Essential How-Tos | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

How to Open and Close a Pop Clasp

Pop clasps are perfect for breakaway styles like lanyards and badge holders. They “pop” open when pulled and snap shut when pressed. See how to use them in these instructions.

Design Idea BBA9

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Knitting with the French Knitter Tool

French knitting can add a hint of flair to any jewelry design. Learn how easy it is to use the French knitter tool with this instruction guide.

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How to Create a Resin Pendant

Create a framed resin pendant—like a window into another place or time—using photo-illustrated instructions by jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman.

Design Idea BA5Z

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Single-Strand Necklace

Clusters of sparkling red rubies and lustrous freshwater pearls hang daintily from gold-filled chain on this elegant necklace

Design Idea EC8G

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Triple-Strand Necklace

This multi-strand necklace by Matthew MacMinn can be made in silver and Crystal Passions® peridot green, or opt for the colors you or your customers like most.

Design Idea EC6Q

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Earrings

The gemstones in these delicate earrings infuse this design with the essence of early morning rain. Follow our free tutorial to make your own pair.

Design Idea EC1T

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Pouch

Use peyote stitch with seed beads and 4mm fire-polished glass beads to create a luxurious small accessory case. Courtesy of Preciosa®, complete with step-by-step instructions.

Design Idea EA81

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Ornaments

You can never make too many Christmas designs. This tutorial from Preciosa teaches how to make a seed bead net to place over and dress up glass baubles.

Design Idea EA8P

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Endless Necklace

The possibilities are endless ... and claspless! Here's how to build a long necklace that slips over the head and has no visible beginning or end.

Design Idea 691Q

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Bell Ornament

Ring in some holiday décor designs with this beaded wire project from Preciosa®. Seed beads strung on high gauge wireworking wire forms the shape and supports the structure of this bell ornament.

Design Idea EA8L

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Viking Knit Made Using the Lazee Daizee™

These illustrated instructions show how to make Viking knit wire jewelry with a Lazee Daizee™ tool. Incorporating this technique into your creations is a snap!

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How to Create a Wire Band

Getting frustrated with hand-wrapping wire bands? This handy instruction guide shows how to use banding pliers to make perfectly started wraps every time.

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How to Use Scarf Jewelry Components

Embellish a beautiful scarf with these components and easy instructions.

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Cutting Glass with Glass Nippers

Lean how to safely nip small pieces of glass with these step-by-step instructions.

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How to Use Gilders Paste®

Gilders Paste is a professional wax-based medium that can be mixed and layered for an endless color palette that won't fade. Learn how with this informative article.

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How to Make Hair Comb out of Wire

These step-by-step instructions show you how to make a hair comb from wire. With helpful illustrations at each step, this accessory is easier than ever.

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Fusing Glass in a Microwave Kiln

Learn how to fuse glass at home with these helpful tips and a microwave kiln.

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How to Create a Colorful Liquid Polyclay™ Sheet

Learn how to create your own one-of-a-kind designs with liquid polymer clay sheets in this tutorial from author, jewelry-making expert and educator Tammy Honaman.

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Making a Butterfly Polymer Clay Cane

Polymer clay canes are a versatile staple in the jewelry-maker's skill set. Learn how to make butterfly-wing canes with these instructions.

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How to Use Bulldog Crimps™

Using Bulldog Crimps™ is easy. They work ideally as temporary crimps for stringing beads and holding multiple strands together for display or organization.

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How to Use the Kumihimo Plate to Create Flat Braids

Learn to create a new twist on kumihimo braiding and friendship bracelets with this guide. Using a square plate, it’s easy to create flat designs.

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How to Make a Wire Hook-and-Eye Clasp

Making your own clasps can save time and money. These instructions, complete with photos, show you how to make your own hook-and-eye clasps with wire.

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Peg Leg™ - Wire-Wrapping Jig

Create small wirework components using the hand-held Peg Leg wire-wrapping tool. Follow these written instructions to set up and use this handy tool.

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Art Clay® Gold Paste

Art Clay® Gold Paste is a liquid paste designed to add gold texture to ceramic, porcelain, glass and/or Art Clay® Silver fired clay pieces. This tutorial includes guidelines for preparation, application, kiln firing and finishing—plus handling tips and safety precautions.

