Tools In My Studio

Happy Wednesday!  

Here we are in the middle of the week!  Where does the time go?

I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of the tools and other materials I use to make jewelry.

This is my Micro Torch, I use it for soldering, firing PMC (Precious Metal Clay) annealing, and any number of other things that require me to heat things.

This is my Jeweler’s Saw.  I use it to cut wire (for jump rings), sheet metal and sizing stock.  Yes, it is exactly like a hacksaw, except the blades are much finer and thinner, and the saw itself is much smaller and lighter weight than a Construction Tool.

These are the tools I use in the creation of Chainmaille, two pairs of pliers, and three mandrels. Of course I have more, these are all that would fit on the background area.  Mandrels are used to wrap the wire to create a coil, from which jump rings are cut.  Pliers are used to open and close the jump rings during the linking process.

Hammers and Anvil.  Yes, it is very cathartic when designing to bring that hammer down on the little piece of wire.  Striking area is very tiny, so precision is a must, and a great deal of attention paid to the piece you are working on.  One wrong blow with the head, and the piece can break, bend, or be ruined.

Stainless Steel Head

Stainless Steel Anvil

Rubber Mallet

4 oz. Brass Claw Hammer (there are screwdrivers in the handle!)

Here is a selection of wire that I use.  Brand new stock that has not been opened as of yet.  From Left to Right: 20 gauge Copper, Nickle, and Jeweler’s Bronze (aka “Merlin’s Gold”), and the last roll is 18 gauge copper wire.

Here is a coil of Sterling Silver Plated Copper Jewelry wire, I have used up the last of the Silver Plated wire, making the last choker I created.  The wire is straightened, wrapped around a mandrel, the coil is removed from the mandrel and cut using the Jeweler’s Saw for a flush cut or it is “Pinch Cut” using wire cutters.

I offer both Hand-forged and Manufactured or machine made clasps, but that is the only thing you will find besides beads and gemstones (I don’t have the equipment to do that at home) that are not hand-crafted by my self.  That includes head pins, jump rings and chain.

I suppose it would have been easier to just take a photo of the Bench, but that is covered with materials and stuff that needs to be cleaned up and gone through, I currently use the dining table or head out the garage for creation these days.  Evetually I’ll get back to the actual Bench and then I can take a photo.

You can always check out Youtube or Dailymotion.  Currently there are three very short tutorial videos, on opening and closing, measuring the Interior Diameter and winding / cutting your own jump rings.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day!

A Random Friday

The weekend is here and I don’t think I have ever been so happy to see one!

Friday’s are usually links and promotions, I have been busy with classes this week and haven’t had time to look for much.  My plate is suddenly very full, which is a good thing.

I have been talking about starting to teach classes at Jo-Ann‘s.  Here is there website.  Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.  From here you can find a store, look for a class, sign up for offers and even shop some of their items.  If you’re a craft-person this is a neat site.  You can even buy a class for a friend as a gift.

Yesterday’s blog discussed tools, a rotary or Dremel tool being the prominent tool.  Here are three links to the tool.

Dremel.com – Website Homepage.

Video Projects – What should I do with my Dremel?

Customer Creations Gallery – What other people did with their Dremel tool.  Some of the projects are amazing!

Like this Curly Maple Clock

A Hardwood Ark

Or this Wooden Sign

Tools are pretty cool.

Next weekend is the last Treasure Valley Market of the season, and I will be attending.  We’ll link the commercial and the event one more time next week.  I hope to see the locals there.

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!  Rest.  Relax.  Rejuvenate!

Featured Artist – Dremel or Rotary Tools

Instead of a Featured Artist today, I thought it would be fun to discuss tools.  No, not those kinds of tools, I mean the tools you use for crafting or DIY projects.

My friend, who is very knowledgeable about these things, and I were discussing Flex Shaft Machines and other shop / studio equipment, that is used during the process of creating, art, molds, jewelry, sculpture and even household repairs.

A “Dremel” is a brand of Rotary tool.  What’s a rotary tool?  It is a motorized shaft with a small accessory “heads” for sanding, buffing, polishing, cutting, drilling, etc.  Mine are ancient!  Here is what a new Kit looks like.  Dremel Tool Kit.

Not all of them are heavy duty like that one.  I was introduced to this cool little item during the conversation, and will share the videos with you now.  Youtube, as I have learned, has a wealth of neat instructional and tutorial videos on just about anything and everything you can imagine.

This nifty little piece of equipment that allows you “hands free” work. The Dremel 2500-01  Multi-Vise

Here is an instructional video on the Multi-Vise

What started all this talk of tools and various uses and attachments? A Flex Shaft Machine.  Here we see its uses in carving Green Jewelry Wax, as well as manual (hand-held) tools.

And I think that’s all for today. 

Thank you for stopping in and having a look.  Questions and comments are always welcome.  The weekend is almost here, we would like to wish you a pleasant day.