Essential Resources

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?

Loving Lavender

Fall in love with lavender! See how these soothing shades can enhance your designs to create for a number of styles and timeless appeal.

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.

Choosing Jewelry for Your Color Season

Color seasons have been applied to jewelry and fashion for decades. Find ways to match your designs to the 12 designations in this article.

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 materials metal.

Organic

Refers to a bead made of a carbon-based material. Many jewelry-making components composed of pearl, wood, bone, horn and shell fall into this category.

How Many Beads per Strand?

Use this handy chart to determine the number of beads per strand according to bead size and strand length, which can vary from batch to batch.

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.

A Pastel Mood

Embrace a romantic sensibility for your wedding with the pastel mood wedding style.

Monochromatic Jewelry

Discover why designers and style-savvy patrons around the world are embracing the modernity of this controlled-color trend.

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.

Spotlight on 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.

Upcycled Jewelry: Sustainable Beading for the Eco-Minded

Upcycling jewelry is an eco-minded trend that everyone can get behind. Just take existing materials and repurpose them into jewelry!

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.

I Dream of Druzy

Get excited about druzy jewelry! Adorned with tiny, glistening crystals, these gemstones have the potential to become the focal point of your latest jewelry masterpiece.

Learn Simmon's Polymer Clay Blend

Take your polymer clay blending skills to the next level with Simmon's polymer clay blend. Witness firsthand how this technique creates a stunningly balanced spectrum of colors.

Video Length 3:34

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How To Care For Plated Jewelry

This article will teach you the best practices for preserving the beauty and quality of your gold- and silver-plated jewelry pieces over time.

Negative Space in Jewelry Design

Incorporating negative space into your jewelry designs adds a distinctive touch that will set your creative efforts apart. This article explains how.

The Glorious Pearl

Explore the beauty of pearls with this complete guide to types, grading, care, pricing and stylish ways to wear them.

Polymer Clay Succulents

Capitalize on the growing popularity of succulents' eye-catching aesthetic by using sculpted polymer clay to form plants sans soil.

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 is the actions and equipment designed to prevent injury to the human body. This article explains why beaders and jewelry makers need to consider how repetitive motion, vibration and awkward posture can affect their health, productive ability and enjoyment of their craft.

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.

Face Shape and Jewelry Choices

Learn how to create beautiful jewelry to flatter any face shape.

Size Does Matter: Making Jewelry with the Proper Fit

It's an old joke, in some circles: size doesn't matter. Yet, jewelry that doesn't fit simply doesn't get purchased. And if purchased, could get returned, with cost to the jewelry maker in both money and reputation. This is especially important for...

PANTONE® 2024 Color of the Year: Peach Fuzz

Discover Pantone's 2024 color choice, described as a “velvety, gentle peach tone, whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul.”

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?

Clay Clean-Up

Award-winning mixed media artist Lisa Pavelka shares her polymer clay tip for keeping your finished clay project clean free of surface contaminants and any pesky spots.

Video Length 2:10

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Make Your Own Inlay Jewelry Easy as 1-2-3

Inlay jewelry is a beautiful way to display stones without the use of traditional setting techniques. Learn more about this exciting trend.

Tree of Life Jewelry

The tree of life is an ancient symbol that appears in numerous cultures the world over. Learn how to incorporate them into your designs for stylish results.

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.

Saltwater Copper Etching

Etching copper with saltwater might sound like a magic trick, but it's actually simple science! Learn how to etch jewelry pieces with this video.

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.

Wubbers® Pliers

Patti Bullard has invented a better set of tools, and jewelry makers are beating a path to buy 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.

Make Your Own Wind Chimes with Jewelry Supplies

Why make wind chimes with jewelry-making materials? Well, why not? Wind chimes provide a melodious tune and can be aesthetically pleasing--plus they make great gifts!

The Beadmakers' Handbook

The first openly available resource for the beader and jewelry maker, the Beadmakers' Handbook includes bead-stringing designs and techniques. Download the free PDF and discover where it all began!

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

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