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Ask the Experts
about Jewelry Making
Ask the Experts Size Q&A
Q: How do I choose the size stretch cord to make bracelets?
Ask the Experts Tubular Peyote Stitch Q&A
Q: Can any size bead be used for tubular peyote, or is it confined to the smaller beads? What shape bead works best?
Ask the Experts Loom Work Q&A
Q: I am new to loom working and would like to know how to attach my project to a steel bracelet blank.
Ask the Experts Small Beads Q&A
Q: I have several strands of tiny 2.5mm diamond beads and am in a quandary as to the best way to string them. I've tried fishing line and extra fine beading wire, but I'm not satisfied with the results. I've also tried stringing them onto jump rings I made with 18K 30-gauge wire, but it made them look too spread out. Any suggestions?
Ask the Experts 2x2mm Crimp Tubes Q&A
Q: What is the difference between regular sterling silver 2x2mm cut crimp tubes and lightweight sterling silver 2x2mm cut crimp tubes? Under what circumstances would I choose to use one over the other?
Ask the Experts Tassels Q&A
Q: What size silk cord or thread is needed to make tassels?
Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A
Q: How can Thread Magic® help my seed beading?
Ask the Experts Negotiations Q&A
Q: A gallery that recently bought some of my jewelry asked me not to sell similar designs through my own website, at shows or to other galleries. I'm not sure how to respond to their request? It feels too restrictive. Any advice would be appreciated.
Ask the Experts Saltwater vs. Freshwater Q&A
Q: What is the difference between saltwater and freshwater pearls?
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 Stone Q&A
Q: I am wondering how to drill small holes in certain pieces to accommodate certain designs. How would I drill holes in sterling silver or brass components? Also, how would I drill an extra hole in a pendant made of howlite? HELP!
Ask the Experts Memory Wire Q&A
Q: My children tangled my memory wire--is there an easy way to untangle it for use? Thank you!!
Ask the Experts Removal Q&A
Q: How do you take out a bead from earrings and replace with new ones? The bead is glued in.
Ask the Experts Care Q&A
Q: Hello, I am making lots of sterling silver and gemstone pieces (mostly earrings). How should I care for the pieces? Can I use a silver polish when the pieces have bead components? Thanks for your advice.
Ask the Experts Cleaning Q&A
Q: I've used toothpaste to clean my silver necklace for about the last 4-5 years. I was just wondering if I was ok in using it, or am I hurting my necklace?
Ask the Experts Sizes Q&A
Q: Ring sizes: I notice you often mention ring size 6 or 7 etc. Is this size in mm? And what is the average ring size for a lady?
Ask the Experts Bracelet Q&A
Q: I have a bracelet I made out of large chunks of turquoise and spaced out with much smaller coral and bronze beads. The problem is that my arm hairs get pinched really badly, even though I tried to leave some room for the beads to move around. Is there a trick to knowing how much room to leave so the beads can move without pinching?
Ask the Experts Pendant Conversion Q&A
Q: I bought an odd-shaped cameo in Roatán, Honduras. Would I damage the product if I bonded a bail to it? I bought just the piece, so there is no sterling or any other type of metal attached to it already.
Ask the Experts Pandora Style Q&A
Q: What size bead should I use to put between charms for a Pandora or Biagi bracelet? The mm means next to nothing to average people. Thanks!
Ask the Experts Stringing Q&A
Q: What is the best way to compensate for stringing beads that have different hole sizes?
Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A
Q: I bought some silver Art Clay some years ago, it's never been opened. Do you know if it can still be used? I would be firing it with a butane torch. Thanks!
Ask the Experts Illusion Necklace Q&A
Q: If I make a necklace that has the gems floating, what type of wire is good, and what type of crimp bead is good for keeping the bead in a suspended hold?
Ask the Experts Hatbands Q&A
Q: I'm making hatbands, but I don't know how to finish the ends. They need to be adjustable. Do you have any ideas? I'd prefer to NOT sew the bands to a backing. Thanks!