What is wax carving? Wax carving differs from other jewellery making techniques. Instead of adding decorative elements to a foundational piece, you will start with a piece of wax and saw and file it down into the shape you want. Through lost wax casting, your piece will then be cast into a number of metals such as gold, silver and platinum. Which kind of wax is best for you? Wax tubes: If you’re creating a ring then wax tube is the best choice for you. The wax tube can be cut down using a wax cutting saw blade and the excess can be kept and reused. Make sure you pick a wax tube with a central ..read more

Wire wrapping is a creative and intricate style of jewellery making. Exactly as you’d expect it to be, wire wrapping is a technique that involves curving, bending and wrapping wire to make different types of jewellery. Once you’ve practiced and developed your skills, wire wrapping can be used to create pendants, rings, bracelets and more. With the size of wire and the right tools, wire wrapping can be a fairly straight forward type of jewellery making where no soldering, sawing or any other additional steps are required. Step 1 – Understand the Basics We think that wire wrapping is one of the ..read more

Within jewellery making, there are a wide range of techniques that can be used to inspire the jewellery you as a jewellery maker create. One of these techniques is metal stamping. This technique will allow you to imprint intricate designs onto various metals, resulting in lots of personalised and distinctive jewellery pieces. In this article, we will explore the art of stamping and showcase different jewellery pieces that can be created using this technique. What are metal stamps and why are they popular? Metal stamps have been developed to offer designers a huge range of options for creating ..read more

Are you thinking about working with resin? Brush up on the essential terms with our resin glossary before you get started… Accelerator – An additive designed to speed up the reaction between the resin and the hardener. Air Bubble – A common occurrence when pouring resin, air bubbles can be easily fixed by quickly popping with a toothpick. If you are consistently seeing air bubbles you may need to rethink how you are mixing your resin. Bezel Setting – A jewellery setting with a ridge that can hold the resin in place. Casting – The process of pouring resin and leaving to cure. Curing – This is t ..read more

Making jewellery with resin is an incredibly exciting and fun way to get creative. If you’re just starting your resin jewellery making journey then it is important to at first, understand the basics and practice before you start making. Here at Cooksongold we think resin is a fantastic product to use when making jewellery which is why we have developed our resin jewellery hub to provide you with guidance, tips and more. Just starting your journey? We’ve supplied the answers for some of the most common questions that beginners ask when first working with resin… Resin FAQs Is resin dangerous ..read more

In a jewellery making workshop, there are a lot of essentials that we are all familiar with. We often focus on key tools like rolling mills, torches and pliers, but here are some tools that we think deserve more recognition in bringing jewellery designs to life. All of the tools mentioned below are available on our website.  Finger Protection Tape We understand that your main priority is to create stunning jewellery pieces, but it is very important not to forget that safety comes first.   Did you know that this handy finger protection tape offers more protection than when weari ..read more

Introduction: In the world of 3D Printing and jewellery design, fascinating stories often unfold. One such narrative involves Vincent Gillespie, who commissioned a distinctive turtle pendant for his wife, Sandra Chapman, a prominent figure at the Natural History Museum in London. This bespoke piece, inspired by a new Pleurodiran turtle species discovered by Chapman in southwestern Niger, came to life through the craftsmanship of Cooksongold3D. The Inspiration: Sandra Chapman, the Curator of Fossil Reptiles, Amphibians, and Birds at the Natural History Museum, stumbled upon a remarkable find i ..read more

Interested in jewellery making? Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, creating beautiful jewellery is easy with the right supplies, tools and set-up. You don’t need to be a professional with your own workshop to make jewellery successfully. Whether it’s in your bedroom, kitchen or a small corner in the attic, making jewellery at home is possible. Whether you want to make pieces with silver or explore beadwork, we’re here to help you get started. In this guide, we go through the different jewellery-making techniques, which tools are best for beginners, and how to set up an e ..read more

Did you know that this year is a leap year? That’s right, 2024 is giving us all an extra day! That’s an extra 24 hours to try a new jewellery making technique or do more of the same. We’ve compiled a list of what we think jewellery makers need to try on February 29th…… Change your preferred choice If you’re a jewellery maker and work primarily with one material, we challenge you to try and make something using a different metal or material. Instead of gold and silver why not try palladium, platinum or even some of our gold-filled options? Or why not try something completely different and use s ..read more

As we are in the middle of another cold winter, what better way to express your love and appreciation than with personalised, handmade jewellery. This season, create simple yet beautiful gifts that will leave an impression. In this article, we’ll take you through a collection of projects that are both easy to make and heartfelt to give. Beaded Charm Bracelet: Get creative making a beaded charm bracelet. String the beads onto a flexible wire and add charms and spacers to create a visually appealing piece. Play with colour combinations and charms that resonate with your loved one’s style giving ..read more