Jewelry buffs, also known as buffing wheels or mops, come in various types and are used with a lathe or a flex shaft depending on size, in combination with different polishing compounds to achieve various levels of finish on jewelry. The choice of buff depends on the desired finish. Common types include muslin buffs, treated … Continue reading Jewelry Buffs: A Practical Guide
Disc cutters are innovative tools in the world of jewelry making. They bring precision and efficiency to your bench, allowing you to easily create clean, consistent pieces. No matter your experience level, a disc cutter is a tool that can improve your craftsmanship and fuel your creativity. What is a Disc Cutter? A disc cutter … Continue reading An Inside Look at Disc Cutters in Jewelry Making
In the world of jewelry design, color isn't just an embellishment; it's an essential element that can transform a piece from beautiful to breathtaking. From gemstones to vibrant enamels, there are countless ways for jewelers to infuse their creations with color. Let's delve into some methods you can use to add color to your work: … Continue reading Exploring Color in Jewelry Design
This article is a guest post from a valued Seattle Findings customer. When I was first getting my studio put together I knew that a rolling mill was a must have for my design style. I was planning to pattern sheet and wire, reduce metal thicknesses, roll wire, and create graduated wire. Having my own … Continue reading Getting Ready to Roll
Talented artisans often make fine jewelry to sell at online or brick-and-mortar stores. Specialists create expensive bracelets, earrings and necklaces from rare gemstones including emeralds, rubies and diamonds. Jewelry designers fasten gemstones in attractive settings made of precious metals such as silver, platinum and gold. Many individuals study jewelry making at universities or training schools. … Continue reading Precious Gemstones
Many people are under the impression that soldering gold filled wire is either very difficult or impossible. After reading the following tips, you'll realize that's simply not true. What You Need to Know About Gold Filled Wire First of all, what is gold filled wire exactly? Basically, it is a layer of solid gold at … Continue reading Soldering Gold Filled Wire? Simple.
A semi-precious gemstone, Rainbow Fluorite is famous for its beautiful bands of color, often seen side by side creating a stunning striped look. These bands, called zones are most often seen in purple and green. Less commonly seen are yellow, pink, reddish-orange, blue, black, brown or colorless stones. Because of the colors and its beauty, … Continue reading “Home of the Rainbows” Rainbow Fluorite
When I first started soldering, I knew that it would be a breeze. After all you are just sticking two pieces of metal together right? Well guess what! Just heating up the metal with a torch does not necessarily work and I burnt every one of my fingers in the process too! Both my project … Continue reading Revisiting Failure
Better Living Through Your Flex Shaft! My Flexshaft changed my life! Well okay, maybe not my “life”, but definitely my bench life! I reach for it more than any other item on my bench. For those of you not familiar with a Flexshaft, it is a system that consists of a motor ( most often … Continue reading Better Living Through Your Flex Shaft!
Richard Paille My jewelry career began in 1970. Following college and a tour in the US Army I opened a retail jewelry studio in Seattle called “Dick Paille Handcrafted Jewelry” and began classes with the G.I.A. (Gemological Institute of America) studying diamonds, colored stones and gem identification. In 1972 I moved to a new location … Continue reading Meet the Guest Bloggers!
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