GeltDesigns

How to Use a Ring Mandrel

2011-03-09T05:34:00.000-08:00

A ring mandrel is a useful tool to size jewelry, to make rings and to create loops and curves when forming jewelry and sculpture. Rings mandrels are usually made of wood or tool grade stainless steel. Rings mandrels can be graduated or stepped.

Sizing rings
Use your ring mandrel to determine ring size. Take a ring that fits well. Slide the ring onto the ring mandrel to measure ring size. In the example, the wedding ring being measured for size is measures as a size 6-1/2 on the ring mandrel.

Make Wire Wrapped Rings
Use your ring mandrel to make rings. Take wire and wrap it around the ring mandrel the number of times you want for your ring. If you are using a thick wire that you intend to solder, then you will wrap the wire around the wire only once. In the case of wire wrapped rings using thin wire, then you will want to wrap the wire around the mandrel multiple times.

Form Metal
Use your ring mandrel to form rings or curves. For example, in the photo at left, the ring mandrel is being used to form an old silver spoon into a ring.

Further Reading
"30-Minute Rings: 60 Quick & Creative Projects for Jewelers"; Marthe Le Van; 2011.
"1000 Rings: Inspiring Adornments for the Hand (500 Series)"; Marthe Le Van, Robert W. Ebendorf; 2004.

How to Make "Fish Hook" Ear Wires

2011-02-05T17:18:00.000-08:00

Handmade ear wires enhance earrings. Making your own ear wires will add value to your jewelry designs, allow you to create exactly what you need for any given project and save you money. Ear wires are easy to make. This tutorial will explain how to make a simple ear hook for pierced ears.

Materials
20-gauge round wire (sterling, gold, brass, copper or other non-ferrous metal)

Gather your toolsTools
Chain nose pliers
Needle files (optional)
Round nose pliers or
Wire looping pliers
Wire cutters
Flex shaft and 16 gauge cup bur or wire rounder
Plastic mallet

Ear Wire Jig by GeltDesigns

Step 1
Make a loop at the end of the wire using round nose or wire looping pliers. Wrap the wire around an ear wire jig, wig jig or mandrel. You can also form the the ear wire by hand by draping the wire over your finger.

We used a jig we made ourselves in our studio using blocks, a cork and nails.

Step 2
Remove the ear wires from the jig and cut the wire from the spool using wire side cutters or flush cutters to cut the wire.

Step 3
File the ends of the ear wire until smooth enough to slip through an ear. File the ends using a wire rounder or needle file or a cup burr and flex shaft.

Step 4
Place the ear wires on a steel bench block or anvil. Hammer the ear wires with a rawhide or plastic mallet to harden the ear wires and prevent them form becoming misshapen. If needed, adjust the ear wires with chain nose or bent nose pliers.

You can also harden ear wires by placing them in a tumbler with stainless steel shot.

Upcycled Earrings by GeltDesigns

Related Tutorials
How to Make an Ear Wire Jig

How to Make Earrings from a Credit Card

How to Straighten Wire

How to Smooth Sharp Edges on Copper, Brass and Sterling Wire
How to Measure Wire
How to Use a Wire Gauge
GeltDesigns Tutorials by Topic
New Jewelry a Day

Further Reading
"Metalworking 101 for Beaders: Create Custom Findings, Pendants & Projects (Lark Jewelry Books)"; Candice Cooper; 2009.
"Handcrafted Wire Findings: Techniques and Designs for Custom Jewelry Components"; Denise Peck, Jane Dickerson

Make a Pendant Bail

2011-02-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Pendant by GeltDesigns.com

Making your own pendant bails and other jewelry findings can add value to your jewelry and save you money. Simple pendant bails are easy to make and require only a few tools.

Tools
Wire looping pliers or round nose pliers
Wire cutter
Flex shaft and 15-gauge cup bur or wire rounder

Make 2 loops

"S" link with 2 loops

Step 1
Use pliers to create an "S" link from 18-gauge brass wire but wrap two adjacent loops on one side of the link.

Step 2
Cut the excess wire. File the ends until smooth using a flex shaft and 15-gauge cup bur , if you have them. A less expensive alternative is to use either a wire rounder or a needle file.

