Here is another storage solution for your gemstones and findings 😍 from @love_beyond_the_moon -“I love these acrylic makeup drawers for easy access when working on a collection because I can easily see all of my stones, there's even room for points or... more
Here is a method for stretching that bezel that is just a little too tight 😬 from @dancingbluestone - “I pry the pre-shaped bezel over the tip of a metal stamp and hammer out with a plastic mallet. I use a roll and stretch technique (on a thick piece... more
Amazing tip to keep your stone from shifting when you start to set it from @aimeesutanto - "Handy tip when bezel setting: use a skinny length of blu tack to temporarily hold it down, preventing it from jumping out during the initial stage of tapping... more
INTRODUCING the 2019 design for Metalsmith Society - “IN SOLDER WE TRUST” designed by Simon Beale @beardedcreative_studio 🙏🏻 this begins a new tradition - every year we will have a new design, available for that year only. Simon also designed the... more
The theme for the #metalsmithchallenge in December was MINIATURE and this community did not disappoint! I was so excited to see all of these fantastic submissions! Please be sure to follow the hashtag - #metalsmithchallenge where you can view the... more
I am SO thankful for all of you! It is my favorite post of the month when I get to share some of your faces/studios/selfies 💖🙏🏻 I’m starting to hear more stories about people running into other Society community members out in the wild, representing... more
Here is a tip for preventing solder from flowing from @lindablumelstudio - “I use clay as an anti-flow! It’s a fairly fine, white stoneware. A darker clay would probably stain the metal the same way yellow ochre does, (iron). I just paint it on, it... more
Here is a awesome tip for keeping track of materials you’ve ordered from @ravenrites -“After getting sick of Consistently ordering the wrong things I decided upon this little helpful method of keeping track of what I’ve got in and what I like and what... more
Here is a video on removing a burr that forms when you drill into metal from @clementineandsage - “To remove the burr that forms when drilling holes, take a larger drill bit and give it a few twists, by hand, in the hole you just drilled. It will... more
Here is a tip for creating your own carving tools from @argenta.shop - “I modify inexpensive screwdrivers! Any small screwdriver can work for modifying and then wax carving. The modification goes by annealing - hammering - filing- sanding (80 to 1000... more
Here is a tip for calculating the cost of materials while working on a one of a kind or production prototype - for this 18k yellow gold pendant I took out my mini digital scale and weighed the metal I had cut from sheet. I then calculated the weight... more
Here is another method for soldering a jump ring to fine chain from @Becca.compton - “I just use scrap bronze to cover the chain. It acts as a heat sink and keeps me from melting the chain.” 🤯 simple yet genius. Thanks for taking the time to send this... more
MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄🎁 I hope everyone has a AWESOME holiday 🙏🏻😘 For this #tooltalktuesday ⚒ I’m showing off my @maunindustries Parallel Flat Nose Pliers with Soft Grip Jaws (and return spring) I. Am. Obsessed. I use these pliers every time I have to... more
Here is a step by step on how to create a basket setting from @sinead_cleary_jewelry - “Start by forming two circles out of wire. I prefer 18g. Argentium, sterling or fine silver all work. One circle should be smaller than the other, the larger circle... more
Here is a tip for when you are working in gold from @quittingquincejewellery - “To separate gold sawdust from silver, I use tissue paper to catch the gold dust. I then make little packets of gold filing and melt it easily into nuggets for further... more
Here is a 🤯method of cutting tubing from @andrewberryuk - “Easiest way to cut tubing nice and square on the ends. Put tubing into Jacobs chuck hand piece on your flex shaft. Spin the tubing and use your piercing saw to gently saw it. To stop the piece... more
Today’s tip is about safety! @ghosttownmetalworks reached out to share a recent experience in her studio (and share what she wears while working!) -“I had a little safety scare awhile back - involving my amazing Dura-Bull Double-Wheel... more
Here is a tip for holding your piece while soldering a hinge (or a multitude of other tricky situations) from @elmharris - “These honeycomb blocks and pins are AMAZING for holding work in place for soldering hinges! They’ve changed my whole hinging... more
For this #tooltalktuesday we are discussing diamond abrasives! Thank you @fromsam_nz for sharing this tool with us! - “I have diamond polishing compound that I use to polish my stones. Sometimes I buy rough stones to cut myself or I buy a few stones... more
