MetalCyberspace is a very cool site that is loaded with metal jewelry information, and that includes lots of jewelry schools.

This site has lots and lots and lots of links, so be prepared to stay awhile once you get there. You may want to get a cup of coffee or glass of wine before you start cruising around it.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

b5media’s Tangled Thread blogger, Chloe, has a contest going on and jewelry makers might want to get in on the action. You may win the cool metal tag above.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

To learn more about this talented artist and drool over her jewelry, which you’ll find plenty to see, go to her web site.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

Someone told me about this excellent tutorial over at MSN Fine Wire Group for making head pins using wire. Actually, this is very similar to what I’ve heard other jewelry makers do, but they would just hold the wire over the flame to allow the metal to ball up before pulling it away from the flame. This metal worker takes a little different approach, and I suspect the head pins come out a little more consistent because of it.

My husband has finally managed to get out in the garage and start organizing our metal jewelry bench out there. We’ve ordered new flux and pickle and wire, so hopefully, that will mean some metal projects in the near future.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

Here’s the scoop – like I said 14 classes, 14 weeks – and I cover all kinds of metal information in relation to metal fabrication. You’d be amazed at the jewelry you can make with metal and simple hand tools, no torch required either. You can sign up for it here: Metal Jewelry Fabrication.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

I’ve been lucky enough to know Jeanne Rhodes-Moen as one of my on-line friends for a number of years now, and I’ve always been amazed at her fabulous filigree jewelry techniques. She truly is a metal artist.

After recently moving back to the States from Norway, Jeanne finally got a chance to publish her first (and I’m sure there will be more) book on filigree jewelry making called Silver Threads: Making Wire Filigree Jewelry.

You can read a complete book review of it here: “Fabulous Filigree Jewelry.”

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

For wire, filing is important to do so that you don’t have any rough areas when wire might stick out. Obviously, this can scratch the wearer. Filing is one of the tasks I hate the most. Whenever my husband and I take metal classes together, we always split up the chores. He’s great at filing, and I prefer to polish.

If you are filing challenged or just want to brush up on the basics, take a look at these Tips for Filing Metal.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

So what do you do if you don’t want to spend the big buck?

One alternative is to go with a flexable shaft, aka flex-shaft, aka Dremel, and then use polishing attachements.

For example, here’s a kit from Rio Grande.

I have a more detailed review posted here, but basically, the idea is that you can buy attachements for your hand held motor-thingy and polish this way versus the larger polishing machines. On the down side, the machines normally have a venting system, and you can use both hands versus using one to hold the piece and the other to hold the polisher, but if you just make the occasional piece of metal jewelry, then this alternative might be worth considering.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

While it’s nice to be able to brag about making every single component of a jewelry piece, that’s not always practical. This project, Hammered Dangle Earrings, is a compromise between using pre-fabricated components and metal pieces that you make yourself.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

I especially like these large gemstone pendants they have.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading