A tip from @thewildpine: cut the fingertips off old insulated gloves to protect your fingers from heat and polishing compound.

Kate Ellen of @crownnine shares tips for approaching retailers, from a complete collection and linesheet to a brief intro email.

@daveaugustdesign lines a hand vise with a rubber band to avoid marring and sands tiny details with polishing paper strips and twine.

A first try at the Lortone rock tumbling kit with @seattlefindings: compound stages, tumbling times, stone hardness and disposal.

A tip from @noctuajewellery: cut setting seats by hand with a setting bur in a swivel pin vise, lubricated with BurLife.

A tip from @blueberryjewelry02: coat an edge with Sharpie before filing so you can see when it is evenly filed.

A showcase of statement rings from the August metalsmith challenge and a reminder to vote on the September theme.

A tip from @silent.g.designs: store sandpaper in a storage clipboard, then clip a sheet to it for a flat sanding surface.

@loupeandpeg explains how to hang a goatskin leather catch under a bench with eye screws and key rings, including measurements.

Learn to hold a piece up to the light to check that a bezel or seam sits flush before soldering. If you see light, it is not tight.

@moonlightmileartisan uses parallel pliers to straighten metal and keep bezel edges flush for soldering, and taping jaws to avoid marring.

From @beccatron5000 and @sweetbellajewelry: plug a tumbler with no switch into an outlet timer to control tumbling time overnight.

2,368 Tips From The Community