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 […]
Using headpins and eyepins for jewellery making is an essential skill that, once mastered, will help you create a number of designs with minimal effort. Forming wire loops using headpins and eyepins is primarily to secure beads into place, but they don’t just have to be functional. A simple method can be used to make […]
by Nicky Moxey If you spend any time playing with wire, you’ve almost certainly got a favourite wire cutter. I had three – one of which I admit was stolen from my husband’s toolbox! Then along came the Xuron Jewellers Cutter Kit. I also acquired the Xuron Four-in-one Crimper with Chain Nose Pliers at the […]
In our final installment of this beginner jewellery making tools series of blogs, we walk you through the tools of the trade you’ll need to refine and finish your latest precious metal projects. There’s nothing quite like coming to the end of a long jewellery making project and reaching that rewarding stage of There’s nothing […]
Build out your workbench step by step… In this series of blogs for beginner jewellers, we’ve been helping you piece together the tools you need to be fully equipped to become a professional, from basic workbench essentials to filing tools and polishing techniques. We hope you find this latest instalment useful – it’s all about how to […]
Build out your metalworking bench step by step… Welcome back to our series of blogs exploring beginner jewellery making tools and the techniques you need to develop in order to become a pro-jewellery maker. In the last installment we looked at the 12 metal forming tools you need as a beginner. This instalment is all about popular […]
By Lorraine Sanderson Sliding clasps in precious metal have long been the elusive component for jewellery makers. They are seen on many designs in both the media and jewellery shops, ranging from the simple friendship/stacker bracelet to high end designer brands. However, to find the clasps to purchase individually has been like trying to find […]
The patination and colouring of metal is a wide and diverse subject which can involve the simplest of household ingredients. Conversely it can also require specialist equipment and highly toxic chemicals depending on the desired effect! Of course many metals form their own natural patina over time when exposed to oxygen or heat, and we […]
Have you ever wondered “what can aluminium be used for?” For a breakdown guide on the uses of aluminium and how aluminium was discovered, you’re in the right place. Read on to find out more about what aluminium is made of and how anodised aluminium jewellery could be a new addition to your jewellery making […]
If you’re exploring new materials for your designs, gold-filled jewellery is a fantastic choice. Whether you’re new to it or unsure how it compares to solid gold or gold plated options, you’re not alone—many jewellery makers find the term “gold filled” unfamiliar or even intimidating at first. That’s exactly why we’ve created this guide: to […]
If you are wondering what Mokume-Gane is or how it is made, we’ve got you covered with this guide all about the historic prosses behind the beautiful technique. The History of Mokume-Gane Mokume-Gane is a decorative metal working technique, originating from 17th century Japan, when it was used to decorate samurai swords. The term translates to […]
Enamel is essentially powdered glass, which is fused to metal using extreme heat to create decoration. It has been used in varying forms for thousands of years to embellish jewellery and decorative objects, and some of the earliest examples date from around 1400 BC. There are a number of different jewellery enamelling techniques, which all […]
by Jo Varney PMC Flex is a relatively new addition to the popular metal clay range produced by Mitsubishi and boasts some extremely useful qualities which will be to the benefit of most people working with the material. Most notably, PMC Flex has a much longer working time than the original formula making it ideal […]