What to Know About Wire Pliers
Banding, mandrel and other specialty pliers can make wireworking faster, smoother and more efficient. Read on to see how each pair has its own purpose.
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Tools & Supplies
4 Tools to Save Your Hands and Eyesight
Discover 4 must-have tools to save your hands and eyesight in DIY jewelry making.
Getting Started with Hammers
Discover how to choose the perfect hammer for each jewelry-making project with Patti in this product spotlight video.
Product Spotlight: Easy DIY Jewelry with Links
Discover the different links available and how to use these components in jewelry making to save time and create beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces.
Gemstones Around the World
Where do gemstones come from? Discover the origins of your favorite gemstones from around the world (or beyond).
The Big 3 Brands of Crystal Beads
Love the look of crystal, but unsure which brand to shop? Discover the highlights of each of the top three crystal manufacturers.
The Gemstone Information Manual by the American Gem Trade Association
The Federal Trade Commission Guides for the Jewelry Industry as revised April 10, 2001 are designed to prevent unfair or deceptive trade practices.
The Story Behind the Boss' Bead Bag
Discover the story of the Boss' Bead Bag, a unique mix of beads born from a serendipitous accident. Get your hands on a bundle of beading goodness in one grab bag!
Gemstone Optical Properties
Optical properties refer to the way gemstones interact with light. Color, interference and inclusions are all examples of optical properties. The first optical property is also the most obvious—color.
Easy on the Eyes—Tips to Improve Your Work Area
Good light is so important when beading. Here are some ideas about lighting and other ways to improve the beading workspace.
All About Jump Rings
Delve into our extensive jump ring resource. Here you'll find a wealth of information about one of the most versatile jewelry-making resources, from sizes and materials to chainmaille weaves.
Six Ways to Create Cold Connections
No need to be a blacksmith to join metal to metal—you can use cold connections! Here are 6 ways to connect metals (or other materials) without using fire or electricity.
How Glass Beads are Made
Glass beads have been a favorite jewelry-making supply for thousands of years. Learn about the ancient techniques used to craft various types of beads.
Top 7 Ways to End Jewelry Chain
View this helpful guide to the top 7 ways to finish jewelry chain from our in-house jewelry-making experts.
Hematite OR Hemalyke™: Knowing the Differences
Read on to discover the differences between natural hematite and man-made Hemalyke™ beads and components.
Getting Started with Basic Silversmithing
Curious about silversmithing essentials? This article outlines key tools and their uses, giving you the knowledge to start your journey with confidence.
12 Jewelry Myths Debunked
Toothpaste to clean jewelry? Indestructible diamonds? Join us as we debunk these and ten other popular jewelry myths.
DIY Clasps with Artistic Wire® Findings Forms™ Jigs
Learn how to create beautiful, consistently sized wireworked hook-and-eye and toggle clasps using Artistic Wire® Findings Forms™ jigs.
Product Spotlight: Thread Cutter
Patti demonstrates the Clover Quick Cut thread cutter and highlights its advantages.
All About Earnut Jewelry Findings
Here's a helpful guide to the different styles of earring backs to ensure earrings stay in place.
A Jewelry Designer's Wish List
We asked nine jewelry artists what tools are tops on their wish lists. Let this article help you grant wishes for the creatives in your life.
The Modern Locket
The modern locket takes a time-honored and traditional piece of jewelry and offers up fresh versions for the modern world. See what the locket's gotten up to these days.
Metal Jewelry: Finishing and Polishing
Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman shows how to finish and polish metal jewelry.
The Talk About Pliers
Explore the many types of pliers to help you find the right one for every project.
What Is a Cabochon?
Take a deep dive into the marvelous cabochon and its sister the cameo. Learn about how they're created and dozens of ways a designer can use them.
Bezels
Bezels are an ideal finding to use when you're working with cabochons and flat back crystals. Tammy Honaman, author and jewelry-making expert, is here to tell you all about them.
Metaphysical Properties
When jewelry makers encounter information about gemstones, they frequently discover where a stone is mined, what it's made of and the phrase "metaphysical properties." What is that information and how can a jewelry maker use it in designs?
Everything You Need to Know About Thread Conditioners
Feeling all tangled up in a sea of rough, frayed thread? Thread conditioners could be just the solution you need to get back on course.
Beginner's Guide to Loomwork
Explore the world of loomwork, where each bead is a pixel in your artistic vision. Learn about the looms, materials and resources you'll need in this article.
Which Metals Should You Use?
Choosing the right metal to use in your jewelry involves balancing a number of factors beyond gold vs. silver. Get the lowdown on all metal materials.
The Right Adhesive for the Job
This detailed article explains the best adhesives for a variety of projects. Learn tips and techniques suited to your design needs.
Non-Marring Wire-Wrapping Pliers
Looking for wireworking pliers that won't mar wire or metal sheet? Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman shares pliers that won’t make marks on wire in this informative article.
