
Tips & Techniques
Learn at Lima Beads!
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
- Wild Mustard on “Make a Wire Wrapped Bead Link”:
“I was trained to use a pair of chain nose pliers to manipulate the wire being…” read »
- Balthazar on “Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings”:
“I agree -- E6000 is the absolute best!…” read »
- Susanannellis on “Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings”:
“I don't use epoxy on any of the jewelry I make, plus depending on the temperature…” read »
- donnaruiz60 on “Using Vintaj Patinas”:
“I just taught a class with middle school children and one painted on a silver piece…” read »
- Scavenger on “Adding a Focal to Patricia Healey Chain”:
“Absolutely Gorgeous! I can't wait to use this!…” read »
- Nini H on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:
“I need 1 egg for 50…” read »
- angmoore2011 on “Making a Fish Tail Braid”:
“This is great! My mom didn't know what to do with my thick curly hair so…” read »
- Krp309 on “Using the Sliding Square Knot”:
“How much cord do you use for the knot?…” read »
- S Brewer on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I want to string the wool beads together with elastic thread in a needle. Which…” read »
- Kat R on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“Love the instructions, but which stretch cord are you using? I don't see one like it…” read »
- S Wahl on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:
“No photo, sorry. I'm really in a bracelet "phase". I tried figuring this out on my…” read »
- BevB on “Using Colourful Soul Jewelry Pop-Outs & Ultimate Paints”:
“Vintaj came out with this line in July. I am glad to see LB is selling…” read »
- Petunia on “Using Colourful Soul Jewelry Pop-Outs & Ultimate Paints”:
“*Squeaks with excitement* …” read »
- J Jackowitz on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“You carry the most beautiful beads, bar none. I tie a surgeon’s knot for more security,…” read »
- T M on “Using Vintaj Patinas”:
“Has anyone tried to use the patinas on coins?…” read »
- Jona M on “Using The Magic Finding”:
“Where can we buy the magic finding. It is not in your product list.…” read »
- Delia C on “Quick and Easy Ornament Hangers”:
“These are so pretty. I've been looking for a "template" for ear wires/cuffs. I think these…” read »
- Powells70 on “Hammering Texture on a Blank”:
“Do you sell textured hammers and blocks I can't find?…” read »
- Eglis T on “Using a Hand Punch”:
“Can I use it to open holes in Saint medals???…” read »
- Stingray on “Using a Leather Cord Crimp End”:
“A good starting point for necklaces would be 2mm(ideal for .5"-1.5" pendants). For larger pendants(1.5"+) 3,…” read »
- Stingray on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“To cover a sz 2 crimp tube, 4mm would be ideal. 3mm would fit, but it…” read »
- LisaK on “Using a Leather Cord Crimp End”:
“Hi, I am new to working with leather and end caps or any other finishing findings,…” read »
- T Hudson on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“What size of a crimp cover would you use, for a size 2 crimp tube?…” read »
- Tater on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“Excellent tutorial and superb photos. Cute bracelet!…” read »
- Pearl M on “Coloring Metal with Alcohol Inks”:
“I just started working with alcohol inks. Most people who use the medium use Krylon Kamar…” read »
- mmmagique on “Crystal Clay”:
“Tried to be good…” read »
- T Lehr on “Non-Identical Twins”:
“I have always loved this idea! It really resonates with me. Interesting to see…” read »
- A Novo on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“I, too, need to know how to attach a tassel to the guru bead.…” read »
- terryhardee on “Wire Wrap a Bail on a Teardrop”:
“thank you. I've always wanted to try this…” read »
- TLC on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:
“I made one bracelet for my granddaughter and one for myself. They are easy and…” read »
- K McPhail on “How to make a paper bead”:
“Interesting that paper beads are "in" again... Nearly 50 years ago, crafters (including my grandma) were…” read »
- Stingray on “Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings”:
“Because of the constant abuse they usually get, glue is not an ideal hold for jump…” read »
- Stingray on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“Moogie is right, if you need an answer from Lima you'll need to use the customer…” read »
- Joy T on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I’ve read in other tutorials to cut the elastic cord length needed and lightly pull each…” read »
- K Manley on “Using the Square Knot”:
“Perfect illustration and instruction for a knot-challenged brain …” read »
- dolllady aka Pam on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:
“These look like fun to make bracelets, and even more fun to wear.…” read »
- angmoore2011 on “Using Lillypilly Metal Sheets & Discs”:
“I completely fell in love with the color of these little LillyPilly sheets and ordered my…” read »
- E moccaldi on “The Simple Wire Bracelet”:
“Nice tutorial. For me, I would need more visual. The camera needs to be closer…” read »
- Dusty Rose on “How to set a Nunn Design Glass Dome”:
“Beautiful design!…” read »
- R Duhon on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Tip:If I have miss judged my project, I have found I can use a crimp cover…” read »
Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings
About this Tip:
We put together the following instructions to help you get started with your cab & setting projects. The steps below illustrate how to use epoxy to bond a gemstone cabohcon to a decorative setting—but the steps work for any project with our epoxy!
