#silversmithing — Public Fediverse posts

Putting this on display for the first time today. Cloud Mountain Hubei Turquoise in sterling silver. I'm showing it with a black Chinese labradorite and sterling silver necklace which is nearly the same color as the black matrix in the turquoise. I really like this one. #silversmithing #SupportArtistsAndMakers

I just signed up for a sandcasting class at the Tacoma Metal Arts Center. That's where I first learned a lot of the #silversmithing skills I've got. They have some really great classes. I've been wanting to try #sandcasting for a while.

https://tacomametalarts.com/Classes.html

@malte Are people still picking instances based on their location or interests? 🤔

I'm thinking they should be more interested in hashtags. That's how I find a lot of people involved in the arts I like to play around with. #bookbinding #silversmithing #PaperArts #reading #writing

I got started on the copper version of the sterling silver earrings I've been making for a few years now. I actually now make them in two lengths; the images shown are the longer ones which are about 2 inches, including the bead. I've never made them in copper before, but I have the materials so why not? I'll need to do the stamping in my mobile studio, which has a good steel block. The studio has a light but I don't like going outside the camper after dark here. Mosquitoes.😳 #silversmithing

Holy crap. Silver is down more than 30% today to under $80/ounce. If it can stay down there (or go even lower), there's hope for my #silversmithing business.🤞🏻

A friend just sent me this about the crazy rise in #silver prices: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/business/silver-gold-prices.html?unlocked_article_code=1.IFA.rcLY.I2L7aBifLxhq&smid=nytcore-android-share (gift article) #silversmithing

I did some quick math to see what it now costs to make several of my earring styles and I realized that I was selling them way too close to cost — to the point that I would lose money on wholesale and consignment sales — with current silver prices. I've had to increase the prices on everything silver that I make. #silversmithing

I'll do more work in copper in the months to come, but I think I should probably step away from the business for a while.

The price of silver is up $11 in two days. 😳 #silversmithing

Silver is now more than $90 an ounce. This is crazy expensive for anyone who makes #jewelry with #silver.

In looking up the price, I saw a link for a video about silver pricing from Rio Grande, my supplier. What's neat about the video is it shows the one room I really wanted to see on the tour that they did not show: the metal cutting room.

https://youtu.be/Xxgq4vH6yxU

#Silversmithing

The last two rings: Fire Opal and turquoise. I've made a total of 8 rings since coming to AZ. I'm keeping this turquoise one. #silversmithing

I've been working hard to "up my game" and create finer, better handcrafted jewelry products so I can get accepted into better, fine art shows. Unfortunately, people don't seem willing to pay for these items. Silver is more than $70/ounce now. I can't lower my prices and still make enough money to continue #silversmithing. But I also can't continue if I don't sell enough to cover the costs of these shows. I'm starting to rethink my strategy. (4/5)

The last two rings out of the tumbler. They don't look very impressive without the stones set. I'll set them in the morning. #silversmithing

Here are the three rings I finished this morning: sterling silver with tiger eye (not labradorite, as I said yesterday), mookiate jasper (which I could have done better), and turquoise. The tiger eye one really flashes. #silversmithing #SupportArtistsAndMakers

Yesterday, I got my mobile jewelry studio organized and started work on three of six rings I want to make. One is labradorite, one is turquoise, and one is Mookiate jasper. (I can't remember what the other three are, but I'll start them today.) I have four uninterrupted days here to work in the studio and I want to get my ring inventory established. If I get all six of these done, I'll have nine ready for the show that starts next Friday in Cave Creek. #silversmithing… (1/3)

I put away the new earrings and snapped a photo of the two sizes side by side. Honestly, I like the smaller one better. I'll be making a bunch of these before my next show and may stop making the larger ones. For reference, the card they're on is 3x4 inches. #silversmithing

And I'm still trying to figure out how to photograph the rings I've been making. This is the third one I finished. #silversmithing

I also made a smaller version of my very popular spiral hoop earrings. Here's a photo with the originals. They look the same size in these photos, but the ones on the left are definitely smaller. They both use the same gauges of silver: 18 for the main part and 20 for the little wrap. I only made one pair (so far) because I wanted to see if I could pull it off before I made them in bulk. I can. #silversmithing

Better pictures of the new, shorter earrings I finished today. I made two pairs each with four different beads: lapis lazuli, malachite, amethyst, and Kingman Turquoise. I'll try to get them in the shop later today. #silversmithing

My busy project for Christmas Eve and Day is making smaller versions of some of my most popular designs. Although these sold well for quite a while, shoppers are moving to smaller designs. These can be downsized pretty easily — all I do is omit the half-inch link and connecting jump ring to shorten them up.

My big challenge is getting decent photos of the new versions without my light tent. 🙄 I need to try harder.

