Today we are going to talk about one of the most useful tools on our jeweler's bench... Calipers! These are the calipers we use at the studio:  6" digital calipers Uses: Depth and diameter of stones. Checking bur sizes. Inside diameter of rings. (you need to be able to create the correct size ring. Scribe for straight lines. Know the thickness of your metal. Know if you filed your metal straight by holding them in. Drawbacks: Convert to inches and can easily hit the convert button. Easy to accidentally hit the zero out button ...

How did you get into metalsmithing? I have always loved silver and turquoise and wanted to do something that included those in my creative outlet. My early childhood, I grew up in Arizona so that had a lot of influence on my interest in the Southwestern styles. My Dad had a very close friend who had the largest Turquoise belt buckle I had ever seen. I thought it was so beautiful and special, I will never forget it. I also credit my start into silversmithing to my Mom! She passed down her turquoise ring from the 1970’s to me when I was sixteen. I still wear the ring almost daily. We spent our summers in the Northwoods of Wisconsin on a lake (my favorite place) and every year on one of our “town” visits, we would visit a silver shop and would get to pick something out. That is why I named my business Northwoods Silver. My path to metalsmithing was a bit untraditional, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Just 8 months ago, I took my first class at Harold Studio and have take...

How did you get into metalsmithing? I’ve been into collecting jewelry since high school, when I inherited a bit of my grandmas native turquoise jewelry collection. Then after collecting and searching for stuff that I like or that fits for years, I just decided I wanted to try to make things that I couldn’t find and things that fit me. I have a couple good friends who are also into metalsmithing, lapidary and collecting that also really helped me get into silversmithing. I took the 8 week jewelry 1 class at the Harold Studio and really took off from there! What inspires you? Everything! I live for 40s/50s Fred Harvey era silver. Turquoise! The desert! Stones! Stones, probably more than anything, they really make every piece so special. What is your design process? I don’t know if I really have a process really. I doodle designs a lot, but my drawing is terrible. I usually just lay out some stones and it really just comes to me from there. Ill start moving ele...

How did you get into metalsmithing? Years ago, my grandma gave me her wedding ring and told me that I could reset the stones, if I wanted to do so. I felt that the best way to honor her, would be to learn how to reset the stones myself. Ironically, I no longer want to reset the stones. I cherish the memories that I have of her wearing that ring. I want to preserve the ring and the memories. What inspires you? I'm very inspired by other cultures. Specifically, Native American and Hispanic cultures. I love the story, the spirit, the richness and the detail. What is your design process?  I tend to be a more methodical person, so, I'm not one to "wing it".  I almost always have a plan before I start working on a piece. Usually, I end up deviating or modifying somewhere along the way. That's the part of the process that I have a tricky relationship with. I don't like uncertainty, although, uncertainty can be our best teacher. What is you...

We have some great classes scheduled to start in the next couple weeks!  Click on the class to register or for more information. Also, the studio will be closed this Wednesday, January 21 and will be open on Thursday from 12-3pm. Spinner Ring - Saturday January 17th 1-4pm Stone Setting - Tuesday 6-9pm - Begins January 20th Jewelry 1 - Friday's 12-3pm - Begins January 23rd Cloisonne - Saturday and Sunday January 24 and 25,  9-5pm ...

The Christmas Party was a great success!  Fun was had by all and we really appreciate all of your support!  We will be closed for the holidays from Wednesday, December 24 - Thursday, January 1.  We will reopen on Friday, January 2.  We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We have lots of classes starting in January.  Take a look: Jewelry 1:  Mondays 6-9pm, starts January 5 Jewelry 2:  Tuesdays 6-9pm, starts January 6 Jewelry 3:  Wednesdays 6-9pm, starts January 7 Treasure Box:  Sundays 12-3, starts January 11 Stone Setting:  Tuesdays 6-9pm, starts January 20 Cloisonne:  Saturday and Sunday, January 24-25, 9-5 Filigree:  Saturday and Sunday, January 31- February 1, 10-3 Wire Wrap Bracelet:  Tuesday, January 6, 6-9pm Wire and Sheet Making:  Saturday, January 10th, 1-3 Finishing:  Saturday, January 10th, 3-4:30 Register for Classes ...

The last treasure box class was such a hit that we have added 2 classes to the calendar.  The class is 4 weeks and you will be given the materials at the first class.  You will then design and create a piece of jewelry using the materials we give you.  The class is tons of fun and we keep you guessing about what the materials will be until the start of the class.  Each class uses different materials so if you taken it before this class will be totally different!  Here are a couple of pictures of projects completed in the last treasure box class! You can sign up for the class here: http://haroldstudio.com/collections/x-classes/products/treasure-box-4-week-class ...

Happy Friday to all our friends! It has been a super week at the studio!  Classes are keeping busy and creating lots of wonderful jewelry.   Reminders: Please remember to wear close toed shoes and to keep your hair pulled back.  I know the temperatures are warming up and it is tempting to put on your favorite flip flops but your feet will not be happy with you if they get cut or burned by a piece of metal.  If you come in with open toed shoes you will not be allowed to work in the studio.  (I know, we are mean, but really we just care about you!)  :) We will be closed this Sunday for Easter. Upcoming Classes: Jewelry 1: Beginning Friday, April 25 2-5pm Beginning Sunday, May 18 12-3 Jewelry 1 Sign Up Jewelry 2: Beginning Thursday, April 24 12-3 Beginning Tuesday, May 20 6-9 Jewelry 2 Sign Up Tip of the Week When checking for a gas leak with the torch, you can use water and dish soap.  If you get bubbles, you got a leak.  Turn off tanks and ...

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...