TIP: Use a small vacuum on your work clothes, apron, or in my case leggings…after you have been sawing to collect any gold or silver dust that may have ended up in your clothes. You should also vacuum your bench after removing any big, clean scraps.... more
I love this container of Smart Flux from @pepetools_usa because it makes applying the flux super easy and less of a mess. This type of “Prips Flux” is a firecoat (preventing firestain) and flux in one. I used it to prevent firestain when annealing... more
Here is a tip to quickly cut your earring wires all the same length from @rebekahjdesigns - “I made a cutting jig to create my ear wires: I have a tube cut to the exact length I need, then I feed the wire in the tube, with the wire aimed at my belly I... more
Here is a pickle tip from @emilyreedjewelry - “I found this ceramic tea strainer at my local thrift store and it’s been a lifesaver for pickling small parts—no more fishing for jump rings.” Love this idea Emily! Thank you for sharing! I also... more
Every year I put together a Gift Guide For Jewelers on my blog and you can head over to the link in my profile to check out this year’s! I hope it sparks some ideas to gift to others or add to your own wishlist. Let me know if one of these things is... more
Here is a fabulous wax carving tip from @anthemsweet_jewelry - “I’ve discovered that supporting a delicate wax carving by adhering it to paper with rubber cement stops me from holding onto it in ways that break it. In the USA, what is called rubber... more
Today’s polishing tip is supported by our friend’s at @lindstromtools Lindström makers of the flush cutters and pliers used in this video. When it comes to polishing you want to make sure you can safely grip small items, never wrapping your fingers... more
New Stainless Steel Tumbler with metal straw but also CHECK OUT THOSE @replicasurfaces 😍😍 all of those backgrounds can be used to photograph your work and you can put them in so many different combinations! The Japandi Collection revival features... more
Here is a patina tip from @buenaonda.handmade - “A needle tip syringe is awesome for oxidizer placement in tight spaces. Even with the finest tip paint brush l will still end up bumping a bezel or something that I don’t want black. You can get a... more
I have a hard time stamping straight 🤣(anyone else?!? 🙋♀️🙋🙋♂️) and there is nothing worse than when you work hard on a piece of jewelry then go to stamp it and it doesn’t come out the way you envisioned. @impressart makes these cool Stamp Guides... more
My first time enameling since college! I am so grateful to @pmcsupplies for sending me their Programmable Tabletop Kiln. This amazing unit is under $800 dollars, easily fits on top of the bench where I do my soldering and heats to 2200°F. With it I... more
Amazing process video from @nevadaw @beamakerschool on creating hollow form beads - “Here’s probably my most time saving tip for soldering hollow form beads! Titanium wire ensures the solder won’t stick and spray flux is great for evenly coating all... more
One technique you can use for an earring post is placing a small chip of hard solder and sandwiching it between the earring and post. I like to use the third hand to apply pressure and hold the earring post. Anyone else ever try it this way? Love when... more
Here is a process video from @zarlyjewelry showing the opening of prongs, cutting a seat with a hart but, sitting the stone and then using a cup bur to round the prongs and finally a bead setting tool. Thank you Vüsal for taking the time to send this... more
Here is a great video on bench pin modification from @estona.jewelry.tutorials - “The best tip I can give other metalsmiths is to alter your tools. Adjust and improve them until they work for you. Estona - All free metalsmithing tutorials. “ Check out... more
Here are some of my top tips for welding fine chain with my @sunstoneweld pulse arc welder 🌞 the first is I make sure I brace and anchor my hands. I’m this video I use my finger against the welder to make sure I’m holding the chain steady. This is... more
The possibilities are endless! Our friends at @haroldstudio sell original embellishment castings, decorative bezel cups and even some ring shanks that are all very unique. I am so happy to be partnering with this small business out of Phoenix, Arizona... more
Here is a video in real time showing a tip for creating a melted ball from @hammeredheartjewelryco “Creating perfectly round balls (that don’t have a flat bottom). I used a larger circular burr to carve the size ball I needed into my hard charcoal... more
For this Sunday post I wanted to show some of the current options in the Society Shop. If you are newer to our community you may not know every year I have a designer create a new design. Who has been here since 2018?!? 🙋♀️I love to see people... more