#silversmithing #joinin

Forgot to share this photo of the third ring I made. This one fits my ring finger but I'd like it to fit my index finger so I might try to stretch out the band a tiny bit. Again, I need practice with ring sizing; I just can't seem to get it right. #silversmithing

It's turquoise and sterling silver. The tiny balls are wire but the three large balls are hand formed, soldered on silver balls

This morning I discovered that the ring I made yesterday that was larger than I planned — heck, it was my first try! — only fits my fingers in the afternoon when they're swollen up from whatever the hell causes them to swell up in the afternoon. In the morning, the ring is loose enough that now I have to worry about losing it. I guess I'll be selling it after all.

I'm hoping to make two more of them today. I'd like to have an inventory of rings for my next show, in January. #silversmithing

From the school of Nothing Goes to Waste In Maria's Studio, every three pairs of earrings on the right yields one pair of earrings on the left.

Scrap? What scrap? Those cutouts are earring components. 🤣 #silversmithing

Making my first bezel-set turquoise ring today. I'll run this through my finishing process, set the stone, and have a new ring to wear and test for durability. #silversmithing

The finished product. I'm pleased with the way this turned out. #silversmithing

I made this today. Chariote in Sterling Silver. I used 14 gauge square wire to follow the natural line through the stone and curled it to make the bail holder and accent. Unlike a lot of my pieces, this one is textured but not antiqued. It really shines. #silversmithing #jewelry

I've got two more new pendants in the tumblers. I'll probably set their stones in the morning.

I struggled with some of the solders on this one, but it's finally done. #silversmithing #jewelry #SupportArtistsAndMakers

Here's the finished Larimar pendant next to my sketch. I never make them exactly the same. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Glamour shot to come. #silversmithing #jewelry

If you haven’t heard, my newest ebook tutorial guide is available on my YouTube merch store. A great way to have over 170 metalsmithing tutorials right at your fingertips, along with pictures, materials lists, and annotations about each project. Also a great way to support my YouTube channel! https://chads-silversmithing-shop.fourthwall.com/products/chads-silversmithing-jewelry-design-sketchbook-2024-ebook-pdf-version #tutorials #silversmithing #artjewelry #metalsmithing #chadsilversmithing #maker #handmadejewelry #handmadejewellery

If you haven’t heard, my newest ebook tutorial guide is available on my YouTube merch store. A great way to have over 170 metalsmithing tutorials right at your fingertips, along with pictures, materials lists, and annotations about each project. Also a great way to support my YouTube channel! https://chads-silversmithing-shop.fourthwall.com/products/chads-silversmithing-jewelry-design-sketchbook-2024-ebook-pdf-version #tutorials #silversmithing #artjewelry #metalsmithing #chadsilversmithing #maker #handmadejewelry #handmadejewellery

If you haven’t heard, my newest ebook tutorial guide is available on my YouTube merch store. A great way to have over 170 metalsmithing tutorials right at your fingertips, along with pictures, materials lists, and annotations about each project. Also a great way to support my YouTube channel! https://chads-silversmithing-shop.fourthwall.com/products/chads-silversmithing-jewelry-design-sketchbook-2024-ebook-pdf-version #tutorials #silversmithing #artjewelry #metalsmithing #chadsilversmithing #maker #handmadejewelry #handmadejewellery

If you haven’t heard, my newest ebook tutorial guide is available on my YouTube merch store. A great way to have over 170 metalsmithing tutorials right at your fingertips, along with pictures, materials lists, and annotations about each project. Also a great way to support my YouTube channel! https://chads-silversmithing-shop.fourthwall.com/products/chads-silversmithing-jewelry-design-sketchbook-2024-ebook-pdf-version #tutorials #silversmithing #artjewelry #metalsmithing #chadsilversmithing #maker #handmadejewelry #handmadejewellery

If you haven’t heard, my newest ebook tutorial guide is available on my YouTube merch store. A great way to have over 170 metalsmithing tutorials right at your fingertips, along with pictures, materials lists, and annotations about each project. Also a great way to support my YouTube channel! https://chads-silversmithing-shop.fourthwall.com/products/chads-silversmithing-jewelry-design-sketchbook-2024-ebook-pdf-version #tutorials #silversmithing #artjewelry #metalsmithing #chadsilversmithing #maker #handmadejewelry #handmadejewellery

Custom piece featuring an English Setter, ruffed grouse feathers, and two Garnets is complete! It’s also my first time creating a piece of jewelry featuring someone’s dog. This was such a fun one.

