Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Kumihimo Bracelet

Create a kumihimo bracelet in your team's colors with Satinique™ thread—perfect as a thank-you for a special man. A sports-themed charm can add a fun touch!

Design Idea RB2H

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Single-Strand Necklace

This iconic epoxy resin disc, coated with a blend of red and gold mica powder, evokes the appearance of a relic fashioned from ancient clay.

Design Idea QJ2F

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Crimp Clasp

Has structural crimps for attaching to the end of beading wire or cord with Crimping Pliers. Can include Hook-and-Eye, Lobster Claw and Magnetic Clasp styles.

Ask the Experts Restringing Q&A

Q: Is there some magic way to attach a crimp tube with an attached clasp to a finished piece strung on wire? Attaching the first tube at one end is easy, but when attaching the second one, the wire slips back through the beads (and then the beads fall off the wire causing endless frustration)--and the wire is cut so short (to fit into the crimp), there's nothing to grasp. The opening on the tube is so narrow that it would be nearly impossible to put a long piece of wire through the tube and cut it later. Any suggestions?

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Ask the Experts Necklace Q&A

Q: I have started making personalized, metal-stamped, sterling necklace charms. I am having a hard time figuring out what type of "necklace" material to use. I love the look of a chain but cannot seem to find spacer beads to fit over the clasps on either end to go between the silver discs. (I do not want to use crimp beads, as I like the movement and changeability of the charms, and this would inhibit it.) Thank you SO much for your time and help!!

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Ask the Experts Cord ends Q&A

Q: My beaded design is strung on Accu-Flex® wire. I'd like to attach the wire end to several inches of leather or rubber cord before I attach the clasp. I know how to make the connection at the clasp, but what should I use to connect the wire to the cord? I've been looking at cord tips; some have holes, some have loops.

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Ask the Experts Ribbon Crimp Ends Q&A

Q: How do I use ribbon ends on my loomworked bracelets? Every time I attach one I crush some of the beads because the clamp doesn't seem large enough to cover the beads. I've seen other examples of loom and off-loom bracelets with these ends attached, but I don't know how to properly attach them. Do you have any bar clasps that are made specifically for stitched bracelets and necklaces or some kind of instructional resource on how to use the ribbon clasp on beadwork?

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Ask the Experts Men's Earrings Q&A

Q: What kind of earrings would make good men's earrings to hang dagger or spider drops from? And if I buy the round rubber or leather cord, black, 3mm, for a man's necklace what clasps or crimping beads do I use on the ends to secure and fasten?

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Ask the Experts Finishing a Peyote Stitched Piece Q&A

Q: I've been watching your videos on peyote stitch and you don't show how to attach a clasp at the end. I like wide bracelets and can't figure out how to finish the piece. Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Jewelry Repair Q&A

Q: Is there a way to remove a crimp bead cover from a finished necklace? I used a 4mm crimp bead cover at the very end of my necklace. But I feel my necklace has little flexibility, and the toggle bar of my clasp does not move freely. I think removing the cover and replacing it with a smaller crimp bead cover might take care of the problem. Any other ideas what I could do without pulling my necklace apart?

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6 Ways to Finish Your Seed Bead Bracelet

Not sure how to finish your seed bead bracelet? Explore six different ways to give your seed bead jewelry designs the perfect closure--all with how-to videos!

Video Length 1:42

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Secrets to Crimping with Crimp Tubes

Finish beading wire securely with crimp tubes. Expert jewelry maker and instructor Tammy Honaman shows how to use them to add clasps to the end of your jewelry.

Video Length 1:29

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How to Use the Hidden Crimp End Clasp

Hidden crimp end clasps give a finished, professional look to any strung bead design. Learn how to incorporate them into your jewelry creations with these animated instructions.

Video Length 0:40

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Using Crimp Ends with Accu-Flex® Beading Wire

Crimp ends secure your beading wire and make it easy to add your favorite clasps. Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman walks you through how to use these handy little findings.

Video Length 3:22

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