Hey friends! This is long overdue but I created a COVID-19 UPDATES page on metalsmithsociety.com there is complete transparency about some of the unprecedented order delays happening right now, broken down by product category đ Everyone who has... more
Here is a sanding disc tip from @ksegoldsmith - âAn easy sanding disc modification I use almost daily to get more use out of worn discs: snap on disc with abrasive facing the hand piece and run at medium speed. Place a very sharp blade at the desired... more
Here is a great ball making technique from @allieperrydesigns - âWhen I need multiple balls that are all the same size, this is my favorite way to make them. Start with evenly-sized jump rings. Line them up on a smooth soldering surface; I use a... more
Here is a tip for getting a nice white look to your silver from @susanmcginnessjewellery - âThe uneven coloring called firescale caused by metal alloys separating are always disappointing to see in the final stages of jewellery making. Here is the... more
For this weekâs #tooltalktuesday I wanted to show a great, inexpensive bench option from @durstontools - their Student Jewellerâs Bench with Apron. This bench is easy to assemble, super sturdy and comes with a leatherette apron to catch filings and... more
Here are several tips from @tkiplinger - âI use museum putty to help visualize dimension in my work. I flesh out a concept using a hybrid sketch with elements of sheet metal or enamels stuck right to the sketch with putty. I also use museum putty in... more
Here is a technique for sawing two identical pieces from @jessjewelry - âGlue two sheets of metal together with 1-2 drops of superglue, cut out shape and burn off to release (ventilated please!). Now there are two perfect mates. I use Gorilla Super... more
Here is a soldering tip from @helen_aliye_derici - âI LOVE CROSS LOCK TWEEZERS đ Just found a new way to use them đ Theyâre some of my all the time go-to tools. Brilliant for soldering, for holding ear posts upright with weight for a strong solder... more
A quick, early morning live to chat about Patreon. Just wanted to thank everyone for being here and being a part of the community.
Here is a photography tip from @heyitsashrose - âSometimes I have a hard time photographing earrings. They won't lay flat, they keep tipping over, shadows galore... I don't have an earring display stand so I've had to get creative. Here's something I... more
Here is a tip for making even pieces of wire from @atelier32jewellery - âYou can use masking tape to tape a few pieces of metal together for filing or sanding, they don't move about and is super useful if they all need to be shaped to the same angle.... more
For the months of May and June the theme was to make a decorative, elaborate clasp by hand. These pieces were made my members of our community and I think they did an outstanding job! For those that are interesting in participating in a challenge this... more
Watch in IGTV for closed captions! For this weekâs #tooltalktuesday I shot a quick demo video using an Artifex Wheel from @ottofrei1930 while they come in both 4â and 6â I use a FOREDOM Benchtop Lathe and the 4â is the appropriate size for my machine.... more
Here is a tumbling tip from @foxandblue - âIâve found it easier to separate my steel shot and other tumbling media instead of swapping over each time. I also found that itâs best to keep sulphur/patina away from all other jewellery. My solution was... more
Here is a tip for texturing metal from @makeitkimtoday - âCupcake wrappers are cheap and come in lots of intricate designs. Any laser cut paper will do or you can cut your own designs out of smooth watercolor paper with a scalpel. Put the paper design... more
Here is a tip for soldering a bezel onto a curved surface from @theloveleighlocket - âIf you want to incorporate a bezel into a wide band ring and use the band as the backplate...you will have to file the bottom of the bezel into a curved shape to... more
Here is a tip for making round bezels: after you solder them closed you can use a ring mandrel or smaller bezel mandrel to gently hammer them into shape. I typically use a rawhide mallet or in this case a plastic hammer. With the plastic I donât... more
Here is a little how-to video on cleaning your bench and sending your scraps to the refiner from @meritmadeworkshop - âRecycle âťď¸ your silver! (Be sure to get all the way to step 6. Itâs the best step of all.) First a couple definitions. đFilings,... more
This is a review of what was inside the May 2020  #benchtooljunkies box! It had some gorgeous rose cut labradorites from Silver Fantasy Inc. It also included a beautiful Rounded Narrow Hammer from @fretzdesign this hammer is absolutely gorgeous, and... more
For this weekâs #tooltalktuesday Iâm showing off Grid Soldering Boards from @silversmithingretreat these boards are asbestos-free, flame resistant hard soldering boards that can withstand up to 1800F. They provides excellent heat reflection and rapid... more
