Essential Resources

PANTONE® 2026 Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer

Discover how PANTONE® 11-4201 Cloud Dancer—the serene, airy white chosen as the 2026 Color of the Year—inspires jewelry designs with clarity, calm and limitless creative possibility.

How to Strengthen Hands and Fingers

How many times have you been working on a beading project, only to have your fingers and hands seize from cramping and fatigue, which force you to take a break?

Clay Clean-Up

Award-winning mixed media artist Lisa Pavelka shares her polymer clay tip for keeping your finished clay project clean free of surface contaminants and any pesky spots.

Video Length 2:10

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Make Your Own Inlay Jewelry Easy as 1-2-3

Inlay jewelry is a beautiful way to display stones without the use of traditional setting techniques. Learn more about this exciting trend.

Tree of Life Jewelry

The tree of life is an ancient symbol that appears in numerous cultures the world over. Learn how to incorporate them into your designs for stylish results.

All You Need to Know About Jewelry Cleaners and Polishers

Keeping your jewelry well cared for and beautiful for years to come is just as important as designing it. All the info you'll need about the different maintenance supplies available to care for your treasures in is this article.

Saltwater Copper Etching

Etching copper with saltwater might sound like a magic trick, but it's actually simple science! Learn how to etch jewelry pieces with this video.

Video Length 37:07

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What is Dichroic Glass?

Explore the fascinating history of dichroic glass and learn ways to incorporate this iridescent wonder into your jewelry designs.

Work Hardening Metal

Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman explores work hardening metal in this informative article. Learn how to make gold, sterling silver, sterling silver-filled, copper, brass, bronze and nickel metal rigid or malleable to suit your design needs.

A Complete Guide to Turquoise

Learn what turquoise is, types of turquoise gems, typical gemological enhancements and buying tips for this popular blue-green gemstone.

What to Know About Wubbers® Pliers

Patti Bullard has invented a better set of tools to save you time and energy on jewelry-making projects. Follow along as she demonstrates how to use her line of Wubbers® pliers.

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Everything You Need to Know About Jewelry-Making Cutters

What type of cutters are for which types of jewelry-making techniques? Nip over to this article to learn more about these essential tools of the trade.

All About Rhinestones

Discover interesting beading facts and new insights into the jewelry making industry with articles from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Article: All About Rhinestones

The Psychology of Color and Jewelry Design

Delve into the psychology of color and learn how it can play an important role in jewelry design.

The Benefits of Stainless Steel for Jewelry Design

Explore the benefits and properties of this sturdy and stylish metal. Watch the video and learn the benefits of using stainless steel components in your handmade jewelry.

Video Length 3:29

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Selecting the Right Bead Reamer

Bead reamers are an important tool. Use this helpful guide to choose the correct reamer for all your jewelry-making needs.

Turquoise: Then and Now

What do the ancient Egyptians, Native Americans, 1970's celebrities and people today all have in common? A love of turquoise! Explore this gemstone's popularity throughout history.

A Guide to Jewelry-Making Hand Tools

In jewelry making, it's important to have the right tools. Check out this guide to learn the right tool for every job, ensuring a professional finish each time.

Blushing Beauty

Popular fashion is leaning toward blush hues for clothing, handbags and jewelry. Find design ideas and more in this article.

A Guide to Metals

What does your choice of metal say about you? This article explores the meaning of different metals in jewelry designs to help you learn what your jewelry is saying.

Crystal (Glass)

A material made by adding lead oxide to molten glass. Crystal glass has high density and refraction, creating brilliant sparkle. Also leaded crystal or glass.

Acrylic Resin

A form of plastic which can be molded into a variety of shapes, including beads, components and findings.

Crow Bead

A bead cut from a tube of glass or plastic, then tumbled and polished to smooth the edges. Used on cornrow braids, fringe and in Native American styles.

Carat

The unit of weight used for precious stones. One carat equals one-fifth of a gram. Also a measurement of fitness in gold. Pure gold is expressed as 24Kt.The term ''carat'' dates back to the traders of the ancient world.

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