Here is a soldering tip from @madalaynas_fire - “To protect elements while soldering I’ve been using a product called Thermo Trap and it is working great! For this example I put a generous dollop of the paste onto the stainless steel chain I want to... more
Here is a tip for creating bezels with points (pear shape for example) from @moonandforge - “Bezel setting stones with points can be challenging, and if you ask 12 smiths to do it, you’ll get 12 different ways to tackle it! Here is a way that I’ve... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I wanted to discuss my @grstools third hand on a weighted base from @ottofrei1930 what I love about this third hand is it takes up very little space on my bench, it’s very sturdy and you can twist, rotate and bend it... more
Today’s episode is #sponsored In part by our friend’s @riogrande In Episode 9 I’m talking about @rareearthminingco a family owned business that sells gorgeous, ethically sourced stones. We are doing a GIVEAWAY of four of their gorgeous stones (two... more
Here is a tip to make oval jump rings from @meszarosjohn - “A quick bench hack, made a oval shaped spit by flattening a metal tube 😜” I love this idea! I love sharing the various ways people innovate to create chain links! Thanks for letting me share!... more
Here is a tip for organizing your gemstones from @mineralandmine - “I love organization and I have my own method for organizing my cabs. After gem shows I immediately sit down to organize my stone boxes and sort new materials. I use a tiny sticker... more
Here is a bezel tip from @quiettimejewelry - “An easy little tip that may help other makers. I sketch my stones out so I can orient where the bezel is joined. That way I know which way to solder it onto the backplate, and also how the stone will be... more
Here is a video on how to use liver of sulfur patina from @emilymarquisdesigns - “Heat water to a boil in a glass or ceramic container and let cool slightly. Bring to a well ventilated room or outside and put some liver of sulfur chunks in the water... more
Here is a forming tip from @cherihtatum - “You can use a hammer turned lengthwise and clamped in a vise as a stake for forming metal. It’s great for putting a curve in your designs or for planishing metal. All types of hammers work depending on the... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I wanted to discuss a basic tool, owned by most jewelers: a prong pusher! Prong pushers are definitely on my list of beginner’s tools as they work really well to push down bezels. The problem is they come with some... more
Here is a tip for those using smaller torches from @silvermaplestudiome - “Since I use a small butane torch, I don’t have a lot of fire power. My son @northcountryblacksmith suggested I use copper sheet to reflect the heat back on my project. It... more
Two merch announcements: Face Covers are available and I’m donating 50% of the profits to UNICEF COVID Relief (so far over $200 has been raised!) My other announcement is sticker packs are back in stock but I had to make them a little smaller. Thank... more
Love this flexshaft holder from @s.f.silver - “ I purchased a bunch of these little guys a while back for just some small change. They are used to hold rakes, brooms and the likes and their main purpose is probobly to be mounted on a wall in some... more
Here is a tip for refreshing your hard charcoal block from @sophie.cunliffe.jeweller - “Refreshing an old charcoal block that has worn and pitted over time. Rub on a cement block and you'll get a nice clean, flat soldering suface again. Oh and filthy... more
Here is a tip for working with goats hair polishing brushes from @roseandcrownjewellers - “Shortening your goats hair polishing wheel will give you a better polish. It's important to remember when polishing that the softer you push the straighter your... more
Love this #diy needle file holder from @doublemoondesign - “I drilled small holes in one row and big holes in the second row which accommodates the files I use frequently. Each is spaced far enough apart so they never touch and it's easy for me to... more
Here is a tip for organizing your saw blades from @apprendre_la_bijouterie - “I just paint the top of my saw blades with colorful nailpolish. 1 colour per size. Always on the top so that I don't have to think about which way to insert it in my... more
Here is a tip to protect your new sheet metal from @weatherbeaten - “Whenever I get a new shipment of sheet metal, I cover both sides of it with transfer film to protect it from scratches. I’ve been using Cricut transfer film, but there’s probably a... more
Here is a bezel tip from @williamwhitejewelry - “Cheeky little tip for shaping a perfect bezel. Very satisfying! It’s a screw top mandrel for rubber wheels. Just thread your bezel onto it.” Love this! Thanks for letting me share!! #taperedbezel... more
