Alternative Metals

On the Road with Lexi: Inspiration, Design and Making Jewelry in California

Greetings from Sausalito! As my husband and I drive through northern California for some teaching and a "working vacation," I give a lot of thought to the metalsmithing class I'm teaching. I suppose the most asked question is, "How
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From the JMD Archives and My Purse: A Fun Polymer Clay Jewelry-Making Mold Tip

We were riding back home from breakfast in the mountains on Mother's Day earlier this week when I heard my brother whisper to our mom, "Mama, why does she have a little thing of Play-Doh in her purse?" Whenever he wants gum or something
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Call for Entries: The Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition 2013

The Center for Metal Arts is announcing the opening of the Second Annual Charles Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition. The deadline for entries is July 1, 2013. This year the competition is using an online submission form to streamline the process. Visit
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Intro to Chasing and Repoussé: Ancient Ways to Move Metal Plus an Easy How-To

Chasing and repoussé are tied with gem cutting at the top of my techniques-to-learn wish list. I can't think of any other jewelry-making or metalsmithing technique that can create so many unique designs on metal or one that creates such an
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What Has Your Hammer Done for You Lately? Make Fluted, Domed, Concave, and Convex Metal Designs

I often forget that hammers can do so much more than flatten metal and wire; I forget that they can move metal the other way, to literally create height, depth, curves and recesses where there were none. When used in a particular way, hammers can create
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More, More, More: Our 11 Best Wire Jewelry-Making Tips

Whether it's jewelry making, beading, quilting, knitting, or some other hobby--or even housekeeping--one good tip is enough to make your day and change your world. Friday is Jewelry Making Daily's third birthday (whee!), and here are the 11 most
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Chain Maille How-To: Make Charlene Anderson's Embellished Barrel Weave Necklace and Earrings

I may not know chain maille, but I know who knows chain maille! Enjoy this pretty summery project from Charlene Anderson, a chain-maille jewelry expert who was the 2010 artist of the year for Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry magazine. Isle of Capri Embellished
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Basic Wire Design Components: 4 Ways to Make and Use Wire Coils for Jewelry Making

I like how JMD member PrettyWearJewelry repeated the wire coil from the ear wire as a design element on her Swarovski Wild Heart Dangle Earrings . Even being an old-fashioned girl, I sometimes forget about the basics that make the world go 'round
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Forming Metal with Pliers: Meet Lexi's Favorite New Jewelry Tools

How Do I Wub Thee? Let Me Count the Ways I am the first to admit when I'm wrong about something, and God knows I'm not perfect or always right. So, about three or four years ago at Bead Fest, while showing a student how to make a bail for a pendant
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Stone Cutting How-To and Adding Dimension to a Gem by Stone Carving with a Flex Shaft

Anytime I get a chance to share a stone-cutting or jewelry-making project by Roger Halas, I take it! He's a man of many talents and frequently shares them in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine. This stone-cutting project is great for the lucky
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Bail Detail: Design Better Pendants with Lexi Erickson

I always like things that are just as pretty on the back as on the front. I know of several professional jewelry designers who put a secret design or tiny gemstone on their pieces as a special little hidden gift for the wearer alone to know about. Nunn
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My Silver Love Affair and the Sterling Silver Alloys: Continuum, Argentium, and Sterlium Plus

Sterling silver has always been my favorite metal to wear, collect, and work with, and like many of you, my fingers are crossed for the day it becomes affordable again (if that ever happens). Meanwhile, I get my little joys from finding a $10 sterling
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Colorful Metal: Fun with Enamel Shapes and the 24-Cent Necklace

It's funny how our interests change. Each time I sit down to write to you on a particular topic, I think back about what we've discussed about it before, and I find more and more that I am liking techniques I didn't like in the past! Take
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Making Mixed-Metal Jewelry, Part 2: Soldering Copper to Silver with Lexi

The ideals behind the Arts & Crafts movement have appealed to me for some time, being that I use little or no electricity in my work. I like the feel of the metal and the file in my hands as I file excess metal and the high polish that the burnisher
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Making Mixed-Metal Jewelry, Part 1: Etching Copper with Lexi

After you've etched the copper, you can turn your designs into anything you like, such as etched copper cuffs. It's not a deep dark secret that copper is my favorite metal to work with. It's fun to hammer, and it takes a gorgeous patina. The
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My Favorite New Wire Jewelry-Making Tip, Plus Master Basic Wirework with the Pros

Before you master any jewelry-making technique, I've learned that it's important to get a good foundation in the basics. If you start off with sloppy methods or build on bad habits, the problems can just multiply and get so ingrained in your techniques
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What Is Steampunk Design? Plus 3 Free Steampunk Jewelry-Making Projects

Search for Steampunk on Etsy and you'll find over 215,000 results . . . and 35 million on Google. About two years ago, it was only 70,000 on Etsy and 6.5 million on Google. Wow. Needless to say, Steampunk is not going away anytime soon. But what is
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist's 5-Tool Challenge: Saw, Hammer, Files, Flex Shaft, and Torch

A lot of jewelry makers come to the craft because of an insatiable need to make things with their hands. In that need, everyone faces the challenge of mastering the use of many tools. For sure-torches, chemicals, and sharp objects can be pretty intimidating
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Beyond Rivets: The Other Cold Connections

I'll be honest: I'd never heard the term " cold connections " until I became the lucky girl editor of Jewelry Making Daily. I'd always just called them connections, cold joins or by their "given" names, like rivets, screws
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Hammer Time: Get Familiar with Basic and Specialty Hammers for Metalsmithing Tasks

Fold forming metal is a unique metalsmithing art. I've learned that successful fold-forming relies on two points: the right metal and the right hammers. Travis Ogden, expert host of the metalsmithing video tutorial Basic Jewelry Fold Forming , recommends
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Silversmithing Techniques: 3 Free Silver Jewelry Making Projects plus Bonus Silver Findings Projects

Guess what? We've just updated and re-released one of our most popular free eBooks, Silversmithing Techniques from Jewelry Making Daily : 3 Free Silver Jewelry Making Projects plus Bonus Silver Findings Projects . It provides step-by-step instructions
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A Stamper's Dozen: 13+ Ideas for Making Personalized Stamped Metal (or Wood) Jewelry and Gifts

I can't think of any one jewelry-making technique that can add as much personality and meaning to your designs as metal stamping , can you? With just a few whacks of the hammer and a set of alphabet metal stamps, you can add any message (love, encouragement
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Learn 6 Ways to Add Color to Metal with Gail Crosman Moore

Have you ever met a jewelry designer or other artist whose work is so appealing to you that you love every single thing they create? For me, one of those jewelry artists is Gail Crosman Moore. Her work features so many of my favorite jewelry-making techniques
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Metalsmithing Ideas for Artisan Bails: You Never Know From Whence Your Inspiration Will Spring

By Lexi Erickson (Foreign Correspondent) I found bail design inspiration everywhere in Europe, even between the cutouts of the balconies of the Swiss chalets. My most recent trip to Europe was not a pleasure trip (yeah, right) but a "working holiday
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Getting Ready for Tucson: Jewelry-Making Products I Love and Making Way . . . for More Products I Love

As I've been preparing for the Tucson gem, jewelry, and bead (and fossils and minerals and tools) shows this week (I'll be arriving just as you see this, yay!), I've been making a shopping list. I never follow it, mind you, but it helps me
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Lessons Learned in Torch Enameling: You can do it!

When I wrote about my newfound love of brass a couple of weeks ago, I was surprised at how many people commented, "I didn't know you could enamel on brass!" Well, I didn't know you couldn't enamel on brass, so I did . . . and it
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Intro to the Flex Shaft: What Can It Do For You?

If you're one of those people who would look at a jeweler's bench and say, "What does this do? What does that do?" then you're going to love our new video workshop Intro to the Flex Shaft with Travis Ogden . You'll feel like
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Resolve to Save! Continues with Fusing Fun: Make this Circle Pendant With Your Micro Torch

Hammering and fusing metal, colorful enamel, dapping and doming . . . many of my favorite jewelry-making techniques and supplies have all come together in this cool project from our friends at Fusion Beads! For those of you looking for a project you can
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Get Ready for Bracelet Season: Adorn Your Arms with Bangles and Cuffs and Resolve to Save!

There's a reason they call it "spring fever." I get the fever this time of year and it distracts me from all my grown-up responsibilities. When the occasional warmer, sunny days (down here in Louisiana, at least) become more frequent than
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How to Make Resin Jewelry: 4 Free Projects, Plus a Bonus Guide to Resin Jewelry-Making Supplies

When I first discovered resin jewelry-making, I think it appealed to me because it was so much like making snow globes (which I love) in jewelry. I can put anything inside that I want to treasure and preserve, and then wear it like a pretty little reminder
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Moving, Stretching, and Fold-Forming Metal, Plus How to Fabricate a Metal Leaf

The more I learn about metalwork and making metal jewelry, the more intrigued I am by how responsive it is. I seem to come across a new method or tip every week for manipulating metal --how to stretch it, to shape it without stretching it, to texture
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Alternative Metals for Jewelry Making: 6 Reasons I've Become a Fan of Brass--and a Giveaway!

