Willow & Twigg is a small Hampshire-based business specialising in contemporary handcrafted silver, sea glass and gemstone jewellery including necklaces, rings, earrings, bangles, and bracelets.
Inspired by nature and the ocean, and made with a variety of sustainably sourced materials, the designs are modern, elegant and unique. Styles range from the simple and delicate through to bolder statement pieces and really special 'one of a kind' creations.
Everything is designed and crafted by hand with great care in order to produce a range of jewellery that is as individual as the wearer.
Whether you are treating yourself or searching for the perfect gift for a loved one, if you like your accessories to be just a little bit different then this collection is exactly what you are looking for!
Follow me on Instagram to see more about how and where my jewellery is made, with lots of 'behind-the-scenes' clips and videos showing my creative processes and inspiration!
Engraving sterling silver using the xTool! ⚒️💫
I know that the ability to engrave silver and other metals is one of the things that is most attractive about the F1 Ultra laser to a jeweller, so here’s another demonstration!
I previously shared a butterfly pendant with a deep embossed design, and whilst the result was incredible, there are two limiting factors for that setting.
Firstly, it takes a lot longer (45 mins for that design) and as it cuts deeply, there is quite a bit of silver being sucked away as dust which is harder to recover for refining.
It’s also quite tricky to get image files ready for the embossment setting, as they need to be converted to a depth map.
This is an alternative (much faster) method and gave an equally good result.
All I used was a simple PNG file, and the engrave mode with the fibre laser and filling settings;
Power - 100%
Dot duration - 600
DPI - 800
Mode - Greyscale
It only took 1.5 minutes to engrave (I ran a second pass to get it slightly deeper) and I’m really pleased with how it came out.
The silver disc was hand cut by me from 0.7 sterling sheet, and the pendant was given a patina to enhance the details before being polished with silicone wheel to smooth it, and then a felt mop and Luxor to bring up the shine.
The detail is deep enough to really feel with your fingers and I’m confident it won’t be rubbing off at all with wear.
I even did a test run on some scrap metal and tried to sand it down to remove the engraving; which I’m impressed to say didn’t budge.
Let me know what you think, and if you have any questions, please just ask.
There’s a link with more details about the machine in my bio! 🙃
Kelly xx
@xtool_uk
@xtool.official
#jewellerymaker #howitsmade #processreel #handmadejewellery #jewelrymaking #handmadejewelry #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #behindthescenes #jewellerytools #jewelrytools #jewelrymaking #xTool #xToollasermachine #fiberlaser #laserengraving #XToolF1ultra
Miiiight have lost several minutes of my day staring into this quartz crystal spheres… 😍 They’re like tiny bubbles, complete with rainbows 🫧🌈
I’ve had another selection of these arrive today; this time with some slightly smaller ones in the mix, so I’ll be able to offer two different sizes of caged pendants.
I think I need one of each now. For trialling purposes, obvs…. 🙃
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#jewellerymaker #artisanjewellery #artisanjewelry #quartzcrystal #jewelrymaker #gemstonejewellery #handmadejewellery #crystalball
A different style of cage for this sea glass marble! 🌊 I found this pendant earlier today in my collection of finished pieces that are still awaiting photography.
I’m not going to be making any more in this style (they’re just too fiddly and stressful to get right!) so this is now the last of its kind.
It has a beautiful spring-coloured opaque sage green marble with white swirls. Perfectly frosted by the sea!
It’s available to ship now for £120 with a chain length of your choice, so please send a DM if you’d like to offer it a home before it goes up on the website! 🙃
*EDIT: Now Sold, thank you!
Kelly xx
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#seaglassnecklace #seamarblenecklace #seaglassmarble #seaglass #iloveseaglass #jewellerymaker #marbleous #marble #seaglasslover #seaglassjewelry #seaglassjewellery #seamarble #silverjewellery #handmadejewellery
Would you like to pick your own sea glass marble to be made into one of these caged pendants? 🌊🧜♀️
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As I mentioned in a recent reel I am in the process of making more of these necklaces, but I find it hard to choose which marbles to use next.
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So I had an idea to upload a listing with a series of untouched marbles in a variety of colours and sizes, and then you can pick the one you want and I’ll make it a bespoke cage.
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I can also include an option to select different chain lengths.
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Despatch times will obviously take a wee bit longer than for anything that’s already finished, but it’s still offering greater choice for you guys, without the stress of doing fully customised creations for me (since the design itself already exists) ⚒️
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What do you think? 🤔 Is this a sensible way forward?
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Let me know in the comments or by voting in the poll! 🙃
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Kelly xx
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#seaglassnecklace #seamarblenecklace #seaglassmarble #seaglass #iloveseaglass #jewellerymaker #marbleous #marble #seaglasslover #seaglassjewelry #seaglassjewellery #seamarble #silverjewellery #handmadejewellery #marblemonday
A quick tour of my workspace whilst it’s tidy! ⚒️
I always like to have a bit of a spring clean in here before the start of each new school term, and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing this afternoon.
It’s the last day of the Easter break, and as it’s also been nearly 18 months since I last made a video like this, it seemed like the perfect time to update it!
Instagram still only lets me have 90 seconds for each reel, which doesn’t leave much time to go into detail, so I apologise if it seems rather swift or I talk too quickly. I have to keep things brief!
But if you have any questions about any of my tools or the setup I have for using them, then please just ask.
And if you’d like to see any of these sections in a bit more detail let me know in the comments and I can make some more detailed reels of those areas individually.
Lastly, for anyone wanting to know exactly where I got any of my tools or storage solutions from, do take a look at the ‘Tool Links’ highlight beneath my bio, as I already have shortcuts to most things included there! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #whereiwork #mystudio #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #silverjewellery #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #mycreativebiz #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #tooladdict #jewelrytools #jewellerytools #jewelrymaking
Have you ever tried this?! ⚒️ I’ve not shared this tip for a couple of years, but as I was cleaning my soldering block again this morning I thought I’d record the process in case anyone hasn’t come across it before.
After a while I find the surfaces of these blocks tend to get really dirty and uneven, with bits of solder, remnants of holding clay, flux, and all sorts of other crap stuck to them.
Not only does this make it harder to see what I’m doing, but it can also start to increase the appearance of that coppery pink tint on the metal post-pickling.
When I know the pickle itself isn’t contaminated, then it’s usually a sign I need to clean up the soldering block…
It’s really easy to do; just grind it down on a rough flat surface like a patio or concrete slab until it’s free of all the stains, dents and debris.
I can’t remember where I first saw this tip, but I do this regularly now and it really can make a difference.
Just don’t lean over too far whilst you’re cleaning it - you don’t want to breathe that dust in! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #silverjewellery #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #tooladdict #jewelrytools #jewellerytools #jewelrymaking
Only one left! 💫 A new version of my handcrafted sterling silver cage pendants, this time containing a Quartz Crystal sphere 🫧
A beautifully simple design, but a joy to wear, and to hold!
The crystal spins in the setting, so it’s perfect for keeping anxious hands busy.
And when the light passes through at the right angle you can get the occasional rainbow too 🌈
What’s not to love? 🙃
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#jewellerymaker #artisanjewellery #artisanjewelry #artisanmade #sterlingsilver #quartzcrystal #statementnecklace #jewelrymaker #gemstonejewellery #handmadejewellery
A wearable crystal ball! 🫧 I finally made some of my caged silver pendants with the Quartz Crystal spheres ⚒️✨
This was something I was meaning to do many months ago, but I’m pretty busy at the moment and everything is taking somewhat longer than I plan for it to! 🫣
Thanks so much to those who asked about these and have been patiently waiting for them to be created - I’ve got two finished ones ready to go (I did make three but I’m keeping one… 😂) and they’re up on the website now.
There will also be some more sea glass marbles on the way soon too, but I can’t give an exact date.
Let me know if you were holding out for a particular colour though, and also if you’d like to see other gemstones made into pendants like this too.
I chose the clear crystal to begin with as they look like bubbles to me, but I can look to source other stones too if there’s a demand for them.
Hope you are having a fabulous Friday! 🙃
Kelly xx
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#jewellerymaker #artisanjewellery #artisanjewelry #artisanmade #sterlingsilver #quartzcrystal #statementnecklace #jewelrymaker #gemstonejewellery #handmadejewellery
My favourite aid for tumbling chains in the barrel polisher! ⚒️⛓️
I’ve tried everything to stop chains getting tangled; silver wire, safety pins, earring hoops and even bits of acetate with holes punched in them.
But these are the absolute best thing I’ve used so far. They are the brainchild of Jessica Coté @rosyrevolver and are made of Delrin.
They’re tough, slightly flexible but also incredibly strong - and are resistant to abrasion, water, and chemicals. They will not harm or scratch your work, and require no special care other than rinsing after use.
They can also be used with all sorts of different tumbling and polishing media, from steel to ceramic.
The design allows water to pass freely through and around the tumble aid, which helps to limit any drag and resistance to get the best possible results.
Just thread the chain through and fasten it using its own clasp or some safety pins.
You all know how much I love a clever solution to stuff, and these are simple yet brilliant - one of those things you didn’t know you needed until you see them!
I’ve actually been using mine for a while now but have only just remembered to share them with you.
Rest assured they’ve been frequently tried and tested, and I know I’ll be using them for years to come! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #silverjewellery #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #tooladdict #jewelrytools #jewellerytools #jewelrymaking
Such a pretty pink! 💕🌊 Thanks so much to everyone who voted or commented on yesterday’s reel about the exact colour of this piece of sea glass.
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The overwhelming majority of you went for ‘Lavender Pink’ and I’m quite happy to side with that!
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I took some still photos today so I could really show you how beautiful that shade is, as I don’t think the video really captures it well at all.
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Sea glass is a funny material, and the apparent colour can change considerably depending on the light, the setting it’s in, and even the skin tone and clothing of the person wearing it.
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I guess that’s part of its magic, although it does make photographing and filming it a challenge!
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I actually almost made this one into a ring, but ring sizes are very restrictive and I didn’t want to limit its future life.
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My daughter Lucy has already made a claim for it to be hers one day, so a pendant seemed a more sensible choice.
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This particular necklace will be staying with me, but do let me know what you think of the setting.
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It’s a sidestep away from my usual style (I normally leave a border around the backplate of the bezel) but I’m loving the ‘clean’ look of this one.
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If you like it too, then I’ll make more! 🙃
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Kelly xx
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#seaglassnecklace #jewellerymaker #seaglass #handcraftedjewellery #seaglasspendant #iloveseaglass #seaglassjewellery #iloveseaglass #oneofakindjewellery #seajewels #silverjewellery #upcycledjewelry
What do we think, folks? 🤔 This pendant is made with that piece of pretty pink/purple sea glass I found the other week.
But which shade describes it best? 💕💜
Let me know what you think by commenting below or voting in the poll! ⬇️
I’ll share more of the making process of this one soon (I’m still editing the footage as I took way more than I’d thought… 😂)
And for all those who will inevitably want to know, the brilliant identification cards are by @seaglassindex 🌊🌈🙃
Kelly x
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#seaglassnecklace #jewellerymaker #seaglass #handcraftedjewellery #treasuresfromthesea #seaglasslove #seaglasslover #seaglasspendant #iloveseaglass #seaglasstreasures #seaglassjewelry #seaglassjewellery #iloveseaglass #oneofakindjewellery #silverjewellery #upcycledjewelry
Another use for the steel mitre jig! ⚒️🙌 This little gadget has to be one of the most-used tools in my workshop, and I get asked about it all the time.
I use it mainly for getting completely level ends on wire (including bezel wire) which helps get a nice flush join ready for soldering.
But it’s also really useful for sawing silver tube or anything else that is difficult to hold otherwise.
It saves time, it’s easier to handle, and getting a straight cut first time means it reduces potential waste too.
A really useful bit of kit! 🙃
To find one just search online for ‘mitre jig’ or ‘mitre cutting vice’ and there should be a few to choose from.
