For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I wanted to show a great, inexpensive bench option from @durstontools - their Student Jeweller’s 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 - “I 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 - “Glue 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 - “I LOVE CROSS LOCK TWEEZERS 💙 Just found a new way to use them 🙃 They’re 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 - “Sometimes 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 - “You 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 week’s #tooltalktuesday I shot a quick demo video using an Artifex Wheel from @ottofrei1930 while they come in both 4” and 6” I use a FOREDOM Benchtop Lathe and the 4” is the appropriate size for my machine.... more
Here is a tumbling tip from @foxandblue - “I’ve found it easier to separate my steel shot and other tumbling media instead of swapping over each time. I also found that it’s best to keep sulphur/patina away from all other jewellery. My solution was... more
Here is a tip for texturing metal from @makeitkimtoday - “Cupcake 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 - “If 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 don’t... more
Here is a little how-to video on cleaning your bench and sending your scraps to the refiner from @meritmadeworkshop - “Recycle ♻️ your silver! (Be sure to get all the way to step 6. It’s the best step of all.) First a couple definitions. 👉Filings,... 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 week’s #tooltalktuesday I’m 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
Here is a #diy plier holder for your bench from @littleoscilla -“This is my diy bench modification/organization I made for my pliers, making them convenient to grab and to store. 👩🏭⬇️ . I saw on Metalsmith Society’s Tip Search that... more
Here is a sanding tip from @flowmke2 - “#Benchtip for sanding small, flat pieces: Make a small handle out of painters tape. Works great! Saves fingertips! One of my favorite tips to share.” I use this technique ALL THE TIME 😄 Also another reminder to... more
Shoutouts to everyone who has continued to support me in running Metalsmith Society. When you show up, when you like a post, when you ask a question, when you answer one...you make this community amazing. I appreciate you all! I wanted to give a merch... more
Here is a studio tip from @sinead_cleary_jewelry - “Instead of using regular paper towels, I use these shop towels. I get them from Napa Autoparts. They are used more traditionally for mechanics. They are lint free and strong and absorb grease really... more
