Working with precious metals is an exciting and rewarding process, but it can also be daunting if you’re just starting out. One of the most step is choosing the right tools. With so many options available, understanding what’s essential and what’s optional can save you both time and money. Here’s a guide to help you […]
Jewellery making wire, whether silver, gold or copper is an essential component for custom jewellery designs. Knowing how to work with our range of wire can make all the difference to your designs, which is why we have put together some of our most useful advice and tips on wire wrapping, to help you take […]
Looking for ways to use gallery strip in your handmade jewellery projects? Decorative gallery strip, otherwise known as gallery wire, is perfect for a variety of applications and can be easily transformed into a number of jewellery pieces. From using it to add a simple detail to a design to creating an eye-catching ring, there […]
Ever heard of solder paste but not quite sure how it works, or why you’d want it in a syringe? You’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll break down what solder paste is, why it’s so useful, and how to use it step-by-step. Whether you’re soldering delicate jump rings or tackling more complex designs, this […]
Piercing, cutting and drilling sheet metal is an integral part of metalsmithing. It may seem daunting at first – something as simple as cutting a hole in metal sheet can seem like a tall order. However, once you get to know the tools (whatever your budget!) and how to use them, you can start cutting […]
Do you work primarily with copper sheet? If copper is the metal of choice for your jewellery designs, and you’re searching for a new approach, why not incorporate silver? Bringing together copper and silver sheet can make your design stand out, with contrasting colours and textures that will set you apart from other designers. Here’s […]
Earring posts for jewellery making are a simple finding to start producing yourself. It’s easy to make them in bulk so that you have them to hand whenever you’re ready to bring all the elements of your designs together to make your own stud earrings. To help you kick start your earring making process, here’s […]
One of the most complex and time-consuming elements of jewellery making is buffing and polishing. This stage in the process is one that you want to get right, first time – so any way that you can speed it up is a bonus! That’s why we’ve put together our top tips on how to polish […]
Just started working with Silver Clay (Also known as Art Clay Silver) and unsure of the best way to finish your design? When it comes to firing Art Clay there are various routes you can take. Here we’ll outline how to fire Silver clay using simple techniques for beginners. Not ready to learn how to […]
Wondering how to use drill machines to drill through metal for your jewellery creations? Like many jewellers, you may have used flex shafts previously. However, if you’re looking for an advanced piece of machinery that’s even more precise, you might consider using a Proxxon bench drill. Take a look at our video, where Lydia Niziblian, […]
When creating new jewellery pieces for your collection, you may want to add a high shine mirror finish to your silver and gold. The best way to achieve this? By using jeweller’s rouge. Watch our customer review video to discover more about how Dave Wilson (the artisan behind Celtic Dreams jewellery) uses jeweller’s rouge to […]
Melting silver is an easy process once you get to know the fundamental principles of the metal’s melting points. Commonly used by many jewellers due to its lower melting point, silver is a great place to start when learning how to melt metal to make more complex jewellery designs, and graduate to more difficult soldering […]
Unsightly metal tarnish is one of those annoying and persistent problems which can become the bane of a jeweller’s life if not addressed correctly. Fortunately, there are many products on the market today which will effectively help with removing and preventing metal tarnish on jewellery, and alleviate the development of the dreaded black bloom. So […]