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #silverjewellery #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #tooladdict #jewelrytools #jewellerytools #jewelrymaking #makingwithcooksongold
Last week I got to be a sailor again! 🌊⚓️
It had been quite a while since I’d spent any time out on the water, but on Monday I joined a team of amazing people onboard a 36ft Bavaria Yacht for five days to complete my Competent Crew training.
It was strange seeing my local beach and other familiar landmarks along the Solent from the ‘other side’ but I had an absolutely brilliant time.
I learned an awful lot of new skills, and was also surprised by just how much previous knowledge from my years spent in the Royal Navy I was able to recall too.
I genuinely thought a lot of that stuff had long-since been buried for good, but it’s amazing how much the brain can recall when put back into the right environment!
We visited East Cowes, Yarmouth, Stokes Bay, Haslar Marina in Gosport and Ocean Village in Southampton.
No doubt the incredible weather had a lot to do with my enjoyment of the experience (coupled with the fact I wasn’t even remotely seasick, as I had feared!)
It was a very busy five days and I’ve only just started to feel like the world has stopped moving, but I can’t wait for the opportunity to get out there again.
Thanks so much to @hamblepointsailingschool for helping me rediscover my sea legs and teaching me how to sail.
And for all my fellow jewellery lovers, you can expect to see an increase in nautical-inspired designs appearing over the coming months! 🙃
Kelly xx
#sailing #learningtosail #CompCrew #onceasailoralwaysasailor #RYASailingSchool #TheSolent #sailboating #thalassophile #oceanlover
How I spent my Saturday afternoon! ⚒️🌊
I have missed being at the bench this last week, so today I enjoyed a few hours in my workshop making a setting for that beautiful piece of pink sea glass I found the other day.
The polishing stage is relaxing and meditative - you really can’t rush this.
I used to habitually throw pretty much everything I made into the tumbling machine, but lately I’ve taken to doing things manually a lot more often.
Not entirely sure why, but I do usually get a better finish and a greater sense of satisfaction at the end - even if it does take a lot longer!
I’ve recorded the whole making process of this piece too, and will share the rest with you soon, as well as the finished result.
In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #handmadejewellery #jewellerymaking #tooladdict #jewelrymaking #jewelrymaker #processreel #stonesetting #seaglassnecklace #seaglass #handcraftedjewellery #seaglasslove #seaglasspendant #iloveseaglass #seaglassjewelry #seaglassjewellery #silverjewellery
A little bit of floral loveliness for you this Friday! 🌸 These gorgeous Hellebore flowers were all picked from my garden last year.
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I have two original plants, which are side by side in the border, a white and a deep pink (the top two in the middle column of the photo) and they’ve self-pollinated and hybridised to produce all sorts of different varieties.
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Apparently it’s something known to happen with Hellebore, and they often like to blend with each other in this way.
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This year, alas, they fell victim to the mysterious garden critters which have plagued my plants since last summer.
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I don’t know if it’s snails, slugs or caterpillars (or an army of all three) but whatever they are, they’re hungry!
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I’m thinking now that I’m better off just opting for plants and flowers that are less appealing to these tiny bandits, so if you have any suggestions of what might stand a better chance of survival please let me know! 🙃
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Kelly xx
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And if you’d like to know the names of the original two Hellebore I had here, they are ‘Harvington Pink Speckled’ (the darker one) and ‘Harvington Double Pink Speckled’ (the white one)
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#gardening #garden #gardenlife #lovegardening #helleborus #flowerlovers #flowerphotography #botanicalpickmeup #naturelover #hellebore #hellebores #springflowers #iloveflowers #helleboreappreciationsociety #loveflowers #springflowers #hereforthestills
How to set up and use the Dremel Versatip torch for soldering jewellery! ⚒️🔥
For anyone who wanted a quick reference guide, here’s a shorter version of the reel I shared recently.
I’ve been using one of these for many years now, and would still put it up there as one of my top five tools because of how much stress and time it has saved me.
I’m not able have larger tank or hose torches in my studio and so I am restricted to handheld butane ones only.
I’ve not found that to be particularly limiting in terms of what I can make, but a regular handheld torch is often a bit ‘too much’ for the smaller soldering tasks like jump rings, clasps and chain links.
That’s where the Versatip has proven to be so valuable. It has a finer and more direct flame (still hot, at max temp 1200 deg C) so it’s just perfect for anything that needs precision more than power.
It actually has a multitude of different capabilities (which are the reason for all the extra attachments), but I have to confess I’ve never tested out any of those.
For me as a jeweller, just being able to solder silver with it is all I want or need! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #soldering #silverjewellery #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #tooladdict #jewelrytools #jewellerytools #jewelrymaking
I managed to find some more space to keep my new tools! ⚒️ Not only that but I think there’s room for a few more too…
We we getting rid of some old Ikea shoe racks over the weekend, and whilst trying to work out if I could still use them for something, I hit on the idea of trying them under the bench.
I have a basic student bench with no drawers or cupboards and don’t ever use the cross bar as a footrest, so it’s all wasted space.
Not any more! I just need to secure these in place and I’ve got room for my new polishing lathe and my extraction hood.
Being able to keep the latter on here is especially useful as it means it’s easy to lift on and off the bench whenever I need to move it out the way.
A wooden plank would have done the same job, but the shoe rack gives me an extra shelf, fits perfectly and is even the same colour.
Win win! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #storagesolutions #toolstorage #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #mystudio #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #jewellerytools #jewelrytools
Wishing you a marbleous Monday! 🌊 Here’s a few sea glass marbles swinging gently in the sunshine, to add a bit of colour to your feed today!
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I’m actually going to be away at sea sailing this week, enjoying a much-needed break and learning how to help crew a sailboat at the same time.
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I’ll still be dipping in and out of social media (if I can get signal out on the Solent) but my webstores are closed until Friday.
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Mr W&T is in charge of the kids, the cats and all things domestic, whilst I get to enjoy some sea air and a bit of time on the water from a slightly less usual perspective.
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It’s been a while since I’ve had to know my port from my starboard, but I’m very excited - and relieved that the weather forecast looks good!
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Wish me luck. Let’s hope I still have some sea legs after ten years as a landlubber! 🙃🧜🏼♀️⛵️
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Kelly xx
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#seaglassnecklace #seamarblenecklace #seaglassmarble #seaglass #iloveseaglass #jewellerymaker #marbleous #marble #seaglasslover #seaglassjewelry #seaglassjewellery #seamarble #silverjewellery #handmadejewellery #marblemonday
What a journey it’s been so far! Here are all the pieces I made during the second term of my Diploma In Silver Jewellery with @jewellersacademy 🤩⚒️
There were slightly fewer individual projects this term than during term one, but that’s because several of them were larger and more complicated, meaning we were given more time to get them done.
Weeks six and ten were also allocated for business topics and a drawing and design task, so there was no actual jewellery making to do during those.
Overall I’d say things were definitely more demanding this term and the learning curve has continued upwards, but I’ve still loved every minute!
My personal favourite projects this time were the collet setting and wishbone ring. I’m looking forward to wearing those when they’re back from marking.
The most technically challenging one was probably the torque bangle, and the most time-consuming was the trinket box; mainly because I underestimated the heat needed and ended up with a LOT of firestain to polish out… 😬
We won’t talk about the gold again either, but let’s just say I am relieved I finally made progress with that metal!
Which of these pieces do you love most, or which techniques would you most like to try?
Let me know in the comments! 🙃
I’m going to be enjoying a little break over Easter now, but am already excited to start again with the third and final term in a couple of weeks.
Can’t believe we’re almost at the end already!
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Kelly x
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #whatsonmybench #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelrymaking #jadiplomadiaries #handmadejewellery #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #ladysmiths #silverjewellery
How often do you invest in new tools? ⚒️ I do it a lot. But it’s all part of a bigger plan!
My collection is now pretty vast, but it’s taken me six years to get to this stage, and I’ve worked hard for it. I will also confess I have tools that I rarely use - at least at the moment.
But see, that’s where the plan comes in. I have three daughters very close in age, and they still require a great deal of my time and energy.
This means I’m not able to actively make as much jewellery or grow my business as much as I would perhaps like, but my chance will come soon enough in the next couple of years when they all start secondary school and become more independent.
(I am also very aware how precious this time is as a mother and a family too, and I’m not going to wish that away! 💕)
So right now I am in a period of growth and doing everything I can to build up my skills, my education and my knowledge. Hence why I’m doing the Diploma with @jewellersacademy this year.
I’m also investing everything I can back into the business itself too, and buying all the tools I need, ready for whatever I might want to make in the future.
The latest things to arrive are this @foredomelectric bench lathe and extraction hood. Both are quite spendy items, but they were high up on the list for me.
Let me know if you’d like more info about each of them and I’ll share some feedback later on once I’ve got them up and running.
And if you’ve got both, or either, and have any operational tips and advice, that would be very welcome too! 🫶
Have a fab Friday!
Kelly 🙃 xx
#jewellerymaker #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #stonesetting #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #mystudio #tooladdict #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #jewellerytools #jewelrytools #foredom
Best sea glass find of the year so far! 🤩🧜🏻♀️🌊 And probably the best find in several years, come to think of it.
I picked it up this morning on my walk back home along the seafront after taking the girls to school.
The only thing more exciting for me than finding a marble, is something in this colour!
Not only is it a stunning shade but it’s super smooth, and jewellery-grade in quality too.
Question now is what shall I do with it? Perhaps make it into a ring, or maybe a pendant… or just keep it as it is? 🤔
Let me know in the poll or comments what you’d do!
I might take a while to make up my mind, but I promise to share it again when it’s finished! 🙃
Kelly xx
#seaglasslover #seaglass #iloveseaglass #seaglasshunter #treasuresfromthesea #oceangifts #seaglasslove #beachtreasures #beachfinds #pinkseaglass #seaglasslover #seastheday #beachcombing #beachcombingaddict #vitaminsea #sealover #rareseaglass #seaside #besidethesea
Some beautiful blue sea glass in the sunshine! 🌊☀️ Isn’t this colour pretty? Like the blue of the spring skies this week!
I have a collection of five new bezel-set pendants waiting to be listed, including this one ✨
I’m hoping to get them added to my website by the end of the weekend if I can, but do drop me a message if you’ve been waiting for one in this particular shade to become available - I know how popular (and rare) it is! 🙃
Kelly xx
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#seaglassnecklace #jewellerymaker #seaglass #handcraftedjewellery #treasuresfromthesea #seaglasslove #seaglasslover #seaglasspendant #iloveseaglass #seaglasstreasures #seaglassjewelry #seaglassjewellery #iloveseaglass #oneofakindjewellery #silverjewellery #upcycledjewelry
Super, super sparkly! 🤩💍💎 This ring is my favourite project from term two of my Diploma and was my first ever collet setting.
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All my pieces were sent off for marking yesterday and I got a confirmation email from the @jewellersacademy team that they were safely received today - phew!
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Not gonna lie, it’s pretty scary sending off ten weeks’ worth of hard work in one small package, but at least I had the forethought to take photos BEFORE I posted them this time!
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I will share the rest of the images when I’ve had a chance to finish editing them; so far this is the only one I’ve done as I just wanted to see the sparkle of that stone in close up on a big screen… 😂
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I’ve also bought an 8mm stone ready for my second attempt at this type of setting. The one here was 5mm and I wanted to go ‘big’.
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(I also thought it might be easier and less fiddly, but I’ll reserve judgment on that until I’ve actually tried it.)
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Might make that my challenge over Easter. We’ve got two weeks break now before the third and final term begins.
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I don’t know where the time has gone! 😳
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Kelly x
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#jewellerymaker #colletsetting #silverjewelry #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #jadiplomadiaries #silverring
Creative chaos; a bird’s eye view of my bench today! ⚒️ There’s a fair bit going on here. I think I counted six finished pieces and eleven works in progress..? 🤔
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It’s quite possible there’s a few forgotten ones buried there too.
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Last time I posted a picture or reel of my bench I was tidying it up for half term, and somehow it’s Easter break next week - which means time to do it all over again.
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I honestly do not know where that time has gone, but i think a spring-clean is probably due!
