Thank you @balancedcreations for sharing how you make your own flux and pickle. - “Instead of using traditional pickle and flux I make my own, it is cheaper and less toxic. For the pickle I use white vinegar and salt. For the flux I mix borax and... more
Here is your tip for the day (😂) thank you so much for sharing this @christynatsumi this is brilliant - “I like to use a q-tip when I’m polishing little areas that are hard to get to. You can put any type of compound on and add to/take off extra fluff... more
If you work with tube wax regularly to create rings this Matt Miter Box & Saw saves so much time. I have mine held in a vise and then within seconds I can saw out multiple rings in whatever width I set. I used to saw pieces off of the tube and would... more
Here is a recipe to keep your tumbler clean and happy: run your tumbler with a 50/50 mix of distilled vinegar and water for 20 minutes. Rinse, then follow up with 1 tbsp baking soda and enough water to cover the shots for another twenty minutes. A... more
I thought it would be appropriate to post about polishing chain since that is the theme for the March Metalsmith Challenge. Use a pin of some sort to secure the chain to your bench pin. From there you can use 3M polishing papers, a polishing cloth... more
If you work in wax and are looking for a new tool to invest in you can’t go wrong with this bur. Thanks @songan_jewelry for sharing one of your favorite tools - “This tool is from my massive 2/32 bur collection, its an aggressive crosscut 2mm cylinder... more
I can’t help myself, I need to also post a tip today 😂in less than a month we have 1K in our community! I started this because I wanted to actually connect on social media with others that are passionate about sharing knowledge. The response has been... more
The METALSMITH CHALLENGE starts today! The theme this month is ⛓ CHAIN ⛓Rules: 1️⃣ HAVE FUN 2️⃣ TRY SOMETHING NEW 3️⃣SHARE WITH US! - the spirit of this challenge is to do a project or even a sample of a technique that is different from the normal... more
Confession time 😬 when I grind down gold pieces I don’t attempt to save the dust. I literally blow it off my bench pin like I’m blowing out a birthday candle. 🙊 One of my college professors always told us to collect filings on a clean piece of black... more
If you drink champagne start saving those corks! Thanks for the lovely tip @fwatsondesigns - “Use champagne corks as file handles! Their fat rounded tops fit perfectly into the heel of my palm, allowing my hand to adopt a natural, relaxed curve as I... more
Loved coming across this simple solution for storing your Smith Little Torch when not in use from @em_vee_es I have the magnetic stand sitting in my cart @riogrande, but am trying to keep to a tight budget 😫🤑 Do you have a torch stand? What piece of... more
Jeweler @junsuk11 provided a fantastic visual for his process of getting started with a new bench pin. If you don’t have an electric saw you can saw it by hand! Always sad to part with an old bench pin. 😭 Check out his work as well, it is incredible!... more
Jewelry teacher @midnightpacific modified a tool to get the job done - “I made a new custom stone-setting tool and finally got a perfectly snug fit on this bezel. 👌🏽 Phew! The stone was a tiny bit loose and I couldn't get the brass bezel tight enough... more
If you use a tumbler to polish small pieces this tip is a game changer @quiettimejewelry - “Tired of hunting through your tumbler material for those smaller components? Make a holder so that all of your pieces stay together🙌” I use the same technique ... more
My organization hero at the moment is jeweler @meg_girard, She has a dedicated area for packing all her orders. I feel calm just looking at it! As your business grows it’s always good to have a system. What has helped you organize orders?... more
3D models and precious metal clay?!? Tell us more @cheribourquedesigns - “The making of a fine silver pendant from start to finish... The design starts as a 3d printed stamp. The stamp is applied to fine silver clay. The silver clay is fired in a... more
For those of us that cut designs from sheet metal - “A bench tip to save time and material is to first measure the size of your sheet metal. Then, on your computer, make a rectangle and accordingly arrange your designs in it in a way you waste the... more
Thanks for this simple but important tip @mi.chi.mi - “When making a new design or learning a new technique I write it down in my #jewelryjournal it helps me remember how I did the design or worked the technique and sometimes I'll even tape the... more
