Blog Author

Halstead Jewelry Author Sylvie

Sylvie is the current Studio Coordinator here at Halstead. She teaches jewelry and metalsmithing classes to Halstead employees and coordinates with guest instructors when they visit. Sylvie received her BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MFA in Metal from SUNY New Paltz. She loves to share her knowledge, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Articles by Sylvie

The Halstead Showcase Kit is a creative challenge to use materials from the Kit to create a unique piece of jewelry. Have it featured in our online gallery!

2025 Halstead Showcase: Garden Party

The 2025 Halstead Showcase Kit is a creative challenge to use materials from our Garden Party Kit to create a unique piece of jewelry. Have it featured in our online gallery!

Learn how to turn found objects, like sea glass, shells, and rocks, into jewelry!

How to Make Sea Glass Jewelry

We know you’ve got a few collections hiding around the studio… We’ll teach you how to turn your sea glass, rocks, and more into wearable jewelry. Keep reading for wire wrapping, drilling, and setting techniques for all skill levels.

Learn why jewelry can cause your skin to turn green or black and what to do about it.

Why Jewelry Turns Your Skin Green

Always wonder why jewelry sometimes turns your skin green? Or black? This article covers why that might happen and what it means. We’ll also talk about how to prevent it!

Your introduction to wire wrapping! We’ll give you the tools, materials, and key techniques to get started.

How to Make Wire Wrapped Jewelry

Are you curious about wire wrapped jewelry but don’t know where to start? We’ve broken down the basics for you! We’ll link to the correct materials and tools and show you how to use key wire wrapping techniques to get started.

How to Make a Charm Bracelet

Let’s talk charms! Charm bracelets can be a great way to showcase individual style. We’ll cover how to make a charm bracelet from start to finish: add charms, select the correct jump rings, and create interchangeable charms.

Learn the basics of body piercings! Including safe materials, different jewelry types, popular piercing locations, and more.

Body Piercing 101: Adding Body Jewelry to Your Collection

Body piercings are becoming increasingly more popular, but there’s a lot to learn. Read on to learn about the materials, jewelry types, and more before you dive in!

Learn all you need to about lobster clasps for jewelry makers. We break down their constructions, benefits, and tips for soldering near a clasp.

The Ultimate Guide to Lobster Clasps for Jewelry Makers

Learn all you need to about lobster claw clasps. What are lobster claw clasps? How are they best used in jewelry designs?

Take your jewelry business to the next level by applying for a grant. Read our list of grant opportunities, as well as resources and tips.

Grant Opportunities for your Jewelry Business

Grants can be a great way to help your jewelry business get to the next level. Read on for a list of grants for your business, as well as some tips and resources of where to look for funding options.

All you need to know about spring ring clasps – we cover the construction, benefits, and tips for the proper care and usage.

Understanding Spring Rings: A Guide for Jewelers

Learn everything you need to about spring rings to help you make an informed decision. This post covers the construction, the benefits, and tips for the proper care and usage.

Jewelry plating explained! Learn about the process and why jewelers and manufacturers use plating.

Jewelry Plating: Why and How it’s Used

This blog explains the process of metal plating, why jewelers and manufacturers use it, and some general information to help you make informed decisions on purchasing and production.

Tips and tricks for soldering on earring posts from basic to advanced.

Tips for Soldering Earring Posts

This blog covers important tips for soldering on earrings posts. From the basics to more advanced, we cover every aspect of the process!

Learn prong setting in this quick guide to setting techniques. Will cover the vocabulary you need to know and the skills you can start practicing.

How to Prong Set Stones

Learn how to set a stone in a prong settings! This tutorial covers stone vocabulary and the basics of prong setting both faceted stone and cabochon cuts.

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