White metals have always been my thing. Back in the 1980s and '90s, I did wear yellow gold jewelry--but mostly because that's what my Dad, who was my primary jewelry-gifter at the time, bought me. Soon after that, possibly during my "hippie"
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My 10 Favorite, Fun Lines from Kate Richbourg's Simple Soldering Book

The first time I read Kate Richbourg's new soldering book Simple Soldering , I found myself smiling and even laughing at times, because mixed in with all the great tips and informative soldering tutorials is Kate's personality. It's hard to
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The Future of Jewelry Design: Get Inspired by the Fretz/RIT Student Tool Challenge

In a recent issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine, we shared the metalwork of students at RIT who were challenged to use Fretz miniature hammers and stakes to create metal jewelry designs. Here are some of their inspiring pieces and enlightening
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Top 12 of 2012: A Look Back at the Best of the Year on Jewelry Making Daily

What a fun year we've had making jewelry together! I hope you've all enjoyed learning new techniques and mastering ones you already knew, learning about new jewelry-making tools and supplies, and swooning over gemstones with me. I've learned
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Metal Magic: Turn Your Treasures into Metal Jewelry Components

About this time last year, we had just released an exciting workshop video and DVD about what has become one of my favorite jewelry-making techniques ever-- electroforming . Now that I've had the chance to try it, I'm still as fascinated by this
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Make a Party Hat Cocktail Ring for New Year's Eve

Cocktail rings were designed to look pretty on a lady's hand while she's holding a cocktail at parties--in other words, they're perfect for New Year's Eve, and there's still time to make this one in time for your festivities. This
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Intro to the Flex Shaft: How, When, and Why You'll Use it for Jewelry Making

All day, every day, we're confronted with decisions. Soup or salad? Diamonds or pearls? Edward or Jacob? Coke or Pepsi? (Make that sweet tea or unsweet?) Flex shaft or Dremel? That last one can get a group of jewelry-tool fans and jewelry makers in
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Bezel-Set Stamped, Textured Clay: Make a Unique and Stylish Ring in Minutes

Here's another great project from our friends at Nunn Design, this time from Becky Nunn herself. I particularly loved this ring because the brown stamped clay looks like embossed leather to me--very Bohemian!--and I love the contrast of the shiny
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Making Jewelry from Found Objects: Lessons Learned and Tool-Saving Tips for Next Time

Since I first shared the pitiful little tale of how I ruined my then-favorite wire cutters trying to snip off parts of some found objects , I've gotten so many nice "me too" empathy messages from others who have done something similar. I've
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Day 10 of 12 Days of Deals: Dapped and Wrapped: Make Stylish Wire and Metal Earrings in Minutes (and Free Shipping)

Just in time for holiday gift-giving, here's a quick and fun earring-making project, courtesy of our friends at Fusion Beads. With wrapped wire and textured and dapped metal, they're stylish and modern but not difficult to make, so you can set
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Day 7 of 12 Days of Deals: Metal Mix Up: A Smart Trick for Soldering Copper and Other Alternative Metals (and Half Off eBooks)

Hardly a week goes by that I don't get asked how to solder copper or other alternative metals, like brass and bronze, to each other or silver. Even though copper and brass solders (wire and paste) do exist, they're not always on hand. Here's
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Day 5 of 12 Days of Deals: Master Three Metalsmithing Techniques with Three Metalsmithing Masters (and Save 20%!)

Metalsmithing --more specifically, forming metal into curved or angular components and then fabricating those components into jewelry either by soldering or cold connections like riveting--is at once the most fun and intimidating "hobby" I've
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Day 4 of 12 Days of Deals: Denise Peck's Wire Style and Wire Style 2 BOGO Offer

Denise Peck's Wire Style BOGO! Get both Wire Style and Wire Style 2 for only $22.95 That's like buying one and getting the other one FREE! Today only (December 4, 2012) Discover 50 stylish, contemporary, and wearable wire designs from Denise Peck
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Day 3 of 12 Days of Deals: Make a Hollow Metal Clay Bead with Barbara Becker Simon and Save 70% on Great Books

The ability to create hollow-form metal clay beads opens so many possibilities for making large but lightweight metal clay beads that are much more comfortable to wear and wallet-friendly than if they were solid metal. Making hollow-form metal clay beads
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Day 1 of 12 Days of Deals: Exclusive Metalsmithing Book and DVD Collection, More Than Half Off!

Perfect Your Jewelry-Making Skills . . . Get 4 of the most essential metalsmithing resources at one low price, today (December 1, 2012) only! Plus, save an additional 10% on this already reduced price by entering code EXTRA10 at checkout! Whether you're
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Experimenting With Copper-Core Wire: Why I Love It, How to Use It

Plated and coated copper-core wire offers a bounty of appealing characteristics. Even if you skip the colored craft wires and stick to alternative metal colors like gold, silver, copper, and brass, there are many advantages to using plated copper-core
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Cyber Monday Specials: Get Additional Discounts on Digital Products Now in the Jewelry Making Daily Shop!

Happy Cyber Monday, JMD friends! To celebrate the day, we've increased the discounts on digital products in our Bargains & Blowouts Sale for even better deals. Here are some of my favorites that you won't want to miss: Shop all the even-deeper
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Etching Metal Tutorial: Turn Any Image Into One-of-a-Kind Metal Art for Jewelry and Gifts

Etching provides a great way to create personalized, unique metal jewelry and gifts--and it's that time of year! Using simple metal-etching techniques, you can transfer any image--be it a photograph of a loved one, a design you drew yourself, or a
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Metalsmithing Zen: Learn the Value of Hand-Finishing Your Metal Jewelry

Nightfall on the Mesa Shaman pendant in sterling silver and copper by Lexi Erickson. Hope all of our American friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving! The holiday rush has officially begun, and for many of you (and me), that means making jewelry gifts for
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Editor's Picks: Jewelry Supply Holiday Wish List for Jewelry Makers (And it's all on sale!)

Even though I'm at the age when women start saying it's some anniversary of some other acceptable birthday, my dad still asks me for a Christmas list each year. When I was younger, it usually included a doll, an electronic game or two (remember
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Make a Copper Tube Bead Necklace with Kate Richbourg (and Bonus Video!)

By Kate Richbourg Today I am sharing one of my favorite projects from my Simple Soldering book, the Copper Tube Bead Necklace. This was the first piece I made for the book. I love how it features a bunch of different skills (multistep soldering , dapping
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Jewelry Tool Freebie: Sandpaper + Paint Stirrer Stick = Make Your Own Metal Sanding Sticks

Rust, finances, borrowing neighbors, wear and tear--these are the threats that will endanger your jewelry-making tool collection. Avoid all those things with this handy project for making your own sanding sticks. You can customize any way you want--use
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6 Micro-Torch Tips: Imagine What This Little Guy Can Do!

I always choose my micro torch over the larger torch setup whenever it will do the job just as well. I like to work with fine silver, too, which is ideal for micro torch use. Perhaps I like fine silver because it allows me to use the micro torch, or perhaps
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Stone-Setting Challenge: Make Bezels and Set These Three-Stone Earrings

Fellow jewelry makers, are you up for a challenge? This project shows you how to set three differently shaped, unique styles of stones (cabochons, flat beads, and faceted gems)--and then put them all together for a stunning pair of red-carpet-worthy earrings
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At the Drawing Board: Advice from a Fine Jewelry Designer

I've been very lucky to have generous mentors throughout my career who've shared their wisdom about jewelry making, metalsmithing, jewelry design, and gemstones. For the past decade, much of what I've learned about fine jewelry design and
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Soldering vs. Fusing: Learn the Pros and Cons in Jewelry Making and When to Do Which

To solder or fuse, that's the question! Literally. It's a question that my students ask quite often. Since fusing and soldering are high on my list of go-to metalsmithing techniques, I want to share some of my observations with you and discuss
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Mixed-Media Jewelry: Make Ephemera Earrings Using Resin, Paper, Wire and More

One of my favorite parts about taking jewelry classes or reading jewelry-making blogs and magazines is learning new ways to do jewelry-making tasks and techniques that I already know. It's fun and enlightening to see the unique ways that others do
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Quick and Bold Halloween Jewelry: Make an Ostrich Shell Bracelet

Ever the fan of found-object jewelry, I love seeing jewelry artists who use natural found elements such as shells, twigs, and rocks, etc. when making jewelry. It's the ultimate in upcycling, to pick up something from the ground, something just discarded
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Get Creative and Be Prepared: 8 Tips for Making Fabulous Chain-Maille Jewelry

Whether you're beginning a new jewelry-making technique or have mastered one and spent years honing your skills, a good tip is always a good thing for helping the process go more smoothly. Here are eight chain-maille jewelry-making tips I learned
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Jewelry-Making Tools: Using the Right Pliers at the Right Time

Admit it, you do it too. Once in awhile, when you're in a hurry or distracted or whatever, you'll make a loop with chain-nose pliers instead of round-nose pliers, or coil a wire spiral with round-nose pliers instead of flat-nose pliers. Horrors
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Guide to Jewelry Design: Ideas and Tips to Make You a Better Handcrafted Jewelry Designer

Ever notice that after you learn a new word, suddenly you start to see that word everywhere? For me, it has been jewelry design elements. I recently bought an old antique buffet for the dining room and when my professional-jewelry-designer friend saw
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Jewelry Students, Tools, and Designs: The Winners of the Fretz Stake Challenge at the Rochester Institute of Technology

Compiled by Helen I. Driggs What happens when you combine new and innovative jewelry-making tools with fresh young minds, creativity and talent? Tool designer and silversmith William (Bill) Fretz wanted to find out--and chose his own alma mater, the Metals
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Lexi's New Soldering eBook and Frank Talk on Learning to Solder

Just yesterday I was talking to one of my students who has decided to move from beading gorgeous treasure necklaces to metalsmithing. She was explaining how different the learning curve is. "Learning a new beading technique or stitch may offer a
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Lampwork 101: Turning Glass Rods into Glass Beads with Jodi Hesting

Welcome to Jodi Hesting, a lampwork glass bead and jewelry artist and our newest guest blogger on Jewelry Making Daily . To get us started with the basics, Jodi's sharing an intro to lampworking history, supplies to make lampwork glass beads, and
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Liver of Sulfur 101: What Is It, How to Use It to Create Patina on Silver and Copper Jewelry

Pew-eeee! What's that stinky stuff? Liver of sulfur on a copper bracelet, then sanded with a 3M 9-micron finishing film. I love Celtic designs! Whenever I teach hand-finishing jewelry workshops and we get towards the end of the class, I mix up a small
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What's Good for the Metal is Good for the Metal Clay, Plus How to Reconstitute Dried Metal Clay

I feel like a traitor. My love for metal clay is no secret, and when I first started learning traditional metalsmithing, I participated in more than one debate about which was "better" or, more specifically, found myself defending metal clay
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Inspiring Words for Aspiring Metalsmiths and a Special Way to Learn Metalwork

I've had some great conversations with friends recently about metalsmithing , about how fun it is to dap and dome metal, to hammer textures into it, to anneal and bend and fold it, even to solder it. I'm not going to stop until I convince my metal
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Metal Jewelry-Making for Everyone: Intro to the 5 Metalsmithing Techniques

Chatting with a jewelry-maker friend recently about metalsmithing skills (and the ability of everyone to do it) reminded me of this post from the JMD archives. I truly believe that breaking it down into these simple steps makes it more manageable for
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6 Hot Tips for Cold Connections: Master Riveting, Metal Tools, and More

Sometimes the journey from knowing to mastering a skill takes just as long as the journey to knowing did. In addition to practice, practice, practice, you can often expedite that journey with a few good tips--especially when they're the result of
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5 Free Cold Connection Jewelry Projects: How to Rivet Jewelry and More

I've been thinking about and using cold connections more and more lately and now, voila! We've just released of our newest free eBook, 5 Free Cold Connection Jewelry Projects: How to Rivet Jewelry and More . What's been on my mind about cold
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Faux Enameling: Create the Look of Enamel Jewelry Quickly and Easily

Imagine how my little bubble burst when I found out that I had not, in fact, invented faux enameling. Humph. But then I realized that even though someone beat me to it, basically stealing away the fame and fortune that was sure to come to me from it
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Fun Lessons Learned: Four Things I Learned While Electroforming

If you ever want to pretend you're a mad scientist while making jewelry, electroforming is the technique for you! When I first learned about electroforming (or electroplating) jewelry, I couldn't wait to try it. I'd been saving up a bunch
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Join Me on Metalsmith BenchTalk on BlogTalkRadio with Jay Whaley!

