Tube settings + curved bands = tiny gaps when soldering. Here’s what’s actually working for me: When you place a tube setting on a rounded band, it rarely sits flush, especially a decorative band like this. That gap makes getting a clean solder... more
STOP SCROLLING for a sec 👀 I brought this design back… but this time it’s on a ringer tee. Same panther you loved from 2020 (thank you Buttery Studio), but finally on a quality ringer shirt. I’ve been wearing mine for months, washing it constantly... more
Today’s tube setting tip: the miter cutting vise jig. This tool holds wire, small pieces of sheet up to 11mm wide, and tubing at both 45° and 90° angles so you can file edges flat and flush. Some people use it to cut too. My tube setting tip is... more
Yesterday I shared a tube cutting jig for metal tubing and @hooleydooleyjools asked if there was a similar@tool for cutting wax ring tubes and there totally is! This is the Matt™️ Matter Miter Box, I got mine awhile ago from @gesswein.jewelry and it... more
Hey friends! 👋 As I mentioned in my newsletter this month, I’m diving into tube setting tips — and I’m kicking things off by talking about one of my favorite bench tools: the tube cutting jig. I’ve had mine since college and it has seen A LOT of use.... more
Mail Time Monday- a custom pillow I made of my dog Winnie. 🤣 Yes I’m ridiculous! My solution to removing broken drill bits. NEW half round pliers from @lindstromtools Amber with a bug 🐜 in it from @newcabochons Tube setting tool from... more
Oldie but goodie from @maxwellharrisonjewellery: use a wooden clothespin as a gentle clamp to hold a pearl earring in place while the epoxy cures. A hole was drilled to insert the earring post into one side of the clothes pin, it's soft wood and light... more
Monday mail time ✨ I’m chatting about physical jewelry inventory, how I currently store bins in my safe, and showing some new ones I just picked up. I would genuinely love to hear and see how you all handle inventory too, so leave a comment and share... more
I wrote this blog article because I know a lot of jewelers are not making a ton of sales yet, but still want packaging that feels thoughtful and on brand. I can definitely relate because my business, @corkieboltonjewelry, only makes a handful of sales... more
How and why to attach a wooden handle to a jeweler’s file 👀 shared by @theforgespace “Ever wondered why jewellers heat the tang before fitting a file handle? 🤔👇 In the jewellery workshop, fitting a handle to a file is a small but essential job. The... more
Prevent solder from flowing into areas you don’t want it to — with this studio tip from @kaypeajewelry. “If you use yellow ochre to control solder flow on tricky joins, this is a clever way to make it a lot easier to work with. Kristin had a large... more
Just shared a new blog article all about custom jewelry packaging and display ideas I’ve come across over the years on Etsy. If packaging is something you’ve been thinking more about lately, whether for branding, shipping, or making your orders feel a... more
One of the things I found really tricky when I was first starting out in jewelry making was understanding how high my bezel should sit above the stone. I’ve made every mistake: too short, too tall, uneven, all of it. Following these simple guidelines... more
I wanted to revisit this tip and break it down a little more because it was such a popular one when I shared it years ago. If you’re trying to solder a jump ring on straight and centered, creating a small indentation in a hard solderite board can... more
Quick polishing trick from @jennistuartjewelry that uses something you already have in your desk drawer... "Need to hold a small charm for polishing? Use your office supplies! In this video I am using a binder clip. Depending on the size of your... more
I’ve been testing these new mini ceramic stones from @gesswein.jewelry At only 0.5 mm wide, they can really get into tiny details and little crevices that bigger tools just can’t reach. They’re also perfect for that moment when you spot one tiny... more
Sanding in between the split shank ring with @malachitesilverco “If you have a million tiny crevices to sand in, cut thin strips of sand paper and load that baby right into your saw. Give your hands that little break they so desperately need and... more
@sunstoneweldjewelry sent me their newest Orion 200x pulse arc welder a few months ago to test, and I’ve been in full mad scientist mode ever since. Pulse arc welders are such a game changer at the bench. Clean tacks, way less heat, way more control,... more
Monday Mail Time replay is up 📬 I don’t always have a big mail pile, but when I do it’s honestly so fun to share. In this live I’m opening a mix of tools you’ve sent me (thank you, truly) + a few things I ordered for the studio, and chatting bench... more
Cribbage board jewelry tool organizer 🤯@prairiepigeonmetalworks “My tool storage tip is that I use my grandparents old crib board for my most used rotary tool attachments. It works well and is a nice little nod to my family that makes me smile at... more
