#Rio grande sterling silver findings how to#

Often, you can get the same tool at a better price. Once you’ve priced a tool at Rio Grande, be sure to compare the price on Amazon. I’ll be upgrading my own pliers soon as my old ones are long overdue for retirement.Īnother good source for tools is Amazon. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on tools, but do buy the best tools you can afford. That’s one area where I’m more likely to splurge a little. You do tend to get what you pay for when it comes to tools, so price usually isn’t my main consideration while tool shopping. They don’t always have the best price, but you’re almost certain to find exactly what you’re looking for there. Rio is, in my opinion, the best place to shop for tools. So, where do I buy my tools? I pick up whatever I can from my local bead shop, whenever possible. Only buy the tools that make sense for your current skill level, your budget, and your current workspace. You don’t need every specialized tool on the market to be a good jewelry maker. It never stopped, and the mess drove me crazy. There was work in progress on my bench 24 x 7. Small spaces are only livable when they’re neat and tidy, and it was virtually impossible to keep my bench as clean as it is here when I was making finished jewelry for sale. Truth be told, it was also a major factor in my decision to make the switch from jewelry maker/seller to jewelry blogger. Working in a very small space has forced me to curb my tool addiction, and I’ve managed to transform myself from tool junkie to tool minimalist.

This tiny little space that is my current studio is actually one corner of the bedroom I share with my husband. I’m an apartment dweller, currently, and my “studio” consists of a small work table where I keep my most frequently used tools within easy reach and some small drawer units and bookshelves that hold all my other tools and supplies. Consider Your Storage Space When Buying Tools Now, there’s a craft that requires a lot of space! It’s also quite messy, so it’s not at all conducive to small-space living.

I was a stained glass designer in my last creative life. That is, in fact, why I started doing wirework, to begin with. In fact, the beauty of wire weaving is that you can do it with a pretty minimal set of hand tools. Only buy those that are right for you and your current workspace. It’s also true, however, that you don’t need every specialized tool out there to be a good jewelry maker. Tools are cool, and it’s true that using the right tool for the job makes the job easier.

Also, your local bead shop owner can sometimes get things for you that she doesn’t normally carry in her shop for a better price than you can find elsewhere. Local spending creates the vibrant communities in which we all prefer to live. I wasn’t a big enough customer to have that much of an impact on those businesses but it’s clear that I wasn’t the only regular customer who stopped shopping that year, and collectively, we did have an impact. Now, I’m not suggesting that they closed because I stopped shopping there. Sadly, two out of three of the bead shops in my local area closed during that year.

#Rio grande sterling silver findings how to#

I took a year off of all things jewelry in 2018 because I needed to regroup and figure out how to fit my passion for wire jewelry into my life without disrupting my entire household. Or ask if they’ll special order it for you. If they don’t carry what you need, ask them if they’ll start carrying it. Buy as many of your supplies there as you can. Local spending is what creates the sort of vibrant communities in which we all prefer to live. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, shop locally as much as you can. Shop Your Local Jewelry Supply Stores (if possible)

Use the Best Quality Chains You Can Afford.

Jewelry Suppliers for Chain & Metal Findings.

Consider Your Storage Space When Buying Tools.

Shop Your Local Jewelry Supply Stores (if possible).