▪ Jewelry Q & A ▪
As a wire and metal art jewelry artist and instructor, I get tons of questions. Many come from students asking me to clarify a particular skill or technique we covered in a class or workshop. Some questions come from other jewelry artists.In all these instances I'm happy to share my experiences. However, I frequently get similar types of questions and, with a busy schedule, I needed a more efficient way to handle this important aspect of my business. So...I've created this forum of sorts where you — students, customers and other wire and metal art jewelry enthusiasts — can ask your questions and I will give my best responses right here.
But I want to make this an even better resource for everyone. So, if you're a wire or metal jewelry artisan yourself and you see a question in which you've found a better or more effective solution, then I'd love to see your comments as well.
First, see if your question falls into one of the following general categories. Then, just follow the link to the appropriate page. If you feel your wire or metal jewelry question is not suited to any of these categories, then just ask it right on this page!
Have a question about making wire jewelry?
Confused or unsure about a wire or metal art jewelry technique? Stuck on a project and need a little guidance? If you have a question that you think does not fit any of the categories listed above, then ask it right here and let's see if we can get you back on track.
Other Questions Asked by Visitors
Click below to see questions and responses from other visitors to this page...
Firescale
Ok I've done my polishing using the barrel, I loved the outcome but I have this problem is like the firescale on the hole with jumpring attached.Hope I …
920 powder burnishing compound
How do I dispose of the 920 burnishing compound after it's been used up in tumbler? Can I pour down kitchen sink?
Stacy's Answer:
Hi Annette! …
Earrings On Fire Tutorial Question
Good Morning from New York!
The earrings on fire tutorial looks very interesting and is a direction I've been wanting to explore. I currently use a …
Multiple silver cuff bracelets in one Lortone barrel?
Thanks for your very helpful website. I just bought a Lortone tumbler for finishing flatware jewelry. I'm considering tumbling more than one fork bracelet …
Polishing outdoor brass lights
We've built our home 23 years ago and all outdoor lights are brass. Over the years the brass has been exposed to the elements. I am attempting to clean …
How to polish Fine Silver Filigree ?
Hi there. I am wondering if it is okay to polish fine silver filigree in a tumbler? I have used a burnisher but i can't get through all the tight edges …
Tumbling bronze
What is the best media for tumbling bronze and brass? I've tried a few things but being new at this seems to be a curse.
Thanks
Michele
Stacy's …
Gold filled wire
Hi,
I've just started working with gold filled wire. I want to make ball head pins. The wire balled but the copper shows through.
Can anybody tell …
Polishing without Tumbling Wire Jewellery
Firstly thank you so much for your site. It is like a miracle to a novice jewellery maker like me. I'm getting a bit confused by all the advice around …
Where are you located?
Where are you located?
Stacy's Answer:
I'm in the Tampa Bay Area (Pasco county) and teach primarily from the Stirling Studio in downtown Dunedin. …
Gold Filled wire turning dark in Tumbler
When I put the gold filled rings into the tumbler they're bright and shiny out of the pickle. Then when I take them out they turn a dark gold/copper color... …
Specific cleaning solution prior to applying patinas
If you don't use a tumbler what specific steps or products should you use to thoroughly clean your pieces before adding to the patina? I do not usually …
Hobby to a Business
Best site. Most informative
Can you take it from Hobby to a business
Proprietary rights. We pay for the Video and Material. Its your design
Is it …
Tumbling with dishwashing liquid
Hi,
I'm new to jewelry and I'm basically self taught with help from fabulous blogs like yours. I wanted to start tumbling jewelry and I've read in a few …
hoop earring tutorial question
Good Morning !
I love your hoop earring tutorial and your entire site. I make these earrings often. When I make them out of 18 gauge wire and add beads, …
Amount of shot in dual tumbler.
Hi,
I see that you recommended putting 1lb of shot in the tumbler. I just got a dual tumbler and ordered 1lb of shot, so I was wondering if I could split …
Where is the location for the classes?
Hi,
I am a bit confused of the class location because the first page says classes in Las Vegas, Nevada, but then the class schedule says Florida. I …
Aluminum disk tumbling
I create hand stamped jewelry and the main metal I use is aluminum. We just purchased a tumbler from HF and I do not want to ruin a batch of my blanks …
Pickle keeps turning blue!
