Blog Category
Halstead Jewelry Articles in How To
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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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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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.
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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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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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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.
Read Moreby 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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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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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.
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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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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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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Read Moreby 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.
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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.
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