Are you new to jewelry making?!? If so, we are super happy you are here! I often get emails asking about my favorite torch, tools to get started, where to buy materials and where to take classes. So I created an email list specifically for beginners.... more
Here is a sanding tip from @silverwolfestudio - “This little bugger was basically impossible to hold, and the sprue was done poorly. Since it has lots of prongs, I just stuck it into an eraser et voila! Obviously not the MOST secure if you’re using... more
Here is an awesome sand casting tutorial including a nifty knitting-needle technique for creating prongs directly in Delft Clay™ from @charliebelle.com.au - “I created a four-prong setting for a faceted oval Peridot pendant using sand casting... more
Here is a tip to for protecting your fingers and nails from @adornmentbynicole -“Here are the finger guards I use when I want to save my manicure while sanding or filing. They are super handy and easy to whip on. Now if I would just take my own advice... more
Here is a bezel forming tip from @hammeredheartjewelryco - “Tip to start a bezel... I use forming pliers to make a curve in the bezel wire. I fit that curve around the curve on the stone to get it started. This really makes it easier for me to wrap... more
Here is a setting tip from @jen_surine - “I learned this stone setting trick from a master goldsmith I used to work with. He would wrap a rubber band over the stone as he would set it. Not only was this helpful to be able to rotate the piece as I set... more
Want to learn to use a laser welder or pulse arc welder in person?!? Or send an employee? @sunstoneweld is hosting an ALL-INCLUSIVE in Orlando Florida. You will walk away knowing how to laser weld or pulse arc weld for your jewelry. Restoring prongs,... more
For this #tooltalktuesday I’m showing how you can use Hold-It! Positioning Clay by @reneefordmetals while soldering multiple prongs. This amazing stuff is available at @pepetools_usa (International folks can get it from them as well 😄) the clay speaks... more
Here is a tip for your brand new sheet of silver from @nora.julia - “I work with silver sheet a lot in my studio practice and found the back of the metal kept getting scratched up from bits of metal dust on my bench pin. This caused extra time in... more
I’m resharing some tips I created to showcase this beautiful stone from our friends @turquoise_moose they are having their semi-annual sale for 15% off use code MSS15 link to shop is in my profile!! This ends June 14th 11:59pm PST so go stock up on... more
I was given this awesome hand drill many years ago that belonged to another silversmith. It’s a fantastic tool for twisting wire with control and I thought I would share. ☺️ you can definitely find these thrifting so stay on the lookout 👀... more
Here is a finishing tip from @myjewellerygarden - “I have joint issues so these rubber and silicone burrs really help me out instead of relentless filing / sanding after pierce sawing.” Thank you Em for taking the time to share this with us. I love... more
I’m doing a little pre-sale over on Bonfire with this 2022 Varsity Shirt and Moth Crop Sweatshirt. Some sizes are limited due to supply issues 🙏 however I always have a wide range of sizes in my regular shop! The link for this campaign is in my... more
Some members of the community asked about this tool from my video carving a ring, so I thought I’d post about it separately. This was created by @grstools and it’s a mandrel that has equidistant lines which allow you to mark a ring. I find it really... more
What is a file cut? Each file has a series of sharp, parallel ridges known as “teeth” the files with fewer teeth are coarser and have a lower cut number. The cut # refers to the number of teeth per inch on the file. A file with a cut # of 00 for... more
Here is a tip from @hghjewelryinstitute - “I use potato for fixing the prongs and soldering them, it makes supporting the prong setting very easy. I wish this tip be useful for our friends on Metalsmith Society.” Fun fact I started Metalsmith Society... more
I use magnetic strips, so my tools can become magnetically charged. In this scenario I had to grind these tweezers down and the little bits of steel are staying attached magnetically. So a solution is to use the demagnetizer. It works in seconds. This... more
The 2022 @snagmetalsmith Conference is almost a wrap. What an amazing time connecting with people in our community, playing with fun tools, and sharing knowledge and experiences! Thank you to everyone that came and introduced themselves!