Hello and help! I'm so frustrated... my pickle keeps turning blue, even when it's new. I keep re-making it, and have 2 pickle-pots: one with Sparex, and …
Cost of 6 week class
What is the cost of the 6 week class and is it possible to take the intermediate (prerequisite) and the advanced at the same time? Are the classes all …
quartz tumbling?
What's the best method on a rotary tumbler to polish quartz (rough) from grit/ two polishing. I used ceramic media all the way through and all it did was …
Self healing sound absorbing work mats
I have seen several videos where the artist is using what she called a self healing, noise dampening rubber mat on her work surface. Does anyone know what …
Is it ok to tumble a bezel settign prior to setting the stone?
I will soon be entering the world of setting some stones in bezels for pendants earrings and such and was wondering if I should complete the piece first …
An "in-gauging" question
First off I want to thank you for your site! So much info available for free. Unfortunately, in my journey to learn metal work I have not always found …
Burnishing or Brightening powder?
My UK supplier sells both of these, for use with steel, ceramic or stainless steel shot. No extra detergent is advised. I am guessing that the 'burnish' …
Tumbling ear nuts
Do you know of an easy way to contain ear nuts in the tumbler so that they are easy to find after finished tumbling? Searching through the shot for hours …
Aluminum 12/10 gauge
Can I tumble aluminum (all gauges) successfully? To get rid of sharp edges, burrs, harden and polish up? I am having fun designing and making jewelry …
Soldering
Absolutely love this site!! I am just starting to learn metal smithing and wire work jewelry and need LOTS of help! Do you have any online/video tutorials …
mandrel size for Love Me Knots
Hi Stacy,
I'd like to make some knots in smaller gauge wire - 18 and 20g.
and wondered what size mandrel I'd need use for each of those gauges and how …
Stainless steel shot
Hi Stacy!
I just discovered your blog and have been reading EVERYTHING for hours! I love it, it's very informative and you are very creative....your pieces …
Pandora charms, glass and silver
Can I tumble Pandora glass bead and silver charms safely.
Stacy's Answer:
I've seen a lot of "Pandora" and "Pandora-style" charms and bracelets. …
do you dilute the ferric chloride etching solution
When using ferric chloride to etch copper pieces, do you dilute the FC with water at all?
Stacy's Answer:
No. I use it straight from the bottle …
Nylon Coated Wire
Hi,
I love your site! Lots of helpfull stuff! I am new to jewelry making and have been using nylon coated silver wire as it is cheap and does not …
Plate gauge for copper etching?
Hi Stacy,
We were thinking about etching copper with a resist and ferric acid. I was wondering if you knew a gauge range for the thinnest copper we …
plated jewelry
Will liver of sulfur give a patina to plated rings?
Stacy's Answer:
Hi Craig!
The best way to find that out is to dip one and see what happens. …
Do you need to use soldering flux?
Do you need to use soldering flux with the copper soldering wire as you would with common lead/tin solder and what effect will ferric chloride have on …
Lacquered
Hello Stacy, I really enjoyed your site with all the creative work that you do. In reading some of your step in the process I see you use lacquer, is this …
Compounds
Do you use compounds in your polishing process? If so, which ones works for you. I am a newbie to working with metals and always looking for information …
Removing Laquer from Brass
i discovered a pile of small brass plaques probably from a library card catalog. my father collected this long ago...anyway, these have corroded and also …
Right Gauge
I have not made anything in Silver for a few years now apart from rings and I want to make an open silver bangle for myself with an imperial jasper at …
Etching Fine Silver (.999)
Hi Stacy...I just stumbled upon your site, and I love it! I mostly work with fine silver sheet and wire. I love that I don't need to polish it as much …
Tip for cutting sheet metal
Hi Stacy,
Just wanted to give a tip. I aquired an old fashioned industrial paper cutter like they used in office & schools, one with the wooden base …
Wire Coiling
Hi Stacy,
How do you know how much wire to coil to make an inch of coil when doing bangle designs?
Michelle
Stacy's Answer:
You know, that's …
Dapping Metal or Wood
Hi Stacy, Can you give me some beginner info on a dapping block wood vs metal. How to judge which size on the block to use. Thanks I appreciate any guidance …
Corrugated Designs
Hi Stacy I wanted to know what gauge silver and copper do you use for your corrugated earrings? Are the metals work hardened first? They look like they …
Silver Filled Wire
Hi Stacy! Have you seen or used this new silver filled wire? It is suppose to be a less expensive alternative to sterling, and perform like sterling. …
Finest Gauge Wire for Tumbling?