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Kelly xx
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#jewellerymaker #mystudio #whereiwork #creativespace #whatsonyourbench #ladysmith #jewellerytools #handmadejewellery #myworkspace #birdseyeview
Carving into wax using a ball burr is so strangely satisfying to do. Just need to stop myself getting mesmerised by the process and going too far with it… 🫣
I know it’s Sunday and I’m not really supposed to be working, but I was going through my term two Diploma pieces ready to pack them all up and send them off for marking tomorrow and I suddenly remembered I forgot to do the second part of the stone setting in wax project.
But the sun is shining onto my bench, my children are playing nicely together (for the moment) and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now.
So hopefully in an hour or so I shall have a lovely carved bezel cup for an 8mm Agate stone! 🙃⚒️
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #waxcarving #whatsonmybench #tooladdict #whatsonyourbench #jewelleratwork #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #workinprogress #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking
Isn’t this a beautiful stone? 🤩 It’s a Moss Agate, and has been set into a handcrafted sterling silver pendant with a patterned riveted bail.
I cut out the backplate as much as possible too, as it’s just as pretty on the reverse!
It gave me a proper headache trying to film it though. I just couldn’t find the right light needed to accurately capture the gorgeous lavender and lilac hues in the pattern of the stone.
This was the best I could get but you’ll just have to believe me when I say it still doesn’t really do it justice. It’s so much more stunning in real life!
It will be some time before it appears on the website as it’s currently in the queue for hallmarking, and given the crazy high costs of that at the moment it will be a while before I have enough pieces to send off for assay.
But it was also too lovely not to share with you, so consider this an advanced preview!
If you are keen to offer it a home before then though, then please just send me a DM.
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! 🙃
Kelly xx
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#jewellerymaker #artisanjewellery #artisanjewelry #artisanmade #sterlingsilver #agate #statementnecklace #ooakjewelry #jewelrymaker #ladysmith #mossagate #gemstonejewellery #jewelryaddict #handmadejewellery #oneofakindjewellery #mossagatejewellery
I saw this print today whilst wandering around The Lanes in Brighton and loved it so much I had to bring it home for my workshop walls (if I can find a space, that is…) 🖼️🙃
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I travelled up to town again yesterday for the @jewellersacademybrighton launch party - which was just brilliant. Such an incredible atmosphere and a huge buzz to be amongst so many other jewellers! 😊️
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Thanks so much to all of you who came up to say hello and introduce yourselves too. It really does mean so much to me that people choose to follow me on here, but to then meet you in real life as well is such an amazing opportunity! 🫶
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The print I’m holding here is by Rob Lowe @supermundane and I picked it up from @theymadethistagram. It just resonated with me so strongly - the retro colours, the symmetry and the words!
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My head is always full of SO much stuff, and it’s true that much of it I do not understand - but there are a great many ideas, dreams and ambitions in there too.
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And it is also still very much buzzing from last night and the excitement of more trips to the studios in future - to teach, but also to train.
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For I’ve long since realised the best way to keep my brain happy is to keep it active and allow it to be busy; and learning new skills and seeking out new experiences is a great way to do just that! 🤩⚒️
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Have a wonderful weekend! 🙃
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Kelly xx
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#jewellerymaker #ladysmith #makersgonnamake #jewellerybusiness #knowyourmaker #smallbizuk #hampshirebusiness #creativebrain #neurodiversity #adhdinwomen #busybrain
Bezels on the bench! ⚒️🌊 Just a few sea glass pebbles wrapped in silver and waiting to be turned into pendants.
I usually find making the bezel part itself goes one of two ways; I struggle with every single one of them, or they all work out nicely and fit perfectly first time.
Anyone else experience this too? 🤔
Thankfully this day was a better one, and that’s why I decided to keep on going whilst the going was good! 😂
Next stage is to cut out some baseplates and decide whether to keep them plain and simple or make them all fancy…
I’ll see what mood I’m in when I return to the bench tomorrow! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #makingjewelry #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #handmadejewellery #jewellerymaking #jewelrymaker #seaglass #handcraftedjewellery #seaglasslove #seaglasspendant #iloveseaglass #seaglassjewelry #seaglassjewellery #bezelsettings #workinprogress
The sound of the sea really soothes my soul! 🌊 It was so calm and peaceful down on the beach this morning, I could have stayed there for hours.
If you feel the same way, but perhaps don’t have such easy access to the ocean, then save this clip and come back to it as often as you need 🙂🫶🌊
#vitaminsea #oceanwaves #beachsound #bytheseaside #beachlover #amomentofcalm
How to set up and use the Dremel Versatip torch for soldering! ⚒️🔥
I asked you all which Dremel tool you’d like to see a demo of first, and the overwhelming response was for this one!
I’ve been using one of these for many years now, and would still put it up there as one of my top five tools because of how much stress and time it has saved me.
I’m not able have larger tank or hose torches in my studio and so I am restricted to handheld butane ones only.
I’ve not found that to be particularly limiting in terms of what I can make, but a regular handheld torch is often a bit ‘too much’ for the smaller soldering tasks like jump rings, clasps and chain links.
That’s where the Versatip has proven to be so valuable. It has a finer and more direct flame (still hot, at max temp 1200 deg C) so it’s just perfect for anything that needs precision more than power.
I struggled to create this post in a way that seems less ‘salesy’ (and I did try… 😂) but honestly, I love the thing! I have been asked about it hundreds of times before and have shared it many times before now too.
Dremel very kindly sent me a brand new one so I could give a proper demo on how to set it up as well as how to use it, but I promise you that any recommendation is totally genuine!
It actually has a multitude of different capabilities (which are the reason for all the extra attachments), but I have to confess I’ve never tested out any of those.
For me as a jeweller, just being able to solder silver with it is all I want or need! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #soldering #silverjewellery #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #tooladdict #jewelrytools #jewellerytools #jewelrymaking
Do you have a favourite combination when it comes to jewellery? Maybe particular metals and stones together, or certain textures or shapes? 🤔
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I’ve got a soft spot for this necklace because it incorporates several of the elements I love most; silver, flowers, gemstones and circles… 🌸💎
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I use all of these frequently in my designs. Sometimes individually and sometimes combined with each other.
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I am also fond of pairing the colour blue with silver too, be it a pale aqua-coloured piece of sea glass or a gorgeously deep London Blue Topaz like these!
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My favourite colour is actually green, but I’m forever being drawn back to the blues when making jewellery.
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Topaz, Turquoise, Aquamarine… even Sapphire.
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I love all of them! 🙃💙
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#jewellerymaker #handcraftedjewellery #artisanmade #handmadeintheuk #artisanjewellery #handmadejewellery #igjewellery #silverjewellery #topaz #floralnecklace #silvernecklace #flowerjewelry #silverjewelry
Sawing out a silver butterfly! ⚒️🦋 This was the pendant I created recently with the laser engraving detail - the silver is 0.8mm thick and too much for my machine to cut, so I did it by hand.
The reel is 22 seconds long, but the actual time taken to saw it out was almost 14 minutes.
I did manage to get round in one go without breaking a blade or cutting any fingers though!
After this stage the silver then had to be filed, sanded, and polished by hand too.
There’s already a reel showing the whole process from start to finish if you’re interested, but I found this clip on my phone this afternoon and thought it was worth a share on its own.
I’m still not sure whether to make more of these butterflies either - let me know if you’d like to see them added to my range!
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend,
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #howitsmade #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #whatsonyourbench #jewelleratwork #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #greenlionsawframe #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #butterflies
Gold and silver stacking rings! ⚒️💫💍 These were the last project from term two of my Diploma in Silver Jewellery.
There’s a mix of both satin and shiny finishes here, with the set comprised of one plain and one textured hammered gold band, a silver ring with a gold nugget embellishment and another silver ring with a gold tube-set cz stone.
All made in my size, of course! 🙃
I’m so, so happy to say that I managed to create both of the gold bands without any issues this time.
A huge relief, and a satisfying end to the second term.
Let me know of which of these is your favourite!
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #silverring #goldring #stackingrings #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelrymaking #jadiplomadiaries #handmadejewellery #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #ladysmiths
Another of my favourite workshop staples! ⚒️ I’ve been asked about these burrs quite a lot again recently, so here’s the lowdown on why I love them!
I always take the time to clean up soldered joins on things like jump rings, even the smallest ones.
I find that the few extra seconds spent doing so gives a much higher quality finish, as well as giving me the opportunity to inspect each join and make sure it’s soldered properly.
And rubber or silicone burrs are a massive timesaver for this task!
My first choice for cleaning up jump rings in particular is the one I’m using here.
It’s an Eveflex Rubber Burr, 506 in Blue (coarse grit finish) in the flame profile, with a 2.34mm shank to fit in my Foredom pendant motor.
I find it makes swift work of removing any excess solder and tidying joins, but still gives a fine enough finish that no further work is needed other than a spin in the barrel polisher.
These rubber burrs come in all different shapes and finishes - which you choose is down to personal preference and the task in hand.
However I would always be careful when using them on larger pieces and more obvious joins, and work my way through the different grits in order, just as you would with emery paper or sanding sticks.
But for jump ring joins, these are a one-stop process and I absolutely love them for that! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #soldering #silverjewellery #makingjewellery #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #tooladdict #jewelrytools #jewellerytools #jewelrymaking #jewelrytipsandtricks
Another scrap-pot project! ⚒️🪼 I forgot to share this with you when I made it last month, but here’s the result of my latest creative experiment using the odds and ends on my bench!
It’s a silver jellyfish, made from folded sheet, random lengths of chain and some bits of wire.
It has a degree of free movement around the top part, which spins, and makes a very satisfying jingly noise when you shake it.
I’ve absolutely no idea what to do with it now, and I’m not even sure if it would actually work as a pendant, but it was a fun challenge!
Might just put a hook under my bench shelf for now and let it hang there whilst I figure out its future! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymaking #jewelrymaking #jewelrymaker #silverjewellery #jellyfish #workinprogress #workspacewednesday #silverjewelry #reducereuserecycle #feelingcreative #makersgonnamake
Ooof - just look at those look at those layers! 🤩 This stone is a Laguna Lace Agate, and the first image is actually the back of the pendant.
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I still can’t decide whether I like it better from the front (which is slightly domed) or the reverse, which has this amazing layered stack of colours.
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That pattern was too pretty to hide, so I made the backplate cut-out on this one as large as possible. This created a simple frame effect so it can be worn either way around.
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So many of the gems I use are like this, and just as beautiful on both sides.
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It’s got me thinking that maybe in future I need to come up with a bail design that will allow them to spin round whilst being worn too… 💫
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What do you think? 🤔
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#artisanjewellery #handmadejewellery #jewellerymaker #silverjewellery #gemstonenecklace #silverpendant #agatenecklace #jewellerydesigner #sterlingsilver #handcraftedjewellery #artisanmade #handmadeintheuk #jewelleryartist
You know I’m always on the lookout for effective storage solutions for my jewellery tools! ⚒️
And this weekend I created a dedicated space for my sanding discs and polish sticks to live, by repurposing an old spice rack that we no longer needed in the kitchen.
A quick ten-minute idea that worked out perfectly and means these few things are now close at hand and not being continuously moved from one side of the room to the other - which they had been up until now.
The butcher’s block that I use as my hammering station now has quite a few bolt-ons, but it’s proven to be a brilliant piece of furniture!
I do apologise for my rather haphazard DIY skills; Mr W&T would no doubt have marked everything out first, measured it all properly and used the correctly sized drill bits and screws.
I however didn’t have time to wait around for him, so just got on with it using whatever I had closest to hand. It does the job.
And yes, the cat stayed underneath the bench and refused to move throughout the entire process.
#jewellerymaker #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #storagesolutions #toolstorage #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #mystudio #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #jewellerytools #jewelrytools
Making a bezel-set sea glass pendant! ⚒️🌊 This classic style is always popular and one of my favourite things to make.
Occasionally I get a bit more creative and embellish the settings or come up with a more elaborate hanging bail, but other times I just keep it simple.