Components:
The products featured in this tip are listed below.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Designs using this Technique:
Buy Products from this Technique
We only have 1 item to show you on this page!
We only have 1 item to show you on this page!

On Oct 02, 2011 at 9:58 am #
S Wagner says:I have worked with epoxy before and it was a night mare! Would it be possible to use the E-6000 glue instead or not? Just wondering, Thanks to anyone who has done this and knows.
On Oct 04, 2011 at 2:53 am #
juku7 says:Great tip.
On Dec 27, 2011 at 11:13 pm #
Ali P says:I’ve tried using epoxy to stick two silver discs together (I’m fixing a ring) and the glue has not set in nearly two weeks – maybe I used too much??
On Dec 29, 2011 at 2:04 pm #
ZUBEAJAY says:im just guessing here but i think this will happen if you didnt have equal parts from each cartridge. try again and then mix well and spread thin on both clean surfaces. good luck !
On Dec 31, 2011 at 8:10 am #
Ruby Charlotte says:I want to glue a metal bail to the back of a glass square. I can’t use E6000 .Its smelly and gives me a headache. Will the epoxy work and does it smell?
On Jan 23, 2012 at 12:05 pm #
K Clark says:Epoxy does have a strange smell, but I don’t think it has the strong solvent smell of some other glues, it smells more like stinky feet!
On Feb 23, 2012 at 2:34 pm #
Lesa C says:Wow the tip about taping the cab down while it glues. I usually sit and hold it for about 5 minutes, very time consuming! Rhino glue is another great glue that will work for cabs and pearls. It does have a very strong odor. I use it outside so the fumes do not sit in my house.
On Mar 06, 2012 at 4:11 pm #
Olga A says:i only use epoxy when I need to fix a broken piece of jewelry. Otherwise I use E6000 or Amazing Craft Goop. The goop is actually nicer to work with, it doesn’t dry up as fast as E6000 and is easier to manipulate. I also dedicated some big sewing needles from my needle set for use in jewelry making. I use the sharp end to remove any unwanted glue after I press cabs or other stones down, and the thicker end of the needle to press stones down, hold them down or shift their position as I feel necessary.
On Mar 08, 2012 at 8:55 pm #
Tizzylish1 says:I’m learning which glue is best for the project I’m working on. I use the E6000 most, I will have to try the Amazing Craft Goop. I am working on a special earring, and rings with cabs., and I will try the epoxy first i hope it works.
On Mar 08, 2012 at 8:58 pm #
Tizzylish1 says:Thank You for that.
On Jun 28, 2012 at 7:45 pm #
Sonali says:I also use E6000 for all my cab work. It dries fast so the wait is minimal.
On Jul 09, 2012 at 5:00 pm #
Batticat says:Last night I spent a lot of time reading the hazard info on glues for jewelry-making. I know that E6000 is what professional jewelry-makers use, and I did use mine and noticed I didn’t feel so great after just using a small amount. I was working in a room where windows could not be open. The hazard info for that product advised to have very good ventilation. It seemed to be the only glue that could be carcinogenic if one was overexposed to it. Therefore I am going to be careful about not breathing it and only using it when some other less hazardous glue will do the job.
On Jan 20, 2013 at 1:52 pm #
Snowball says:Very good
On Feb 28, 2013 at 9:46 pm #
shepats designs says:I use E6000 too ….use a mask if the fumes bothers you. Thanks for the info.
On Mar 05, 2013 at 11:15 pm #
C Dushman says:Oh that E6000 is NASTY!!!!! Made me sick and had trouble with eyesight for days and headache. Was not exposed to it for prolonged time either. What else do you folks suggest instead? Must be something I can use to put end caps in place on Memory Wire. That stuff did not even hold. My bracelets came apart and how awful when I had sold two of them. Also for putting cabochons on bracelets??? Thanks.
On Mar 07, 2013 at 1:49 pm #
Kate says:One of the big reasons we love our LimaStudios epoxy is that it’s non-hazardous, non-flammable, & non-volatile. It’s also super sticky and fast setting. Hypo cement is another good alternative, if E6000 is irritating.
