I can't read the actual instructions on the bag. The printing is all blurry and way too small for my bifocal eyes.

So I need some basic questions answered.

What temp do I need, for hard ball stage? Is it different than regular sugar?

Coloring, can I use normal Americolor or should I use the airbrush formula?

I'm planning on making pearls. I have First Impression pearl forms. I saw on Challenge, how they poured and were strung. I know I need thread, but which weight?; normal thread wrapped and/or braided or buttonhole weight. Do I need cotton or silk?

Even to me these seem basic questions, but I seriously don't have a clue.

As far as the isomalt goes, use it the same as you would sugar. So get a recipe for hard candy, and use isomalt instead of sugar.

Buy a good candy thermometer and follow that. Take your candy off the heat a wee bit before it hits "hard crack" stage, and let it sit for a minute. Actually, I have started to take it off the heat, and then let it get firm again in the pot, and then warm it up on the stove, and you won't have bubbles in it. Probably bad technique, but it's working for me right now.

Americolor is fine.

Don't know about the rest.