And shiny! 🤩 Because there’s just something so beautiful about the contrast between the matte frostiness of the sea glass, and the bright shine of the silver!
I’ve tried to include like as many of the steps in this reel as I can, but it’s not easy to cover everything in just 90 seconds.
If you have any questions about what I’m doing or using please just ask in the comments, and if you’d like a fully in-depth tutorial of exactly how I do this, then I can now help with that too! 🫶
I’m really excited to be teaching in-person sea glass jewellery classes at @jewellersacademybrighton for anyone who is able to travel there (next courses are Saturday 10th May and Wednesday 23rd July)
And if you can’t make it to Brighton then I’m also the tutor for the @jewellersacademy online course - which is available for immediate download and currently half price until this coming Wednesday (19th March)
Both courses cover claw settings, how to drill sea glass and how to make a bezel setting exactly like this one! ✨
I’ll put some links to both in my stories today.
Have a wonderful rest of the weekend! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #howitsmade #processreel #seaglass #seaglassjewellery #bezelsettings #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelleratwork #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #jewellerymakingtools #ladysmiths #seaglassjewelry
Which of these shall I use first?! ⚒️🤩 Would you rather see an updated sea glass drilling demo using the cordless multi-tool, or some soldering with the Versatip torch? 🌊🔥
Let me know in the comments or by voting in the poll!
I will be showcasing both of these over the next week or so but you can choose the order of appearance! 🙃
Kelly x
@dremel_uk
@dremel
#jewellerymaker #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #mystudio #tooladdict #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #jewellerytools #jewelrytools
The making of the trinket box! ⚒️🦋
This was the project for weeks 7 and 8 of my Diploma’s second term, and once it was finished I understood why we were given a fortnight to do it!
It wasn’t the easiest piece to make either. In the end I did it in stages over several days, one of which was spent sanding back the firestain that appeared around the sides - on both halves of the box! 😬
I haven’t been able to include every part of the process here, partly because there just isn’t time in one reel, and also because I didn’t actually film everything.
The later soldering stages were pretty intense moments and I needed to get in close to see everything properly. It’s unlikely I’d have been able to get a focused shot even if I had been brave enough to try!
I was equally pleased and relieved when this one was finally completed. The projects are getting noticeably harder, as you’d expect, but I’m still enjoying every one.
If you’re interested in seeing a longer version of this with some more technical explanations, then do check out the Diploma Diary reel from last Sunday on the @jewellersacademy page too.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #howitsmade #processreel #myworkspace #tooladdict #jewelleratwork #jewelrymaker #jewellerymakingtools #ladysmiths #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #handmadeisbetter #whatimade #trinketbox #jadiplomadiaries #butterfly
The perfect stone for spring! 🌸 This is a Sonoran Dendritic Rhyolite, and the patterns on these always remind me of blossom!
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I have been increasingly distracted lately with making things at the bench and getting my Diploma projects finished, and keep forgetting to post any of my finished jewellery pieces.
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So I chose this one for today!
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I love the gorgeous blue-grey and magenta colours as much as the soft matte finish on these stones. I have a few more of them yet to be set, but this one called to me first.
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It’s a pretty big pendant, so it’s been paired with a longer length and heavier weight 22” chain to complement and balance out the setting, and has a little bit of decoration both around the bezel and on the back.
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Would you wear something this size, or do you prefer a more subtle style?
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Do let me know, as I have quite a few smaller stones also waiting to be set and could do with some encouragement to look past the larger ones now and again! 🙃
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Kelly xx
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#jewellerymaker #ooak #ilovejewellery #jewellerydesigner #silversmith #jewelrygram #rhyolite #gemstonejewellery #ilovejewelry #jewelryaddict #artisanjewelry #handmadejewellery #oneofakindjewelry #sterlingsilver #artisanmade #statementpendant #statementnecklaces
I taught my first ever jewellery-making class yesterday! ⚒️
Here’s a little thirty second peek for anyone interested in seeing what I was up to; especially those of you who were so kind as to message and wish me luck! ☺️ Thank you! 🫶
I had the most brilliant day at @jewellersacademybrighton and am still buzzing from the experience.
The studios are beautiful, the atmosphere is so warm and friendly and the tools and equipment available there is every maker’s dream! 🤩
I taught five incredibly lovely ladies how to make a bezel-set sea glass pendant, and they all produced the most amazing pieces to take home with them.
It’s still a bit of a pinch-me moment if I’m honest.
Six years ago I’d only just started teaching myself how to do this, and fast forward to now and I’m thrilled to be sharing what I’ve learned with others.
To spend a day in such a fab location and to experience that feeling of pride and joy in making your first-ever sea glass piece five-times over, well that’s really something.
I can’t wait to go back and do it all again! ☺️
Kelly xx
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#jewellerymaker #seaglass #handcraftedjewellery #dowhatyoulove #jewelleryschool #seaglasslove #seaglasslover #iloveseaglass #seaglassjewelry #seaglassjewellery
Set some sea glass with me! 🌊🧜♀️
This pendant is the one I was making over the weekend, and this is the (almost final) stage of setting the glass.
I still find this bit nerve-wracking; it’s probably the most satisfying part of the process, but until that glass is clicked in place and the silver folded down around the edge, I’m never 100% sure the piece will be a success.
And that’s quite daunting when you’ve spent hours making something!
My favourite setting tool is still a curved burnisher, held securely in the same way I guess you’d use a vegetable peeler.
I’ve tried bezel rockers and square pushers too, but this thing just feels so natural in my hand now that I keep coming back to it, although it can make my arms and shoulders ache quite badly!
I do have a hammer handpiece and LX motor that would probably make this task a lot easier, but I’m scared to try it on glass in case it ends up being ‘too much’ and causes it to break.
If you’ve had success setting sea glass using one before then do let me know as I’d be interested to see if it would help - or not… 🙃
I’ve also recorded the whole making process of this particular pendant too, and promise to share the rest with you soon!
Kelly xx
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I can’t solder any joins unless I’ve checked them first by holding them up to the daylight and squinting.
And I can’t make anything at all if I’m not wearing my optivisors.
Not sure if these are just old habits or old age!
Please tell me I’m not the only one?! 😬😂
Hope you’ve had a lovely weekend!
Kelly xx
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One of my favourite bezel-setting tips! ⚒️ I’ve shared this once before, but it was quite a while ago and since I’m currently sitting at my bench filming stuff anyway, I thought I’d share it again.
The quickest method I’ve found to get an even border around a bezel setting is to take a piece of scrap wire and simply hold it in place between the bezel wall and a pen as you draw around the whole thing.
A super-fine marker is always best for getting a clear line, but it doesn’t have to be a scrap of wire.
I have used the stems of burrs before and even drill bits and broken cocktail sticks - whatever happens to be close at hand and the right size for the border width you want! 🙃
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Kelly xx
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Who else gets excited about unboxing new tools?! 🤩⚒️ I’ve been gradually building up my collection over the last six years, and slowly filling in ‘gaps’ wherever I can too.
This most recent purchase is an example of that. I actually bought the steel ring triblet and stepped bangle mandrel together from @durstontools almost exactly five years ago.
But the mandrel only goes up to a maximum diameter of 28mm and the stepped mandrel is restricted by its design to three set sizes.
Lately I’ve been wanting to create larger circular pendants and more fixed round bangles, and didn’t have quite the right tools for the job.
I’ve been making do, using my dapping posts and other random round tool handles for shaping these pendants on, but that’s pretty limiting. And irritating.
I finally looked into buying something that was more fit for purpose, and discovered you can get a smaller bangle mandrel too. It goes from 25-50mm so it is quite literally the next size up from the triblet.
And the larger round mandrel takes diameters of 50-75mm so I finally have all sizes covered. I opted for the one with the tang so I can secure it in my bench vice - I just find it much easier to use this way.
So that’s another tool investment I’m really happy with. Now I just have to find somewhere to keep them! 😳🤔
Have a fab Friday!
Kelly x
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How I made the engraved butterfly pendant! 🦋⚒️
There was a lot of love for this silver pendant when I shared it over the weekend, and as promised here’s the making process in more detail!
I designed the butterfly image myself on my computer, and then used the xTool software to convert this from a PNG into a depth map, which is what you need to do the deeper level embossing.
Then I had this laserered into a piece of 0.8mm thick sterling silver sheet using the xTool F1 Ultra.
Settings were IR Fiber laser, Power 100%, Speed 2500, 300 LPCm 💫
The total time for the embossing was 44 minutes, but it is super precise so well worth waiting for!
Once the machine had done its thing I sawed the butterfly out, filed and sanded the edges, and soldered on a bail and some hanging rings.
I then chose to add a patina to emphasise the details of the raised areas and polished up the high parts.
Overall I’m really impressed with the result. It did feel like a bit of a gamble on such a large piece of silver (I tested it on copper first, but the metals can still perform differently) but thankfully it paid off!
I’m definitely going to be exploring this setting further, and seeing what else I can come up with.
Let me know what you think, and if you have any questions, please just ask! 🙃
Kelly xx
@xtool_uk
@xtool.official
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I finished it! ⚒️🦋 The little collection of silver sheet strips and squares I shared with you last Wednesday is now a butterfly-topped trinket box.
This was quite a tough project for me and took several days to complete, not least because I had to solder it a couple of times and ended up with a lot of firestain around the sides.
That took pretty much an entire afternoon to sand back out, but I got there in the end.
Thankfully I was going for a satin finish anyway so although it didn’t show up clearly straight away, I hadn’t actually wasted hours getting it to a fine shine before then.
I’ll share the full making process of this one in a week or so once I’ve finished editing all the footage, but I’d love to know what you think.
Do you like the butterfly, or would you have gone for something simpler like a gemstone?
I’m definitely going to be keeping this one once the Diploma is over, but not sure yet if I’ll ever make another! 🙃
Kelly xx
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How it’s made - a silver gemstone torque bangle! ⚒️
This was the third project from term two of the Diploma In Silver Jewellery that I’m doing, and probably the most ambitious piece we’ve had to make on the course so far.
It was complicated, with lots of stages, and for the first time I had to make a list beforehand so I didn’t lose track of what I was doing. I also had to go back and refer to the tutorials several times too, to make I kept to the brief and the given design.
I knew it was going to be tricky so I took my time and made sure I didn’t rush any of the stages - a strategy that paid off!
I’m really proud of this one. An awful lot of work went into it, and it was polished entirely by hand too. I usually put things in the tumbler for a few hours to get a fine shine, but I didn’t want to risk denting the bezel setting.
Things are getting harder during the second term, but I’m still loving every minute!
Kelly xx
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My first ever collet setting! ⚒️ This was the fifth project from reel two of my Dioploma course and things are definitely getting more challenging now!
I actually had to make the collet part twice, after getting my maths wrong initially. The one you see featured here up until I used the collet block was actually far too wide at the base.
So I re-made it and carried on. Everything shown from the sanding of the setting onwards became part of the final ring.
I didn’t go back and film the first few stages again though as I was a bit cross with myself and pressed for time, but the process and procedures were the same.
Just goes to show the huge difference a couple of millimeters can make, and why precision is so key when it comes to making jewellery.
Sadly, maths has never been a strong subject of mine! 🫣
For the stone setting stage I stuck with the pin vice, as I’m still learning and not quite brave enough to use the pendant motor for that just yet.
I did however give in to the need for power tools and use my LX motor and hammer handpiece to set the stone though, as I wasn’t getting anywhere with the square pusher or burnisher I’d usually use.
It was the first time I’ve actually used the LX properly and I think it could well become one of my favourite tools!
As always, if you have any questions about anything I’m doing or using here, please just ask! 🙃
Kelly xx
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So excited to finally share this with you! 🤩🌊
I’ve mentioned before that I’m going to be teaching sea glass jewellery in person at @jewellersacademybrighton this year, and now I can reveal that I’ve recorded an online course with @jewellersacademy too! 🫶
I often get asked if I do workshops or online tutorials, and this is the best way for me to offer both.
There is a LOT that goes into the professional recording of these courses and I loved the whole experience!
