Here is a tip for soldering jump rings from @buenaonda.handmade - “Everytime I close a jump ring I mark the seam with a sharpie. So when it comes time to solder it’s easier to find. I especially love these solder filled jump rings from @riogrande.... more
Here is a clever technique to keep all the parts of a project organized from @allieperrydesigns - “This is a very handy way to store small findings and stones, especially if you need to keep them in a certain order. Melt beeswax into a metal tin... more
Here is a tip for a #diy mini dustpan from @some_phenom - “I don’t have photos of when I made mine, so this is a demo using cardboard. Begin with a 5”x6” piece of 1/8 dead soft aluminum. I got mine at my local metal supermarket. Mark 1” in from the... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I created a quick demo of the Whaley Precision Bezel Cutting 90 Degree Shears I got from @ottofrei1930 they are essentially solder shears that have been modified so that you can quickly cut your bezels with a nice 90... more
Here are some helpful tips when you are creating BIG BEZELS from @meritmade - “1) Up the gauge. Instead of using 28 ga fine silver I use 26. The larger gauge helps to keep the shape while soldering. More than once I’ve had a thinner bezel deform... more
Here are some amazing #diy tools from @robinbaskindesigns - “I got used golf balls from a friend who is a caddy…evidently tons of them get thrown out after a few rounds so I asked him to save a few for me meaning they are recycled and free. I used a... more
Bonfire shirts are back through the end of this month! It’s a pre-sale that ships out early August!! Part of the reason I’m doing this now is there have been some unprecedented delays in apparel from my shop but Bonfire has not had disruptions. They... more
Here is a fun sawing idea from @honeybeejewelryco - “This may be kinda basic but I thought it might be helpful. I wanted to practice my sawing and piercing skills but I get hung up trying to find a pattern or the right template. Then maybe I can't... more
Here is a #diy tool from @jessjewelry - “I saw you story the other day about favorite handmade tools. This is mine. I used an old file tang and sawed it out to make a bezel pusher. The old file is now used to dress my rubber wheels and such.” This is... more
Here is a plier modification from @emballistic - “In an attempt to protect some large gauge wire I’ve been working on, I cut some strips of an old sunshine cloth and wrapped them around my parallel pliers. I added some dental rubber bands (which I... more
Here is a tutorial on drilling holes in rocks from @ringgoldnicole - In this demo she takes a 3mm Diamond Core Drill Bit from @riogrande and drills underwater using a piece of cedar wood as a support. The key is to drill slowly and not try to push!... more
#affiliate For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I’m talking about Thermo-Loc from @grstools available from our friends @ottofrei1930 but I’m also peppering in some tips and I welcome any member of the community who also works with Thermo-Loc to share... more
Here is a tip for twisting wire from @alexboydstudio - “To achieve and even twist down the length of the rod, make sure you pull back firmly while you twist. The longer the rod the more difficult it is to evenly twist. That’s why while it’s... more
Here is a tip for cleaning your bench from @awakening.phoenix.jewelry - “I like using a soft fan painting brush so I can easily brush all the metal shavings into the collecting bag 💪 it’s gentle enough to not flick it everywhere and to be precise!”... more
Here is a tip when working with multiple bezels at once from @mineralandmine - “When working on a number of bezels or designs at once, get yourself organized to prevent mistakes! I learned this awesome planning technique from my metalsmithing classes... more
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 😭 Everyone who has... more
Here is a sanding disc tip from @ksegoldsmith - “An 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 - “When 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 - “The 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
