Silversmith+Jeweler

A Blog for the Silversmiths + Jewelers.

We debuted the treasure box class at Harold Studio this month.  It was a huge hit!  The students were given a list of ingredients that they would use to create their piece of jewelry.  They were able to eliminate one of the ingredients and to add one ingredient of their choice.  The class lasted three weeks and started off with each participant creating their design.  The class concluded this past Tuesday and none of the students finished their design so we decided to add an additional week to future treasure box classes.  The students in this first class will be given a few studio hours to complete their projects.  Here are some pictures from all the fun!  Stay tuned for another post about their finished projects and their comments about the class! Treasure Box supplies and rules!  The supplies will change with each class.   A visual look at the supplies. Louise is looking at a book for inspiration for her design.  I wonder what she will make!   ...
Happy Friday Everyone!  Hope your week was wonderful!  With the temperatures rising, I spent the week inside the nice, coo, comfy studio.  The orange room is taking shape with some new stools and exhaust fan.  Soon we will have a torch or two back there.   The 3rd Annual Laveen Festival of FIne Arts will be taking place May 16-17, 2014 at South Mountain community College Laveen Center.  You can enter two pieces of art for $20.  For more information you can visit:  www.laveenartleague.org Tip of the Week:  Use a mixture of alcohol and boric acid when soldering.  Alcohol and boric acid will prevent fire scale and will keep your metal clean so that your solder will flow better and there will be less clean up from oxidation during heating.  Just dip your metal into the mixture before you heat it up.  Repeat each time you solder. Here is this weeks pictures.  Enjoy! Laura made these super cool earrings and ring made out of shell casings. Tuesday night's Jew...
Happy Friday!  Lot's happening this week at the studio.  We had new Jewelry 1, 2 and 3 classes start and lots of people in during open studio.  I love to see the studio buzzing with activity!   We are getting ready to add a torch in the back room along with some stools for the benches.  We hope to have the back room ready to go in the next week or two!   Don't forget to sign in to open studio.  You can find the blue glittery book on top of the water cooler. Tip of the week :  Put a small scrap of leather in your toolbox.  Leather is great for setting your piece on so that it doesn't get scratched.  If you find your piece of jewelry is getting hot when filing or using the flex shaft, use a piece of leather to hold onto it.  You can also use a tiny piece under a cabochon stone if you find that your stone is too low or is uneven.  We would love to hear your tips.  Comment below with your tips!!! Love the colors of these enameled pieces created by Vera, Lori and Mar...
With the start of the New Year came the start of a new round of Jewelry I, II, and III classes!  Here are some great projects from this past week! Jewelry I:  We are in week three of class and have learned sawing, piercing, riveting, textures, and patinas.  Below are some great projects made by combining some of the skills they have learned.  It is hard to believe they have only been making jewelry for a few weeks! Fabulous pendant made by Kylie in Jewelry I using texturing, patinas and riveting! Awesome earrings made by Emily in Jewelry 1using textures, patinas, and riveting! Love this birdcage made by Tricia in Jewelry 1 using texturing, stamping, and riveting!  Jewelry II:  Students in Jewelry II have been learning techniques to merge metals including lamination and solder inlay.  Below is a project demonstrating this technique. Super fun key chain made by a student in Jewelry II using solder inlay to combine sliver and copper! Other happenings with Harold St...
Mother's day is on Sunday and we want to help you make a special gift you can give your Mother! Below we've got some workshops you can take this weekend! Do you have any plans for Mother's day? Heart Earrings Overlay Set Charm Bracelet ...
Happy Friday! Hope you had a wonderful week and are looking forward to a fun and relaxing weekend. Here are some things we've been working on at the studio this week. Smash Earrings By Leah. I've been working at the Arab Horse Show at WestWorld this week. It's been a lot of fun! Smash Necklace by Leah. First time tube setting by Melissa Cool necklace by Michelle First tube set project by Alejandra in Jewelry II Earrings made by Jan in Jewelry I for her Daughter ...
Happy Sunday! Here are a few things that have been made at the studio the last few days. Hope you had a great weekend! Cuff made by Michelle  Resin Ring made during our Make and Take Workshop I made it out to Country Thunder last weekend. It was my first time and definitely an interesting experience! Eric Church has a song called "Boots". During the song, most people took one off and sang along, including a friend of mine. :) It was a good time. Here's to having a fun weekend! -Johanna...