It’s just so much more content and detail than I’d ever be able to put out there myself so I was thrilled when Jess asked me if I’d take part and I really hope that I’ve done it well.
We covered bezel setting, claw setting, and drilling - and I did my best to include everything I’ve learned during my years of working with sea glass, including all the things NOT to do! 🙃
I’ve put a link in my stories today, but if you’re reading this at a later date and would like me to send it to you just drop a note in the comments.
And if you enrol on the course and have any questions or queries about anything I’m doing or using, please just get in touch and ask as I’m always happy to help!
Have a lovely Monday!
Kelly xx
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#jewellerymaker #seaglass #handcraftedjewellery #treasuresfromthesea #seaglasslove #seaglasslover #iloveseaglass #seaglassjewelry #seaglassjewellery
What I made this weekend… 🦋 I seem to have butterflies on my mind a lot at the moment, not sure why. Perhaps it’s that wonderful feeling of spring that’s in the air right now!
Anyway, I’ve been experimenting with the xTool F1 Ultra again to see just how deep an engraving I can get in sterling silver.
And this is the answer; pretty deep!
It’s not the same butterfly as the one I was sawing out in my last reel, but a bigger one.
I’ll share more details and the full making process in a longer reel when I’ve edited it, but I got so excited about the finished piece that I wanted to show you right away.
Let me know what you think, and what I should try engraving next!
Kelly xx
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Sawing out a silver butterfly! ⚒️🦋 This was the decorative feature I chose to add to the trinket box I made this week as part of my Diploma.
It ended up being a bit more elaborate than you can see here, but this is only the first stage.
I managed to get round in one go without breaking a blade (or cutting any fingers!) but this task alone took nine minutes.
It then had to be filed, sanded, textured sweat soldered to a sheet of copper before it could be added to the lid of the box.
Handmade isn’t fast, but it is always worth it! I’ll share the finished piece next week when it’s had the final polish.
And to all those who helped me and offered tips and suggestions after some of the previous struggles encountered with my saw piercing - thank you! 🫶
My original @greenlionsawframe is still my absolute favourite saw, and following some expert advice I recently gave it a good clean and removed lots of dust from around the thumbscrews, which keeps the blades nice and taught and my lines straight.
A new pack of saw blades also helped too, as the ones I had been using previously were old, and a bit rusty and warped from being stored in non-closed containers.
And for anyone wanting the technical details, the silver here is 0.5mm thick and I’m using size 4/0 blades.
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! 🙃
Kelly xx
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The finished copper flower! ⚒️ I had so much fun making this and just playing around with my tools; forming and hammering metal to see what I could do.
The finished piece was too big to go in the tumbler so had to be hand polished, and whilst it did come up beautifully bright and shiny once I’d finished all the metal work, I decided to add a patina and give it a brushed satin finish.
I find that copper just doesn’t hold a shine for very long and tends to oxidise very quickly anyway when left out, so I gave it a head start.
Even after a week it’s already continued to darken and I love the deeper warm tones that are developing.
I’m not quite sure what to do with it, so I’m going to keep it on my bench for now as a reminder that I can create more ambitious designs if I want to.
It will also help me remember that it’s good to keep practicing and experimenting, and just take time to enjoy the process now and again! 🙃
Have a wonderful weekend,
Kelly xx
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Filing or sanding; which would you rather do? ⚒️ You can vote in the poll on this one and let me know!
Personally, for me it’s sanding - every time. I hate the filing stage. It may be faster and more efficient but it’s all scratchy and coarse and rough and literally grates on me… 😬
But sanding? That is gentler and slower and somehow I find it meditative and relaxing. That part of the process I could happily do for hours! 😁
Anyone else with me on this? 🙃
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My project for this week… ⚒️ This little collection of silver sheet strips and squares is destined to be transformed into a little trinket box.
At least it will if all goes to plan… 🫣😂
I’ve never made any kind of a box or container before, but I think the main test with this one will be the soldering and avoiding the dreaded firestain.
I’ve also got to come up with a decorative element for the top of the lid, and can’t decide between a bezel-set gemstone or some sort of silver embellishment 🤔
If you have any thoughts towards one or the other, do let me know!
Kelly xx
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The next stage of creating my copper flower! This follows on from the reel I shared over the weekend, showing the petals being formed in the dapping block.
I have since finished it off and given it a polish, but I wanted to show you a glimpse of this post-soldering part of the process too.
Mainly because I’m still quite amazed I succeeded in getting this soldered at all using my handheld torches, but also as proof that I really did make the thing myself.
I keep looking at it sitting on my bench and can’t quite believe I managed it.
One day I might try and work out the equivalent cost of making one in silver, but I’m not quite ready for that sort of shock just yet… 🙃⚒️
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #seekinspirecreate #whatsonyourbench #workinprogress #creativeminds #handmadejewellery #hampshirebusiness #metalsmithlife #jewellerymakers #metalsmith #metalart #metalflowers
Just something I felt needed saying. So many of you have now messaged me to ask my opinion on this whole ‘boost your visibility’ or ‘pay to be promoted’ thing that I wanted to share my thoughts on the matter.
Whilst I don’t generally mind my content being shared or re-posted by other accounts (obviously so long as due credit is given) I also really don’t want anyone to be under the impression that I am paying for this sort of exposure.
Because I am not. Never have, never will.
If you choose to pursue such a route and it works for you then that’s great, but it’s simply not my style.
I work hard at creating my content and engaging with you amazing people because I enjoy it, and I genuinely love helping others.
I get an awful lot back from this community too in terms of encouragement, motivation and support and for that I am so, so grateful 🙏🏻
But I also pride myself on being authentic and honest, and if you are seeing this reel or reading this caption then it’s either because my posts resonated with you at some point, or the algorithm thought you’d be interested.
Now I’m not against the idea of collaborations or paid partnerships, and if you’ve followed me for a while you’ll probably be aware that I have actively partaken in both. But I will always be open about it.
What makes me uncomfortable is the idea of anyone potentially being misled into thinking I’m endorsing or encouraging something when I’m not.
If you ever want help or advice or have a question about anything I share or the tools I use, then please feel free to reach out and ask me.
I don’t pay for promotion, but I don’t charge for conversation either! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #seekinspirecreate #dowhatyoulove #handmadebusiness #creativeminds #handmadejewellery
Here are all the pieces I made during the first term of my Diploma In Silver Jewellery! 🤩⚒️
I’ve shared them already in various reels of course, but when they all returned from marking I took some photos too 📷
My own favourites from here are probably the flush setting and the riveted pendant, and the little silver book (hinges project) 📖
The copper cylinder from the soldering masterclass was the most satisfying thing to make, and the most challenging was the dreaded jigsaw project (I know most of my fellow students feel the same way about that one!).
I also struggled a bit with the tube setting - not the setting itself, but trying to make it into a ring. Which is why it’s a pendant instead… 😂
Let me know which of these pieces you love most, or which techniques you’d most like to try.
And also, which do you think I should take forward to include in my final project? 🤔
The very last thing we will be asked to make is a statement piece of jewellery using at least three different techniques that we were taught on the course.
I’m still trying to decide (and still have a few more to learn) but I at least know which will NOT be repeated… 🪁🧩🙃
Kelly x
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #whatsonmybench #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelrymaking #jadiplomadiaries #handmadejewellery #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #ladysmiths #silverjewellery
Forming a flower! ⚒️ I’ve been having some fun over the weekend, using up some scrap metal and also generally just playing around in the workshop to see what I can create.
I had a fancy to make something a little more structural too, and since the high price of silver prohibits such experiments on a larger scale, I used copper instead.
After lots of hammering, sawing, forming, annealing, twisting, and soldering, things eventually evolved into a flower. Not quite sure how, but that’s the beauty of this sort of unplanned process!
In this reel I’m using my steel dapping block to shape the copper sheet metal that would become the petals.
It’s been a while since I just allowed myself the freedom to be creative, as well as test my skills, and I enjoyed every minute.
I’ll share the finished result next week! 🙃
P.S. for anyone wondering what the numbers are on my steel block, I just allocated each of the domes a number to help me remember which one is which. Just in case I want to keep a record of exactly how things are made so I can repeat a design!
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I have a few ideas… 🤔 Do you ever make anything with scraps and leftover materials? It’s one of my favourite things to do, and just after a bench clean is the ideal time as all those odds and ends of silver conveniently end up in a pile.
I’ve got a couple of spare hours this weekend to spend at the bench and the urge to create is currently strong, so I’m going to sit down in a bit and see what evolves from this! 🙃⚒️
#jewellerymaker #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymaking #jewelrymaking #jewelrymaker #silverjewellery #workinprogress #workspacewednesday #silverjewelry #reducereuserecycle #feelingcreative #makersgonnamake
Precision here is key! 🗝️ Understanding the sizing of closed bangles is so important, as even a couple of millimetres can make a huge difference to the fit.
For a long time I’ve been reluctant to make these, due to the variety of sizes that are potentially needed.
But with the price of silver being so high right now, I’m also at the stage where I can no longer afford to keep lots of designs in stock any more, and am having to start making to order instead.
This means bangles are back on the menu again! ⚒️
The best way to find out what size is required is to measure the diameter of an existing bangle that fits well.
Failing that, you can either measure the circumference of the hand or the diameter - with the two methods shown in this reel.
If you’re opting for the circumference then you’ll need a flexible tape measure, or a bit of string or thin strip of paper you can check against a ruler.
And for a closed bangle this goes around the widest part of the hand, not the wrist.
To check for the diameter instead, you can measure between the two outermost knuckles.
Every jeweller that makes bangles will very likely have a sizing guide available, and even if their definitions of ‘small, medium and large’ might differ, the diameter and/or circumference figures will usually be given too.
And if you’re buying for someone else as a gift and aren’t sure of the size, please don’t just guess; opt for a clasp bangle, a cuff or a bracelet instead! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #jewellerytools #jewelrytools #metalsmith #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #silverbangle #ladysmith #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #jewelrymaking #jewelrytips #howtoreels
How often do you tidy your bench? 🙃⚒️ I’d love to say I’m one of those people who clears up every time they finish something, but I’m not.
Well, not here at least. I take a different approach to the rest of the house and can’t abide clutter and mess, but somehow I feel the opposite about my workbench.
I frequently leave things wherever they land each time I put down my tools, in case somehow tidying everything away will remove the creativity along with it - especially if something isn’t quite complete!
But then there are times when the bench surface itself disappears so much that I have to take action, and school holidays seem to be the best time for this.
I don’t get as much opportunity to make jewellery when my girls are home during the day, and instead revert to the roles of peace-keeper and snack distributer. But it is a good time to have a spring clean.
Every six weeks or so feels fair, and I have to admit that sitting down to a clean and tidy workspace IS always a nice change!
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #whereiwork #mystudio #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #silverjewellery #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #seekinspirecreate #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #tooladdict #jewelrytools #jewellerytools #jewelrymaking #springclean #timelapsevideo
My new favourite tool… 🤩 A bangle forming die press; a simple and easy way to make a plain bangle into a rather fancy one!
Lots of you wanted to know how I created this effect, and here is the answer 🙂
I’ve never been a big fan of regular plain bangles, but I’m loving the wavy results I’m getting with this tool.
It couldn’t be easier to use either; just put your bangle into the lower part of the press, use the spacer to help centre it, replace the top half and whack it with a mallet.
I’m using a piece of leather to protect my bench block, but the most important thing to remember is ANNEAL, anneal, anneal. The softer your metal, the more pronounced wave effect you will get.
I’m still experimenting to see how it works on different thicknesses of wire (I’m using 1.5mm here) and you need to add on a couple of mm when making the bangle itself to allow for the shaping effect, but I’m so impressed by how this works.
The press was sent to me by @maddisonsofdurham and if you’d like one too then they’ve also very generously created a discount offer for me to pass on; enter the code ‘KELLY10’ at checkout and get 10% off any wave press 💫
They come in a variety of styles (this one is a 14 wave pattern) Just search for product 1944 on their site and you should find them all.
