Dear Aspiring,

I asked my sister, who has a jewelry shop on etsy. For the basics, she recommends round pliers (for bending round shapes), flat pliers (for gripping), wire cutters, crimping beads, and a crimping tool, plus, obviously, lots of beads, wire, and findings (things like clasps or earring posts). Any of that you should be able to get at a craft store. She also recommends checking out the Auntie's Beads videos on Youtube for some good tutorials. Good luck!

- Eirene

Dear Marty,

Something smallish, something largish. Apparently, my brother, my go-to for electronics recommendations, is a Panasonic fan. You'll want to do research on your own based on specific desires you have. Do you want home-theater quality speakers integrated with the TV? Are you looking for sheer size? 3D display? Internet connectivity? Without these specifications, the above are my recommendations. And by 'my' I mean my brother's. But, in my expertise, I can comment that both of the TVs he recommended look "cool" and "shiny," which are the two key qualities I look for in electronics. I'm what you call an informed consumer.

–Concealocanth

Dear hipless,

My last screen purchase was a 24 inch monitor, which I bought based on reading the Amazon reviews for the handful of screens in the right price bracket. For a relatively small purchase I'd just do that. Take a look at the good reviews to get an idea of what you're looking at and then glance at the bad reviews to see if anyone has a problem with the product that seems legitimate.

If you're thinking of spending $500+, I'd probably invest in buying an issue of Consumer Reports on TVs (this is how my dad typically makes his purchase decisions on such things). They have extremely helpful and comprehensive ratings. 

~Professor Kirke