Guess what? I'm going to be on ' Metalsmith BenchTalk on BlogTalkRadio ' with Jay Whaley this Thursday at 3pm PT/6pm ET. I'd love it if you'd come listen and talk (or chat) with me about all things jewelry! Bribes, er, prizes are a
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Metal Stamping Freebies: Create Custom Designs with Common Hardware-Store Tools

The subject of impressions on metal has come up a lot for me in the past few weeks. A friend told me how she inspects the faces of old hammers at thrift/antique stores because some of the wear and tear on them can make great textures on metal. Similarly
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist 65th Anniversary Giveaway, Week 17: Win a $50 Gift Certificate to JewelryTools.com

Welcome to week two of our 22-week giveaways of jewelry-making tools and supplies! In celebration of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine's 65th anniversary, we've gathered a huge collection of jewelry prizes from the industry's most respected
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Ode to the Dremel: Make a Pendant with Texture and Rivets, No Soldering Required

By Kate Richbourg I am going to share a tool with you today that I'll bet quite a few of you already have tucked away but just haven't yet discovered its jewelry-making potential. It's the Dremel! Go ahead; rummage around in the back of the
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Metalsmithing Magic: Build Rings, Bezels, and More with Bill Fretz

Hollow Form Bezel Ring by Bill Fretz. Photo: Todd Murray I had so much fun in my classes at Bead Fest Philadelphia a few weeks ago! I had three full days of playing with a torch (annealing metal, flame-painting copper, and enameling), hammering the dickens
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist 65th Anniversary Giveaway, Week 16: Win a Fretz Naja Forming Hammer

Welcome to week 16 of our 22-week-long contest of jewelry-making tools and supplies! We're celebrating Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine's 65th anniversary by giving away a huge collection of jewelry prizes from the industry's most
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How to Solder Jewelry: Lexi Erickson's Memories of Learning to Solder and Her New Soldering eBook

Even after years of soldering experience and those 1,400 times, I still get frustrated by some projects. So don't ever give up! I remember my first foray into soldering bezels. My teacher didn't give us a lot of info, he just demoed a bezel for
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4 Free Metal Clay Jewelry-Making Projects, Plus Make Metal Clay Tools from Household Items

Our free metal clay eBook has had a little makeover! Now instead of just three free metal-clay jewelry-making projects, you'll get four--from expert metal clay artisans Hadar Jacobson, Noël Yovovich, Paula Bastian-de Leon, and Lis-el Crowley
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5 Rings, Unlimited Possibilities: Ring-Making Projects for Every Skill Level

Rings are my favorite jewelry to make . While I was at Bead Fest last week, I made several "tops" to go on rings and bought some metal and lampwork glass components that I intend to wire or solder into rings. "Everything is a ring to me
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My Metal Clay Guild Goes to the PMC Conference: One Member's Tips and Tales

Earlier this summer, several talented ladies from my local Louisiana metal clay guild, L'esprit du Metal, took a fun and informative field trip to the annual (albeit final) Precious Metal Clay (PMC) Conference. Here's our guild president Paula
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Ear Wires Galore: 9 Awesome Ear-Wire Designs to Make Any Design a Star

Once I realized how easy and cost-effective it is to make my own earring findings, I stopped buying manufactured ear wires in favor of making my own. The possibilities truly are endless; ear wires can be just about any shape or style, as long as they
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist 65th Anniversary Giveaway, Week 14: Win CraftOptics Telescopes!

Welcome to week 14 of our 22-week-long contest of jewelry-making tools and supplies! We're celebrating Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine's 65th anniversary by giving away a huge collection of jewelry prizes from the industry's most
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5 Jewelry Designers on Their Jewelry Designs

"Develop Your Artistic Identity" by well-known jewelry designer, goldsmith, and teacher Michael David Sturlin appears in the September/October 2012 issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, the Design Issue. In the feature article, Sturlin focuses
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Dapping and Forming Blocks: Jewelry-Making Tools to Help You Shape Your Sheet with Ease

Photos by Jim Lawson. By Helen L. Driggs I have a shameless obsession for hammers, but that's only the half of it. If I have a hammer in one hand and some sheet in the other, the next logical tool I'll look for is something to strike against-
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Adding Patina to Copper and Brass: How to Make Your Alternative Metal Designs Pop

Lovely patinas! Oh, the things you can do to copper! Many folks love the warm hue of the metal as it is (me included), but it's also the metal master of disguise in the gorgeous patinas it so easily takes on. Of all the alternative metals, copper
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist 65th Anniversary Giveaway, Week 13: Win a Wire Jewelry-Making 9-DVD Set from Wire Sculpture!

Welcome to week 13 of our 22-week-long contest of jewelry-making tools and supplies! We're celebrating Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine's 65th anniversary by giving away a huge collection of jewelry prizes from the industry's most
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8 Great Ways to Use Your Micro Torch: Tips for Fusing, Soldering, Making Wire Findings and Chain

There are so few soldering and metalsmithing techniques that can't be achieved with a micro torch , especially now that new and improved micro torches are popping up in the market. You can solder with a micro torch, of course, but you can also "flame
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Five Things We Love: Great Jewelry-Making Supplies and Tools

As with any specialized hobby or job, the proper tools usually make all the difference. I'm a huge fan of repurposing everyday household items for use in my jewelry shop, and I love finding ways to reuse what might be trash into a jewelry-making tool
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The Big Reveal: My Bead Soup Blog Party 2012 Jewelry Creations

Soup's On! Welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Party 2012 Reveal. (If you don't know what Bead Soup is, check this out first .) First, let me say WELCOME to Jewelry Making Daily , all of you Bead Soup Blog Party blog hoppers who haven't been here
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist 65th Anniversary Giveaway, Week 11: Win One of Our Best-Selling Jewelry-Making DVD Duos!

Welcome to week eleven of our 22-week-long contest of jewelry-making tools and supplies! We're celebrating Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine's 65th anniversary by giving away a huge collection of jewelry prizes from the industry's most
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Metalsmithing Basics: Tips and Tools for Filing and Finishing Metal Like a Pro

Nothing sets your metalwork off like finely finished edges and a nicely polished surface. In the rush to finish a piece, sometimes this is a job that doesn't get the attention it deserves. There are a variety of methods that you can use for the process
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist 65th Anniversary Giveaway, Week 10: Win a Knew Concepts Saw Frame from Otto Frei

Welcome to week ten of our 22-week-long contest of jewelry-making tools and supplies! We're celebrating Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine's 65th anniversary by giving away a huge collection of jewelry prizes from the industry's most
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Be a Player: The Value of Playing for Creativity and Jewelry Design

I read something on Facebook recently about the value and effect of play on creativity. It struck a chord with me immediately, as I'd been wondering why I hadn't been inspired to make anything in awhile. What had happened to my . . . what shall
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Making Chain Maille Jewelry: 8 Great Jump Ring Tips and an Epiphany

I'm (probably) no longer going to complain about how challenged I am when it comes to making chain maille jewelry . I've had an epiphany. The inspiration necklace. Photo: ABC Family. I was watching one of my guilty-pleasure ("teeny bopper"
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Solder Alternative Metals with a Micro Torch: Soldering Copper, Brass, and Nickel

Let's start by discussing the type of "alternative" metals that we are going to solder . We are going to use "nonferrous" metals, meaning that all of these metals belong to the same iron-free family and therefore can be treated
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Ode to Patinas: How to Create Emotion and Lasting Style in New Metal and Wire Jewelry

I love patina. On metal, on wood, on leather, I love it, but I especially love patina on metal and wire jewelry (where it's sometimes referred to as "bloom"). Merriam-Webster defines patina primarily as such: a : a usually green film formed
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Polymer Clay Jewelry Artists Share Top Tips, Plus Hot News!

