Free Tutorials
The official bowtie setting tutorial.
This is my first video tutorial!
UPDATE: I am no longer managing a Patreon page, it is all at my website.
In this video, I use 4mm garnets, 22 gauge round half hard wire and 26 gauge round half hard silver wire. This is just a suggested size and hardness of wire to use but this setting is very versatile and can be made with a wide variety of materials.
Or here’s the youtube link https://youtu.be/exG7huvtAPI
In this video I show how to make a prong setting with only 1 main wire and 1 supporting wire.
Recommended stone to wire size:
2mm stone = 26 gauge wire
4mm = 24 gauge
6mm = 22 gauge
Feel free to adjust however you want!
UPDATE: I am no longer managing a Patreon page, it is all at my website.
A quick look at my process of getting a nice mirror shine on the thicker wire in my designs. I know there are lots of different ways to polish jewelry, this is just one of the processes I use. There are going to be more videos on polishing later, more like a tutorial style video and more in depth on some different tools that can be used. This piece just ended up with such a nice polish I wanted to share the video I had on it.
Links for Sandpaper and Bristle Discs I use are linked down below. - there are a lot of different options, I haven't explored them all yet.
These are the ones I use.
220 grit , 400 grit , pumice , 1 micron.
They can be used on any rotary normal tool (dremel, flexshaft, maybe even a drill if it spins fast enough?)
Paid Tutorials
View here: theartofwire.com/mini-pendant-tutorial
The basics of this mini pendant design. This video shows some techniques I have developed and evolved over the past couple of years that have been really handy in making mini pendants. I get asked for these all the time so I'm happy to share and hopefully there will be more people out there making beautiful little mini pendants. There can never be enough.
For this tutorial, though it is flexible to use many different sizes, I use :
14 gauge half round wire(6”), 22 gauge round wire (8”), 28 gauge round wire (18”), 6mm opal cabochon.
(optional: more wire! another piece of 14 gauge half round will help fill it out, a diamond file and polishing setup)
$33.30
View here: theartofwire.com/bowtie-extras
Bowtie Extra tips and tricks.
Videos include:
Replacing the stones in a bowtie setting,
another version of the bowtie that’s constructed with a slightly different process,
a video on how to get the bowtie setting tight,
and the square bowtie setting tutorial.
Some helpful work-in-progress pictures are in here too.
***More will be added into this page in the future so even if you have already purchased, check back here for updates.***
$7.77
View here: theartofwire.com/wire-pave
In-depth look into my Saul Bell Finalist bracelet “Semper Anticus”
and
Wire wrap multiple prong setting pavé using only wire.
3mm and 4mm amethyst with
26 gauge round half-hard silver wire
and
30 gauge round half-hard silver wire.
$11.11
View here: theartofwire.com/framing
A look at my process for creating a filigree type flow frame for these pendants. Not fully what I would call a tutorial.
One video includes initial bending and some pre polish work. Followed by a part 2 finishing up with the frame and design, with photos of the finished product.
The other video shows a pendant construction, sped up 700x.
$5.55
Some select past Work In Progress (WIP) photos.
Listed below are all the tools I currently have and use.
Click on the image or title for links to items. *Some of these are Amazon and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Swanstrom Needle Nose ESD Plier with Smooth Jaw, 5.28"
UPDATE: These broke on me pretty quickly, I wouldn’t recommend.
The company “All-Spec” that this is linked to is not the easiest company to work with unfortunately. Product is “Swanstrom S230 E” if you can find other places.
Tiny needle nose, short handles.
Inexpensive Beadalon Knotting Pliers.
I use these all the time for small wire! < 24 gauge
These bent pretty easily when I first got them but they "work hardened" after I bent them back into place a few times.
At such a low price point, I always keep an extra set on hand.
These have been awesome! I’ve had them for years and they have had no problem in cutting thick wire and precision cuts on small wire also.
Xuron - LX Micro-Shear Flush Cutter.
After breaking a couple pair of these, I wouldn’t recommend.
Swanstrom Curved Snipe Nose Smooth Pliers.
I rarely use these. For Swanstrom, I was actually quite disappointed with how easily the tips bent. They did't seem to work harden after bending them back. Also, I realized I like the short handles better.
Inexpensive Starter Jewelry Making Tool Kit, 3-Piece.
Great to have an extra random assortment of cheap pliers!
General Tools- English and Metric Pocket Sliding Bar Caliper.
I didn't have one for years but now I use it all the time! Definitely handy to have around.
These have been great! I’ve been using this pack for over a year and I still have a bunch left. I do have to turn them inside out and trim some of the excess material so they fit more snug. Overall these have been great.
90 Pcs, 400 to 3000 grit Wet/Dry Sandpaper Assortment 9x3.6inch.
A good starter polishing sandpaper assortment to get the feel for what you like.
Use these with tray inserts or gem jars.
Helps so much with keeping my space organized.
10 Piece Diamond Needle File Set.
I use these frequently for shaping pieces before polish.
Clamp LED Light 3 Color Temperature Setting, 10 Brightness Levels
These lights have been perfect for having low on the desk, below my view of my computer screen and above my hands. It’s a great alternative instead of an overhead light that is so bright it hurts my eyes after hours and hours. Also, great for displays! And these are the best priced high quality lights for the dollar I’ve found anywhere.
Foredom® Portable Micro-Motor with 3/32" Handpiece
I bought this so I could still polish my pieces while in vanlife. It is awesome but kinda lacks the strength of a larger motor. I wouldn’t recommend as a replacement for a Foredom Flexshaft as it just works a little bit differently.
Foredom® LX Motor and TXR Foot Control
Any rotary tool is okay to use, it doesn’t have to be this model or kit, even a dremel will work, but there's nothing quite like a Foredom.
These are great, the boxes I ship most of my pendants in. Nice fake black velvet liner and good design. Optional foil stamping.
Fabulustre Jewelry Polishing Cloths 9" x 11"
I use both sides of this at the finish of every piece. They last for years!
3M 9/16" Radial Bristle Disc, 220-Grit, Red
3M 9/16" Radial Bristle Disc, 400-Grit, Blue
3M 9/16" Radial Bristle Disc, Pumice, Pink
3M 3/4" Radial Bristle Disc, 1-Micron, Light Green
There are a lot of different polishing wheels and discs, these are the specific ones I use.
Dedeco Try-'Em Silicone Polishing Wheel Assortment
I’ve been into these lately... but these definitely cause much more airborne dust than the bristle discs. So make sure you have ventilation or a mask.
Nickel-Plated 1/16" Screw Mandrel 303, 3/32" Shank
Make sure to get these for your bristle discs and silicone wheels!
Marking Pliers set includes 6 stamps
I wish I would’ve bought this set with the pliers and 6 stamps included. I’ve ended up purchasing a bunch of different stamps to get the whole collection which has been more costly. Nickel-Plated Marking Pliers This is what I purchased but I wish I would’ve gotten the one above.
All of the different stamps I have purchased from various places have all worked just fine in my pliers. The small stamps seem pretty universal in size.
Silver, Gold, and Platinum Wire.
And of course the wire I use is mostly all from Rio Grande. Environmentally responsible and a great company all around.
I source a lot of my gemstones from Billy Hamilton on Instagram. He always has good deals and a great variety with fast shipping. Tell him I sent you!