Here is a tip for setting square shapes, triangles or even hearts - go straight into the points (corners) first! Thank you @marcella.austenfeld for the image and I appreciate all of you that responded to my story about this! An overwhelming amount of... more
Binders are a perfect solution for sandpaper organization, thanks so much for sharing this @izaks_work 🙏🏻 keep sending me all of your organizational ideas 😃 you can DM me videos as well. I appreciate all of you so much! What an awesome little... more
When you want to go the extra mile to protect a stone during a soldering repair, use this method from @andreabjewelry -“I used a crucible to not get the paste all over my work surface. The crucible helped with the large stone being cradled. Then I... more
If you’d like less slippage, especially when working with cut off wheels and more "dangerous" attachments, less hand fatigue and general finger crampiness try this flexshaft modification from @isobel_and_aveline -“This is tennis racket grip tape, but... more
Today is all about GOLD FILL thank you @blueberryjewelry02 for imparting your wisdom of 15+ years working with this materiall! 🙏🏻 -“Gold filled is actually a layer of gold metal. It starts as a tube of gold and it's filled with another metal. Usually... more
Here is a fantastic way to sort different sized balls from @basicwitch_ -“When making little silver balls for granulation/accents, I sort them by size using Dixie cups. I just drill holes in the bottom of the cups using different size ball burs, then... 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
Here are two specialty pliers that are a game changer for prong settings from @sinead_cleary_jewelry - “Basically the tips are curved and have a groove in each side and that allows the prong to sit in the grooves. I gently squeeze the pliers to close... more
Here is a genius way to cut your bezel wire from @seaneckel.jewelry he wrapped 3m painters tape around the wires once he got a perfect fit around the stone, this supported the wires while he sawed through them for a nice clean cut! -“Had to do minimal... more
When you have a tiny stamp and you always forget which direction to face it 🧐, write yourself a reminder in sharpie! (No need to go as literal as I did 🤣)💡 Also I am still loving the tuffbreak film I got from my @benchtooljunkies box. It protects the... more
Here is another prong hack from @shop_kajsjewelry she solders an X with two wires, then she forms the arches around her piece. - “I find that that way I can adjust the prongs to the exact spot that I want them to “land” on the piece. Having a central... more
When you are making multiples of a piece, creating a template in a base metal saves so much time! Thank you for sharing yours @jimbo_ve this particular template not only gives you a good trace to saw out the piece but it also has a hole you can insert... more
After recently asking about ergonomics in my stories (thank you to those of you that tune in and chat with me 😊🙏🏻) @refugesilver sent me this awesome #diy saw frame handle cover she fashioned from pipe insulation! Keeping our hands healthy is such an... more
I love this bur storage solution from @piecesofstarrjewelry - “1/2 inch brass pipe ends and coupling (purchased from Home Depot :), I tried 3/4 inch and it’s too wide-you want them to stand up a bit more so 1/2 inch is best! Also in the bottom of one... more
When your tumbler is broken, just throw your shots into a plastic bottle and shake! 😂 I absolutely love this @cloud91edelsmid (she shook it for 20 minutes while watching tv and it shined her earring wires right up!) This is a great opportunity to... more
Next time you are polishing a ring with your flexshaft, try holding it on a wooden mandrel. It will protect your fingers when the piece gets hot and also help prevent the ring from getting flung across the room! Thank you @noctuajewellery 🙏🏻😘 and to... more
When you are cutting rings (or jump rings) cover them with masking tape to keep them together as you saw 🎉 thanks for the tip @blueberryjewelry02 simple tips that make life easier are the best 🙌🏻 if you want to share a tip with me feel free to DM me... more
Here is a fantastic tool modification to help you with stonesetting from @lafemmebohemejewelry - “Cover the tips of your bezel rocker and bezel pusher with Jett Sett (now called "Jett Basic" on riogrande.com) to keep them from marking your bezel while... 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
