Premium jewelry forging methods from Bobby Graham Cobb: Whether you’ve just discovered your love for jewellery making or you’ve been making on the sofa for a year, it could be time to upgrade and create a little space for yourself. The beauty of making jewellery is that you can do it in the comforts of your own home as you only need a small work station. We are always inspired by customers who send us their jeweller’s work space photos and it’s amazing to see how easily you can transform your space. Discover more info about the author on https://about.me/bobbygraham.

You can use gold filled metals for high quality designs as it is very durable and with reasonable care it will not peel or flake. It should also last as long as solid 14k gold jewellery. It is also safe for most people with sensitive skin. Gold vermeil, pronounced vermay is sterling silver that has been gold plated. Vermeil have a thicker coating of gold than plated items do, often up to 50% thicker. Vermeil must use at least 10 carat gold (most of our vermeil has been plated with 22-24 carat gold which makes it good quality.) Vermeil is a good choice for people who get allergies to base metals of plated items such a copper and brass, due to the core always being sterling silver. Due to the use of both sterling silver and gold, vermeil is more expensive than both plated and filled metals.

Quality jewelry forging tips and tricks from Bobby Graham Mableton: Set up your workspace: Set up a clean table space in an area with lots of light. Jewelry making tends to happen on a much smaller scale, so it is a good idea to have plenty of light and even a magnifying glass if necessary. Your workbench should be solid so that when you hammer, stamp, and work your jewelry, it doesn’t wobble. A comfortable seat is critical as a jeweler because you may end up sitting in it for hours at a time. Consider a chair that supports your back and neck. Set up your seat so that you are eye level with your bench peg, so you don’t find yourself hunching over your work. If you plan on sanding, soldering, or polishing, make sure you have plenty of ventilation, as well as safety goggles, a mask, and proper fire safety equipment.

It’s important to note, that unlike the other metals on this page plated metal cannot be soldered as the process will remove the plated finish. Plated metal wire therefore is mainly suitable for wire-wrapped designs and creating components. Using plated metal in your designs is a great way to practice jewellery making if you’re on a budget and not concerned about the durability of your design. Although plated metals are a great affordable option, due to the thin layer of plating it will rub off with time and wear, revealing the base metal beneath.

Determine the type of jewelry you want to make: The first step in making jewelry at home is deciding the project you would like to make. There are many possibilities when it comes to jewelry making, from casting precious metals to fusing glass pendants. Choose one medium to focus on first, whether it is wire wrapping or casting jewelry, and know that you can learn and experiment with other methods later. The skills from one technique will likely build on and apply to other jewelry-making processes. Search for inspiration: Get inspired! A simple online search, Pinterest deep dive, or shopping around jewelry stores will further prove that the possibilities are limitless! Start by getting inspired and determining the type of materials you would like to work with, whether it is metal clay or glass. You can then design your project and determine the types of materials, tools, and equipment you will need.

About Bobby Graham Cobb: I’m a skilled metal forger and jewelry maker, and I love nothing more than creating unique and beautiful pieces with my hands. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and skills with others, and I’m always looking for ways to improve my craft.

Another passion of mine is celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. I love the festivities and traditions that come with the holiday, and I enjoy participating in local parades and events with my friends and family. In my free time, I enjoy watching my favorite show, Arrested Development. I never tire of the show’s witty humor and lovable characters, and I’m always on the lookout for fellow fans to discuss the show with.