Design Idea F93E

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Queen's Link Chainmaille

Add elegant detail to chainmaille jewelry using the queen's link chainmaille technique.

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How to Use Cord Coils for Lantern Chain

Shiny cord coils with loop ends create a neat finish to lantern chain.

Design Idea 999B

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Art Clay® Silver--Firing FAQ's

Art Clay Silver metal clay can be fired with a butane torch—sometimes. When? How? What happens after firing? Jewelry experts answer these and other questions in this FAQ.

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Décor

Branch out into holiday décor designs with this beaded wire project from Preciosa®. Seed beads strung on high gauge wireworking wire forms the shape of this holly branch. Add Preciosa’s pearls as red holly berries or white mistletoe!

Design Idea EA7Q

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How to Use Bezel Strips

Learn how to make a custom bezel setting for any cabochon using bezel strips. Clear images demonstrate every step in this how-to.

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Lashed Wrap Bracelet

Metallic Half Tila® beads stack up in this stylish lashed wrap bracelet, a strong on-going trend. Step-by-step instructions courtesy of Miyuki.

Design Idea E94M

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How to Make a Bib-Style Necklace

Ukrainian artist Elena Golovchenko blended purples and lavenders from gemstone, Czech fire-polished glass and seed beads to create this bib necklace. Follow Elena Golovchenko’s intricate design with Fashion Magazine’s instructions.

Design Idea D16F

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How to Use a Hotfix Transfer Sheet

Want to design your own bedazzled embellishments with hotfix transfer sheets? Here's how.

Design Idea E327

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Ornament

Stitch a glittering snowflake net over a round round Christmas ornament. Make this holiday treasure with full step-by-step instructions from Preciosa®.

Design Idea CAF9

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How to Use 2-Part Pendant Settings with Crystal Passions® Flat Backs

Learn how to easily use two-part pendant settings to mount Crystal Passion® flat backs.

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Embellishing Adjustable Charm Bracelets

Adding charms to your bangle charm bracelet is a breeze with these easy-to-follow instructions.

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Artistic Wire® 3D Bracelet Jig

This handy how-to video from Beadalon® explains how simple it is to use the Artistic Wire® 3D bracelet jig. Creating wire cuff bracelets has never been easier!

Video Length 7:59

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Home Décor Fish with Twin™ Seed Beads

Four fishy little figurines made using Preciosa Twin™ and size #11 seed beads. Use these step-by-step instructions from Preciosa® to make your own!

Design Idea CAF3

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Beaded Backstitch

A stitch that is used often in bead embroidery is the backstitch. This stitch is used to frame the components adhered to the beading medium.

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Ornament

Use off-loom beading stitches to create this lacy embellishment for a Christmas tree ornament using our full step-by-step instructions, courtesy of Preciosa®.

Design Idea CAEZ

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Ring with Seed Beads

To make a seed bead ring, choose your colors from Fire Mountain Gems' vast seed bead selection.

Design Idea 7255

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How to Use Sure-Set Mountings

Sure-sets are precision cast mountings designed with seats capable of accommodating most stone girdle widths. Setting may be done with ordinary precision pliers; however, the job is greatly simplified by using our notched stone setting pliers.

Design Idea 6917

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How to Use a WigJig Jewelry Tool

Learn how to use a wireworking jig with this step-by-step tutorial. Includes tips and tricks from the makers of the WigJig.

Design Idea A76E

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Memory Wire Bracelet

Have you tried Memory Wire yet? This great design is just the beginning of what you can do with Memory Wire.

Design Idea 4B10

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Firing Art Clay® with a Gas Stove

Not everyone has access to a kiln. In this tutorial, learn how to fire certain types of metal clay pieces on a gas stove rather than with traditional firing methods.

Design Idea 6909

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Picot Stitch

Learn the picot stitch from jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman in this step-by-step guide. Discover why jewelry makers love this versatile stitch for seed bead designs.

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Cork Clay

Cork clay is easily shaped and refined into a solid core for firing hollow metal clay beads and sculptural pieces. Learn the benefits and how to use it with this tutorial.

Design Idea 6907

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Stone Setting

Bezelite settings take all the mystery and headache out of stone setting. Even a beginner can get great results in seconds! They are made for faceted stones and most cabochons.

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Stitching an "X"

Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman teaches how to create this "X" stitch used to embellish cabochons.

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