One of the things I love about polymer clay is its versatility. Polymer clay can be used to mimic--or be combined with--just about any other jewelry-making material: wire, metal, found objects, gemstones, mixed-media favorites like paper and fibers .
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist 65th Anniversary Giveaway, Week 7: Win a $50 Gift Certificate to Fire Mountain Gems

Welcome to week seven of our 22-week-long contest of jewelry-making tools and supplies! We're celebrating Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine's 65th anniversary by giving away a huge collection of jewelry prizes from the industry's most
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First Tip of Stamping on Metal: Do it the "Hard" Way, Plus More Metal Stamping Tips

Remember mouse pads? (For our younger and future readers, they're not hip homes for mice.) When I first started stamping metal (years ago as a crafter), I assumed it was wise to use something underneath to absorb the shock--at least to absorb some
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Metalsmithing How-To: Make Rings for Your Fingers, Rings for Your Toes

Rings for your fingers, rings for your toes . . . I love rings. There was a time, when I was younger, that I wore several rings at once and swapped them out regularly, pairing them up like stack rings on some fingers and even wearing groups of them on
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Jewelry Tools Are Your Friends: Choosing and Caring for Your Pliers

I love it when it's "bonus time" at the makeup counter. You almost always get free lipstick (a girl can't go anywhere in the South without lipstick!) and free moisturizer of some sort in a little container just right for keeping in your
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The Illustrated Guide to Jewelry-Making Tools: Over 125 Jewelry Tools Explained, Plus Make an Ergonomic Saw Handle

It's easy to find sage advice about tools in the jewelry-making world. "Buy the best tools you can afford" is a popular directive, and rightly so--it is better to spend $20 on a tool once than to spend $5 on that same tool every time you
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Top Wire Tips: Six Reasons to Love the Newest Easy Wire Magazine

Since I've become such a fan of wire jewelry making , I've gotten hooked on finding great wire tips. I find myself sharing favorite wire jewelry tips over and over, such as the cool tip for making ear wires using a Sharpie marker as a mandrel
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A New Approach to Wire Jewelry Making: Wire Weaving with Mary Hettmansperger

Every time we release a new DVD, I get excited about the new possibilities of being able to have a one-on-one jewelry-making lesson with an expert in jewelry-making techniques. Whether it's soldering, hammering and texturing, etching, electroforming
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist 65th Anniversary Giveaway, Week 3: Disc Cutter Set from Otto Frei

Welcome to week three of our 22-week-long contest of jewelry-making tools and supplies! We're celebrating Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine's 65th anniversary by giving away a huge collection of jewelry prizes from the industry's most
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Metalsmithing Basics: Tips and Tools for Cutting and Sawing Metal Like a Pro

by Kate Richbourg One of the metalsmithing skills I like to emphasize with my students is good cutting and filing techniques. Conquering both lends a professional look to your jewelry and great cutting/sawing skills make filing and finishing your metal
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Metal Fuming Tutorial: Give Your Lampwork Glass Beads a Gold (or Silver) Glow

Fuming glass is the technique of applying metal particles to the surface of a lampwork glass bead. I found this project while looking through the Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine archives (from the October 2004 issue), and even though I've
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Create Etched, Stamped Pendants in "Clay Soldered" Bezels

One of my favorite things about attending "the shows" in Tucson each February is seeing the work of great new designers and reconnecting with old friends. That's two things, I suppose, but in this case it's all one--I got to spend some
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Chain Making: Take Wire from Functional to Fabulous, Plus 7 Tips on Caring for Chain

Since I've been working at Jewelry Making Daily (good times!), I've gained a whole new appreciation for wire . I used to have a pretty specific view of wirework, but slowly, thankfully, I've realized that wire is everywhere in jewelry making
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Micro Torches 101, Part 2: Torch in Action and Simple Soldering Setup

Are you ready to jump even further into the world of micro torches? In part one , I shared the basics of how micro torches work. This time we are going to move beyond the basics and get those torches fired up. First, let's discuss the setup that you
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I Can Fill That With Resin: Out-of-the-Ordinary Bezel Ideas Plus Five Resin Jewelry-Making Tips

After I learned how easy it is to create unique effects and jewelry designs with resin , preserving all the pretty or precious little things that I tend to collect, I was so hooked. Now I find myself browsing my front sidewalk, the beach, antiques stores
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Beyond Metalsmithing Basics: Turn Plain Band Rings into Bamboo Stack Rings

Photo by Jim Lawson. Once you've mastered the basic metalsmithing skills required to make simple band/stack rings, you'll probably want to start jazzing things up a bit with textures and other designs. As a follow-up to my Metalsmithing Basics
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Make Easy Molds for Easy and Memorable Metal Clay Designs

In a recent meeting of my local metal clay guild, someone shared the idea of using Play-Doh to make metal clay molds. It's inexpensive and readily available, it's hard when it dries, and it comes in convenient little sealed containers that are
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Wire Fusing, Coiling, Wrapping, Chain Making, Findings, and More: Our Best Wirework Tips from Denise Peck

I've been digging through the Jewelry Making Daily wire articles and found that Denise Peck's blog on how to finish your wire jewelry professionally is our most visited blog *ever*! Here are her tips from that blog along with a few of her other
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Organizing Your Jewelry Tools: Making a File Holder

I found this easy-to-make jewelry file organizer in a back issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist. This one is for files, but I think a similar structure could be created for hammers, mandrels, and even pliers, with a little creative re-engineering
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Polymer Clay Jewelry Making: Learn How to Make Polymer Clay Jewelry with 5 Free Projects

Versatile. That's the first word that comes to mind when I think of polymer clay jewelry making. The other words that come to mind when I think about making jewelry with polymer clay are forgiving, affordable, colorful, fun, and easy, but the first
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Jewelry Design: Taking Cues from the Ultimate Designer, Mother Nature

Ask any jewelry designer (or designer of most anything, for that matter) what inspires them, and I bet more often than not, they'll say nature. I find myself picking up random things in the wild everywhere I go because they have a neat pattern or
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Metalsmithing Techniques, Tips, and Tutorials: Introduction to Broom Casting

Pebbles by Beth Rosengard. Diamond and black drusy garnet earrings. On my ever-growing list of more advanced metalsmithing techniques to try, casting--specifically broom and cuttlefish casting--is near the top. The surprise and randomness of the results
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Part Two: Patina and Texture, a Jewelry Maker's Essential Tools by Ronna Sarvas Weltman

Editor's note: Ronna Sarvas Weltman is a contributing editor for Step by Step Wire Jewelry and author of Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry . She teaches workshops in polymer clay and wire jewelry making . Ronna creates artisan jewelry
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More Great Jewelry Supplies: 27 Everyday Items Every Jewelry Studio Needs

The more I make jewelry, the more regular household things prove themselves useful jewelry tools and supplies for the process. I find myself hoarding lids--lids that have lost their bowls, lids from sturdy takeout containers, all kinds of lids. They make
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Creative Cold Connections: Setting a Stone with No Soldering

by Tim McCreight In the jewelry world, the term cold connections usually describes mechanical joining techniques that are used to fasten together parts that cannot be soldered (which is a "hot" connection). The leaders of the pack are probably
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Micro Torches 101, Part 1: The Which, What, and Why of Butane Torches

by Jewelry Making Daily's newest contributor, Kate Richbourg ! Welcome to the world of butane torches (also known as micro torches or even crème brûlée torches)! Micro torches make creating simple soldered jewelry a breeze. I am
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Stone Setting: Basic Bezel-Making Tips and Techniques from Michael Boyd

by Michael Boyd In our shop, we make hundreds if not thousands of bezels each year--sometimes twenty, thirty, and even up to fifty bezels for one piece of jewelry! Bezels offer the jewelry maker a nicely integrated gemstone setting that is secure as well
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Chain Maille Jewelry Making: Understanding Aspect Ratio

Ah, chain maille. We meet again. (Can you hear that woo-hoo-woo sound they play in old Westerns, just before two cowboys have a shoot out? No? Just me? Okay. . . . ) I get a little nervous whenever it's time to write about chain maille jewelry. A
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Metalsmithing Basics: Learn to Make One-of-a-Kind Rings in an Hour

Thanks to Lexi Erickson, who taught me to make these rings and allowed me to share the project with you! Rings are my favorite piece of jewelry to collect, wear, and make. Fortunately, the ring design possibilities are endless when you combine sterling
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Lagniappe for Jewelry Design: The Value of a Little Something Extra

That little blue bead hanging from the clasp of Lorelei Eurto's Oxford Circus cuff provides the lagniappe. This month I've officially been a southwest Louisiana resident for one year. What a year! The music, the food, the people, the environment
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Learn How to Make Wire Jewelry: Designs for Making Wire Jewelry with 6 Wire Jewelry Making Techniques

I've gained a new passion and respect for wire jewelry in the past two years, and it's largely due to discovering how versatile wire and wire jewelry making is. In fact, I'd go so far as to say there's almost no jewelry to be made without
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Metal Stamping: Bring the Power of Words to Your Metal Jewelry

I love the whimsy behind metal jewelry with inspiration stamped on it. "Dream" and "wish" and "believe" and some other encouraging words, and short Bible verses (or portions of verses, such as "Be still"), are always
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Metalsmithing Techniques: Learn the Zen of the Process for Hand-Finishing Metal Jewelry

Nightfall on the Mesa Shaman pendant in sterling silver and copper by Lexi Erickson By Lexi Erickson Everyone knows my favorite jewelry-making technique is soldering . I should have a bumper sticker that says, "A Day Without Soldering Is a Day Without
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Mixed-Media Jewelry Artists: Sneaking a Peek at Their Studio Spaces

I admit it: I'm a studio voyeur. If I could peek in the windows of my favorite artists' studios without getting arrested, I'd do it in a hot minute. And being a mixed-media kind of girl--jewelry, paper crafts, fibers, just about anything you
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Jewelry Making with Alternative Metals: Upcycled Cookie-Tin Earrings, Part One

Having been a tree hugger since college and a crafter since long, long before that, I get real joy from seeing some of the clever ways artists reuse materials to make beautiful things. I can't go into an antiques store or junk shop without finding
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Metalsmithing Details: Designing Interesting Pendants (and Speaking French) with Lexi Erickson

These highly polished bails are a stark contrast to the heavily patinated foreground, and they accent the high polished metal of the background. ( Canyon of Remembering from Lexi's Conversations with Harold Series) By Lexi Erickson I love teaching
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist March 2012

Take advantage of Argetium Silver alongside Betsy Porter. Master this new sterling silver alloy and learn how to: anneal, make granules, fuse, polish, harden, and more! Use your new skills and tricks to create projects with step-by-step instructions that feature Argetium Silver: Use lightweight fused
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Jewelry Design Principles: Movement, Wearability, Balance, and Durability

As I've spent time talking with professional jewelry-designer friends, one word that comes up a lot is "principles." The principles of design, the mechanics of design, wearability, balance--these are the things that are foremost in their
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National Craft Month: Pass on Your Passion with Jewelry Making Daily and Other Interweave Craft Communities

March is National Craft Month! All of us at Jewelry Making Daily , Beading Daily , and other Interweave craft communities Cloth Paper Scissors Today , Knitting Daily , and Crochet Me are committed to "passing on our passion" for crafts by teaching
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Electroforming Jewelry: Equipment and Supplies for Copper Plating

I've been collecting a bowl (OK, several bowls) of natural found objects for as long as I can remember. Even before I knew about electroplating (also called electroforming), I saved interesting leaves, twigs, acorn caps, shells, and other organic
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Part One: Make a Custom Reticulated Silver Cabochon Bezel

To follow up on the introductory cabochon-cutting tutorial from last week , Tom and Kay Benham also created a custom bezel to fit that freeform turquoise cabochon that features reticulated silver. Reticulation uses a torch flame to add interesting, natural
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Setting Stones in Bezels: Tools and Tips from Expert Tim McCreight