Let me know what you think of the result, and if you’d like a finished bangle they’re now available to order from my own website too 🙃
#jewellerymaker #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #jewellerytools #jewelrytools #metalsmith #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #silverbangle #ladysmith #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #jewelrymaking #jewelrytips #howtoreels
Should I make more of these wavy bangles, and would you like to see how it’s done? ⚒️
Let me know! 🙃
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#handmadejewellery #jewellerymaker #silverbangles #whatsonyourbench #recycledmetals #silverbracelets #handmadeisbest #wavybangle #stackingbangle #slowmade
A few things to keep me busy this half term! 🤩⚒️
My latest @cooksongold order just got delivered. I decided that I actually really enjoyed making the collet setting last week and want to do more, but I only had a couple of stone setting burrs.
Now I have all of them and a lot more options! 🙌
I also bought a lovely and super-sparkly 8mm CZ gemstone because the next ring I make is going to be BIG, and some burr and blade lubricant to help prolong the life of my tools because I don’t think beeswax is quite doing the job as well as I need it to.
Have you ordered anything this week? Let me know what’s currently on your bench, and I promise to share the finished ring when it’s done! 💍💎
Kelly 🙃 xx
#jewellerymaker #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #stonesetting #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #mystudio #tooladdict #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #jewellerytools #jewelrytools
Beautiful aqua sea glass in a bespoke silver setting! 🌊✨ I shared a quick reel of this necklace earlier today, and as promised here’s a closer look courtesy of the still images.
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The weather was perfect for taking photos outside today as there was a lovely level of light without any glare or reflection.
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I only managed to take pictures of this one pendant though as despite the wonderful lighting, the temperature was a balmy 5 degrees celsius, ‘feels like’ -5. And boy did it! 🥶
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I made this particular piece after making a large few gemstone pendants with the moving riveted bails.
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Mr W&T commented that they reminded him of shackles on a boat, so I had to try a version in sea glass too! ⛵️
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I am planning making more like this, and although I’m not quite sure yet how to incorporate that particular nautical reference to the titles, sea glass with silver shackles will be a thing! 🙃⚓️
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Hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend too, despite the chilly weather,
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Kelly xx
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#seaglassnecklace #jewellerymaker #seaglass #handcraftedjewellery #seaglasspendant #iloveseaglass #seaglassjewellery #iloveseaglass #oneofakindjewellery #seajewels #silverjewellery #upcycledjewelry
My newest sea glass necklace! 🌊🧜♀️
This pendant is slightly different to the ones I usually make.
It’s been embellished with some tiny silver spheres and oxidised to add depth, but it’s the riveted hanging bail that I think really makes this one unique.
I enjoyed the challenges it posed, and love the result. I’ll never stop making the classic versions with the simple setting and bright shine as I know how popular they are with everyone.
But there’s something about the darker grungy vibe to this style that calls to me.
Shall I create more like this one? Let me know what you think!
I spent the morning taking photos so I could add it to the website, and I’ll share those later too so you can get a better look.
Hope you’re having a lovely Sunday!
Kelly xx
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#seaglassnecklace #jewellerymaker #seaglass #handcraftedjewellery #treasuresfromthesea #seaglasslove #seaglasslover #seaglasspendant #iloveseaglass #seaglasstreasures #seaglassjewelry #seaglassjewellery #iloveseaglass #oneofakindjewellery #silverjewellery #upcycledjewelry
Setting a stone in wax! ⚒️ 💎
This was the fourth project for term two of my Diploma, and not only did I have to make the setting for a faceted stone, I had to carve the ring band too.
I’m really starting to love working with wax. It’s messy, but it’s also quiet and meditative and I find I can easily get absorbed in the process, which isn’t a bad thing.
I used a piece of gold Wolf wax for this one, but for no real reason other than I had it to hand and didn’t have any blue wax in the offset shape at the time!
It came free as a sample with some carving tools I bought and was already close to the width I needed, so I thought I’d try it out.
I’ve not done nearly enough wax carving to be able to make any comparisons yet (this was literally the third thing I’ve ever made with wax) but it was nice to work with and I didn’t find it hard to get a nice smooth finish.
The flush setting part was straightforward, and followed exactly the same process as you’d use in metal - just a lot faster!
I had wanted to do some more intricate carving or add some detail to the band too when I started, but after several hours to get it to meet the marking criteria I decided to call it quits on this particular piece.
I will have another go at doing that on a non-assessed example, or perhaps when this one returns from marking.
For now, it can stay as it is! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #howitsmade #processreel #waxcarving #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelleratwork #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #workinprogress #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #jewellerymakingtools #ladysmiths #jadiplomadiaries
And it’s done! My first-ever collet setting 💍🤩
This project was certainly a challenge, and not helped by my poor application of maths during the planning stage! 🫣
But I persevered and got there in the end, and thankfully didn’t encounter any other dramas along the way.
It made me think though, about how critical we are of our own efforts sometimes.
My initial reaction to the finished ring was ‘it’s not quite perfect and I think I can do better…’ but then I reminded myself that yesterday morning this was nothing more than a piece of silver sheet metal, a strip of wire, and a stone.
And whilst I would of course like to do better, I’m actually incredibly proud of this. I made it, all of it - from scratch. And that’s no mean feat.
A year ago I would not have felt able to attempt something like this, which is why I’m six years into my jewellery-making journey and only now learning these more advanced stone setting techniques.
In future I will try harder to remember how far I have come, and not just focus on how far I want to go! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #colletsetting #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #whatimadethisweek #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #jadiplomadiaries
The difference that 2 millimetres can make! 😬 I’ve been making a collet setting for the first time today, or at least trying to!
There are several different ways to do this, but the method on my Diploma course calls for a bit of geometry to create the setting itself.
Now maths is NOT one of my strongest subjects and I wasn’t wholly surprised to have messed it up first time! 🤪😂
What did surprise me though was the error in my calculations was only 2mm off, and yet that completely changed the size of the entire thing.
Precision is key when making jewellery, and although I did know this, I still get caught out by it from time to time.
This project is fiddly. As in, REALLY fiddly. I’m using a 5.5mm stone and I can already say that I’m highly unlikely to ever attempt one of these settings with anything smaller than that! 🫣
It’s still not finished, but the second attempt IS looking more hopeful.
I’ll have to pick it up again tomorrow, but as always I promise to share the finished piece with you when it’s done - however good or bad it ends up looking! 🙃
Wish me luck! 🍀🤞
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #colletsetting #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #workinprogress #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #jewellerymakingtools
Do you remember this one? 🪁
The jigsaw or ‘kite’ project was the most difficult of all the term one tasks on the @jewellersacademy Diploma in Silver Jewellery - and I know I’m not the only person to feel that way!
It’s gained a sort of notoriety for being particularly challenging, and is almost like a rite of passage for students now.
The aim of this project was to test our sawing, filing, soldering and sanding skills. It looks simple enough, but the precision required to make it work is not so easy to achieve!
At the time of finishing it I joked about adding a motivational message when it came back from marking, and today I decided to actually go ahead and do just that.
I pondered for a while over what sort of meaningful phrase might suit it best, and in the end went for something basic and straightforward…
“You can do hard things”
Because yes, yes I can.
And now I have this little square of copper and brass to remind me of that, next time I come up against something difficult! 🙂⚒️
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #motivationalmessages #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #whatsonyourbench #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #jewellerymakingtools #jadiplomadiaries #youcandoit
I’ve not just been engraving jewellery - I’ve marked my tools as well! ⚒️
Of all the materials the xTool F1 Ultra can engrave into - and that’s literally hundreds, I find there’s something just really satisfying and tactile about the results you get with wood.
I don’t actually make wooden jewellery (although I’m seriously considering having a go now) but I do have a lot of wooden-handled tools and last week I decided to put my name on those.
I went for my own name and not the name or logo of my business because it’s more personal to me and highly unlikely to ever change in future.
Have to say I’m really impressed with both the results of this, and the speed; just 24 seconds per hammer.
*Settings for anyone interested: Engrave, Blue Light laser, Power 100, Speed 600, and three passes at 120 lines per cm.
I’ve just done these for my own benefit but it would be really useful if you worked in a shared space or perhaps ran workshops and wanted a way to identify your own tools easily.
There’s a link in my bio if you want to know more about the machine itself, and if you have any questions please just ask in the comments! 🙃
Kelly xx
@xtool_uk
@xtool.official
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellerytools #jewelrytools #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #xTool #xToollasermachine #fiberlaser #laserengraving #XToolF1ultra
The making of the gemstone torque bangle! ⚒️
I shared quite a lot of posts about this project over the last couple of weeks, and here’s the full making process from start to end.
I’ve included as much as I can, but as I’m sure you imagine it’s quite hard to condense three days of work into 90 seconds! ⏱️
This was the third project from term two of the Diploma In Silver Jewellery that I’m doing with @jewellersacademy and probably the most ambitious piece we’ve had to make on the course so far.
It was complicated, with lots of stages, and for the first time I had to make a list beforehand so I didn’t lose track of what I was doing. I also had to go back and refer to the tutorials several times too, to make I kept to the brief and the given design.
I knew it was going to be tricky so I took my time and made sure I didn’t rush any of the stages - a strategy that paid off!
I’m really proud of this one. An awful lot of work went into it, and it was polished entirely by hand too. I usually put things in the tumbler for a few hours to get a fine shine, but I didn’t want to risk denting the bezel setting.
And for all those who voted for the Aquamarine gemstone when I asked in the poll, thank you. That was definitely a good choice!
As always, if you have any questions about anything I’m doing or using here, please just ask.
And I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #howitsmade #processreel #silverbangle #torquebangle #bezelsettings #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelleratwork #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #jewellerymakingtools #ladysmiths #jadiplomadiaries
I get so many questions about my choice of pickle pot and why I keep a glass jar in it, that I thought this was the perfect opportunity to explain!
For those who aren’t jewellers, pickle solution is used to clean up metal and remove any firescale (discolouring) from pieces after they have been heated or soldered. It works best when warm, so it’s often kept in a slow cooker or crock pot.
I use glass jars to contain the actual pickle solution itself so it doesn’t eat through the glaze of the main ceramic dish and damage the metal underneath, and surround these with water to help the heat transfer.
Now, I still think that 1.5L is actually the perfect size for this task, but since I couldn’t get the same model again (and reeealllly wanted the green retro style) I opted for a 3.5L instead.
And the bigger the dish, the more jars I can have.
This means I can separate out different types of metal or different sized components if I want to - especially since copper and brass tend to turn the pickle blue or green much faster.
Another advantage of the glass jars is it means the pickle solution itself is less likely to get contaminated with any bits of rust or debris that often come off the metal rim around the lid as it corrodes over time.
It’s a system that works really well; just be careful to always allow the liquids to heat up and cool down gradually as any sudden temp changes can cause the glass to crack.
Hope that answers the main questions on this topic, but if you have any more please just ask! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #makingjewelry #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #jewellerytools #jewelrytools #metalsmith #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #ladysmith #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #jewelrymaking #jewelrytips
I thought my grid needed a little more pink to balance out all the blues and aquas appearing on here recently, so I’m sharing these silver Rose Quartz flower pendants again! 🌸
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I love the pretty and delicate nature of these. Rose Quartz is also recognised as a universal symbol of love and friendship too, so they make a lovely gift for someone special.
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They’re quite fiddly to make, but are one of the few designs where I quite enjoy the repetition. I tend to make them in little batches, just a few at a time.
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This selection are all pendants, but I’m suddenly thinking I’d quite like some as drop earrings or perhaps even as a charm on a bracelet - what do you guys think? 🤔
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Let me know if you think there’s scope for a wider range or perhaps even a whole collection of these!
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#artisanjewellery #handmadejewellery #jewellerymaker #flowernecklace #flowerjewellery #contemporarystyle #jewellerylover #sterlingsilver #iloveflowers #silverjewellery #metalsmith #silversmith #handmadeintheuk #indiebiz
Waiting for a soldered bezel setting to cool! ⚒️
Do you do this too? When it comes to soldering silver, many jewellers will differ in opinion on the importance of allowing it to cool before quenching.
