It has been a busy couple weeks at Harold Studio! We have updated the process for open studio.  We would be so appreciative if everyone coming in for open studio, including part time and full time renters, would please sign in to the blue sparkly book that will be on top of the water cooler!  If you are a part time or full time renter, just write pt or ft under the hours.  We want to track when the studio is being used and how busy it is during certain times.  Thanks in advance for your help! We would like to offer our condolence to Ginger in Friday's Jewelry 1 class for the loss of her father.  We are sending our love to you and your family in this difficult time. Are you a fan of our Facebook page?  If not, please check it out.  We post often (but not too often) pictures of jewelry made in the studio and jewelry articles and tips.  We would love it too if you would share great tips you have come across along the way. Now here is the past two weeks in pictures! E...

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...

Some of the jewelry pieces made at our studio this week: Tube Set Pieces:  Lori learned how to tube set and these are her first two silver pieces doing it. I think the stone in the tube set ring is a garnet. The pendant wasn't quite finished when I took the picture, but I think it looks great!   Faceted Silver Ring: This is the top of a cast ring Michelle made. I like her idea of making the silver look like a faceted stone.     Copper and Turquoise Swirl Earrings: These are some simple earrings Ruth made by curving wire then hammering it flat. She then attached the beads by wrapping a thinner gauge wire around the curved shapes she made.   Silver Knot and Turquoise Rings:  Made by Mikako on a Saturday   Stamped initial ring: A partially finished stamped initial ring made by Deb for her husband.  Happy Saturday! -Johanna ...

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 ...

The Studio now has a store ! I've been working for a little while on having a few things that are affordable, cohesive and a good representation of the studio. The process has been much more fun than I had expected. The other day, the wonderful photographer Tiffany Egbert took some quick and lovely shots of the line on the beautiful model Natalia and they turned out great! Shop.HaroldStudio.com is where you can find our store. You can also get there from our main website! I'm excited to start offering the line and expanding it! What do you think?...

We are in Tucson this week at the JOGS gem show and having a wonderful time! When I knew for sure we would be exhibitors at the show, I made plans to meet up with Kevin Potter of Potter USA . Kevin is a jeweler who makes tools for the jeweler and hobbyist. I first heard about his products through my sister who volunteered for an organization called Seeds for Autism which gives vocational training(like jewelry making) for adults with autism. Seeds for Autism has a hydraulic press that she would rave about. After meeting Kevin at this year's SNAG conference and seeing his press in action, I knew it was only a matter of time before I got one for the studio! Long story short, I picked up our press during a free minute today and can't wait to use it! Along with all the heavy machinery of Kevin's shop, is one of our presses above. We got a blue one. Kevin uses all of this machinery to make amazing tools for jewelers and hobbyists. He definitely makes our lives...

Debbie came into the studio a few weeks ago never having even pierced out a design into metal. Last week she finished our ball ring and set an aqua cab on top to give to her granddaughter. That's pretty quick progress isn't it? She changed up how we normally do the silver ring and at first I wasn't sure how good it would look, but I love it!...

Sara is a vibrant lady from Cuba who spent over 30 years of her life living in Hong Kong. She was very close to the Sham Shui Po district - where there are some amazing finds for jewelry! Sara brought this finished lariat in today. She learned how to do the texture on the cone last week, then figured out how to make the cone on her own and came up with a beautiful design for it! Like her on Facebook to see more of her jewelry. ...

What's your favorite stone? I have a few, a hot one for me right now is fire agate. If I had to guess what most people like I would guess diamonds. Do you think I'm right? The stones in this picture are not diamonds. They're Cubic Zirconia or CZ's. CZ's are probably the top replacement stone for a diamond look without the diamond price. Right now I'm picking through them to see what would be the best fit for some beautiful earrings a client is having me make.  What is your favorite stone? ...

Follow our blog and comment on this post for a chance to win an adjustable ring from our upcoming resin ring Make & Take. You won't be sorry you did! To follow our blog just look to the right. -----> You will see a link to follow. To comment on the post click on the comments tab below and maybe tell me why you'd like to have the ring! Or what color you'd like yours to be, or who you'd give it to... Have a great day! -Johanna...

Hi everyone! I've been asked recently how I went about starting my business. I thought you should know I definitely had a lot of help. One of the places I went to first is SBDC . The Small Business Development Center can help you from concept to business plan to marketing. They definitely helped me out a lot. http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/print-edition/2011/07/22/social-media-help-being-offered-to.html I already knew what I wanted to achieve with Harold Studio, SBDC just helped guide me along the path. Here is an article about how they helped me with marketing in the Phoenix Business Journal . If you're thinking about starting a business and need some help with marketing, or anything for that matter, SBDC is a great place to start! I was also asked to speak at SNAG about starting Harold Studio and will soon write a post that is a little more in depth about the process. Hope you're all having a wonderful week! -Johanna...

As you may already know, the studio has been offering couples the experience of making their own wedding bands together for a while now. Recently we formed a relationship with A Wedding Ring Experience and through our collaboration with them, will now be offering a similar, if not better experience. I'm very excited to be offering engaged couples this service because it can be so meaningful to have the ring on your finger made by your fiance. It is certainly a very memorable and positive experience. If you'd like to know a little more about me and what the Wedding Ring Workshop is like, please check it out here . ...

Guess the size of this ring (for tomorrow's Make & Take workshop), and you could win it! Just post your guess on our facebook page. It's a silver and turquoise ring that we will be teaching you how to make. You can sign up for the workshop here . Good luck with the contest!...

We're going to be at the JOGS Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show this September teaching workshops as well as showing jewelry. If you'd like to sign up for a workshop or just say hello, check out our schedule here . We're all very excited for the opportunity to teach as well as show our new lines. So drop by and tell us what you think of our jewelry!...

I had the chance to speak with Jay Whaley on Metalsmith Bench Talk LIVE this weekend at the SNAG conference. Here it is if you're interested in listening! We talk about Harold Studio, where it came from and where it's going. The whole session is great! My interview starts at the 36:35 mark. ...