An Earring Finding Guide
Different earring styles suit different needs, and the findings make all the difference! This handy guide explains the unique benefits of each type of earring finding.
Wireworking Tips: Wire Coils, Pliers and Jigs
Jewelry-making expert Sandra Lupo gives us the scoop on Beadalon® tools, including their banding pliers and improved Coiling Gizmo®. Learn all about these popular tools and tips for using them in this illustrated article.
Independent Lab Report
See the results of an independent lab study on Comparison Testing of three types of coated beading wires.
Product Spotlight: Celestial Crystal®
Celestial Crystal® is our line of crystal beads and components. Explore a few of our favorites and discover how to bring their dazzling versatility to your jewelry designs.
Minerals, Rocks, Gemstones, Crystals - What’s the Difference?
Looking to brush up on your understanding of geology? Dive into this informative article that explores the distinctions among rocks, minerals, crystals and gemstones.
Pearl Jewelry Guide
Explore the beauty of pearls with this complete guide to types, grading, care, pricing and stylish ways to wear them.
Everything You Need to Know About Jeweler's Saws
Find everything you need know about jeweler's saws in this video and informative article. Learn the tips and tricks to using a jeweler's saw to get the design you want.
Ergonomics for Beaders
Ergonomics involves tools and techniques that help prevent injury. This article covers why jewelry makers should consider how repetitive motion, vibration, and posture affect their health, productivity, and enjoyment.
Accu-Flex® Professional Quality Beading Wire Review
Read what Paula S. Morgan of about.com has to say about Fire Mountain's Accu-Flex Professional-Quality Beading Wire in her expert review.
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?
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
A Guide to Bails
Ever wonder what a bail is? How do you use it and what should you look for to find what you need for your designs? All of that has been compiled in one handy location.
Mandrels for Jewerly-Making
Have questions about mandrels? Learn all about this valuable metalsmithing tool and the different options available in this article on mandrels.
A Brief History of Czech Glass Bead Making
Travel to the Crystal Valley and explore the rich heritage of Czech glass beads.
Torch-Fired Enameling for Jewelry
The benefits of torch-firing enamel can be incredible for your designs as you don't need to rely on a bulky kiln. The end result is beautiful enameled beads and metal just for you.
Jewelry-Making Wire: Non-Precious Metal, Colored and Steel Wires
Learn about different types of non-precious jewelry-making wire—copper, niobium, aluminum, memory wire and more—and how to use each metal.
Cold Connections
Using cold connections can really change how your jewelry comes together. Find out what metalsmithing master Tammy Honaman says are some of the best tools for cold connecting metal.
Intro to Leather
Have you never worked with leather before? It can be tough (heh) sometimes but don’t worry, Tammy Honaman is here to guide you like only a jewelry-making expert can.
Opal: Benefits of Synthetic and Manmade Stones
Opal is an uncommon gemstone with an uncommon beauty and fragility, leading it to be recreated in the lab as a stronger composite that withstands more stress.
How to Use a Bead Board
Make your designing life easier with bead boards. Learn the bead board types and how these tools are advantageous to the beginner as well as the high-producing professional.
The Unlocked Mysteries of Jade:
Delve into the rich history and cultural significance of jade, highlighting its revered status in Chinese culture, its exceptional toughness, and its various forms, including jadeite and nephrite, as well as its widespread use in jewelry and carvings, with an emphasis on the importance of color, translucency, and texture in determining jade quality.
The Importance of Daylight Lamps
Discover the complex nature of light and the human eye and the importance of daylight, not only in jewelry-making but all forms of art to find true color.
Sterling Silver-Filled Wire and Findings
Find the answers to your questions about sterling silver-filled wire and findings in this performance results test conducted by jewelry-making experts. Discover why this metal offer a tremendous value and amazing workability.
5 Ways to Make a Bail for Your DIY Jewelry
Jewelry designer Patti presents five ways to make a bail, including a folded component bail, hammered and rolled wire bail, layered jump ring bail and more.
How Lampwork Glass Pendants are Made
An in-depth look at the art of crafting lampwork glass pendants, exploring the process with fire and steel tools, the types of glass used, and the history of lampworking, highlighting the essential tools and materials.
Ask the Experts Adhesive Q&A
Q: Sure hope you can help me. I'm making a necklace and my pendant is a lampwork bead, sort of rondelle shaped. I want to use a large jump ring, 17mm, but I am having trouble as it does not seem secure on the necklace. Is there something I can use or some technique to keep this ring securely closed? I really don't want to invest in or learn soldering. Thank you so much.
Ask the Experts Organizing Q&A
Q: I need tips, please, on how to organize a large inventory of beads and findings. Not the physical components—trays, bags, etc.—but the logical organization.
Do the experts find it most useful to organize by color? By size? By material? By shape? Which are the main categories, and how are items sorted within the main categories?