Creating bezels and setting stones in them are among the most difficult and rewarding skills to master in metalsmithing. The key to a successful bezel lies in making very precise measurements and then making very precise cuts to match those measurements
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Etched Copper and Brass Jewelry: Phototransfer Metal Etching

by Lexi Erickson Etching brass and copper plates can result in interesting designs, and the metal may be used several ways. I plan on making this etched copper plate into a piece of jewelry. If I had etched the same design onto brass, it could be used
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Soldering 101: Glossary of Terms and Tools

It's hard to feel like you've mastered any technique if you aren't familiar with the terms associated with it. Soldering is no different--even as you get comfortable with moving your flame around while keeping an eye on the state of your flux
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5 Handy Copper and Wire Jewelry-Making Tips

Preparing for Tucson this year has me digging through the Jewelry Making Daily archives, finding projects and techniques that I want to try this year so I can prepare my Tucson shopping list. In my research, I've come across so many great tips for
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Unlimited Possibilities: Making Jewelry with "Delicate, Organic, Exquisite" Polymer Clay

Having spent so many years working in the craft industry, I have been familiar with polymer clay for a long time--but hardly ever in terms of jewelry making . And after spending so much time working with gemstones and the cool hardness of metal, the versatility
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Jewelry Soldering Basics: Using Solders, Flux, Tools & Creating a Safe Soldering Space

If you've been a Jewelry Making Daily reader for awhile, you've undoubtedly seen me write about Lexi Erickson, my beloved friend and metalsmithing teacher. Lexi is so generous with JMD readers, sharing her knowledge about all things jewelry related
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Creative and Alternative Metals: Mokume Gane

Or, Mokume Gane: What It Is, How to Really Mess It Up, and How to Do It Right By Lexi Erickson I was recently interviewed for an article on jewelry-making techniques and was asked, "What was your biggest jewelry-making mistake as you were learning
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Making Three-Dimensional Metal Jewelry: What can your hammer do for you?

I'm always amazed at the malleability of some metals . . . the most typical metals that artisan jewelry makers work with at least--I can't speak much about metals like platinum and titanium and the like. Maybe someday! But for now, whenever I
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People Are Talking About...The Best of 2011 on Jewelry Making Daily

Gosh we had fun last year, didn't we? We did lots of wirework and metalsmithing, a little chain maille (ahem), metal clay of all kinds, and lots and lots of mixed-media jewelry, using fun jewelry-making materials such as enamel, resin, fibers, found
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Quick and Easy Cold Connections: Make Riveted Flower Dangle Earrings

I wanted to make some fun and unique earrings for a friend for Christmas, ones that incorporated mixed metals and flowers--and these pretty earrings by Karen Dougherty immediately came to mind. Karen designed these earrings especially for Jewelry Making
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, January/February 2012

Everyone loves opals! And we have three amazing kinds to tell you about including new precious blue opal and picture opals from Arizona! Learn to cut a free-form opal and make a jazzy ring for it. Plus, learn tab setting as you make a copper and fossil coral pendant; learn bezel setting as you make a
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Helen's Top Tips for Aspiring Metalworkers: A Jewelry Expert's Metalsmithing Dos and Don'ts

I meet people on a regular basis who want to learn metalsmithing and other jewelry fabrication techniques, and I'm fortunate to always have a wealth of resources to share with them. One such resource is Helen Driggs, senior editor of Lapidary Journal
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Jewelry Tools 101: Guide to Jewelry-Making Hammers

Much gentler than a rawhide mallet, Lexi's current favorite hammer is a paper mallet. "Choosing a favorite hammer is like choosing a favorite child," she says. "Today this one's my favorite, but tomorrow it will be another."
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Ask the Experts: Soldering Silver to Gold

Did you see jewelry artists and experts Tom and Kay Benham's response to a community member on the Jewelry Making Daily Ask the Expert Forum , about soldering gold to silver? A. We recommend you use hard silver solder to solder a gold accent piece
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Lights, Camera . . . Gemstones: Lighting Tips for Gem and Jewelry Photography

by Merle White, Editor-in-Chief of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Shoot--it's hard to shoot gemstones ! Everything that makes them so interesting to look at also makes them challenging to photograph. Each of these stones alone has its own photography
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Mixed-Media Jewelry Making Video Tutorial: Easy Altered Metal

I just found this great video tutorial about altering metal on our sister site, Cloth Paper Scissors, by CPS Editor Jenn Mason . There are so many finishes to be achieved on metal, beyond the one that likely comes to mind first--patinas created by products
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Endless Wire Jewelry-Making Tips: Save Time and Money

I love a good tip, especially one that can save me hours of time and lots of moola--which I can spend on more jewelry-making tools and supplies, right? And that's perfect for this time of year, while we're making jewelry for holiday gifts. Here's
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Specialized Silversmithing Skills: How to Make a Brooch Pin Catch

I've said it before--I absolutely LOVE this time of year. I find myself singing Christmas carols all the time, and I don't mind making up the words when I don't know the right ones. I made up my own little version of the Rudolph song this
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10 Metal Clay Secrets for Metalsmiths: The Best of Both Worlds

I get a kick out of hearing jewelry-making friends debate over the difference between metal clay work and metalsmithing or metal fabrication. Each camp thinks theirs is best (of course), and it's fun to hear them explain why. The more they debate
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9 Great Chain-Maille Tips from Expert Scott David Plumlee

Dear Chain Maille, I've tried ( and tried ), but I just can't do it anymore. Our relationship isn't going to work. I have so much admiration and respect for you, but I don't have enough patience for this relationship right now. It's
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Expert Metal Clay Tips from Jewelry Artist Kate McKinnon

I found myself referring back to one of my own articles for a tip recently, isn't that funny? You can't beat Kate McKinnon for smart tips and clever designs in metal clay, so I thought you might appreciate the refresher as well. Don't miss
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Mixed Metals: Tips for Soldering Copper to Silver and More

by Lexi Erickson Lexi's fun mixed-metal hearts in copper, brass, and silver. It's like Oreos and milk or, for me, green chile and tortillas. Some things just go together. And so it is with silver and copper. Copper and its alloys really warm up
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Guide to Jewelry-Making Techniques: How to Make Jewelry with 5 Free Jewelry Projects

I love being able to share my passion for jewelry making with new makers, especially ones who are learning new jewelry techniques such as wirework and even metalsmithing, including fun techniques like texturing, doming, and soldering metal, bezel making
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Metal Magic: Electroforming Organic and Other Materials for Jewelry Making

It was at only the eleven-second mark in the DVD that I saw this image--and when I knew I had to have it! For weeks now, my friend and co-worker Denise Peck (editor of Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry , author of great jewelry-making books, and host of fun and
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Get to Know Denise Peck, Queen of Wire Jewelry

She's the Editor-in-Chief of Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry magazine, the author of (and contributor to) several great jewelry-making books, including Wire Style and Wire Style 2 (you know something is fabulous when we have to make a sequel!), and the
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Project Accessory Episode 2 Recap: Swarovski Shoes? Yes Please!

Rich's shoe pattern Photo by Lifetime Television. So, what did you think of Project Accessory, episode 2, last night? The designers were challenged to choose a piece of Swarovski jewelry at a Swarovski Crystallized store and then choose a bag full
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Easy Metal Clay, 2011

Discover jewelry making like never before! You can create marvelous metal jewelry in moments with metal clay. Design earrings, bracelets, pendants, and rings in the versatile medium that gives you the accessibility of clay and the durability, luster, and genuine artisan feel of metal. With this remarkable
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Gem, Jewelry, and Lapidary Classifieds

Gem, Jewelry, and Lapidary Classifieds E-mail our Classified Advertising representative for more information. How to Search the classifieds with Internet Explorer or Netscape ANTIQUE/ESTATE JEWELRY AUCTIONS BEAD SHOPS BEADS/BEAD SUPPLIES BOOKS & VIDEOS
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Jewelry Classes

Jewelry Classes Welcome to our Jewelry Classes listings. Find the finest jewelry workshops, courses, techniques and instructors at a jewelry program near you. If you would like to list your school or jewelry workshop, please contact Monica Turner at 1
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Solder 101: Its Forms and Melting Temperatures for Successfully Soldering Jewelry

by Sara M. Sanford Soldering is one of the most basic techniques in metalworking , but also one of the hardest to master. For a very good reason, we are taught in early childhood to fear fire, and the possibility of melting a piece that has a lot of work
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Customer Favorites and Editor's Picks: The Best of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine

Since I started here at Jewelry Making Daily about a year ago, I've slowly but surely doubled my collection of back issues of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine. Every once in awhile I get a happy email from a coworker that goes something like
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Make Successful Bezels, Every Time: Bezel Wire Tips from the Jewelry Making Daily Forums

When it comes to making bezels, the hardest part for me (and, so I've heard, for many of you) is the piecework of cutting bezel wire to fit together just right. While soldering a bezel, the solder will flow up into the seam of the bezel wire--but
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Silversmithing for Jewelry Makers: A Million (okay, 17) Silver Jewelry-Making Tips

I've been like a kid awaiting Santa Claus since I learned about our new silversmithing book, Silversmithing for Jewelry Makers: A Handbook of Techniques and Surface Treatments. (Is it here yet? Is it here yet?) I couldn't even get my hands on
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6 More Silver Jewelry-Making Tips from Silversmithing for Jewelry Makers

Enjoy these six bonus silversmithing tips from Elizabeth Bone's book Silversmithing for Jewelry Makers: A Handbook of Techniques and Surface Treatments , a must-have comprehensive silversmithing resource! Create unique surface treatments in the texturing
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Metalsmithing Techniques for Jewelry Making: Free Metal-Stamping Video Tutorial

Even though I'm a writer and regularly write and read how-to instructions for creative projects, sometimes you just have to see something happening to really get it . So when I learned that our newest free metalsmithing tutorial on metal stamping
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Mixed-Media Jewelry: Using Found Objects in Handmade Jewelry

By Ronna Sarvas Weltman I love mixed-media jewelry. I love that it flaunts any rules of what goes with what. Diamonds with Legos? Fair game. I love that it points out possibilities, showing us that this chipped game piece or that faded ribbon can take
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6 Tips for Hammering and Forming Metal from Master Metalsmith Bill Fretz

