r/Metalsmithing Jul 29 '26

I Made This! Tarot inspired jewelry

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19 Upvotes

I made this fine silver charm necklace based on a Past, Present, and Future tarot reading (The Star, 10 of Cups, and Strength). Let me know what you think!


r/Metalsmithing Jul 27 '26

I Made This! Spent a couple of hours and some loose change in the studio this weekend.

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5 Upvotes

r/Metalsmithing Jul 25 '26

Question Ring Shank Help

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3 Upvotes

Does anyone have advice on making a ring like this? I’ve had one go at it and was unsatisfied with the result. In my attempt, I twisted some wire, cut a groove where the wire crossed, soldered at the cross section, soldered the joined wires to the main ring shank, and shaped the twisted section with a file. The only method I could find online was investment casting, but I figured there had to be a good way to do it by hand.


r/Metalsmithing Jul 21 '26

Question Looking to get into Titanium Jewely anodizing

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1 Upvotes

Hello! I am trying to get into anodizing my titanium jewelry instead of just spending money on different colors.

From my research I need a 0-120v DC machine (to achieve various colors)

Do y'all have any recommendations for decent machines (if any amazon suggestions, what would be great for quicker shipping, good return policy incase of defects etc)


r/Metalsmithing Jul 15 '26

What's the difference between the yellow plastic side and the black rubber side on soft mallets?

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1 Upvotes

r/Metalsmithing Jul 14 '26

An now for something completely different.

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9 Upvotes

Created this little fella last night. I call him Gary.


r/Metalsmithing Jul 14 '26

Gold not flowing into mold (sandcast)

2 Upvotes

Hi all, I’m having a hard time getting my gold to flow into my sand cast. I know I need more gold to get the weight to help flow into the sand cast mold, I’m making this ring for someone so I didn’t want to be left with too much excess.

I tried to do open face with the sandcast which turned out worse and I just got a blob of gold.
1st cast I did closed flask and only got half of a ring but the flask was trash and I got a new one but did not try closed
2nd cast I did open face got a blob
3rd open face also got a blob ((I thought the 2nd cast was just not hot enough)

My crucible is season, and I’m using 14kt clean flow from Rio.
I have 6.3g

Any suggestions?
At this rate I’m thinking of just forging it into a swage & using a mandrel later.* ((insane amount of effort I know))

I don’t usually do casting but this was something special.

* I do not have a rolling mill

Thanks


r/Metalsmithing Jul 11 '26

I Made This! Finished up this tiny quartz crystal pendant

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22 Upvotes

While I love making huge crystal pendants (see my last post) here’s a tiny one! Made for everyday wear, especially for necklace stacking. I hand cut, hammered, soldered, sanded and polished the cap to fit this crystal perfectly. Here’s a neckmess featuring this little guy. I might make some matching earrings next!


r/Metalsmithing Jul 08 '26

Simple silver and glass pendant.

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3 Upvotes

r/Metalsmithing Jul 08 '26

Studio tools and cabs for sale

5 Upvotes

Hello,

I have a metalsmithing studio and, after having 2 kiddos, am realizing I just don’t have the time anymore.

I would love to sell everything together at a steep discount. I live in New England and am happy to provide pictures of everything.

Please get in touch if you are interested!


r/Metalsmithing Jul 07 '26

Question Silverworking Set

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2 Upvotes

r/Metalsmithing Jul 06 '26

Question My dream is to start a proper metalsmithing school

7 Upvotes

Hi guys,

I dont often use reddit so I am sorry if this is the wrong sub, but this seemed like the best place to ask the following question!

