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Q: How do I solder gold-filled wire?
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Ask the Experts
about Jewelry Making
Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A
Q: What is the difference between a round-hole seed bead and a square-hole seed bead? Are the two interchangeable?
Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A
Q: I have a woven seed bead necklace that someone wants me to make earrings for. It consists of regular pink seed beads accented with matte gold seeds. The customer wants to clean the necklace. How do you clean this necklace without removing the color from the beads?
Ask the Experts Patina Q&A
Q: Can copper colored aluminum wire be patinated?
Ask the Experts Memory Wire Q&A
Q: Can you explain how to properly use a mandrel when bending memory wire?
Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A
Q: How can you prevent open, unused silver clay from turning moldy? We have the unused silver wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, sealed with masking tape to keep the plastic wrap from coming loose. Then we place the silver in an air tight rubber maid container with a sponge that is wet. Does it just turn moldy over time or is there something different we should be doing?
Ask the Experts Dichroic Q&A
Q: I am firing Dichro glass. I would like to put some silver wire loops in between the glass to hang the pieces with--what kind of silver flat and round wire can I use that can be fired in a kiln?
Ask the Experts Metal Beads Q&A
Q: I have old brass curved tube beads in varying sizes. I want to cut or file some of the outside edge of the curve to expose a little cord inside. Do I use a file, a jeweler's saw? What type of blade or file? Thank you.
Ask the Experts Knots Q&A
Q: How do you stop the fishing line type cord from unraveling when knotted at the end of my project? Thank you.
Ask the Experts Teaching Q&A
Q: How do I charge for teaching how to make jewelry? I'll be carrying the products myself (beads, etc.). There isn't anyone here who teaches at all in my area. I know in Houston they do but its 2 hrs away.
Ask the Experts Selling Q&A
Q: With selling jewelry in mind, should I focus my designs into a theme or collection?
Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A
Q: Can I cross the gold precious metal clay with some of the copper to successfully have rosegold precious metal clay?
Ask the Experts Stretching Q&A
Q: I've been making beaded jewelry for some time now. The wire/cord of some of my pieces has stretched over time so that there are spaces near the clasp of my necklaces. I am using Beadalon/Accu-Flex type wire. I've heard of prestretching your wire. Do I need to do this to prevent them from stretching out? Do you have any other suggestions to prevent this from happening? Thanks.
Ask the Experts Wire Gauge for a Wire-Wrapped Ring Q&A
Q: I recently purchased a bead ring from a street vendor. The ring's band is made with a smooth silver wire with two loops, then a bead is attached using a thinner wire which is threaded through the ring's loops and twisted to secure. What kind and gauge of hypo-allergenic wire can be used to make a similar ring for my family and friends?
Ask the Experts Finding the Largest Lobster Claw Clasp Q&A
Q: Lobster Claw clasps: if a large one is needed, do I order a higher mm or lower one? What is your largest size lobster claw clasp?
Ask the Experts Stringing Materials Q&A
Q: What kind of wire or string should be used when making a necklace where the beads go all the way around the neck so it will lie flat?
Ask the Experts Bead Size Charts Q&A
Q: I am new to beading and struggle with understanding bead sizes—especially as I look at websites like Fire Mountain and see beads I like. I haven't been able to find a good size chart to use. Can you recommend one?
Ask the Experts Proper Gauge Wire for Wrapped Loops Q&A
Q: What gauge wire is recommended for making wrapped loops? I've tried the 22 and 24. They are too soft, for me, to work with. Would a lower gauge wire work best? I'm a newbie at this. Also, what would be the equivalent gauge size of a wire diameter of, say, .014 or .015"? I've seen only diameters of wires given, and I have no idea how to determine what the gauge would be.
Ask the Experts Turquoise Q&A
Q: I need to identify and price turquoise I purchased in New Mexico 20 years ago. I do know that some pieces are Sleeping Beauty turquoise. What is the best approach to identifying this gemstone?
Ask the Experts Alternative Donut Ideas Q&A
Q: How can I hang a gemstone donut on a length of cording without using a donut bail?
Ask the Experts Seed Bead Stitches Q&A
Q: I am pretty new at beading and I am in love with seed beads. I am trying to do a two-row base for a necklace. I have tried peyote and square stitch. How do I get the tension right? I end up with it wiggly, or spiral, or twisty, anything but flat. Thanks.
Ask the Experts Hiding Knots Q&A
Q: I make wrap bracelets and I am having trouble tying off my thread so that my knots aren't so visible. Any suggestions? I love your website and I look through my catalog every day! Thank you!
Ask the Experts Crystal Stringing Material Q&A
Q: What type of threads can I use for crystals? Can I use silk thread or only wire?
Ask the Experts Bamboo Coral Q&A
Q: I have some bamboo rattle snake coral that I ordered elsewhere. It is long jagged pieces and I find it to be very ugly so I have put off working with it. Do you have any suggestions about using this product? What else would go with it? Thank you very much.