Hi,
I just found your website and am excited to find such thorough tutorials and information! My question is regarding the tumbler(s) you use, and …
Stainless Steel Wire (surgical steel)
Hi Stacy! What is your opinion on using stainless steel wire? Do you know the strength of it, how pliable it is or how well it fires and oxidizes?
Thanks! …
Aegean Cuff Bracelet
Stacy when the bracelet tutorial is followed correctly can you tell me how the bracelet lays on your wrist? Is there suppose to be a gap between the two …
Etching on Brass
Hi Stacy,
Can you etch on brass with the same chemical and instructions as you list for copper?
Thank you
Deb Mae
Stacy's Answer: Hi Deb! Brass …
Polishing Hematite
I have a ring from my Mom that is faceted hematite 10kt gold. The stone is in excellent shape although it looks like there is a film on it that can be …
Gauge for cuffs
Hi Stacy, I am currently in Australia for the next year, so can't take any classes with you. I really miss them. Anyway, I would like to try making a cuff …
Cutting Jumprings
Hi Stacy,
I'm a relatively new jewelry maker.
I'm interested in so many facets of jewelry making that I'm going broke with tools.
I enjoyed your …
Etching Copper and Brass
Hi Stacy, I was wondering if it ok to use black StazOn ink, or will only the red work?
Thank you for your time,
Judy
Stacy's Answer: Thanks for …
Bangle cores
Hi Stacy - what gauge wire do you use for the core of your bangles like 'In a coil' & what's the minimum gauge suitable for cores?
Stacy's Answer: …
Etching printed text on to copper or brass
I want to use print that is white text on black fill done on a laser printer. Do you know what kind of paper I should print the text on? I've read that …
Jewelry Tags
Do you purchase your jewelry tags or do you make your own?
Thanks, Robbie
Stacy's Answer: Hi Robbie!
I make my own tags. Some are stamped and some …
Finger protection when working with metals
Probably everyone already knows about this but if not -
There is a product named Medipore™ by 3M that comes in a roll about 3" wide.
It is a porous …
Where to buy ferrous chloride?
Where can I find ferrous chloride? Thanks!
Stacy's Answer: Hi Midwest. To find ferrous chloride, you'll need to contact a supplier of scientific …
Smaller dapping dies for bead caps
hi! I bought a lovely and really inexpensive dapping block from you. It's great for medallions and larger pieces, but I also want bead caps. And you …
Which gauge for small decorative twists?
Which gauge wire do I use for small decorative twists? Jan
Stacy's Answer: Hi Jan! I'm not certain what you mean by, "small decorative twists", but …
Earwire Gauge Questions
When making ear wires like on your amethyst hoop earrings, what gauge do you use? 18 or 19 is too thick to go through my ears or hurts when i wear that. …
Making Large "S" Link Components
Hi Stacy,
Do you have any tips on making the large "S" links like the ones you used in your "LeCarnivale" and keeping the curves consistent? Is there …
Classes in Las Vegas, NV
Thanks for the input on patina gel . Cool Tools has a great "How To" video on their site that I found answers everything and more.
Will you be coming …
Lorene's Twisted Sisters
How do I keep my creations from looking so Victorian. What should I do to make the design more bold and dramatic?
Stacy's Answer: Hi Laurie!
I …
Question about Bench Block
Stacy,
First, thanks for the wire jewelry Q & A! I'm new to working with wire (I love it, even though it has its frustrating moments!) and it has been …
Copper Etching
Hi Stacy, I have a question about copper etching. I can't seem to get a good etch in copper I use rubber stamps with the Stayz On ink, Radio Shack Etchant …
My First Wire and Lampwork Bead Creation
Stacy,
I just got my first shipment from Rio Grande. I wanted you to see my first creation! It is not as "exotic" or unique as your necklaces but it …
Class Costs
Hi, I am not sure if I just missed it or not...but can you tell me what the cost of the classes are? Thanks!
Stacy's Answer: Hi Laurie! To get the …
Online tutorials
Hi Stacy
I was wondering if you are planning on putting the tutorials to your class on Crazy Coil Link Bracelet. I live too far a way in order to come …
Will Copper and Silver Wear Well Together?
I've been playing with some wire wrapping. I experimented with the copper and silver together. How do these wear together? I see many copper & silver pieces …
