Metalsmithing, jewelry -- how to?

fishfucker — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 14:29:37 -0800

I want to make jewelry! Like, real jewelry. Read: metalsmithing, not putting manufactured beads on wires. What tools should I buy? What books would you recommend? Do I need to take a class or not? So, I'm already planning on purchasing this book: The Encyclopedia of Jewelry-Making Techniques: A Comprehensive Visual Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Techniques.

I suspect that a class at a community college would be useful, and if there's one offered at night, I'll probably give it a shot; however, I've found the quality of these classes can be iffy, depending on the instructor's experience and ability, and most of them are offered during the day (when I'm working). I'm hoping I can stumble through it without having to take a class for this reason.

I've got maybe a $200 budget to spend on the initial toolbox, and I'd probably put $100 (if it's possible to go that cheap) into materials (obviously, no precious metals here) for experimentation, etc.

My friend has a company that sells gold body jewelry and I'll have access to his shop tools, which include tumblers, polishing media, dremel polishers, etc. However, I'm not interested in making captive bead rings, blah blah blah, for the tattooed and pierced set -- I'm more interested in handmade rings (either cast or soldiered from parts), necklaces, and bracelets. Basically, hip crafty things BUT with a high degree of finish. I would like to eventually be able to sell my output, but I'm realistic -- I don't expect to have any incredible designs for quite some time, so for right now I'm more focused on getting started than having a saleable product. (Although ideally within six months to a year I'd like to be able to make some cool jewelry for my girlfriend.)

Ideally I'd like some to hear some anecdotal experience, suggestions and tips, and also some qualified web resources that you frequently turn to for information. Here's some general questions: What tools should I buy? What tools can be cheap and what tools should be quality? What brands do you recommend? Where are good places to buy? What kind of jewelry is complicated to make? What kind of jewelry is easy to make? What are the base materials I'm likely to be working with?

Here's a couple links to the kind of jewelry I think is pretty awesome and what i'd like to make:
Beer Can Ring
Bubble Tag Necklage
Ruler Bracelet
Forever Earrings
Safety Ring
BingBang 88 (flash)

Skullflower Ring

you get the idea.

no beads, seriously, unless I'm making them myself.

Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with smithing

Metalsmithing, jewelry -- how to?