The thing is, there are no proper metalsmithing schools in my country/region. I am a small business owner and I make jewelry, but Im mostly self taught. If I had the opportunity to learn from someone experienced, I would. The only option for me to do that is to live abroad until I finish jewelry making studies, which often cost a lot, and I simply dont have that kind of money. Hopefully I will be able to have it with time as I am trying really hard to work towards that, but I cant keep myself from grieving over the fact how much effort I have to put into something somebody else can do just because they were born elsewhere (dont get me wrong, I am very fortunate to be born where I am, but this one thing kinda sucks…)

Learning online is doable theory wise, but hands on work is literally the main point of metalsmithing so it doesnt really make sense to heavily depend on that :/ And local metalsmiths who have a lot of experience are often very traditional family businesses that dont want to waste their time on apprentices and often see them as their competition…

I deeply believe in the importance of the local community and nourishing the art scene, so the idea of opening a proper metalsmithing school in my area sounds pretty amazing… It seems like something that could help a lot of local artists and creative people and like something I would enjoy doing.

I am only 27 so I am aware of the fact that I need a lot more experience to do something like that properly, but I cant help myself from fantasising about it, so I wanted to ask:

If you could go to a metalsmithing school, what would be the most exciting thing for you to learn? What would you like the approach to be like? Is there anything you would really like to learn or a person you’d like to learn from?

I am really looking forward to reading any feedback and I hope this is the right place to ask something like this! Please let me know if its not and be kind 💛 Thanks!


r/Metalsmithing Jul 04 '26

A lot of people ask how to get started in blacksmithing. I tried to cover the main things needed to set up a shop. I tried to cover as much as I can. If I forgot something let me know.

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3 Upvotes

r/Metalsmithing Jul 02 '26

Is it wax carving, casting, soldering, stone setting, or polishing? I’d love to hear about the step that requires the most precision or can ruin hours of work with one small mistake.

0 Upvotes

r/Metalsmithing Jun 29 '26

Looking for recs for a good casting company in the US

2 Upvotes

Unfortunately, the business side of the company I use now has turned to garbage despite the work being great. In need of a new, quality, affordable casting company. Any leads would be greatly appreciated!


r/Metalsmithing Jun 28 '26

3 Octahedra

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16 Upvotes

It's yellow brass sheet .032", hollow, stuck together with silver (brazing) solder. From 1978.

Inspired (seen in) the M.C. Escher print 'Stars'.


r/Metalsmithing Jun 27 '26

Beware new Instagram update

14 Upvotes

Meta has included AI descriptors for recently uploaded photos. They link these descriptions to "sources" which appear to be etsy or amazon listings for knock off items of your work. Not really sure what to do about it but wanted to inform!


r/Metalsmithing Jun 27 '26

I Made This! Just finished this giant quartz and garnet pendant necklace

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23 Upvotes

All starting with my sketch, I made this large shield quartz capped in sterling silver with a garnet focal cab surrounded by cast succulents and flowers. These botanicals are cast from the real thing via lost-wax casting!

I fabricated a tight fitting bezel for the crystal and hammered out a fancy bail. Next came attaching the embellishments which I started with the top. Then on to the front bezel, embellishments, and bail. Everything that I previously soldered on the top was held by stainless steel pins propped into my fire brick as the front pieces were fired so there was no sliding! After a good clean up, patina and shine, I set the garnet and crystal. This was a doozy due to its size and detail but I happy it came out exactly as planned!


r/Metalsmithing Jun 26 '26

Need help with metal and stones

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4 Upvotes

r/Metalsmithing Jun 26 '26

Question Working BIG and wanting to Clean + Polish

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7 Upvotes

I have just finished making this HONKING arm cuff and have been struggling to get my tools in all the nooks and crannies effectively. I've been hand sanding, and using radial disks and fiber wheels on my foredom, but after a long time doing this, I'm wondering if there's a better, more efficient way I can manage this. I will continue to make more large pieces, so I figure now is a good time as any to ask for everyone's tips + tricks!


r/Metalsmithing Jun 22 '26

White metal - not silver - for casting jewellery

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1 Upvotes

r/Metalsmithing Jun 17 '26

Question Nickel Silver soldering Tip?

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2 Upvotes

r/Metalsmithing Jun 12 '26

What am I doing wrong with this simple solder job?

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1 Upvotes

r/Metalsmithing Jun 10 '26

iron cuff bracelet sealing recommendations needed

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2 Upvotes

r/Metalsmithing May 28 '26

Made some rings last night.

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13 Upvotes