I will happily quench a lot of my work straight after heating it and rarely encounter a problem.
BUT when it comes to bezel settings and larger pieces which involve more silver or more work time, I’m a bit more risk-averse and will ALWAYS allow them to cool before quenching and pickling.
Too sudden a change of temperature may cause hot silver to fracture or even crack, particularly if it’s the newer Argentium alloy which has a slightly different molecular composition to traditional 925.
I often use Argentium for backplates so figured it’s a better habit to adopt for everything, just in case!
Easiest way to judge this cooling process? Add one or two drops of cold water and wait for them to fizz and pop as they bounce around and eventually evaporate.
For those who are fans of science, this particular phenomenon is called The Leidenfrost effect 💧
Sometimes it can take a while (this clip is x2 speed) so you can get on with the next task and wait for this sudden popping sound to tell you the metal is cool.
Another advantage of doing this is that you’re less likely to get bits of soldering block stuck to your work if you let it cool before moving it.
It’s also just really fun to do! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes
#jewelrymakingtips #makingjewelry #silverbezel #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #soldering #bezelsetting #silverjewellery #jewelrytips #howitsmade #whatsonmybench #uksmallbiz #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerytips #jewelrymaking
Ta daa! Just wanted to share a sneak peek at the new logo and colours for my sub-brand Seaborn Silver… 🤩🌊
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I first talked about my plans to branch out a little (pun intended) back in July, and I’ve been quietly working away on this plan in the background since then!
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Over time my jewellery has naturally evolved into two distinctive themes; the sea glass and nautical designs, and then the botanical-influenced and gemstone pieces.
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I love both of these equally and didn’t want to choose one over the other, but I also felt that they didn’t necessarily fit together so well anymore.
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So I’ve created a sub-brand (@seabornsilverjewellery) for the ocean-inspired side of things, to run alongside Willow & Twigg and allow me to maintain a clearer distinction between styles.
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My branding has all been done for me by the brilliant Alex @fith_creative and was finalised this week, and I’m now slowly building the website and putting together the stationary and packaging.
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I’m not in a mad rush to get it done, as all the jewellery itself is still available on my current website and I’m also busy with my Diploma - but taking my time means I’m also really enjoying the process too.
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It’s like ‘starting again’ without actually beginning everything completely from scratch, and I’m excited to see it all coming together.
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I’ll start posting more regularly on the other page once things evolve further, but I wanted to share this early glimpse with you all and I’d love to know what you think! 🙃
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Kelly xx
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#jewellerymaker #handmadejewellery #ladysmith #seaglassjewellery #creativeentrepreneurs #jewellerybusiness #jewellerymaking #smallbizowner #empirebuilding #mumboss #indiebiz #hampshirebusiness
Some beautiful things that I’ve made recently! 🤩 Last weekend I went on a bit of a creative making spree, and ended up making four new statement pendants…
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All of these feature hanging bails made using my new-found riveting skills!
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The one in the top left corner is a Crazy Lace Agate (the stone that didn’t make it into the torque bangle in the end) and the one top right is sea glass.
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Bottom left is a gorgeous Moss Agate and the one in the bottom right is a green Imperial Jasper.
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All are available and will be looking for new homes, although I’ve yet to get as far as taking all the individual photos and the largest one needs hallmarking.
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It’s all on that never-ending job list… 😂
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Can you pick a favourite out of this line-up!
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Let me know in the comments which one you’d choose! 🙃
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#jewellerymaker #artisanjewellery #artisanjewelry #artisanmade #sterlingsilver #agate #statementnecklace #ooakjewelry #jewelrymaker #ladysmith #mossagate #gemstonejewellery #jewelryaddict #handmadejewellery #oneofakindjewellery #mossagatejewellery #seaglasspendant #seaglassjewellery
Setting an irregular cabochon stone! ⚒️
This was the second project from term two of the Diploma In Silver Jewellery that I’m doing with @jewellersacademy and something that’s far more within my comfort zone!
If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know this kind of large gemstone jewellery is something I make quite often, so I felt less under pressure and able to really enjoy this one.
It wasn’t without difficulty though; the soldering of the setting to the backplate took longer than I expected as it was 0.8mm thick silver (I usually use 0.7 or 0.5mm) and I think the room was a little cold, but I managed to do it without incurring any firestain so that was a win!
I kept the design pretty simple too, and added just a little bit of character to it by way of cutting a few notches in the sides and blending a satin and a shiny finish.
I’m still not sure what the stone is. When I asked in my stories the majority of you seemed to think it could be a natural blue opal or maybe chalcedony, but despite lots of searching online I can’t be absolutely certain so it may have to remain a mystery!
As always, if you have any questions about anything I’m doing or using here, please just ask.
And I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #howitsmade #bezelsettings #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelleratwork #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #workinprogress #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #jewellerymakingtools #ladysmiths #jadiplomadiaries
My second ever attempt at wax carving! ⚒️ This week’s project was making a ring band in wax for a faceted stone.
I’m really coming round to the idea of using this material to create jewellery.
It’s messy, but it’s also quiet and meditative and I find I can easily get absorbed in the process, which isn’t a bad thing.
This ring isn’t quite finished yet. It still needs some refining and sanding, and I *might* have a go at carving some sort of design into it…
I’ll see how it goes, and see how brave I’m feeling later! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #howitsmade #waxcarving #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelleratwork #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #workinprogress #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #jewellerymakingtools #ladysmiths #jadiplomadiaries
Another use for the steel blocks! ⚒️
This is one of those tips that will likely seem totally obvious if you already do it, but I’m sharing it anyway for all those who may not have come across the idea yet.
These blocks are probably THE most level surface available to me in the workshop, so it makes sense to use them for checking that bezel wire is level after sanding.
I used to put the bezels onto the silver sheet to check them, as the actual bench surface is wood and has marks and dents on it now, but using the block to elevate things, and having a larger surface area, also makes it much easier to see.
For those who don’t make jewellery and want to know why I’m doing this, I’m checking for ‘light leaks’ under the silver I’ve been sanding.
It needs to be completely flat to get a good solder join on the silver base plate. If there’s no visible gaps, we’re good to go.
Other uses for the steel block I’ve discovered recently;
• Use it to cool hot metal faster if you don’t want to quench it.
• Use it when punching marks in metal before drilling, to avoid any warping or bending.
• Use two blocks together to straighten and work-harden wire and earring posts by rolling them (that’s also the subject of another reel)
Hope this is useful! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #silverring #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #silverjewellery #makingjewellery #howitsmade #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #tooladdict #jewelrytools #jewellerytools #jewelrymaking
Who else loves rainbows? 🌈☔️🌧️
The weather this week has been awful here, so I cheered myself up by making a rainbow pendant! ☺️
The cabochon is made of glass, and whilst it’s not actually sea glass, it has the same lovely frosty surface and diffused glow.
I kept the setting bright and shiny too, because I wanted to maximise the impact of the colours.
I discovered a forgotten bag of these little treasures hidden away in a drawer recently, and still have a few more - would anyone like to see a bigger collection of jewellery featuring them?
Let me know and I’ll see if I can find some for matching earrings too!
#jewellerymaker #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymaking #jewelrymaking #jewelrymaker #bezelsettings #rainbows #uniquejewellery #rainbownecklace
If you like to set sea glass in bezels but find it frustrating when they keep rocking, then this might help! 🌊
I know a lot of people have strong feelings about interfering with the natural state or form of sea glass, whilst others are quite happy to cut it up and shape it to make it fit with their designs.
I don’t usually trim or cut my sea glass, but I do find it annoying when I want to use a rounder pebble-shaped piece and it rocks in the setting or won’t sit flat!
This is a quick and easy solution for sanding down just enough of the bottom to make the glass lie still, which in turn makes for an easier time of setting it and a more secure result.
To do this I use these credit-card sized diamond sharpening stones. The ones shown here are double-sided in 360 and 600 grit, and I find that gives a smooth result in a pretty short amount of time.
All you have to do is grind the glass against the stone in a figure-of-eight motion to keep it even, and make sure you keep everything wet to stop it getting hot and prevent glass dust from going everywhere.
It’s as easy as that.
If you’re also in the UK and would like to see exactly how I go on to set sea glass like this into silver, then why not come along to @jewellersacademybrighton where I will be teaching classes this year 🤩
I promise to share as many tips, tricks and techniques as I can!
And if you’re not able to come meet me in person, you’re always welcome to ask any questions in the comments!
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #seaglass #seaglassjewellery #seaglassjewelry #makingjewellery #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #jewelrytools #jewellerytools #jewelrymaking
Making a silver wishbone ring; the extended version for those who want to see more of the process! ⚒️
I already shared a 30 second version of this project, but that doesn’t really give much time to include all the stages.
So here’s a slightly more chilled out and less clipped edit for anyone interested in the technical aspects of what goes into creating one of these! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #howitsmade #silverring #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelleratwork #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #workinprogress #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #jewellerymakingtools #ladysmiths #jadiplomadiaries
If only it were this easy in real life! ⚒️ Here’s a sneak peek at the finished bangle I was working on last week.
It was a complicated project and took longer than I’d anticipated, but the results were worth it and I’m proud of this piece.
I also polished it completed by hand too, without using the tumbler at all as I didn’t want to risk denting the bezel wire.
A labour of love but a joy to finally finish!
I’ll share some photos and more of the making process soon too.
Have a lovely Sunday, and I hope everyone stays safe and dry in this awful weather 🫶
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymaking #jewelrymaking #jewelrymaker #silverjewellery #silverjewelry #silverbangle #jadiplomadiaries #transformation
Putting some of my new skills to good use! 🤩⚒️
Yesterday afternoon I had one of those sudden creative urges to go and make something; a design popped into my head and I just needed to act on it.
You know those moments - we all get them, and I have learned from experience to harness that feeling whenever it happens!
I had my @jewellersacademy Diploma term-one marking session with my lovely mentor Sally on Thursday evening, and I think that must have really given me a confidence boost because yesterday afternoon ALL I wanted to do was make stuff, and I genuinely haven’t felt that strongly about being at the bench for a while.
Not only have I consolidated and improved my existing skills, like soldering, but I’m able to go further with my techniques and designs now too and that feels quite empowering.
We’re not even halfway through the second term and I’m loving the experience and the potential it’s giving me.
If you’re considering this course too then I honestly can’t recommend it highly enough - for lots and lots of reasons!
Nobody has asked me to share this, by the way. I just get excited by things I’m passionate about! 🙃
Have a wonderful weekend, and keep an eye on my stories to see what else I create this afternoon,
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #makingjewellery #whatimade #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #mycreativebiz #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #mystudio #jewellerymaking #jewelrymaking #jewelrymaker #statementpendant
Gotta save every last bit! 💸 🙃
After the dramas of trying to make a ring using 9ct gold recently, I told myself I didn’t like working with this metal.
Now, I don’t know if the memory is just fading quickly or if wearing the ring since then is starting to have an effect on me, but I keep finding myself thinking about it and wondering how I can incorporate gold into my designs… 🤔
The crazy prices would still prevent me from making anything in solid gold, or even considering a higher carat at the moment, but I’m leaning towards incorporating things like bezel wire, granulation accents or even jump rings.
I even went as far as to look up the cost, and just 4cm of 9ct gold thin bezel strip would set me back almost £30 so it’s certainly not something to try on a whim, but is it worth the gamble?
If you’re a jeweller and have used gold in this way do let me know if it really does add value to your pieces, or if it simply stops them from selling.
And if you don’t make jewellery but love wearing it, do you like the mixed-metal style?
I know 9ct is hard to work with BUT I do have a hammer hand piece that has yet to be put to good use.
I’m not sure about it, but I’m definitely tempted! 🫣
#jewellerymaker #whatsonmybench #whatsonyourbench #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #reducereuserecycle #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #ladysmiths
It’s hammer time! ⚒️ I’m into the final stages of making this bangle now, and I’ve just shaped the frame.
I’ve not shown this tool in use much before, so thought I’d quickly share the process.
