The theme for February’s #metalsmithchallenge was HAIR PINS and you all blew me away. I didn’t get a final count on how many submission there were but I know I spent several hours looking at everyone’s posts! Many of the hair pins in this post, were... more
THIS COMMUNITY IS EPIC! Every 1st day of the month I share members of the community ❤️ I am so grateful for everyone’s support and feel honored whenever I see someone representing in a shirt (or other gear). It’s also my chance to thank you all for... more
Here is another method for preventing chains from getting knotted in the tumbler (which is the WORST) from @helen_feliz_kiwi - “I used a safety pin that came with a sweater I recently purchased. (These similar pins have also been included when I have... more
Here is a fabulous step by step of getting your bezel wire seam PERFECT 🥰 from @kaypeajewelry - “To get a perfect fit when making a bezel I start out by squaring one end of the bezel wire off by filing it down in my miter jig. Then I tightly form it... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I want to talk about the @grstools Benchmate System (I have the Encore QCX) I often get asked about mine and I wanted to give those interested an opportunity to ask questions! I invested in mine years ago and have... more
Here is an organization method from @lyndehowesilverworks - “Nearly everything in my studio is on wheels so I can focus on different projects at a whim. Figuring out I could afix wheels to this plastic crate was game changing. I’ve included a photo... more
Here are some packaging tips from @beadandbones -“Packaging, it’s how people see you. With stellar packaging, you’ll have less breakages, more repeat customers, and you’ll even feel more professional. People will remember you more, get excited to... more
Here is a technique for polishing your chain (safely) from @thenumberthirteenjewellery - “To sand or polish my chains (whether its by hand or with my flexshaft) I use my benchpin screw! It's easy to keep the chain in place and turn around whilst... more
Here is a technique for using your sawblade as a file from @rametalsnyc - “Use the teeth of your sawblade to file hard to reach places such as this hand casting to clean up in between the fingers. Use the upstroke to file small bits at a time. In... more
Here is a technique for marking the center line prior to soldering @fernueve50 - “I use this circle template to measure and mark the center pivot before soldering a design element to a ring!” I love this and just used this tip yesterday 😉 thank you... more
If you need a tool to open a set bezel, here is a step by step guide to make your own from @williamcobbjewelry - “Start with a pair of hemostats (an inexpensive surgical tool) I first had to flatten the jaws by removing the teeth. Then blunted the... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I’m sharing a tool that I went without for a really long time. I decided to finally treat myself last year 💃🏼and I don’t know why I waited so long! This is an automatic torch lighter. It saves me SO much time, I used... more
Here is an awesome tip for planning out a design from @eri_artistically_foolish -“I make paper models when planning a design! I started with sketches inspired by architecture, picked the one that looked the best and cut it out in paper. Glued all the... more
I’m in love with this storage solution from @karilynnjewelry - “I picked up these inexpensive bamboo plate racks at T.J.Maxx and mounted them horizontally on the wall beside my bench. For under $10, I have storage for all my hammers and pliers within... more
Here is another step by step method for making a split-shank from @smith.and.stone “I measure each one to the middle and then kinda decide how much I want soldered and measure that out and just bend the wire out just a tad, and boom! I can use three... more
In this week’s FINAL 😭 Rolling Mill Mini Series post I’m sharing fabulous tips from all of you! @mandanastudios makes her own texturing plates by etching steel! Head over to her page for her full tutorial! 🙏 @desert_lace_studio recommended using... more
Here is a fantastic tip for those of you soldering multiple earrings at a time from @reneefordmetals - “I use insulated cross locking tweezers to pre-load posts ready to solder. I line them up near my soldering area. I use the back of the post to pick... more
Here is an AMAZING photo tip from @nrjewellerydesign - “Tip for keeping larger rings on fingers when taking photos, I use blue tack!” Omg 😭🤯 when you keep trying to get that photo for your stories but your ring keeps moving around?!? This is great!... more
Here is an awesome tip for getting all your holes drilled straight on a band from @microdiamondsetting - “The tool is a cup bur that has been ground down from the outside to the same size as the stones, it's best to add a center line to work off as... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I’m extremely excited to show off my new @whaleystudios sliding hammer 🔥 this was my first time setting with it (I probably should have waited a few weeks until I got really good at it so I could impress you all 😂)... more