On Feb 10, 2014 at 9:46 am #
Nari says:I want to affix a brass piece by Kabela to a Vintaj stamping blank. What adhesive would you recommend to produce the most secure bond? Okay with fumes etc. Thanks in advance!
On Feb 11, 2014 at 1:40 pm #
CatPark says:@Nari – The 5 minute epoxy above is perfect for this! I would just use some dry sandpaper to rough up both pieces of metal in the spot where you will be attaching them. This will make the bond that much stronger.
On Mar 20, 2014 at 6:00 pm #
deleted says:A jewelry artist warned me about E6000 being toxic. I haven’t had good luck with G-S Hypo cement, it gushes out of the needle point and doesn’t hold well. This same artist also told me that if you are gluing shells to a project you should use a two-part epoxy. I’m going to try Lima’s.
On Apr 23, 2014 at 2:15 pm #
Veronica a says:im new to jewelery making and just read some good tips thanks everyone briliant ideas .x
On May 13, 2015 at 5:25 pm #
SimplySassy says:I have used several type glues and epoxies. I find if I turn a fan on and position it behind me the fumes don’t get to me at all. Of course, try to open a window at least a little if you can. If not, use the fan to blow the smells away, keep your ceiling fan on as well if you have one. One other alternative, do your gluing in the bathroom with the vent blower on and use the fan behind you and angle it up slightly. Hope this helps someone!
On Jun 04, 2015 at 11:52 am #
L Lengel says:I’m also new to jewelry making, that is if you talk about more than bead-stringing. I plan to use some cabs, but mostly I want to use stones, jewels, that have irregular outlines. Here is where I’m probably going to loose most of you because since I’m not certain how to do what I want to do correctly. I planned to take some large mm, soft, sterling silver wire and hammer it flat. Then wrap it around the outside of the stone so I’d know how long to make it. Then use silver clay, flatten it out and push the band into the clay. Using an exakto knife, cut away the extra clay and wait until it dries, then solder the band to the base and close the two ends of the band together, making my cab holder. I know this must be wrong because I’ve not heard of anyone using solder, just glue and epoxy. I did plan to use glue or epoxy to secure the stone to the inside of the cab holder, before I read all the above comments & how difficult it is to use. Help! I must be way off in my thinking. Just let me have it. If it will take too long to list all my corrections, can you direct me to a source, like a book, etc. where I can find the correct way to accomplish what I’m trying to do. I would greatly appreciate any help you could give me. I am also planning to create my own chain between groups of soldered together cabachons. I do have some books on chain making, but I can’t seem to find anything on using solder to make jewelry. Should this not be done?
Thanks again for any help you could pass my way! It looks as if I really need it!
Leslie
On Jun 15, 2015 at 11:38 am #
BLR says:leslie, have you looked at wire-wrapping techniques for your irregular stones? it is similar to your idea of ‘wrapping’ flattened wire around the edge, but does not require solder or adhesive at all.
i bought a very good guide at jewelrywirewrap. you can go to their site to see photos and get tips, and perhaps get an idea if this is something you want to do.
On Aug 02, 2015 at 1:29 pm #
Petsitter Barb says:I am always nervous about jump rings holding. What is the best glue and technique for using with jump rings?
On Aug 10, 2017 at 3:26 pm #
Boomer Sooner says:About the glues-I use E6000 for all my projects. It is very fast drying and excellent hold. It does have some odor. The Goop is great if you need a thicker glue. (To fill in a small space.)
On Aug 12, 2017 at 5:48 pm #
J Dorfman says:I use e-6000 for everything and anything…even on my shoe!!! But seriously, I set stones with the E-6000 and never had a failure.
On Aug 02, 2020 at 8:40 am #
Debi z says:i’d like to hear about securing jump rings closed too.
thank you, debi
On Jan 29, 2021 at 5:06 am #
Stingray says:Because of the constant abuse they usually get, glue is not an ideal hold for jump rings(although epoxy would be the best choice if you insisted). Any glue tends to wear off from constant rubbing(takes a while).
The preferred method would be to use split rings or jump rings of a heavy enough gauge to avoid opening on their own.
On Oct 08, 2022 at 11:51 am #
Susanannellis says:I don’t use epoxy on any of the jewelry I make, plus depending on the temperature it can still leave tiny air bubbles (when I different type of settings and use it on the outer parts of jewelry.
E6000 works great, not messy, dries fast, not much of a small at all. My go-to for almost everything.
On Dec 16, 2022 at 7:56 pm #
Balthazar says:I agree — E6000 is the absolute best!