For those that requested some help with creating earrings here is my #diy hoop earring! 1️⃣ Anneal your wire (.8-1mm depending on your preference, I used .8mm because I like a smaller ear wire but it is tougher to form because it’s delicate! 2️⃣ Coil... more
It’s time to talk tools! #tooltalktuesday (sounds so much better 🤣 than Saturday) I wanted to talk about my Miter Cutting Vise & Jigs today. I have owned this one for over a decade and used it countless times. You can place wires, rods, tubing and... more
Here is a tip that is super helpful for securing things when soldering from @auldmoon “Make horseshoe shapes out of binding wire and stick them into the brick to secure pieces when soldering!” Works great to secure wire pieces! This is awesome! I’d... 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
This genius #DIY tool comes from @williamcobbjewelry “I use a craft circle cutter to cut sunshine cloth. It cuts 3/4 circles. Then mount them on a mandrel. You can buy them now, but I have been doing this since 2002.” I wonder if that circle punch... 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
If you need a tiny round bezel use this tip from @weatherbeatendesigns “In case other people have been struggling to make tiny bezels like I have, here’s a nice little life hack: Make seamless bezels for your tiniest cabochons from fine silver tubing!... more
Here is a tip from @anchor_and_grace for when your stone gets stuck in your setting (if you forgot a piece of floss underneath 😩) Use a dental excavator tool to *gently* remove the stone! This seems super handy as we have all had a stone that could... more
This is a simple solution for keeping tiny parts together in the pickle pot from @zivanora - Take a ziplock bag and poke holes throughout so that the pickle gets in and out easily. You can tape to the side of the pot. “With this I save time fetching... more
When you need a little lift during a solder job @amyy50 has multiple options for you! T Pins, paper clips, and pieces of steel sheet she cut to suit her needs! “The solder won't stick once the lift is dirty with firescale.” Thank you so much for... more
I love a good organizing tip during the weekend! This stone storage solution came from @jbmetalstudio (Thanks Julie!) -“I got tired of digging through my cute not not practical vintage letterpress tray that I used to store turquoise cabochons in. I... more
For this #tooltalksaturday I wanted to talk about all the wonderful uses of a round ball bur! Including this hot tip from @catpawgems - “For top-heavy rings, I use a round bur on a flex shaft to carve away excess wax. I only do the top and not the... more
Love this tip from @trevorforrester for those that use a setting block! “I use silicone cake molds around my setting blocks. They are flexible and that makes them kind to hands and forearms. They catch filings and dropped stones and are even... more
Here is a solution for keeping larger chains from getting knotted in the tumbler from @loandchlo thread every 10th link ( or so, it’s not an exact science 😁) onto a thin wire and then twist the wire a few times! Thank you for sharing this, I will... more
Fun fact: you can only tag 20 people per post 😂 (I was planning to have 5 more images but will share in my stories!) this month the #metalsmithchallenge had SO MANY incredible, inspiring entries! The theme was HOOPS and you all did incredible work!... more
I just want to share my gratitude for all of you that have supported this page! Not only with your hard earned money but also by showing up everyday to share your wisdom, thought provoking questions and humor. I love to share your images and faces on... 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
How to make your own sanding discs from @artjewels.ru -“All that you need: sandpaper with the grit that you need (I'm using 1200 or 800 grit), scissors, screw mandrel and a sharp pin. 1. Cut the sandpaper with the scissors to the sizes you need. 2.... more
Here is a simple solution to keep your liquid flux tips from getting clogged from @brandys_crowtotem “Cut an eraser off a pencil and use that as a stopper—it works great to keep it from getting blocked, as long as I remember to put it back on when I... more
Happy #tooltalksaturday this week I wanted to talk about my OptiVISOR! For those that are unfamiliar with an OptiVISOR it is a headset that has interchangeable acrylic lens plates that magnify your work. It’s an essential tool for me when I’m setting... more
