Learn how to calculate the right material length for finger rings, plus design tips and tricks for beautify, one-of-a-kind rings.

Making Rings: Tips, Tricks, and Design Ideas

This blog covers important information – like how to buy the right material for making rings. But we’ll also discuss the fun stuff – design ideas and tips and tricks for creating one-of-a-kind rings!

Learn how to solder pattern wire rings or stacking rings made from half round wire stock. Use basic soldering & forming techniques for rings you will love.

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.

Learn about Rock Salt Silver Casting as detailed in Erica Stice's recent article published in Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine.

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.

Glass artists, learn how to make easy pendant necklaces, bracelets, and earrings with your custom lampwork.

by Erica Stice

How to Make Standout Glass Cabochon and Bead Jewelry

We take the guess work out of making jewelry with your lampwork or art glass cabochons and beads in this tutorial. Easily make a cabochon pendant, beaded earrings and beaded bracelet using your glass work with these projects.

New to making custom silver bezel settings? Learn how to measure and calculate exactly how much material you need and order at the right quantity.

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...

Make your own sterling silver tassels from chain and jewelry findings. Tassels make beautiful earring dangles, charms or pendants.

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.

Learn how to solder earring posts in your jewelry studio with this simple step-by-step guide. We will cover the tools, supplies and techniques you need.

by Erica Stice

6 Steps to Soldering Earring Posts

Learn how to solder earring posts on blanks or other ornaments in this 6-step how-to guide to get you started. We cover every aspect of the process plus it's loaded with tips!

Be inspired by our 4 trendy ideas for earring making to spice up your jewelry collection. Explore earring findings and techniques you'll need.

by Erica Stice

4 Trendy Earring Making Ideas

Statement earrings are in! Check out our ideas for the jacket and front & back trends. We show you how to use our new clutches with drop rings along with fashionable post earrings, tassels and more.

Learn how to make a hinge in your jewelry designs. This essential mechanism will allow you to tackle lockets, boxes, poison rings and more!

by Erica Stice

How To Make A Hinge For Jewelry

Inspired by the 2018 Halstead Design Challenge, learn how to make a basic knuckle hinge in your jewelry designs using tubing, sheet and wire.

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

by Erica Stice

How to Prong Set Stones: A Step by Step Guide

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

Learn tips for chain finishing to make necklaces or other jewelry from bulk footage chain lengths. See how to solder chains for secure clasp connections.

by Erica Stice

Tips for Chain End Finishing

Find instructions and tips on finishing footage chain! Large and small chain links are covered including different chain styles and finishing techniques.

Erica Stice explores ways to embellish finger ring bands in this inspirational article that explores techniques for ring making.

by Erica Stice

4 Ideas for Embellishing Ring Bands

Get creative in your jewelry studio! These four rings were made in a day using silver bands and stacking rings combined with pattern sheet, links, rivets and other fun findings!

Learn how to create a custom granular cabochon setting in this easy pendant tutorial for your jewelry studio practice. Stretch your metalsmithing skills.

by Erica Stice

Setting a Cabochon Pendant Tutorial

Enjoy an afternoon in the studio creating beautiful cabochon pendants! This how-to guide will show you step-by-step how to make custom cabochon settings in a few short hours.

Watch Hilary and Katie Hacker finish beaded jewelry using crimp, crimp covers and cable thimbles!

by Hilary Halstead Scott

How to Finish Beaded Jewelry

Watch Hilary and Katie Hacker finish beaded jewelry using crimp, crimp covers and cable thimbles!

Watch this video overview of how to set-up a jewelry studio bench the first time. Learn essential supplies and tools plus organizational tips.

by Hilary Halstead Scott

Jewelry Bench Set-up Video

Learn low-cost alternatives and organizational tips to set-up your jewelry bench at home or in your new studio work space. How to save money and build a functional space for your craft.

Learn how to make cuff bracelets with our bending block tool and pre-cut metal cuff blanks. Quickly bend and form metal into a comfortable piece of jewelry.

by Hilary Halstead Scott

Tips to Make Cuff Bracelets

A step-by-step beginner's guide on how to make cuff bracelets.

Learn riveting cold connection techniques for your jewelry designs. This guide covers how to rivet using jewelry making wire.

by Hilary Halstead Scott

Jewelry Making Technique: How to Create Rivets

Learn how to rivet your jewelry designs using wire cold connections. This guide will cover the essential findings you will need plus technique tips for success.

Learn to start silver soldering today! We've put together this step by step tutorial and list of jewelry soldering supplies & tools to get you started.

by Hilary Halstead Scott

5 Steps to Start Silver Soldering

Soldering sterling silver is one of the fundamental skills that every jeweler should have. However, starting up at home can be a little intimidating so we've put together this step by step tutorial with a list of jewelry soldering tools and supplies to get started.

Halstead Jewelry Articles in How To