Learn how to sweat solder! Raise the value of your sterling silver pieces by soldering on 14kt gold to really make your jewelry designs stand out.

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.

Learn tips on untangling jewelry chain! Jewelry footage and finished chain tend to tangle also we'll cover how to package and store them to prevent tangles.

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.

Learn about alternative stone setting methods for irregular shaped stones. We cover crystals, geodes, slabs, and more.

by Erica Stice

Alternative Stone Setting Techniques

Not all stones are perfectly calibrated. This blog covers alternative stone setting methods for crystals, geodes, and slabs. Use these techniques to create unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Erica walks you through a variety of techniques to learn how to size a ring up or down, a great skill to have in your jewelry studio business.

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.

Learn how to determine the correct amount of material you need for a jewelry ring based on the desired finger size and material you choose.

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.

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.

Be inspired by Eva Sherman's creative approach to using soldered jump rings in a whole new way for your jewelry making designs.

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.

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 finish collar necklaces in this tutorial covering the supplies and techniques you will need to know about to succeed.

by Erica Stice

How To Finish Neck Collars

It's all about neck collars! In this blog post we give you some great ideas on finishing collar necklaces plus we have a brand new tool to show you and we cover December's 2017 issue Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine.

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.

Make your own custom jewelry chain from bulk wire in this how-to guide from artist Jill Mackay. Get inspired to hone your soldering and wirework skillset.

by Katie Hacker

Making Chain from Wire with Jill MacKay

Here at Halstead, we sell a lot of finished and footage chain in a huge variety of styles. But, sometimes, you just want to make your own jewelry chain. We sent jewelry designer Jill MacKay a coil of sterling silver wire and she turned it into this shimmering chain.

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.

Halstead Jewelry Articles in How To