Here is an awesome solution for keeping decorative elements in place while soldering from @thesovereigncrow - ““ I make a lot of wide bands fabricated with various wire soldered to sheet. It’s hard to get wire to lay perfectly flat when soldering down... more
Here is a tip for helping you form your small bezels from @elizaschmuck - “When I make small round bezels I hammer them through a wire drawing plate (first with a flat surface until it’s on one level with the plate and then with the dapping tool. The... more
Here is a technique to help you position elements like bails and jumprings while soldering from @umyajewelry - “Using anything pointy (like a nail or a file), you can easily carve out a line of the desired depth, length and width into a *soft*... more
For this #tooltalktuesday I wanted to cover a tool that a surprising amount of people have asked me about. ⚡️Flush Cutters⚡️ these pliers cut one side flat (forgive my shaky hands in the extreme close up video showing off the flat cut 😅) this is one... more
Here is a tip for creating a split shank ring from @la_soucique_studio - “I have always had trouble getting split shanks symmetrical. Until a few months ago when I ordered a thicker double half-round wire. Gotta use it, right? It makes split shank... more
Here is a tip if you use prefabricated chains that come with a jumpring that looks a little wonky (top photo) I replace the jumpring and solder. While soldering I protect my chain with heat protectant so it doesn’t accidentally melt or solder. I... more
Here is an awesome flush setting tip from @betycampuzanojoyeria to kick off this months #metalsmithchallenge! “This is how I organize my burs, I use nail polish (different colors for different stone sizes) and store the drill bit, ball bur, setting... more
Here is a tip for sanding a curve onto your bezel and preventing the bezel from bending from @amandabrittin - “Use your ring bezel and tape sand paper in the correct size area to sand the bezel to the correct curve. Since the bezel is soft and can... more
Every month we choose a theme for a #metalsmithchallenge this month is was Memento Mori - which literally means "Remember you must die". The spirit of the challenge is to push yourself to do something different, outside the normal realm of the jewelry... more
While this isn’t a tip, it is one of my favorite posts of the month. Here are some of the members of our community, representing in their Society gear ❤️👩🏭 Please check out their incredible work! Sometimes people email me to ask how they join our... more
Here is a super fun tip for sawing our designs from @blackcoyotejewelry -“I use a Xyron Create A Sticker Machine (2.5”) First draw a design on paper. You could also just print an image from a computer. The paper goes into the machine, turn the handle... more
For this #tooltalktuesday I’m showing two amazing sanding stick UPGRADES from @riogrande (and a little bonus tip involving orthodontic rubber bands 😄)- the first product is the Square Holder for Sanding Paper or Polishing Cloth (Item # 337461). This... more
Here is a tip for your hands from @jill.herlands she uses these fabulous gloves while working. They protect her hands from forming callouses and getting minor cuts and abrasions while working but aren’t so bulky that they get in the way! “Make sure... more
When you want to make silver balls use this methods from @studiojulessilversmith -“That block has about 2mm holes drilled. If you want larger balls you would need to make larger holes. My block is drilled with all the same size holes because I... more
Introducing the Society Magnet 🤣🔥 I laugh because I know that there is a ridiculous amount of variety in the Society Shop already, but we had to make magnets happen (thanks @cbgems for the idea!) they are priced to ship at no additional cost, I will... more
Here is a tip for getting your bezels smooth like BUDDAH from @lejewelrydesigns -“After using a hammer handpiece, there will be a lot of marks and scratches. To remove the marks and scratches, without scratching the stone, use pumice wheels. They... more
Here is a tip to make sure your saw blade is inserted the correct way from BJ @greenlionstudios - take your finger and *gently* “pet” the sawblade 😂 if the sawblade is upside down or backwards you will feel it! I stole this tip (with permission) from... more
Here is a soldering tip from @kkbmetalstudio - “Use copper pennies (prior to 1982) when you need to hold things in place or as a lift, while soldering! I keep a stack of them around and pickle them when they get gross!” Love this!! Isn’t half the... more
Here is a game changing method for setting small diamonds from @sarahmcguirestudio - “I use a miter jig to hold thick-walled tubing in place while I cut a seat and set the stone. You can then adjust the height of the bezel accordingly and saw it... more
