Here are some new innovative gemstone setting tips developed from old setting methods: ◾resharpen the high-speed steel setting burr ◾create a diamond receptacle for benches and desktops ◾use the half-round burr for Cabochon bezel frames ◾ remove excess gold beside claws in engagement four-claw settings ◾clean customer’s diamonds with embedded dirt ◾place an oil receptacle … Continue reading Almost Forgotten Gemstone Setting Tips for Everyone
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
Jewelry pliers come in a great variety of shapes and sizes. Each set of pliers has been designed to accomplish a different job. Chain Nose, Flat Nose, Round Nose, Bent nose . . . what's the difference anyway? Well first the basics, there are four main types of pliers, each designed for specific tasks. Chain … Continue reading Jewelry Pliers: What’s the Difference Anyway?
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.
Nancy Megan Corwin, Megan to her friends, is an artist in the truest sense of the word. She has worked as a bench jeweler with her own line. She has also taught in Arts centers, colleges and universities for over 30 years. She was an adjunct instructor at Cabrillo College and Monterey Peninsula College in … Continue reading Nancy Megan Corwin on her passion for chasing and repousse.
Gordon K. Uyehara is a freelance artist/designer and writer. He is also an Art Clay Silver Senior Instructor. Born and raised in Hawaii, Gordon received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. After working thirteen years in the information technology field, he decided to take some time off for artistic … Continue reading Gordon Uyehara
Joe and Anat Silvera are metalsmiths and teachers who currently hail from Berkley, California where they run a small school for jewelry making. They also teach around the Bay area and at bead shops and various festivals around the country. They are well known for their hands on teaching style, with a focus on good … Continue reading Soldering, Stone Setting, Lost Wax and More with Anat and Joe Silvera
Its that spooky time of year again! With Halloween just around the corner, we at Seattle Findings wanted to give your haunted-side a jolt of inspiration! With these great ideas you can create jewelry, augment costumes and create tasty treats for Halloween! These fun bat earrings are fun and simple to make! You can cut … Continue reading Spooky Inspirations!
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
Interview with Andy Cooperman: A Master Maker" Over a couple cups of coffee, one regular one decaf, I had the pleasure of sitting down to talk with Andy Cooperman. Andy is a metalsmith, writer, teacher and friend who lives in Seattle, WA. His art is stunning both in its design and in its craft. He … Continue reading Interview with Andy Cooperman: A Master Maker
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