Gareth’s Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales is published by Cool Tools Lab. I keep a small stash of beads and findings around, and then can put together a pair of earrings in 10 minutes-a personal, homemade gift I didn’t have to go to the store to buy. ![]() One of my favorite aspects of having even a basic ability to make jewelry is that I’m always able to create a last-minute gift, at least for friends whose taste is similar to mine. I took a wire wrap class at a local shop and then had a foundation from which I was able to learn knotting and stringing pearls watching Fire Mountain’s instructional videos. If you’re interested in making bead jewelry, I’d recommend taking a beginner’s class at a local bead store to get started and gain a basic familiarity with the tools. For me, having the physical catalog makes navigating the extensive website easier. The company’s 400-plus page print catalog, with its to-scale photos of beads, gems, clasps and findings (roughly, the jewelry-making hardware), rivals any catalog in terms of introducing creative possibilities, and enticing you to buy stuff. Except they’ve been that way for a while now.Fire Mountain Gems and Beads is, in a sense, the McMaster Carr of the jewelry world. It has the feel of a company going under. I don’t think I will be ordering from them again. But also, no one ever seems to want to assist you, at least not happily. When I contacted them, they said that tracking number is for when it arrives at my post office.huh? I realize this is partly USPS issues. And I’ve been ordering for years! The last time I ordered, it took almost a week longer than the tracking number said. I placed an order at 8 AM on a Friday and never received a shipping confirmation until Tuesday, saying it will be here by 8 pm Thursday. The photos don’t seem to show the true quality. The Shipping department seems to have some difficulties. It was fun because the more you added, the more you saved and $5 flat rate shipping was great! But now, I find that every time I decide to purchase a bunch of basic items that don’t have to be top quality, (about once a year), I regret it. If you have low expectations for quality and service, go for it! I purchased everything from this place when I first started beading, which was over 10 years ago. Which I then realized aha! If you don't like what you get YOU MUST PAY TO SEND IT BACK.!! And the worst part is I sent 2 emails to customer support and they sent me an autoresponder that it would be sent to the proper dept and its been 2 or 3 months and I just hear crickets!! But rest assured they continue to send me catalogues and deal emails!! Ha, I just put it in my spam folder, If you don't honor your own products, you don't value customers feedback, and you ignore concerns voiced from your fans then you don't deserve repeat business!ĭon’t expect much and you’ll probably be satisfied ![]() Now I ordered from Fire mountain on several occasions and noticed each time my package arrived the quality or look of some beads were unacceptable. Which I personally think all company's should operate. Let me give an example: I shop on, I purchase a pair of shoes-when I receive the shoes the box INCLUDES and prepaid return label for my convenience should I NOT like my purchase I can easily send it back for my full money back. It is really sad when a company such as this one doesn't honor their own products.
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