Bench Tips Straightening Wire & Picking up Small Stones

I’d like to pass on some tips I use when working with metal or setting stones. Have you ever had a small piece of wire you wanted to use but it was all bent out of shape? Well here is a tip on how to make it straight again!
Bend it as straight as you can using flat-nose pliers. Place the wire on a smooth anvil or steel block with another anvil or smooth steel block over the wire. Slide the top block back and forth across the bottom one keeping the wire between the blocks. The wire rolls along straightening out as it rolls! Also, this is a great way to work-harden the wire!

Have you had a hard time picking up tiny stones while placing them into a setting? Roll some bee’s wax between your fingers into a point. Now use the point to pick up the small stone. To remove the stone from the wax, place it into the setting and roll the tip of the wax away from the stone. To clean the wax off the stone wipe it with a towel after setting it. If you plan to fire the stone in place, the wax burns off cleanly in the kiln.

Found on the model isle

Additionally, there is a product I found at Hobby Lobby called Pic- n- Stic. It works the same way for holding stones.

Holds without leaving residue

A Critical Eye on your Jewelry; How do People Really View Your Jewelry?

Instructor Janet Alexander

Click on the photo to enlarge

I was looking at this cool photo of a painting and I realized something about it. At first it looks like a nice painting of a man on a horse with a pack horse walking behind it. Kinda nice.
Then as I examine it more closely I notice other things about it. There are hidden faces in it! Actually there are 11 faces in it.
Now I no longer look at it the same way. All I see are faces!

So, my question to you jewelry makers out there, how do people look at your jewelry? Do they at first look at the overall beauty but then upon further exam do they find the tiny flaws or the unfinished finishes? After viewing these, how do they now see your jewelry?

Its something to think about!

Notice the flaws around the bail

A good way to look at your jewelry with a fresh eye is to take a closeup photo of it. The camera never lies! Then go back and fix what you didn't see!

Faux Cloisonne Enamel Using Ice Resin

In the previous report I showed creative ways to use Ice Resin.This report shows how to step by step create faux cloisonné enamel made from Ice Resin. Supplies and tools needed: Pre-made bezel cup Silver bezel wire (Its width should be the same height as the outside bezel’s height. Ice Resin Color pencils Paper Various colors of eye shadow or mica. Toothpicks Popsicle sticks Mixing cups Paper towels
1.   Plan ahead by making color cards. Mix a color with resin, place it on an index card, and write down what was used.
2.   It is best to draw a design on paper. Draw it full size to what you are making.  This drawing will be used as a template later.
3.   Choose the colors for your design.  Fill in the areas using color pencils that match the eye shadow or mica you have.
4.   Place the bezel wire on its side over the template. Using your fingers bend the wire into the same shape as each line in the drawing and cut them to length.
5.   Place the formed bezel wire into the bezel cup.
6.   Mix a small amount of resin in a mixing cup without adding any colorant.
7.   Glue the bezel wire in place. Place equal parts epoxy into mixing cup.  Stir with a popsicle stick for the amount of time listed in the product’s instructions. Partially fill all sections with the resin. This glues the bezel wire in place and seals the bottom so that when adding color it doesn’t cross contaminate the other cells.  Allow resin to set for 6 hours.
8.   Mix the first color and epoxy together and fill the sections with the appropriate color.  Place equal parts epoxy into mixing cup. Add a small amount of colorant to the mixture until the resin is the color you want. Stir with a popsicle stick for the amount of time listed in the product’s instructions. Using a popsicle stick scoop up the mixed resin and drip it into the section. Allow the resin to run into each corner. Use a toothpick to spread the resin throughout the section and into any corners. Allow resin to set for 24 hours.  Allowing the first color to set completely helps keep the other color from mixing with it.
9.   If the first color spilled into sections where it’s not wanted cut it out using a small bur on a rotary tool or flex shaft. You only need to cut it down low enough so that the next color can be placed over it.
Mix the next color with epoxy and place into the sections. Here I am using black eye shadow. Drip epoxy into the center areas keeping air from being trapped. Use a toothpick to move the poured resin into the corners.To avoid the color leaking into other sections, fill only until they come up just under the top of the bezel wire. Allow resin to set for at least 6 hours.
10.   Continue mixing colors and filling sections until all sections are filled just below the top of the bezel sections. 11.   Mix the top coat of resin keeping it clear with no color. This is poured over the whole peace until all the low areas are filled. The resin will dome towards the center.  Use a toothpick to pull the clear resin towards all edges.  Allow to setup for 24 hours.