Metal prices are very expensive right now and I have more scrap metal than I know what to do with. So today I made some sterling silver wire at the studio. What you need to make your own wire is a crucible, ingot mold(mine is a reversible so I can do sheet as well), torch and draw plate. First step is to choke the torch(acetylene) by wrapping your hand around the turn on valve so that no oxygen can come out. This creates a sooty substance which floats out of the torch. I use the soot to coat the inside of the ingot where I plan on pouring my silver. You will know if you are choking the torch right if black substance starts coming off the flame and if the flame is mostly yellow(as opposed to blue). Secure the ingot so that the wire will be even by tapping the top of it with a hammer after you have tightened the two ends together. Then heat up the ingot. This secures that when you pour in the metal it will not splatter back at you out of shock from going to molten ho...

Fire agate. My favorite gemstone. Not sure if it has anything to do with my penchant for all things brown. But this stone is absolutely beautiful. Don't let my mention of the color brown fool you. There is much more to fire agate than brown, which is more of a backdrop to the other beautiful colors which give it its "fire". In many ways, fire agate is like opal. Do you ever notice how when moving a piece of opal, flashes of red or green usually come up? This is similar to fire agate. Usually, when cut right, the fire will appear as bubbles coming up to the surface in green, yellows, reds, and more rarely purples and blues. It is most commonly found in Mexico, California and the great state of Arizona....

It can be difficult understanding about gold and its value when it comes to karat. Especially when it comes to those places that pay cash for gold. Karat, not to be confused with carat(which is a unit of weight for diamonds), is a unit of purity for metal.It can be a surprise to find out that the money offered for a heavy 14 karat gold chain is only a fraction of what one thought they would get for it. The karat value (usually 14k, 18k, 22 and 24k) is a mark given to indicate the purity of the metal. It can be measured by dividing the karat by 24. 24 karat gold is 100% pure gold. There aren’t any other alloys (metals) mixed in with the gold to dilute it. So, something stamped 14k would mean that it is 58% gold with 42% other metals mixed in. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing that the gold is diluted down. Sometimes different alloys are added to make the gold easier to work with or even to change the color of the gold. ...

http://www.azcentral.com/business/news/articles/2011/01/10/20110110phoenix-jewelry-studio-serves-business-incubator-artisans.html...

The micro forming workshop was amazing this weekend. NC Black far exceeded all my expectations for the workshop. There is a high bar set for the next workshop that is hosted at Harold Studio! Thanks for a wonderful time....

Just got this message in from Mike. It made my day and I thought I would share it. Thanks Mike! Hi Jo, Thanks for inviting me to the free studio time. I’m working on getting some funds some way, I started working on a blog and posted ads, about jewelry repair or manufacturing. I’m thinking of making a logo for now to keep me busy and working on my custom jewelry bench. I’m inspired by you and enjoy talking and learning about jewelry with you. You’re Awesome!...

Had first open studio this evening. It felt so good to be able to work at the studio. I can tell a lot wonderful things will come out of Harold!...

Just got in a big shipment and started unloading and putting everything together. Among the goodies stood out the new workbenches! They required assembly so I have been straining to get them put together but I know it will be worth it. They are so sturdy and perfect for the studio. It is weird to see a workbench without any dents or file marks on it. They sure are a blank slate and will soon have a history to them....

The last few weeks have been extremely hectic with Harold Studio. But, I have the keys and equipment is starting to come in! I can't wait to share the studio with everyone else who has a passion for Jewelry making like I do....