Halstead Jewelry Articles in How To

by Erica Stice

Soldering Wire Embellishments to the Surface of your Jewelry Designs

Soldered wire accents allow you to create geometric designs with a line drawing feel. But, soldering thin wires onto sheet metal is a challenge. Our very own Studio Coordinator, Erica Stice, has some tips and a video.

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by Erica Stice

How to Sweat Solder 14kt Gold to Sterling Silver

Use 14kt gold solder ornaments on sterling silver jewelry blanks to create unique mixed metal jewelry pieces. Erica Stice is breaking down the sweat soldering process so you can add this great technique to your jewelry making skills.

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by Ashley Maldonado

Learn Sawing From Our 2019 Featured Metalsmith, Julie Sanford

We are proud to present Julie Sanford as the 2019 Halstead Catalog featured metalsmith. Learn more about Julie, check out her tips for using the jeweler's saw, and watch her demo video in this article.

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by Paulette Werger

Get Creative With Pre-Made Jewelry Components!

Get inspired to look at findings in a whole new way! Paulette Werger ran a workshop "Creative uses for Premade Components" and you'll love some of the ideas she and her students came up with.

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by Erica Stice

Untangling Jewelry Chain: Tips, Tricks & More

Read Tips & Tricks from the Halstead team on untangling chain plus how to properly store chain to prevent further tangles from happening. We've added a few tangled horror chain stories as well.

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by Ashley Maldonado

Riveting Techniques from Gwen Youngblood

Gwen Youngblood's jewelry riveting cold connection techniques make it easier than ever for everyone to master a basic wire rivet and ball rivet as well as riveting to set bezel cups.

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by Erica Stice

How to Set Geodes & Slabs

Setting geodes and slabs can be challenging at times but this blog will cover the two basic settings to get you started. Both require basic soldering skills.

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by Erica Stice

3 Ways to Set Raw Crystal Points using Sterling Silver Findings

Use gallery end caps and bead cones to create simple, striking drop earrings or challenge yourself with a center banded technique. The star of each piece is the raw crystal adorning each one.

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by Erica Stice

How to Size a Ring in the Jewelry Studio

Having the skills to size rings can be very handy for your jewelry studio business, especially if you don't have the right size for a customer in stock. Learn sizing to capture more sales and offer superior service to your clients.

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by Erica Stice

How to Buy Ring Making Material

Check out our handy jewelry ring material conversion chart and learn how to calculate the right material length for each finger ring size with this tutorial.

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by Erica Stice

Soldering Half Round Wire & Pattern Wire for Rings

We love to make silver rings in the Halstead Studio. These simple stackers are a low price-point crowd pleaser. If you're preparing for a show, a holiday is around the corner or you just want to bulk up inventory, ring bands can be a great addition to your collection.

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by Katie Hacker

Eva Sherman's Spectacular Soldered Jump Rings

Make whimsical jewelry designs with silver jump rings and stone settings. Practice your soldering skills and flex your creativity with this inspiring technique from Eva Sherman.

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by Erica Stice

Rock Salt Casting as Seen in Belle Armoire Jewelry

Get a sneak peek at rock salt casting: it's easier than you think! Watch a quick video demo and preview some of the designs that appear in the Spring 2018 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

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by Katie Hacker

Turning Your Art Glass Beads into Jewelry

Learn a few easy ways to turn your stash of lampwork art glass beads into beautiful, marketable jewelry. Sterling ear wires, basic tools and a few other jewelry supplies are all you need to get started. Plus, tips for selling your jewelry.

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by Erica Stice

How to Make Standout Glass Cabochon Pendant Necklaces

We take the guess work out of making jewelry with your lampwork or art glass cabochons in this tutorial. Choose the best adhesive and findings to make high quality silver pendant necklaces with your glass focal pieces.

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by Erica Stice

Simple Chain Necklace for Interchangeable Art Glass Beads

Learn how to make bestselling interchangeable bead necklaces with your dichroic or lampwork art glass beads. Customers love this simple concept.

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by Erica Stice

How to Buy Bezel Strip Wire

If you make custom cabochon settings on a regular basis, it makes sense to buy basic bezel strip by the troy ounce coil so you always have material on hand. But, if you need just a little fancy gallery bezel for a special project or you rarely set custom...

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by Erica Stice

Two Ways to Create Sterling Silver Tassels

Create your own silver jewelry tassels! In this step-by-step guide, we show you how to wire-wrap or solder chain tassels for your jewelry making.

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