When I saw master metalsmith and toolmaker Bill Fretz 's first DVD about hammering and forming metal jewelry, I was amazed at how effortless and easy he made it look to create bangles using only brass tubing, hammers, and stakes. The bangles Bill
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5 Tips for Marketing and Selling Your Handcrafted Jewelry

One of the questions that I get asked most often is, "How do I sell my jewelry?" Even though I've spoken to groups about selling jewelry online and it's something I've done myself for awhile now, there's always more to learn
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Texture and Patina on Jewelry: Creating Metal Effects with Household Items

I've always been a thrifty girl. I save interesting things to reuse in all kinds of projects, such as beautiful packaging that can be turned into paper art or snippets of ribbon that have a million uses. I also enjoy finding multiple uses for household
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How to Make Resin Jewelry: 3 Free Projects plus a Bonus Guide to Resin Jewelry Supplies

I've always loved snow globes and the limitless possibilities of scenes and mementos you can put inside. When I first discovered resin jewelry-making, I think it appealed to me because it was so much like making snow globes in jewelry--I can put anything
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My First Bead Swap, Part Two: Doing the Bead Soup Blog Party

Welcome to Jewelry Making Daily, Bead Soup Blog Party blog hoppers!!! First of all, holy cow! A few weeks ago I said I was so excited to do the Bead Soup Blog Party because it would be an exercise in creativity. Turns out, that old saying about stretching
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Fave Five: Top Jewelry-Making DVDs to Teach and Inspire You

Even though I wasn't an early adapter, I can't imagine not knowing all the jewelry techniques that I've learned by watching a DVD: etching, chain maille, riveting and cold connections, resin, even some wirework. Classes are a luxury that not
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Wire Wrapping with the Cougar: Wire Jewelry Q&A with Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Even though I've written about wire jewelry many times and even this author in particular, I've never done an interview with Dale "Cougar" Armstrong. High time, don't you think? When I heard she was a rock hound like me, I couldn't
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Part One: Patina and Texture, A Jewelry Maker's Essential Tools by Ronna Sarvas Weltman

Ronna Sarvas Weltman is a contributing editor to Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry and author of Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry . She regularly teaches workshops in polymer clay and wire jewelry making. Ronna creates artisan jewelry using sterling
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Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, April 2011

Learn the differences among jewelry torches and fuels and the flames they produce. Share what you know about jewelry making with others in online tutorials as a way of driving traffic to your online jewelry store. Make a dynamic, hinged silver pendant and learn to set faceted stones in your own cabochon
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Jewelry-Making Inspiration to Revive Your Stash

Every time I try to clear out my stash of jewelry-making supplies, it's the same story. I'm too attached, even to ones that I've had for a long time and still not used. I can't give them away just because I don't know what I want to
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Meet Bill Fretz and Master His Hammering and Forming Techniques

First, a little background: A frequent contributor to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist , William Fretz has been a jewelry designer since high school. Since then, Bill has added a BFA from The Rochester Institute of Technology's School for American
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Jewelry Tool Tips From the Archives: Choosing and Using a Flex Shaft

As my jewelry-making interests have changed in recent years, I've found myself digging through back issues of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist and their old newsletters with a new perspective, looking at the things that apply to my craft now that might
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Free Project: Make Your Own Kidney Ear Wires, Plus Other Handcrafted Wire Jewelry Findings

I couldn't believe the response when I wrote about handcrafted ear wires and other wire findings a few months ago, and I was introduced to so many unique ear wire designs and jewelry designers as a result. Now, it's like when you've learned
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How-To: Phototransfer Metal Etching by Lexi Erickson

If you've ever thought etching was too difficult to do at home, think again! To show you to how easy and almost instantly rewarding etching can be, we're sharing this free etching project by Lexi Erickson, star designer of the new DVD, Jewelry
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Jewelry-Making How-To: Top Tips for Oxidizing Silver Wire and Metal

Sterling Wire-Wrapped Necklace by Sally Stevens I was looking for some information about oxidizing wire and metal the other day, and I found a great post on our sister site, Beading Daily , by queen of wire Denise Peck, the Editor-in-Chief of Step-by
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Tell Me a Story: Top Designers Share the Creative Tales Behind Favorite Jewelry-Making Projects

Whenever I sell a piece of jewelry, the buyers (and browsers) often ask me the story behind a piece. Sometimes I can tell them where I found some unusual old metal found object I've used in it, or I'll describe the thing--art, other jewelry, flowers
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Hanging Out with Kate McKinnon, Part 2: Sculptural Metal Clay Genius

It's no secret that Kate McKinnon's books Sculptural Metal Clay Jewelry and Jewelry Architect are two of my favorite craft and jewelry-making books of all time. We've written about her work on Jewelry Making Daily before, sharing metal clay
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Hanging Out with Kate McKinnon, Part 1: Sculptural Metal Clay Genius

Kate McKinnon Did I tell you about the time I met Kate McKinnon? No? Well then . . . I was walking the aisles of one of the smaller bead shows in Tucson last February when I saw a booth with books, art, and jewelry that looked familiar. Just about the
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Cool Off with Hot Jewelry-Making Picks: Mixed-Media and Metalwork Inspiration (and a Coupon!)

I'm pretty easily distracted. If I have work or chores--even things I enjoy, like reading or making jewelry--that I should be doing, a blue sky and a country road with the top down or an invitation from a friend can easily lure me away from the task
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Jewelry Design, Inspiration and Ideas: The Value of Keeping a Sketchbook

A rare example of a "whole" design in my sketchbook. Inspiration comes from everywhere, and lately I'm inspired by the intricacies of antique ironwork and the colors and textures of weathered wood that I'm seeing when I explore my new
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Sketching Jewelry Designs: Creating an "Idea Book" with Lexi Erickson

When I asked my friend and metalsmithing teacher Lexi Erickson to share with me her thoughts on drawing and jewelry design, she was generous and brilliant, as always. After teaching for more than twenty years, Lexi has encountered her share of students
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Soldering Next Steps: Make My Silver Flower Ring and a 10-Part Soldering Series

Last week on Jewelry Making Daily, I shared how to make the beginner soldering stack rings project that master metalsmith Lexi Erickson taught me to make in her studio last year (also found in the May/June 2011 issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist
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Copper Clay Tips from Arlene Mornick

Since I first discovered it about ten years ago at a craft trade show, metal clay has been my favorite medium ever , for jewelry making or any other craft. I can't talk about it without saying the word "magic" over and over. I thought silver
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Wire Jewelry Making Comes Alive in Our New Live Wire eMag!

It's almost time for the last Harry Potter film, and I'm so excited to see all the bells and whistles they've packed into the finale. I was amazed at all the brilliant special effects in the movies, like the framed photos and photos in newspapers
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Soldering Made Simple: Create Easy Textured Silver Stack Rings

Rings are my favorite piece of jewelry to collect, wear, and make. Fortunately, the ring design possibilities are endless when you combine sterling silver wire with texturing tools such as hammers and files. (I prefer standard 8-gauge half-round, but
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Add Interest to Your Jewelry Designs: Texturing and Etching Copper

Copper has been a hot topic in jewelry-making circles for many months now. The price of silver (and don't get me started on gold) has many jewelry makers looking for alternative metals, so copper's rise in popularity has been attributed to that
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Free Video Tutorial: How to Fuse Fine Silver Wire Links with a Handheld Butane Micro Torch

If you've hesitated to move away from cold connections and begin soldering and fusing metals with a torch (even a small handheld torch like a micro torch or a butane torch, also sometimes called a crème brûlée torch), we have a
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Handmade Wire Findings: Make Your Own Balled Head Pins

Scott's tornado wire-wrapped earrings Growing up on a cattle ranch and building barbed-wire fences, Scott David Plumlee developed a love of wire. What an unusual beginning to a career in wire jewelry making! Now Scott has just finished his latest
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Make Art Jewelry Out of Anything: Techniques for Using Plastic, Concrete, and More in Your Jewelry Designs

Based on the cover and the title, I felt like I had a pretty good idea of what The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry-Making Techniques was about. I felt like I knew what the jewelry inside probably looked like, what the how-tos and instructional pieces
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Arm Candy: Learn to Make 10 Bracelet Designs

Layering Bracelets in Fashion When I think of jewelry trends over the past few years, stacking and layering seems to be The Big Thing. It seems the fashion world has decided that instead of some specific style, anything goes--and more is more. So people
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Copper Confessions: Supply Stash, Inspiration, and a Big Tip

Some of my vintage and other copper bits and pieces from Tucson. I love copper; I always say that copper is like a metal that's not really a metal, because it feels so warm and fluid in my hands. Its affordability is a definite perk! Plus I do love
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Bonus Copper Tips and a Great Book Sale!

I'm all about copper these days! Here are some great tips I got from a quick browse of Contemporary Copper Jewelry --which is on sale now for half off in our Hurt Book and Overstock Sale! Spiral Fibula Pin Be careful when forging the ends or curves
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My Great Chain Maille Adventure, Part One: Making Jump Rings

Well, I finally did it. I started my adventure of learning chain maille. Those of you who have been reading along with Jewelry Making Daily for a few months (thank you!) know that I've resisted chain maille because I'm just too impatient for it
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9 Chain Maille Tool and Supply Tips from a Master

I got some great chain-maille tips watching Scott David Plumlee's Make Chain Maille Jewelry! DVD this weekend, and I had to share. There's so much, I don't want to overload you--so we'll just look at tools and supplies today. Imagine how
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Make Custom Jewelry Findings, Part Two: 6 One-of-a-Kind Wire Clasps

Your comments on posts are dear to me, because I always learn from them--whether it's a specific jewelry-making tip or skill, a great resource for jewelry supplies, or just fun, unique glimpses into who you are. From a reader's posts on Jewelry
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Get (Real) One-on-One Jewelry Soldering Lessons with Lexi Erickson

I was torch-accessory shopping at the hardware store last night, and before I went, I consulted my notes from my soldering weekend with Lexi Erickson last year. Just pulling out those papers reminded me what a great time I had learning soldering from
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Free Project: Create Lampwork Bead and Stamped Wire Jewelry-Making Components

Cassie Donlen's Slink-a-Dink Necklace I just got my copy of the newest Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry , and I'm going crazy with the page markers, marking all the projects I want to do and tips I want to remember. I can't give too much away at
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Free eBook: How to Enamel Jewelry With 20+ Expert Enameling Tips and Techniques

