Metalsmith Society Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tips

Here is a hammering tip from @lumenrosejewelry - “If I’m trying to hammer texture a part of a ring band (or anything) but I want to keep part of it protected and smooth, I put a at least three layers of tape over the part I want to protect. You still... more

Here is a tip for when you have your work on display at a show from @bernattidesigns - “This is so simple I hesitated to send it. But it has saved my life. I get really anxious when I’m setting up at a street fair or show. I am so awful I’ve been know... more

Did you know I have a blog?!? I hope so 😄I just posted an article about refining scrap metal but I need your help! I’d love for you to share places you have sent clean scrap and sweeps, especially if you are not in the United States! You would be... more

Here is a tip to prevent solder from sticking to your soldering stick from @myth_and_stone - “I learned this tip at the New Approach Jewelry School.....dip the tip of your titanium solder pick in a 50/50 mixture of boric acid and denatured alcohol and... more

Here is a tip to keep multiple projects organized at once from @carryatorchltd - “I try to work on many projects at a time to be the most efficient I can be while I am in my studio. To help keep my workspace manageable, my pieces organized and my... more

Here is a technique for maintaining texture on a domed element from @obr_horology - “Doming something with a pattern on it can be a delicate activity, the below patterns are made on a guilloche machine so they aren't too deep. The best way I have... more

Here is a polishing tip from @theloveleighlocket -"Polishing tiny post earrings do a number on my fingers. I found using a PIN VISE to securely hold them in place while polishing has been a big help. There are all kinds online, just make sure you get... more

#affiliate For this #tooltalktuesday I wanted to discuss a fantastic tool that I first shared about back in September of 2018 (thank you @pepetools_usa for your long time support of the page 😁)The Combination Disc Cutter 😍 if you design with circular... more

Thank you to our friends @pepetools_usa for sponsoring this month’s #metalsmithchallenge ☺️ the theme for January was to create a your take on Best Friend Jewelry. I loved the submissions that were sent in, they were super creative! Huge thank you to... more

Here is a wax carving tip from @unmarkedindustries - “The dental floss tip I saw you guys share also works really well in wax! I tend to work in soft wax like wire wax and green sheet when I am building my bezels walls for a piece. I like to build... more

Here is a tip for organizing your stamps from @paviennadesigns - “I had been using an empty candle glass container to keep my metal punches in one place. Today, while shopping at my local craft store, it occurred to me that I could use a box and... more

Here are two bezel tips from @aimeesutanto - “1. You know how sometime you try to cut that perfect snug fit for your stone but then as you were fitting it the stone get stuck? But to your nightmare there is no back hole to pop it out from? Well fear... more

Here are some fantastic uses for a clipboard at your bench from @meritmade - “I love clipboards so much that I’ve put one at each bench in my new #meritmadeworkshop. There are a bazillion uses, but here is a quick little video that shows you 2 of my... more

Here is a tip to store your hammer from @stonebutterflies - “I use these broom hooks, they are self-adhesive so can be attached anywhere I want.” Thank you for sharing this with us! These types of holders perfect for hanging up your most used hammer... more

Hey friends! I’ve been updating merch items that can be produced in Europe, Japan, Australia, Mexico and Canada with tags. All you do is go to metalsmithsociety.com and search the country and the items that can be produced there will pop up in the... more

#affiliate This week’s #tooltalktuesday I’m showing off how I make super teeny, tiny round bezels with the amazing Fretz Micro Stake available as a kit (Part # 112.635) or in separate pieces available from our friends at @ottofrei1930 (also stay tuned... more

Here is a tip for polishing your earring posts from @fulcrumjewelry_emily - “1.  you'll want to cut the end off the threaded bit to allow room for the full length of the ear post to be inserted for polishing. 2. Take a drill bit that is slightly... more

Here is a tip for when you need to file a taper on a piece of wire from @ajr.jewelry - “To help secure wire for filing a taper prior to drawing down, I drilled a hole in the crotch of my pin at a very low angle, and a long gradual trench out of the... more

Here is a stamping tip from @earth_and_agate - “I’ve been searching for an anvil forever but they are just so expensive. I found a great and really cheap alternative. I found an old vintage steel iron for 20 bucks at a flea market. I found one that... more

Here is an awesome, inexpensive storage solution from @zierjewelry - "I get an oddly inflated sense of satisfaction from organizing, especially when I can transform a handful of little finding baggies into something easily usable.  I use pill... more