#artjewelry #silversmithing #slowmade #handmade #art #jewelry #pointer #englishsetter #birdhunting #feathers

Currently setting these Garnets in this piece that features an English field setter and two ruffed grouse feathers.
#metalsmithing #artjewelry #silversmithing #art #slowmade #handmade

Currently setting these Garnets in this piece that features an English field setter and two ruffed grouse feathers.
#metalsmithing #artjewelry #silversmithing #art #slowmade #handmade

Currently setting these Garnets in this piece that features an English field setter and two ruffed grouse feathers.
#metalsmithing #artjewelry #silversmithing #art #slowmade #handmade

Currently setting these Garnets in this piece that features an English field setter and two ruffed grouse feathers.
#metalsmithing #artjewelry #silversmithing #art #slowmade #handmade

Currently setting these Garnets in this piece that features an English field setter and two ruffed grouse feathers.
#metalsmithing #artjewelry #silversmithing #art #slowmade #handmade

Ready for Maria's rock show? Lots of posts to come in this thread.

I'm starting off with Maligano Jasper from Buton Island in East Indonesia. This is a breciated material formed from different kinds of stones (in different colors) that naturally form into solid stone. Gorgeous stones. #Quartzsite #geology #cabochons #silversmithing

Ready for Maria's rock show? Lots of posts to come in this thread.

I'm starting off with Maligano Jasper from Buton Island in East Indonesia. This is a breciated material formed from different kinds of stones (in different colors) that naturally form into solid stone. Gorgeous stones. #Quartzsite #geology #cabochons #silversmithing

Ready for Maria's rock show? Lots of posts to come in this thread.

I'm starting off with Maligano Jasper from Buton Island in East Indonesia. This is a breciated material formed from different kinds of stones (in different colors) that naturally form into solid stone. Gorgeous stones. #Quartzsite #geology #cabochons #silversmithing

Ready for Maria's rock show? Lots of posts to come in this thread.

I'm starting off with Maligano Jasper from Buton Island in East Indonesia. This is a breciated material formed from different kinds of stones (in different colors) that naturally form into solid stone. Gorgeous stones. #Quartzsite #geology #cabochons #silversmithing

Ready for Maria's rock show? Lots of posts to come in this thread.

I'm starting off with Maligano Jasper from Buton Island in East Indonesia. This is a breciated material formed from different kinds of stones (in different colors) that naturally form into solid stone. Gorgeous stones. #Quartzsite #geology #cabochons #silversmithing

Please welcome our very good friend @Cariadclay to Mastodon! It's a brand new profile so they will be updating it soon. Follow especially if you share an interest in #ceramics, #pottery, #clay, #HandBuilding, #throwing, #glazes, #SilverSmithing, #jewelry, #SeaGlass, #books and #reading. 😊

Here are the custom #earrings I made at recent #JewelryMaking / #Silversmithing 2 day workshop.

Made a pair of #Teochew & #Gaginang text earrings 😊 I really love how they turned out.

#AsianMastodon #TeochewPride

Small business, :boost_animated: appreciated!

My brother, Nick (@ValesiNotes), has been making Southwestern silver and turquoise jewelry for over 20 years, and he’s recently started selling again on #Etsy. Check out his shop, and give him a follow!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/505Adornments

#Silversmithing #Handmade #turquoise #jewelry #jewellery #Fedigiftshop #newmexico #nm #albuquerquenm @art #BuyIntoArt

Getting towards Fall, so I made a video tutorial showing how to make 3 different Autumn tree earring styles. Check it out:

https://youtu.be/XW9cTLARmbA?si=zhJvBjevR6NCmwq1

#artjewellery #artsilver #jewelry #tutorial #trees #autumn #mixedmetalearrings #treejewelry #Silversmithing

New fun silversmithing tutorial on YouTube by yours truly:). This bypass bracelet features petrified palm wood on the ends with a bauhaus inspired design. Check it out:)

https://youtu.be/ycjeMXG1vAY?si=X1HgstPjYM3cc79f

#jewelry #silversmithing #silverjewelry #tutorials #fossilwood #bracelets #artsilver #artjewelry #ArtJewellery

New fun silversmithing tutorial on YouTube by yours truly:). This bypass bracelet features petrified palm wood on the ends with a bauhaus inspired design. Check it out:)

https://youtu.be/ycjeMXG1vAY?si=X1HgstPjYM3cc79f

#jewelry #silversmithing #silverjewelry #tutorials #fossilwood #bracelets #artsilver #artjewelry #ArtJewellery

New fun silversmithing tutorial on YouTube by yours truly:). This bypass bracelet features petrified palm wood on the ends with a bauhaus inspired design. Check it out:)

https://youtu.be/ycjeMXG1vAY?si=X1HgstPjYM3cc79f

#jewelry #silversmithing #silverjewelry #tutorials #fossilwood #bracelets #artsilver #artjewelry #ArtJewellery