Enameled Filigree Beads by Pam East Photo by Frank DeSantis. Apparently, I was a strange little girl. I remember being enamored with cloisonné and enameled jewelry at a very young age--at seven or eight years old, which seems really young to be
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5 Wire Jewelry Tips: Mixing Metals and Creating Patinas

Here are five bonus wire jewelry tips about mixed-metal jewelry and patina from the newest issue of Easy Wire magazine. Enjoy them, and then pre-order your copy of Easy Wire now so you'll also be able to enjoy all 144 pages of wirework tips and more
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Easy Wire Jewelry-Making: 10 Wirework and Tool Tips

Every time I receive a new issue of Easy Wire , I'm amazed at the amount of wire jewelry-making projects and wirework tips and information the editors manage to pack into a single magazine--and I certainly wasn't disappointed with my preview copy
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Helen's Perfect Rivets: Cold Connections for Metalsmithing and Mixed-Media Jewelry Making

These two photos show a well-fitted tube rivet, one with thick-walled stock and one with thin-walled stock. You should have to coax the tubing into the hole with a little bit of muscle--if the hole is too big, eventually the rivet will fail. A few times
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Jewelry Making, Metal Style: 5 Tips for Doming Metal

Have you heard that expression, "I wish I had a nickel for every time I've . . ." something-or-other? After five hours driving through a particularly boring state during a recent road trip, my mom said she wished she had a nickel for every
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Learn New Jewelry-Making Techniques: From Wirework to Metalsmithing

I always said wireworking wasn't my thing, until I realized just how much wireworking I was doing without even realizing it. When I read "Exploring the World of Metals" in a recent issue of Step by Step Wire Jewelry , I was struck by this
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The Life of a Jeweler's Apprentice

In the past six months or so, I think I've been one of the luckiest girls in the world. I've gotten to learn many new jewelry-making techniques through face-to-face interaction with masters at their arts. I learned to enamel on copper, and I spent
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5 Tips (and A Great Deal!) for Making Colorful Wire and Beaded Jewelry

Wrapping colored wire can enhance the color of dramatic pieces like Sara's Ocean Garden necklace. Photo: Michael Richardson. Colorful wire jewelry is a great antidote for dreary, rainy days, and as the price of precious metals continue to rise past
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5 Jewelry Techniques + 5 Must-Have How-Tos = 1 Great Jewelry-Making Library

Crafters in general (jewelry makers too) are notorious for our supply stashes, but working in a "making" industry of one sort or another for over ten years now makes mine different, because I have to have all this stuff for work. Riiiight. I
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Ode to My Ruined Wire Cutters: Found-Object Metals Tips for Jewelry-Making Tools

Thanks to my beloved Stuller flush cutters, I first really felt the difference between fine and average jewelry-making tools. Forgive me if I get a little emotional, but the pain is still just a little too intense. I recently ruined my favorite jewelry
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Behind the Scenes with Lexi Erickson: Filming Her Soldering DVD

Lexi preparing her soldering samples for the camera. It doesn't matter how many times you've done something, each circumstance is different. I've taught jewelry making for . . . er . . . a number of years. (OK, twenty-five.) Students have
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7 Ways to Riff on Jewelry Design

Silver-in-quartz in silver bezel setting by Helen Driggs; photo: Jim Lawson One of my favorite effects in jewelry design is echoing some aspect of the main or focal element elsewhere in the piece. I especially love it when a really interesting gemstone
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Silver Metal Clay Tips from Expert Jewelry Artist Kate McKinnon

After my PMC guild meeting earlier this week, I couldn't wait to get my metal clay stuff out and start playing with it. It has been boxed up since I used it to make a friend's rosary late last year, so I felt a little rusty. When I haven't
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Behind the Little Paper Strips: 5 Tips from My Jewelry-Making Books

On this, the fourteenth day of my big move, I've found my books. Hallelujah! If there's anything I like about moving, it's unpacking beloved treasures and deciding where they will live in the new house. I usually save books for last, though
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Making Art Jewelry: Why do we do it?

Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton of Green Girl Studios I had the pleasure of attending my first L'esprit du Metal precious metal clay guild meeting in my new town last weekend and was awed by the friendly, gracious, and talented jewelry artists
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Make Custom Jewelry Findings: 9 Inspiring Ear Wire Designs for One-of-a-Kind Earrings

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. Making your own findings is one of the easiest ways to add unique style to your jewelry-making designs, and for some reason, it's an idea that many jewelry makers often overlook. I was making earrings
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Jewelry Artist Roger Halas Talks About Design and Inspiration

Karla Rosenbusch is the managing editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist. Through my work on Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist , I've been very privileged in getting to know several top jewelry artists and jewelry makers. One of those artists is Roger
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Planning for a Sequel: New Metalwork Essentials from Helen Driggs

Helen Driggs is senior editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . The most important thing I learned in art school had nothing to do with talent. It was that planning well—but being creative and adaptable if the plan changes—is the key to
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Experts Share How To Turn Your Jewelry-Making Mistakes Into Masterpieces, No Foolin'!

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. Today is all about trickery and pranks, but messing up a piece of jewelry is no joke. The costs--in materials, time, sanity, and heartache--are too much to trifle with, so I try to never let a jewelry
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Cold-Connection Jewelry Making: Create Riveted Flower Dangle Earrings

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. In Karen Dougherty's new book Metal Style: 20 Jewelry Designs with Cold Join Techniques , she defines cold connections as the joining of materials without the use of solder or flame, but cold connections
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Jewelry Making Tips: Create Your Own Bezels

The difference in gauge between the bezel and the backplate is an important factor when soldering. Don't fry your bezel! Keep the torch on the thicker backplate until you are teetering on the brink of solder flow. Only then play the flame over those
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Top 10 Wirework Tips for the Wire Jewelry Artist

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. Who doesn't love to learn a good tip or trick? You can save hours of time, lots of money, and so much frustration by implementing a clever, useful tip. These wirework tips from our wire jewelry-making
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Hello, Cupcake! 8 Things I Learned About Glass Bead Making

Marcy's lampwork gnome perched on a branch of wired lampwork glass bead leaves creates a charming and whimsical pendant. Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. Fresh off of lampwork glass bead-making lessons last week, I'm still fascinated
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Wire Jewelry-Making Quiz: Are you a wire wizard or a wire wimp?

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. What's your wire jewelry-making IQ? Answer these 10 wirework questions and compare your responses with the answers at the end. Then count up your correct answers and see if you're a wire wimp
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Silver Jewelry-Making for Everyone: Intro to the 5 Silversmithing Techniques

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. If the word silversmithing intimidates you, get ready to get excited! I recently had a discussion with Jewelry Making Daily 's Facebook friends about what we wish someone had told us when we first
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My Metal Clay Gurus: The Value of Joining a Jewelry-Making Guild

Linda Folks made this flawless and beautiful dimensional metal clay pendant. Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. Monday night I learned to enamel copper clay and tube beads, was invited to a gallery event showing a friend's work, saw
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Q&A Part Two: Wire Art Jewelry Workshop Author Sharilyn Miller

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. It was a treat to ask Wire Art Jewelry Workshop author Sharilyn Miller some questions to get to know her a little better. I hope you enjoyed part one yesterday ; here's part two, with a little more
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Behind the Scenes: Making Helen's Metalwork Essentials DVD Set

Helen Driggs is senior editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . I am a private person with a public job. I cringe at having my photo taken, so when I found out Interweave wanted me to do a DVD on metal techniques, I was green and very quiet for the
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Your First Metalsmithing Project: Create Textured Copper Earrings

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. My first metalsmithing experience resulted in these handmade textured copper earrings. My friend and teacher, metalsmith Lexi Erickson, taught me how to saw and then set me loose, helping me quickly turn
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Get Hot for Cold Connections: Make a Cabochon Bezel Setting

Karla Rosenbusch is the managing editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist and Step by Step Wire Jewelry. I love my job. One of the best things about working in an office full of jewelry makers and jewelry artists is that you always have someone close
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Save Time and Money: Five Wire Jewelry-Making Tips

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. While traveling to Tucson and beyond for the past few weeks, I've stayed in nine different places and hotels. Whew! Fortunately I don't mind the hotel hopping; the cute little shampoos/conditioners
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Wirework for Metalsmiths: Favorite Projects You'll Love

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. After spending some time with wire manufacturers and wireworkers in Tucson last week, including my lovely and talented coworker Denise Peck, editor of Step by Step Wire Jewelry , and I have to say that
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Wireworking Tips: Before I Read Wire Art Jewelry Workshop, I Didn't Know. . .

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. One of the best perks about my job is all of the great jewelry-making books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs I get to review—especially the advance copies. I feel like someone has just told me a wonderful
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The Fabulous 5: Tammy's Favorite New (and Inspiring) Jewelry-Making Products

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. Didn't we agree we were going to do more silversmithing projects this year? Today January is officially over, and I haven't made a single piece of silver jewelry. I've been savoring all the
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New Silversmithing eBook: Three Free Silver Jewelry-Making Projects

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. If the word silversmithing intimidates you, get ready to get excited! We've just published our newest free eBook, Silversmithing Techniques from Jewelry Making Daily : 3 Free Silver Jewelry Making
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Jewelry-Making Essentials, Part Two: 23 Everyday Items For Your Jewelry Workshop

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. Ah, January. Resolutions have everyone on their best behavior, eating better, learning new skills, saving money, being earth friendly. . . . My friend Chocolate and I can't help you with the "eating
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Jewelry-Making Essentials, Part One: Confessions of a Jewelry-Tool Junkie

Lexi Erickson is a contributing author to Jewelry Making Daily . Lexi's beloved jewelry-making hammers Okay, I admit it: I love jewelry-making tools . Even if I don't use them all, I love having them in my studio. I'm perfectly happy hanging
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Make A Mokume Gane Heart Pendant

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. Mokume Gane Heart Pendant by Roger Halas Roger Halas is a self-taught lapidary, metalsmith, and jewelry designer in southern California. When not making jewelry, he works as a professional photographer
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Best Jewelry-Making Blogs of 2010, Best Wishes for 2011—and a Great Sale to Get You Started!

