If you are serious about making jump rings, @riogrande posted this ingenious rig for cutting them. - “The difficult part of making #jumprings for me has always been holding the coil while cutting off the individual rings. I use a saw to get the best... more
If you don’t own a miter jig (which is an amazing tool btw) but would like an easy way to support a wire while you file it flat - drill a hole in your bench pin! Thanks for sending me this technique @gemmabybp #metalsmithsociety #metalsmithy... more
Here is a soldering tip for those that use wire solder - insert your solder into a piece of copper tubing (a snug fit is ideal) for better precision and ease of holding. Thank you so much for sending this @ajoiadoleo definitely trying this.... more
Thank you to every last one of you that responded to my story yesterday (over 50 messages 🙏🏻😘💕) to help a member of our community fit a bezel on a curved ring. The overwhelming consensus was to tape sand paper to a steel ring mandrel. If the ring is... more
When you want to create super smooth, silver balls (for decorative elements), fine silver is the obvious choice! Amazing tip @jessicajo_designs -“I always have 20g fine silver wire on hand... then I can just measure and cut so I can create evenly... more
In response to my recent story requesting prong tips for a member of the community, I received this awesome technique from @beachyandcreepy - she creates two arches out of wire (these will become the claw prongs) and then files little indentations... more
Here’s a way to organize ALL THE METAL 😍🤯👩🏭 @salaciousstones uses hanging folders to store her ✔️ sheet metal ✔️ decorative wire ✔️ solder 👍🏻 not sure what’s happening inside those folders but if you also used ziplocks with anti-tarnish tabs you... more
Here’s a way to get your prongs to stay in position while soldering from @sweetbellajewelry - “For prongs I use a soft solderite tile. It’s soft enough to push the wire prongs right into it.” 🤯 You know, the Metalsmith Challenge this month just so... more
If you want to check metal prices, find ring blank lengths, and see what size wire corresponds with what size drill bit (and a bunch of other helpful stuff) you can download the iMakeJewelry app for $3.99 it’s AMAZING created by... more
I love this solution for holding a split shank ring in place while soldering from @meritmade - She used a split mandrel and binding wire! The split mandrel ensured her two rings were an equal distance apart. As jewelers we always have to be quick to... more
Here is an anti-rust recommendation from @dangbravegirl “I own hundreds of metal stamps in addition to the rest of my tools & Froglube saved me. For almost 2 years now! It's an all natural paste, USDA cert., non toxic, non hazardous & made to dissolve... more
Here is another way to store your wire and various sheet metals from @rek.inc what I love about the binder with the clear sleeves is you can check your inventory at a glance and you could also throw some @3m anti-tarnish tabs in there to keep your... more
Let’s discuss some bezel setting solutions! @beachyandcreepy needed to raise her stone inside her setting (instead of making the bezel shorter) and decided to solder a wire coil inside to elevate the stone! What’s your technique? Let’s discuss! Thanks... more
If you are tumbling matching pairs and want to keep them from getting mixed up use this tip from @silverskulljewelry “Any @riogrande customer will recognize these blue twist ties and probably has them lying around their bench like we do...so I... more
Let’s talk about Argentium Silver - thank you @sinead_cleary_jewelry For imparting your wisdom and experience with this material! 🙏🏻😘 ”Argentium is .935 silver. So a little more than sterling and it has geranium metalliod in it which allows it to fuse... more
Recently in my stories I asked for some solder storage solutions. Thank you to everyone who reached out! 🙏🏻😘 Here are a few solutions: 1️⃣ @meritmade shared these fun dishes by @artbyjenf to keep on the soldering table. 2️⃣ @meritmade also shared her... more
For this #tooltalktuesday I’m super excited to discuss my Lortone tumbler, given to me by @seattlefindings 😃 Members of the community ask me all the time whether tumblers are worthwhile and they absolutely are! UPDATE *They can add some strength... more
Here is a tip for holding a tiny coil of jump rings while you saw them from @maridesignjewelry -“I found an easier way to cut jump rings. I always had a hard time holding the wire coils while sawing them (especially when cutting only a few) and tried... more
Here is a solution for creating your own stepped bezel from @citybythelakejewelry - “For stepping up a stone I like to use a jump ring or two, to circumvent the use of step bezel wire. I simply set the jump rings inside the bezel, no need to solder if... more
Recently, we discussed where a ring should sit on a mandrel when determining the size. Thank you to all of you who reached out to share your thoughts (too many of you to name here 🙏🏻) what really resonated with me was the way @noctuajewellery... more
