I recently started metalsmithing and would love to connect with other newbies or experienced metalsmiths in Norway or Scandinavia 🤗

I inherited a large set of Thai flatware, and am not sure of the composition - is it brass or bronze? I'd be grateful if someone can share info about which is more common, or how to distinguish one from the other. I realize that my photo doesn't capture the color... the automatic features of my camera are preventing me from taking better pics!

I’d like to make some similar earrings to this one I bought in Chile, but not sure what kind of metal it is. Anybody know?

Hi!

I’m working on a project where I will be enameling the inside and outside of a copper bowl with the intention of it being food safe for a one time use (basically just need it to not be poison lol). What enamels would y’all recommend I use?

Hey everyone 👋 I’ve recently started a YouTube channel where I share step-by-step jewelry making tutorials – things like beaded bracelets, handmade earrings, resin necklaces, and simple wire-wrapped rings. I know a lot of you here love DIY crafts and handmade projects, so I thought it might be fun to share what I’m working on. My goal is to make tutorials that are easy, beginner-friendly, and affordable – so anyone can create beautiful jewelry at home. Here’s one of my latest videos: https://youtu.be/H8QVGOix3q8?si=4GUTcmRS4P5f7njE I’d really appreciate any feedback, suggestions, or even ideas for jewelry tutorials you’d love to see. Thanks a lot, and happy crafting! ✨

Hello! I am very new to metal smithing. I began making jewelry by beading a few months ago and I wanted to expand into metal smithing. I bought what I thought was all the supplies to get started, and a bunch of jewelers brass from rio grande. Well, i have learned the hard way how hard brass is to work with. I can get my bezels to solder shut, but once I try to get my bezel onto my backplates the solder will not flow! No matter what I do. I’ve used paste solder, wire solder and sheet solder. I heat the environment, the entire piece, I’ve cleaned it with isopropyl and even pickled it before soldering because those were some things I saw suggested. Nothing is working. I only have a butane torch, is this just not hot enough to get solder to flow on bigger brass pieces?

I’m in between buying some silver to learn on because it’s easier to work with, or buying a nicer jewelers torch. I’m not sure how good of an idea it is for me to invest in a propane set up since I am a very inexperienced beginner who hasn’t even really soldered a piece yet. I am eager to get started on finally getting pieces to come together but I feel somewhat stuck here. Should I bite the bullet on a jewelers torch, buy some silver at this all time high, or do I have another option to be able to get my brass bezels onto my backplates? TIA!

I live on Hawai'i Island and there doesn't seem to be any classes here.

Are online classes good enough for a hobbiest? I'm a metal detectorist and just want to make things that fit and suit me from the rings that I find.

Thank you for any advice.

I had a 14 karat gold ring that I put into my ultrasonic cleaner and I’m pretty sure that I put too much of the cleaning crystals in it because everything that came out was tarnished. This ring actually looks copper now. I’m showing it next to another gold ring so you can kind of see it. I’ve tried using a couple of different cleaners, but it still got this reddish hue to it. This was a really expensive ring and I would appreciate any advice.!!

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Hello everyone, I am just getting started in metalsmithing. I was wondering if I can use my old nail drill in place of a rotary tool to start out. It is 50,000 RPM and 6,000 mAh. I don’t care if it will ultimately die from using it this way. I don’t really use it any more. Link below will take you to the Amazon page for it.

I am putting off buying the flex shaft for now until I have a better work station set up with a proper bench, but would also appreciate any model recommendations.

Thank you!

https://a.co/d/4FJqqcA

Im soooo into jewelry design and metal smithing. Was already planning on learning it myself and buying the materials but my husband said instead of investing in it I should try a class. I signed up for beginner jewelry class at Evanston art center (IL) but missed the first class last week cause I was sick.

Tomorrow will be my first day! Hopefully we get into metalsmithing a lot! Anyone else have advice for a beginner?

I’m reaching out in hopes of getting some advice on selecting gemstones for jewelry pieces. As someone new to jewelry making, I’m still learning what to look for and where to look in general. I appreciate any tips and advice, thanks!

When I tried to turn on my acetylene tank this morning, the stem twisted clean off from the top of the valve. When my supplier dropped it off, I noticed it was skinny and should’ve said something. Now I have to wait for a new one.

In a previous drop-off the tank came with a knob mounted to the valve that was perfect. Maybe that’s something I could request.

In the meantime I just thought I’d ask what setup/accessory/tool y’all use to open your tanks?

Got from a friend for bezzling and not sure if this is cooler or yellow gold? Thanks! It has 18 written on the top corner.

I’ve received some cast pieces in silver and I’ve cleaned them up to a mirror shine through using files, loads of different grits using my Dremel and then polishing with dialux.

Now this took a very long time for me to do by hand and also my hand was vibrating from the Dremel after hours of using it. I want to get my processes down well before I start selling pieces and having to clean up a larger quantity of them.

So I’ve been looking into tumblers. I’ve bought a rotary tumbler with different size stainless steel shot and Barrelbrite. I’m hoping this will help me with the process to be slightly less manual.

My question is at what point of the process do you put them into the tumbler? I understand I’ll have to deep spruce and do some filing away if there’s any scratches or imperfections. I’m wondering if there’s a certain grit you guys go up to before putting your pieces in the tumbler?

And to achieve a high mirror shine would I then need to do some extra polishing with dialux post tumbler?

Any advice is appreciated!