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. Hearing all the "year in review" news this time of year always reminds me—time flies when you're having fun, and I've had so much fun being with all of you these past months. Many
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Free Metalsmithing Video Tutorial: Master Metal Jewelry-Making Techniques

Watch and Learn Mandrel Use, Dapping, and Doming Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. My introduction to metalsmithing was a jewelry-maker's dream. I was lucky enough to have a one-on-one metalsmithing workshop with a master metalsmith
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Media Review: Metalsmith App for iPhone, iPad, and iTouch

By Tom and Kay Benham Tim McCreight, internationally renowned metalsmith, teacher, author of Complete Metalsmith and founder of Brynmorgen Press,continues to keep pace with the times. Over the years, Tim continues to release updated versions of his Complete
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Helen's Tips on Packing Jewelry Tools for Travel

Protect Your Investment When Traveling to a Show or Class Helen Driggs is the managing editor for Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . Tools are an essential part of jewelry making. No matter what level maker you are—from occasional jewelry maker to
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Wrapping, Coiling, Knitting: Define Your Wire-Jewelry Style

Connie Fox's Life's A Charm bracelet was the cover project for the 2009 Best of Step by Step Wire Jewelry. Denise Peck is the editor of Step by Step Wire Jewelry and the senior editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . When I first began concentrating
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Want It, Love It: Tammy's Top 9 Holiday Gift Picks for Jewelry Makers

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. Whew, what a weekend! The turkey was eaten, the tree was decorated, and I shopped 'til I dropped and then some. Now it's time to get serious about jewelry gifts for family and friends. Whether
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Merle's Top 7 Holiday Gifts for Jewelry Makers

Merle White is editor-in-chief of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . Just out, the December 2010 Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist issue is my favorite of the moment. My favorite is always whatever I've just discovered. I still love the old standbys
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Sawing and Soldering: Make Your Own Sterling Silver Flower Ring

Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. Flowers have always been a source of joy for me. When I was growing up, one grandmother had a garden full of hydrangeas, pansies, irises, roses, and lilacs, and my other grandmother was always surrounded
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Best of Wire Jewelry: 100+ Wire-Jewelry Tips Plus Project Previews

Viking Knit by Kathleen Pierce Tammy Jones is the editor of Jewelry Making Daily. I had a treat waiting on me when I got home from a business trip this week: The Best of Step by Step Wire Jewelry magazine. I look forward to hearing how much you love your
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Wire and Gemstones: A Match Made in Heaven

Carol Dean Naukam's turquoise and onyx wire-wrapped bracelets Denise Peck is the editor of Step by Step Wire Jewelry and the senior editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . One of the best things about designing wire jewelry is being able to showcase
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Lexi's Tips for Jewelry Designers: Juried Art Jewelry Shows

Lexi Erickson is a contributing author to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . A postcard example from Lexi's most recent juried art jewelry show. Are you ready to take that big leap from small craft shows to a large, juried art jewelry show? The process
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Add Texture and Patina to Your Wire-Jewelry Designs

Denise Peck is the editor of Step by Step Wire Jewelry and the senior editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . I have friends who would argue that you just can’t have enough bling (you know who you are, Kristal!). But sometimes what I’m
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Helen's 7 Favorite Ways to Texture Metal

Helen Driggs is the managing editor for Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . It's All About the Surface Copper is a great metal for the beginner (and advanced) metalsmith because it is very forgiving—you'll need a concentrated effort to really
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Easily Explore a Year of Jewelry Design

Merle White is editor-in-chief of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . When I read Lexi Erickson's September 24 post on Jewelry Making Daily about the five principles of jewelry design , I immediately thought about a pair of exercises we featured in
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Copper Clay Success

By Arlene Mornick Copper and silver metal clay combined in a stunning pendant. Help with Storing, Firing and Finishing This New Generation Metal Clay I've loved working with silver metal clay for more than ten years now, and I particularly enjoy the
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New Jewelry Making Daily Editor and a New Handcrafted Jewelry Special Issue!

Over the past six months since our launch, the Jewelry Making Daily community has grown phenomenally. We knew you’d love our mix of top-notch content—from Helen’s metalsmithing tips to Denise’s insider wire-working how-to's
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Enrich Your Jewelry Designs with the Spirit of King Tut

Helen Driggs is the Managing Editor for Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . When I was in art school, I was privileged enough to see the first exhibition of King Tut's treasures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I marveled at the gold
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Overcome the Challenges of Bezels—Let us Help!

Fold Pendant: This piece has two bezels--a hand-textured one around the fold-formed copper metalwork (made with a cross peen hammer) and one around the stone. Helen Driggs is the Managing Editor for Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . I've never understood
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Free eBook: How to Create with Metal Clay

An example of the beautiful patterns you can create by mixing metal clays. Noël Yovovich is a contributing author to Jewelry Making Daily and Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . I grew up hearing, "There's nothing new under the sun,"
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Mad About Copper

Beautifully patinated copper. Helen Driggs is the Managing Editor for Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . Sure, I love silver and gold. But my one true love is copper. Nothing hammers like copper. Nothing patinates like copper. Nothing is more forgiving
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Sliders: What’s in a Name?

by Scott Stepanski Barbara Minor and Christopher Hentz's multi cable and bead necklace in silver and gold tones. Note: In the October, 2010, issue of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, Scott Stepanski focuses on sliders and other hanging devices for
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Karla’s Top Seven Jewelry-Making Picks

Karla Rosenbusch is the managing editor of Jewelry Making Daily and associate editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist. Happy Labor Day, everyone! Do you have any big plans for the holiday? Personally, I plan to spend the day in my favorite way-curled
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Make Your Next Design a Winner

Merle White is editor-in-chief of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . Really? Only One? Marcus Gillihan's 18K white and rose gold ring with 13mm freshwater pearl won the People's Choice in the 2010 All That Glitters competition. The jewelry design
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Cold Connections: How to Make Perfect Rivets Every Time

Helen Driggs is the managing editor for Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . What the World Needs Now is Better Rivets These two photos show a well-fitted tube rivet, one with thick walled stock and one with thin walled stock. You should have to coax the
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My Gift to You: 50% Off for My 50th!

My new favorite stone, African blue opal, combined with bronze metal clay to make a necklace/bracelet set. Karla Rosenbusch is the managing editor of Jewelry Making Daily and associate editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist. My mother always told me
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Kate McKinnon’s Five Top Tips for Working with Metal Clay

Kate's fine silver metal clay Brave Chain with beads by Joyce Rooks. Photo by Kate McKinnon. Karla Rosenbusch is the managing editor of Jewelry Making Daily and associate editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist. For any jewelry maker, working in
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How to Find 100s of Interesting, Affordable Stones

Merle White is editorial director of Interweave's Gem & Jewelry Group and editor-in-chief of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . Attractive and Inexpensive Unusual cabochon gems can make your jewelry designs stand out like this dendrite in quartz
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Learn How to Personalize Your Jewelry with Stamping Tips and Tricks

This is the finished guitar pick necklace. See how I made the stamped element below. Photos: Michael Richardson. Sara Richardson is the associate editor for Step by Step Wire Jewelry and Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . Last year, I decided to take a
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Take Your Jewelry Skills to New Heights with More Techniques

Denise Peck is the editor of Step by Step Wire Jewelry and the senior editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . Looking To Learn Even More? Jeanette Blix Ryan's Linked Spirals bracelet. Don't be surprised if you start yearning to know more and
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Save Money and Have Fun with Alternative Metals

Helen Driggs is the Managing Editor f or Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . Fun and Cheap, What a Combo! A fold-formed bronze brooch by Helen Driggs. Photo by Jim Lawson. I've been working on a new series of mixed metal brooches with custom cut freeform
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Free Guide: Learn the Ins and Outs of 100+ Jewelry Making Tools

Merle White is editorial director of Interweave's Gem & Jewelry Group and editor-in-chief of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . Everyone Loves Tools A "third hand" tool makes jewelry-making easier by leaving both hands free. I love exploring
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7 Favorite Cold Connections

Helen Driggs is the Managing Editor f or Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . Screw, Rivet, Tab, or Stitch? I love soldering just as much as I love cold connections. Luckily, I've got the equipment and knowledge to go either way when it comes to jewelry
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Discover Timeless Wirework

Sara Richardson is the associate editor for Step by Step Wire Jewelry and Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . Jewelry artists have used classic wire wrap for centuries . . . some work even dates back to 2000 B.C. Pieces of jewelry found in ancient Roman
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Expand Your Jewelry Skills at Bead Fest Texas

Sara Richardson is the associate editor for Step by Step Wire Jewelry and Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . When I first joined the staff at Interweave five and a half years ago, I had no previous jewelry-making experience. I came from a journalism background
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Expert Jewelry Artists Share: What Drives You to Make Art?

Helen Driggs is the Managing Editor f or Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . I often wonder where art making comes from. I know I can't not do it, especially when there is an insistent need to. That need wells up from deep inside my chest when I am
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Learn the Expert Secrets of Metal Clay Jewelry Making

Karla Rosenbusch is the managing editor of Jewelry Making Daily and associate editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist. Thinking about moving up from beading and wirework to another phase of jewelry making? If you're fascinated by the look of metalwork
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Soldering & Fusing Made Simple

Denise Peck is the editor of Step by Step Wire Jewelry and the senior editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist . You Don't Need a Whole Studio Fine silver fuses to itself like magic, without solder. Even if you're dying for one, not everyone
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Glendo Corporaton/GRS Training Center Classes for 2010

COURSE: Fundamentals of Power-Assisted Stone Setting with Todd Daniels DIVISION: Stone Setting SKILL LEVEL: Basic DATE: June 14-18, 2010 HOURS: 8am-5pm (CST) LOCATION: GRS Training Center • Emporia, KS 66801 PRICE: $785.00 DESCRIPTION: This course
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Can You Solder Copper Cleanly?

I've been working on a new series of mixed metal brooches with custom cut freeform stones for about three months now. It's been tough for me to find time after my full workdays at Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist , but I'm determined to have
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A Day with Harold O'Connor

Class Date: May 30, 2010 Hours: 10-5 Location: Coyote Creek Studio Arts Foundation 419 Main Street Fairplay, CO, 80440 Price: $175.00 +materials Join us for a day of learning with the BEST! Reknowned jewelry artist Harold O'Connor will teach a one
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Silver Beads from Casting Grain

By Tom and Kay Benham, Contributing Editors, Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist We used to make individual sterling silver beads for adorning our jewelry, until one day when we received a new batch of sterling silver casting grains; while pouring them onto
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