Pendant

Create a framed resin pendant—like a window into another place or time—using photo-illustrated instructions by jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman.

Design Idea BA5Z

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Single-Strand Necklace

Clusters of sparkling red rubies and lustrous freshwater pearls hang daintily from gold-filled chain on this elegant necklace

Design Idea EC8G

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Triple-Strand Necklace

This multi-strand necklace by Matthew MacMinn can be made in silver and Crystal Passions® peridot green, or opt for the colors you or your customers like most.

Design Idea EC6Q

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Earrings

The gemstones in these delicate earrings infuse this design with the essence of early morning rain. Follow our free tutorial to make your own pair.

Design Idea EC1T

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Pouch

Use peyote stitch with seed beads and 4mm fire-polished glass beads to create a luxurious small accessory case. Courtesy of Preciosa®, complete with step-by-step instructions.

Design Idea EA81

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Ornaments

You can never make too many Christmas designs. This tutorial from Preciosa teaches how to make a seed bead net to place over and dress up glass baubles.

Design Idea EA8P

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Endless Necklace

The possibilities are endless ... and claspless! Here's how to build a long necklace that slips over the head and has no visible beginning or end.

Design Idea 691Q

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Bell Ornament

Ring in some holiday décor designs with this beaded wire project from Preciosa®. Seed beads strung on high gauge wireworking wire forms the shape and supports the structure of this bell ornament.

Design Idea EA8L

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Viking Knit Made Using the Lazee Daizee™

These illustrated instructions show how to make Viking knit wire jewelry with a Lazee Daizee™ tool. Incorporating this technique into your creations is a snap!

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How to Create a Wire Band

Getting frustrated with hand-wrapping wire bands? This handy instruction guide shows how to use banding pliers to make perfectly started wraps every time.

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Cutting Glass with Glass Nippers

Lean how to safely nip small pieces of glass with these step-by-step instructions.

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How to Use Gilders Paste®

Gilders Paste is a professional wax-based medium that can be mixed and layered for an endless color palette that won't fade. Learn how with this informative article.

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How to Make Hair Comb out of Wire

These step-by-step instructions show you how to make a hair comb from wire. With helpful illustrations at each step, this accessory is easier than ever.

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Fusing Glass in a Microwave Kiln

Learn how to fuse glass at home with these helpful tips and a microwave kiln.

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How to Use Liquid Polymer Clay

Discover the creative potential of liquid polymer clay! Explore its many uses, then dive into Tamara Honaman’s tutorial to craft your own liquid clay sheet.

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Making a Butterfly Polymer Clay Cane

Polymer clay canes are a versatile staple in the jewelry-maker's skill set. Learn how to make butterfly-wing canes with these instructions.

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How to Use Bulldog Crimps™

Using Bulldog Crimps™ is easy. They work ideally as temporary crimps for stringing beads and holding multiple strands together for display or organization.

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How to Use the Kumihimo Plate to Create Flat Braids

Learn to create a new twist on kumihimo braiding and friendship bracelets with this guide. Using a square plate, it’s easy to create flat designs.

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How to Make a Wire Hook-and-Eye Clasp

Making your own clasps can save time and money. These instructions, complete with photos, show you how to make your own hook-and-eye clasps with wire.

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Peg Leg™ - Wire-Wrapping Jig

Create small wirework components using the hand-held Peg Leg wire-wrapping tool. Follow these written instructions to set up and use this handy tool.

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Art Clay® Gold Paste

Discover guidelines for preparation, application, kiln firing and finishing Art Clay® Gold Paste, a liquid paste designed to add gold texture to ceramic, porcelain, glass and Art Clay® Silver fired clay pieces.

Design Idea F93E

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