Copper is a great texturing metal for the beginner (and advanced) metalsmith because it is very forgiving—you’ll need a concentrated effort to really “mess it up.” Copper is soft and tough, inexpensive, hard to melt down, takes a beautiful patina, and is easy to find. My favorite thing about it is its malleability—copper takes a… This post is only available to members. The post Helen’s 7 Favorite Ways to Texture Metal appeared first on Interweave ..read more

While I was first learning torch-fired enameling, I did a lot of experiments–propane vs MAPP gas, sifting on vs dunking in enamel powders, opaque vs transparent, copper vs silver vs iron underneath–and even brass, which apparently couldn’t be done. I’m so glad I found that it can be done, because transparent enamel on brass makes a pretty opalescent look that I love. ABOVE: enameled filigree beads from Mastering Torch-Fired Enamel by Barbara Lewis After all that experimenting, I’ve ended up with a whole bunch of random pieces–enameled bead caps, organic enameled shapes, lots of ..read more

Since I first discovered it many years ago at a craft trade show, metal clay has been my favorite medium ever, for jewelry making or any other craft. I can’t talk about metal clay jewelry making without saying the word “magic.” metal clay jewelry making with paper metal clay by Noel Yovovich I thought silver… This post is only available to members. The post Do You Know These Fun Ways to Use Metal Clay? Weaving, Cheetos, Even Knitting with Metal Clay! Plus 5 Expert Metal Clay Jewelry Making Tips appeared first on Interweave ..read more

Through my work on Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, I’ve been very privileged in getting to know several top jewelry artists and jewelry makers. One of those artists is Roger Halas, who has not only provided Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist with some incredible jewelry projects but who is also an expert on gemstones and minerals. His mineralogy articles have graced the pages of many of our issues. I recently asked Roger about his jewelry, his inspiration, and his favorite jewelry-making materials. His answers were as fun and informative as Roger himself! Where do you get inspiration for your je ..read more

Remember coming home from school with a homemade Mother’s Day gift for Mom? So proud and excited you couldn’t sit still, knowing Mom was going to love what you made her, with your name scrawled on it in your precious brand-new handwriting and an “I love you” with a backwards E. Making gifts for Mom is still fun and rewarding–the techniques have just gotten a little more sophisticated (like the Stamped Chandelier Earrings above, from New Stamped Metal Jewelry by Lisa Niven Kelly and Taryn McCabe). Speaking of a backwards E, metal stamping jewelry for Mom (your Mom or a… The post 5 Reasons Why M ..read more

It’s the time of year that many dread—spring cleaning. While this is a necessary task, it can often be a seemingly overwhelming one. When people think of spring cleaning, they tend to think of dusting the corners of the ceiling and spraying the windows, but for us in the making field, it is so much… This post is only available to members. The post Organize Your Stash: Tips for Spring Cleaning appeared first on Interweave ..read more

Do you walk down the street looking down at the ground or up at the people you’re passing? Or maybe you look to the sky?… The post Recycled Jewelry Made by Upcycling Unique Found Objects appeared first on Interweave ..read more

I’m here to tell you, change is good. While it’s always great to master jewelry making techniques you already know, getting out of your comfort zone and learning something new can sometimes be even better. So take a chance and introduce some change into your life by teaching yourself a new jewelry or beading technique!… This post is only available to members. The post Teach Yourself a New Technique with These 5 Beading and Jewelry Books appeared first on Interweave ..read more

When I was planning my wedding at the end of 2021, I was in search of a very specific necklace. I was looking for something… The post A Mackintosh Rose-Inspired Bridal Necklace with Custom Fused Glass Cabochons appeared first on Interweave ..read more

We are excited to support beaders and jewelry makers in a whole new way with the launch of our digital membership, the Bead + Jewelry… The post Introducing the Bead + Jewelry Makers Club appeared first on Interweave ..read more