It also makes a really satisfying noise when sped up… 🙃
The mandrel is a stepped round one, and has a tang on one end that can be secured in a vice. I love this because it allows me to hold both the mallet and silver bangle more securely as I’m working, and I find the top-down view easier to see what I’m doing.
It just feels much more secure to use than the free-standing ones I also have, especially with a chunkier piece like this one.
My top tip: use a scrap piece of leather in the vice. This helps add grip and stops the mandrel from slipping, and also protects both tools from getting any dents or marks.
I also rotate the piece I’m working on frequently to make sure it’s evenly shaped, and to make sure I don’t go too far - this is going to be an oval shaped torque bangle with a gemstone setting in the centre, so I don’t actually want it to end up circular.
Hammering and shaping metal is always one of my favourite jewellery making processes! 🤩
And for those who wish to know, I bought both the bench vice and the mandrel from @durstontools 🙃
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #silverbangle #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #metalsmith #silverjewellery #makingjewellery #howitsmade #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #tooladdict #jewelrytools #jewellerytools #jewelrymaking
You voted for the Aquamarine, so that’s what I’m going for! Hopefully by the end of the day all this silver will become a beautiful torque bangle…
Follow along if you’re not already and want to see the results.
And do wish me luck - this project looks complicated! 🫣🙃
#jewellerymaker #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymaking #jewelrymaking #jewelrymaker #silverjewellery #workinprogress #workspacewednesday #silverjewelry #silverbangle #jadiplomadiaries
Vote below in the poll! ⬇️ This week I’m making a silver torque bangle with a bezel-set cabochon stone as the central feature.
I wasn’t particularly enamoured with the Labradorite that came with the material pack this time, so I’ve picked out two alternatives from my own collection.
An Aquamarine and a Crazy Lace Agate.
Let me know which one you’d pick and I’ll go with the majority! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #jewellerymaking #jewelrymaking #jewelrymaker #stonesetting
Making a silver wishbone ring! 💫 This was the second project from the first week of my Diploma and I have to say that coming back to silver after my mis-adventures with gold was like a dream.
Loved this project, and the resulting ring.
I’m seriously thinking about making more of these - perhaps with a gemstone or two included somehow? 🤔
Let me know what you think!
I’ve also got a longer version of this reel too which shows more of the individual stages.
30 seconds doesn’t really give much away so keep a lookout for that over the coming week or so if you’re interested in the technical side of things too!
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #howitsmade #silverring #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelleratwork #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #workinprogress #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #jewellerymakingtools #ladysmiths #jadiplomadiaries
A talisman for mermaids! 🧜♀️🌊 This enormous Aquamarine pendant is now available, having returned from hallmarking.
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It actually arrived back last month, but I hadn’t had a chance to list it until now, and this weekend was the perfect weather for taking photographs! ☁️☁️☁️
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I always find the cloudy and overcast days much better when trying to capture gemstones like this.
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The glossy surface will reflect a bright sky too much, and it’s really hard to get the details of the stone in focus without getting my own reflection in there too.
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I also decided to embrace the new 4:3 portrait ratio for some of the shots too, which are the ones you see here.
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Have you gotten the new Insta grid upgrade to rectangles yet?
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Honestly not sure what I think of it. In truth portrait mode actually works better for a lot of my jewellery, especially necklaces.
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However it’s also annoying to have to manage multiple orientations for different platforms, and then another on here too!
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My website images are all landscape 4:5 (as that used to be the preferred size for Et$y, who now seem to prefer square… 🙄) and I don’t think I can face changing everything over.
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Or is this perhaps a sign to update everything and give it a fresh new look? 🤔
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For now I think I’ll just try and remember to zoom out a little with each shot I take so I’ve got the option when editing to literally cover all angles!
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If you’d like to know more about the pendant it’s on my website homepage, and tagged here and in my stories today.
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Hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend!
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Kelly xx
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#jewellerymaker #statementpendant #silverjewelry #seahorse #seahorsenecklace #handmadejewellery #hampshirebusiness #aquamarine #ooak #jewellerymaking #aquamarinejewellery #marchbirthstone
Setting the stone! ⚒️ This pendant was the project from week two of the second Diploma term, and I’m happy to say this one went a lot more smoothly than the gold ring did!
If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know I make a lot of statement pieces like this, and the difference that experience and practice can make really showed up here!
I’ll share some close-ups and the full making process of this in a week or so once I’ve edited the footage.
But if you want to see a more technical account of my endeavours on this course then do follow @jewellersacademy as I am documenting the journey there and each project will be shared in more detail on their page every Sunday.
And if you want to know what tool I’m using here, it’s a curved burnisher, held securely in the same way I guess you’d use a vegetable peeler!
I’ve tried bezel rockers and square pushers and even have a hammer handpiece - but this thing just feels so natural in my hand now that I keep coming back to it.
Sometimes the best tool for the job is simply the one you are most comfortable using, wouldn’t you agree? 🙃
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #jewellersworkshop #makingjewelry #makingjewellery #howitsmade #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #mycreativebiz #ladysmith #handmadejewellery #mystudio #jewellerymaking #tooladdict #jewelrymaking #jewelrymaker #statementpendant #processreel #stonesetting
It didn’t go well. I will put my hand up and admit that my first ever attempt at working with gold wasn’t quite as I’d hoped!
Why exactly? Well, probably due to several different factors.
This was 9ct gold (I can’t afford anything higher quality for practice) which was HARD to work with.
The value of the metal made me nervous, and I wasn’t feeling 100% after a cold. My workshop was also rather chilly which I think has affected my soldering all week.
I did use the mitre jig to get the ends of the ring band flush and I believed the join was good. It may not have been.
It appeared to solder okay too, but perhaps I didn’t heat it evenly on each side of the join - when I put it on the mandrel to shape it the seam bust open.
In hindsight a big mistake I made was probably to try and clean this up and rejoin it with the pliers, rather than just use the mallet to tap it back together and have another go with the torch.
As a result of this I ended up spending the next THREE hours annealing, bending and wrangling it about.
I did eventually manage to solder it on the third attempt, but after all this effort the band was rather misshapen, uneven in size and had tool marks on the inside where I got angry at it.
I decided I didn’t like gold at this point, although it polished up so beautifully that I’m slowly coming back around… and I’ve now had a second (much more successful) go with some thinner wire.
I’m glad I’ve done it, but I don’t think I’ll be working with gold on a regular basis for a while yet! 🙃
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #howitsmade #goldring #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #whatsonyourbench #jewelleratwork #jewelrymaking #jadiplomadiaries #handmadejewellery #workinprogress #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #ladysmiths
Putting the xTool F1 Ultra to the test on silver! 🤩⚒️
For those of you who have been asking if this machine can engrave on silver, yes - yes it can!
I’ve spent a lot of time experimenting with the settings to find a way to get a deep result that will withstand daily wear on jewellery, and decided to really see how durable it can be by making the ring AFTER engraving it.
I also tested out the software to see if I could incorporate my own handwriting as the design, and have to say I’m really impressed with the results.
What I did;
• Wrote my message clearly on white card with a fine black pen
• Scanned it into my computer and cleaned up the image by increasing contrast and sharpness
• Used the xTool XCS software to turn it from a PNG to a vector
• Used the IR fibre laser to engrave it onto the silver (high power, low speed, multiple passes to take the layers off gradually) which only took a few minutes
• Made that silver into a ring
And how do I know the results will last?
After the engraving was done the silver was annealed, bent, soldered, hammered, sanded, polished and then thrown in a tumbler of ceramic media for four hours to get a satin finish.
That message isn’t going anywhere!
There’s a link in my bio if you want to know more about the machine itself, and if you have any questions please just ask in the comments! 🙃
@xtool_uk
@xtool.official
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #processreel #howitsmade #whatsonmybench #silverjewelry #silverjewellery #jewelrymaking #silverring #handmadejewellery #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #ladysmiths #xTool #xToollasermachine #fiberlaser #laserengraving #XToolF1ultra
My first ‘upcycled’ make of 2025! 💫 A pair of earrings created from a silver ring that was too big for its original purpose.
I had a creative itch that needed scratching this weekend, and find one of the best ways to remedy that is to take something discarded from the back of the bench and give it a new lease of life.
Which is how this once plain ring band became a pair of textured silver earrings.
Two questions though; shall I give them a bright and shiny finish or a darkened/oxidised satin one…
…and do I keep them for myself or list them for someone else to love? 🤔
You can vote for the finish in the poll! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #silverearrings #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelrymaking #handmadejewellery #workinprogress #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #ladysmiths #silverjewellery
Making things super shiny! 🤩✨
You all know how much I love to share when I get excited by something new in the jewellery-making world; well this stuff is my latest discovery!
It’s Luxor Polishing Compound, in Orange ‘Super Finishing’ 🍊
It was used in one of the recent tutorials from my Diploma course, and I decided to give it a go.
Previously I was using white Luxi (they all have similar names it seems) as a final stage polish, but this could well be my new favourite.
Not only did it do a fantastic job on the silver wishbone ring I shared yesterday, but it brought back the shine on Mr W&T and my own wedding bands too. They seemed to offer a pretty tough test and I wanted to see how good it was!
Given that both rings had gone quite dull after twelve years of daily wear, I was really impressed with the result.
It’s not so easy to see in this clip, but after just a few minutes of buffing with a wool mop their original bright platinum shine returned, and even the scuffs and scratches were far less noticeable.
I’m sold on it, anyway.
Have you used this polish before? Let me know what you thought, or if there’s anything else you’d recommend! 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #makingjewelry #weddingrings #whatsonyourbench #silversmith #jewellerytools #jewelrytools #metalsmith #makingjewellery #whatsonmybench #polishing #ladysmith #jewellerymakingtips #jewelrymakingtips #jewelrymaking #jewelrytips
What I made this weekend! 🤩💫 This silver wishbone ring was one of two wedding bands I had to make for my Diploma this week.
The gold one was a total nightmare (I’ll share more about that when I’ve recovered from the experience) but I really enjoyed making this silver version yesterday.
Maybe it was the relief of returning to a metal I know well, or just the fact I was happily sitting at the bench in the sunshine, but this project could not have gone more smoothly and I love the result.
I’ve recorded the full making process so I’ll share that soon too, but in the meantime I just wanted to take a moment to show off that shine! ✨
Hope you’re having a lovely Sunday, 🙃
Kelly xx
#jewellerymaker #behindthescenes #silverring #whatsonmybench #myworkspace #tooladdict #silverjewelry #whatsonyourbench #jewelrymaking #jadiplomadiaries #handmadejewellery #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaking #ladysmiths
Making jewellery is an expensive gig, no doubt about it.
I’ve posted before about how metal prices have gone up in the few years since I started metalsmithing, but this week I came to use gold for the first time, and was shocked by the huge differences in metal types too.
Silver is costly enough, but 9ct gold is 28 times as much as the equivalent weight in sterling silver. And 18ct gold is 88 times more.
To put that in numerical terms;
100g of silver today = £80 ($98)
100g of 9ct gold = £4,000 ($4,883)
100g of 18ct gold = £7,700 ($9,400)
For those who prefer imperial measurements, 100g is roughly 3.5ozs. The prices are taken from the current market here in the UK, and the dollars shown in the brackets are USD at today’s exchange rate.
And that little gold strip of wire shown in the reel would have been £465 rather than £175, had it been 18ct gold instead of 9ct.
Exact prices fluctuate daily but the averages now are almost twice what they were just five years ago, and are unlikely to ever come back down.
So if you’re not paying the current market price for solid silver or gold, then chances are you won’t be getting it.
This means that if you are buying jewellery and the price seems too good to be true, it may not be made of what you think it is.
And if you’re making jewellery - don’t forget to regularly check and update your prices!
#sterlingsilver #jewellerymakers #ladysmith #silverjewellery #metalsmith #metalsmithlife #silver #artisanjewellery #jewelrymaker #jewellerymaker #silversmith #preciousmetals #jewelrymaking #jewellerymaking #madewithsilver #silverjewelry #handmadeandwellpaid
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