My first time enameling since college! I am so grateful to @pmcsupplies for sending me their Programmable Tabletop Kiln. This amazing unit is under $800 dollars, easily fits on top of the bench where I do my soldering and heats to 2200°F. With it I... more
Amazing process video from @nevadaw @beamakerschool on creating hollow form beads - “Here’s probably my most time saving tip for soldering hollow form beads! Titanium wire ensures the solder won’t stick and spray flux is great for evenly coating all... more
One technique you can use for an earring post is placing a small chip of hard solder and sandwiching it between the earring and post. I like to use the third hand to apply pressure and hold the earring post. Anyone else ever try it this way? Love when... more
Here is a process video from @zarlyjewelry showing the opening of prongs, cutting a seat with a hart but, sitting the stone and then using a cup bur to round the prongs and finally a bead setting tool. Thank you Vüsal for taking the time to send this... more
Here is a great video on bench pin modification from @estona.jewelry.tutorials - “The best tip I can give other metalsmiths is to alter your tools. Adjust and improve them until they work for you. Estona - All free metalsmithing tutorials. “ Check out... more
Here are some of my top tips for welding fine chain with my @sunstoneweld pulse arc welder 🌞 the first is I make sure I brace and anchor my hands. I’m this video I use my finger against the welder to make sure I’m holding the chain steady. This is... more
The possibilities are endless! Our friends at @haroldstudio sell original embellishment castings, decorative bezel cups and even some ring shanks that are all very unique. I am so happy to be partnering with this small business out of Phoenix, Arizona... more
Here is a video in real time showing a tip for creating a melted ball from @hammeredheartjewelryco “Creating perfectly round balls (that don’t have a flat bottom). I used a larger circular burr to carve the size ball I needed into my hard charcoal... more
For this Sunday post I wanted to show some of the current options in the Society Shop. If you are newer to our community you may not know every year I have a designer create a new design. Who has been here since 2018?!? 🙋♀️I love to see people... more
This is a @pepetools_usa Ring Stretcher & Reducer one of my favorite tools in my studio. Some people are curious about the bottom part of this tool so I thought I would show off what it can do. You take an annealed ring and the tool will apply... more
Here is a tip for putting on a file handle from @marta.oms - “Do you know that files are sold without handle? Being able to use comfortable files to work depends on knowing how to put a handle on them. I learned it at Jewelry school when I was a... more
Now is the time to level up! For just $2 you get a two-week trial to all of these classes and more! I take classes every year to challenge myself and improve my skills. I can’t recommend @lucywalkerjewellery online classes enough. Her humor and the... more
Here is a tip for safely securing your torch tank from @bethanyjo__jewelry - “To support and prevent my tank from tipping over I have always used a bungee cord, wrapping it around not only my tank but the leg of my workbench as well. This past... more
Here is a tip to differentiate your needle files from @garry_brisdion - “I was used to get annoyed at picking up the wrong grade of needle file whilst working at my bench until I hit upon this idea. I use different colours of electrical heat shrink... more
Our friends @turquoise_moose carry a wide variety of calibrated turquoise but some of you may be asking “what does that mean Corkie?!?” Calibrated turquoise is turquoise that is cut to fit standard size commercial gemstone jewelry mountings and... more
When soldering a ring shank to a backplate sometimes we end up with excess solder, in those instances I like these “Sanding Detailer Sticks” I’ll share some in my TOOLS story highlights, but you can find them from many retailers! You can get various... more
Here is a tip for getting a consistent border around a bezel from @westry.co - “I use a flex shaft attachment to trace a line where I want my border to be rather than using calipers.” Thank you for sharing this! Love it! #bezelmaking #bezels... more
Here is a drill bit organizing tip from @kayseurat - “Before: I’m always in a hurry to get to the next step...to finish a piece...to start a new one. I used to have the bad habit of tossing my (unidentified) drill bits in a dish when I switched them... more
My favorite part of writing my book was including tips from our community (and getting to give those folks shoutouts). The book is filled with techniques that could change the way you approach some of your every day tasks. Thank you to everyone who... more
