Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Cleaners and Polishers Q&A

Q: I did a poor job of applying gloss topcoat to my 24Kt gold-plated seed beads and need to remove and redo it. How do I remove the topcoat I applied to them? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Seed Beading Q&A

Q: What can you put on a seed bead project when it is finished? Is there a liquid?

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Ask the Experts Bead Looming Q&A

Q: I would like to buy a bead loom and make wall hangings. Are there patterns available? And where can I find more information for this type of project?

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Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

Q: Which gauge wire can be used with size 6/0 seed beads?

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Ask the Experts Seed Beading Q&A

Q: I recently purchased a copy of the bead embroidery handbook and am learning the different stitches. Can you tell me which goes best for each type of stitch? I was trying the tubular peyote with the Czech seed beads but it's not coming out right. I read somewhere that the Delica beads are better for this. What can I use my Czech beads for instead?

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Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A

Q: Hello, I am looking for non-tarnish seed beads to use in my jewelry work. It is so disappointing when the lovely bright metal seed beads go all dark and they spoil the look of my beaded pieces. Can you help please?

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Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A

Q: Hi I use Miyuki Delica seed beads, is there anything I can use i.e., (glue) to give them an extra bit of security of not breaking? Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Beading Q&A

Q: I’m having trouble with my seed bead fringe earrings. I’m always having an issue with curling. How do you keep them soft and flowy? I’m using Fireline 4lbs. Also it’s hard to find a balance between pulling them a little bit on the tighter side or having too much of a gap. Could it be the thread? What is the trick ?

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Ask the Experts Needles Q&A

Q: What needle should I use for my seed bead project?

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Ask the Experts Finishes Q&A

Q: I recently completed a bracelet using various colors and two sizes of seed beads. After wearing the bracelet once, I noticed the finish on the semi-transparent, size 8 purple ones wore off over some of the exposed surfaces. I'm told this problem happens often with purple and red beads. Any suggestions?

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Ask the Experts Adding to Off-Loom Stitches Q&A

Q: I'm looking for your video or answer on how to join a new thread onto an existing thread for projects that need you to use a lot of thread, like necklaces, etc. What I mean is: I have started my project (beaded fringe on a bracelet, just like your video) and the string is now too short to do any more beading. How do I join the next piece of thread? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A

Q: I would like to know how to get started with seed beads. I want to seed bead a 5" hoop to make a dreamcatcher. All I want to do is the outside (if not) the hoop in seed beads. Thank you.

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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?

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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.

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Ask the Experts Stringing Q&A

Q: What is the best way to compensate for stringing beads that have different hole sizes?

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Ask the Experts Peyote Q&A

Q: I am beading a bracelet that is odd count flat peyote (Delica size 11 beads). I am beading it by holding it in my fingers, but when I set it down flat on the table top, it is wavy on the edges. If I flatten the top, the bottom becomes wavy. If I flatten the bottom, the top becomes wavy. Doesn't matter if I use single needle or two needle. What am I doing wrong and can I fix it or should I take it all apart and start over and be careful not to do what?

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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?

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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?

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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.

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Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A

Q: Which gauge wire can be used with size 11/0 seed beads?

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Ask the Experts Seed Bead Fringe Q&A

Q: How do I correct a tension problem in my seed bead fringe?

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Ask the Experts Manufacturing Q&A

Q: How are seed beads made?

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Ask the Experts Seed Beads Q&A

Q: Do Delica® beads fade?