For example, beads might be organized first by main color (pink, yellow, black), then by big category of material (gemstone, glass), then specific material (calcite, mookaite, crystal, crackle glass, lampwork). Then within material by size or shape.
What logical organization works best for you to help you find what you need quickly? Do different people organize different ways? How do you organize strands that have mixed colors or materials?
Ask the Experts Bead Reamer Q&A
Q: I was given a battery operated bead reamer as a gift, but am hesitant to try it. I was watching your bead reamer video and didn't even see a powered version mentioned as an option. It seems to me the hand versions offer more control. Do you have any recommendations?
Ask the Experts Shells Q&A
Q: I have collected lots of abalone shells. What is the best way to drill holes in the shells, shine, polish, etc., to make jewelry?
Ask the Experts Jump Rings Q&A
Q: I've seen Chainmaille sites online and thought, "Wow, that looks cool! I want to make it!" How can I cut the wire to make jump rings, without it flattening the end of the cut part? I know I can buy machine made jumprings that are perfectly shaped and cut, but I want to make my own, so I can fabricate the entire piece. I've been using regular wire cutters, and am looking for a cutter that won't flatten the jumpring ends. Thanks
Ask the Experts Pliers Q&A
Q: Please tell me the difference between "lap joint" and "box joint" pliers?
Setting Up a Safe Torch Firing Area
Ensure your success and prioritize safety when firing enamel with a torch by following these comprehensive instructions. Craft stunning enamel jewelry with confidence and precision.
How to Use an Alundum Stone
Smooth out the rough edges in your enamel designs with an alundum stone. Discover how with these straightforward instructions.
How to Use a Sal Ammoniac Block to Maintain Your Soldering Iron
Discover the proper technique for maintaining your soldering iron with a sal ammoniac block.
How to Use the Artistic Wire® CONETASTIC™ Mandrel
Follow these instructions for the Artistic Wire® CONETASTIC™ tool to create custom coiled wire cones. Developed by metalsmith Sandra Lupo, this tool set includes three sizes of cones mandrels.
How to Use the Artistic Wire® Professional Deluxe Coiling Gizmo®
Use the Artistic Wire® Professional Deluxe Coiling Gizmo® to create tight wire coils and form them into coiled shapes. This photo-illustrated tutorial shows each step.
How to Use the Artistic Wire® Wire Straightener
Crooked wire got you all bent out of shape? Let the Artistic Wire® Straightener Tool smooth things out. Here’s how!
How to Use the Artistic Wire® Wire Knitter
Experience the delicate allure of knitted wire, as light as a feather yet intricately captivating. Learn how to use the Artistic Wire® Wire Knitter with these simple instructions and enmesh yourself in a whole new world of jewelry design.
Hole Punch Pliers
Tutorial shows how to punch holes in flat pieces of aluminum, brass, copper, plastic and more with this lightweight, one-handed tool. No electricity required!
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.
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 Disinfecting Jewelry Q&A
Q: Is there a way to disinfect jewelry when we are selling at our community market that won't damage stones or wire? Customers like to try on pieces to see how they fit, but if they don't buy them, the necklaces/rings/bracelets need to be disinfected before someone else tries them on? How??
Ask the Experts Jewelry Displays Q&A
Q: I was wondering if you could help me. I want to start selling my jewelry at craft shows but I have no idea what displays to use and how many to order. Do you have any advice for me? I don't even know where to start. Thank you!
Ask the Experts Disposing of Liver of Sulfur Q&A
Q: After you have used a liver of sulfur bath for a fired metal clay piece, how do you dispose of the liver of sulfur? Thanks for your help.
Ask the Experts Wire Cutting Pliers Q&A
Q: Hi, Wire Cutters—Can you explain the difference between end cutter and flush cutter? Which cutter should I use to cut memory wire? Thank You.
Ask the Experts Metal Stamping Q&A
Q: I just started metal stamping and am having some difficulties ... the stamps don't seem to be going through well enough to leave a good impression. If I hit it harder, though, it is bending the metal. Is the problem with the stamping blanks I am using, or are they all about the same?
Ask the Experts Jewelry Torch Recommendations Q&A
Q: I want to do professional jewelry making. I have a micro torch but my pieces are bigger and usually are 10 gauge sterling silver. Can you recommend a torch?
Ask the Experts Drill Bits Q&A
Q: Can you please tell me what type of drill along with drill bits I will have to purchase to drill through the stones like quartz crystal? I currently use a water pump lapidary tool by Gunther but the drill bits are too expensive and they don’t last. I’m looking for another alternative.
How to Use the Versa-Loom™
Craft beaded bracelets and other pieces with precision using the Versa-Loom™ bead weaver. Set up and use this tool with these comprehensive instructions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to Assemble the Beading Station Organizer
Assemble the beading station organizer using these illustrated step-by-step instructions from the manufacturer.
You supply the creativity, we supply everything else! ®