Open loops

Step 3
Use your pliers to pry apart the two adjacent loops.

Step 4

Adjust bail

Open the lower jump ring and attach the bail to the pendant.

Adjust spacing as needed so the bail allows the pendant to hang evenly.

Open the lower jump ring and attach the bail to the pendant.

Related Tutorials
Make a Stamped Pendant from a Washer
One World One Heart 2011 Giveaway

Further Reading
"Handcrafted Wire Findings: Techniques and Designs for Custom Jewelry Components"; Denise Peck; 2010.
"Metalworking 101 for Beaders: Create Custom Findings, Pendants & Projects (Lark Jewelry Books)"; Candice Cooper; 2009.
"Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing (Jewelry Crafts)"; Tim Mccreight; 1997.

NJAD Index by Type of Found Object

2011-01-20T13:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we published an index of our first sixty New Jewelry a Day projects by type of jewelry. Today, we present an index of the first sixty projects by type of material used to create each NJAD project:

Bottle Caps
Make Chanukah Menorah Earrings from Plastic Bottle...

Buttons
Make a Leather & Button Bracelet
Make a Button Bracelet
Make Button Earrings
Make a Chain and Button Bib Necklace

Chain
Make a Belt from Brass Chain
Make a Chain and Button Bib Necklace

Duct Tape
Make a Braided Duct Tape Bracelet
Make Duct Tape Earrings

Game Pieces
Make Post Earrings from Vintage Game Pieces

Gift Card
Make Post Earrings from a Gift Card
Make a Necklace from a Credit Card
Make a Bracelet from a Gift Card
Make Earrings from an iTunes Gift Card

Glass
Make a Pin from a Glass Pebble
Make Glass & Copper Earrings
Make Leather & Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings
Make a Pendant from a Bottle
Turn a Glass Jar into a Pendant
Make a Glass & Knotted Leather Necklace
Make a Glass & Brass Link Bracelet
Make Recycled Glass & Sterling Silver Earrings
Make a Kiln Formed Bracelet
Make a Glass Charm Necklace

Hair Bands
Make a Stone & Elastic Belt

Hardware
Make a Three Strand Bracelet from Copper Washers
Make a Bib Necklace from Washers
Make Earrings from Grommets
Make a Bracelet from Grommets

Holidays
Make a Stamped Bracelet
Make a Pin from a Glass Pebble
Make LEGO® Christmas Earrings
Make Chanukah Menorah Earrings from Plastic Bottle Caps
Make a Dreidel Pendant
Make Dreidel Earrings

Leather
Make a Leather & Brass Link Bracelet
Make Leather & Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings
Make a Leather & Button Bracelet

LEGO®
Make a LEGO® and Chain Necklace
Use LEGO® as Beads to Make a Necklace
Make LEGO® Christmas Earrings
Make a Giant LEGO® Necklace
Make Lego Earrings

Misc
Make a Ring from Gimp
Turn an Earring into a Pendant
Make a Necklace from Shells
Make Earrings from Shoe Charms

Paper
Make Earrings from Paper

Pipe
Make an Enamel Necklace from a Copper Pipe
Make a Beaded Bracelet with Copper Pipe & Wire
Make a Neck-Ring from Copper Pipe
Make a Bangle Bracelet from a Copper Pipe

Scrap Metal
Make Earrings from Paper
Make Glass & Copper Earrings
Make Earrings from Scrap Wire
Make a Stamped Bracelet
Make Earrings from Copper Wire
Make a Tricolored Riveted Pendant & Chain
Make Tricolored Riveted Earrings

Steel
Make a Bangle Bracelet from Steel Wire
Make a Bracelet from Steel Wire
Make Earrings from Steel Wire

Toys
Make a Necklace from Figurines
Make a Lizard Pin from a Toy
Make Dog Earrings from Toys
Make Post Earrings from Vintage Game Pieces
Make a Dreidel Pendant
Make Dreidel Earrings

NJAD Index by Type of Jewelry

2011-01-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

Today is day 60 of our New Jewelry a Day project. So far we have been able to resist the temptation to supplement our ample craft supplies and have made 60 projects upcycling, repurposing and using only what we have. To find new materials, we've sorted through the recycling bin multiple times and spent a lot of time going through toy boxes...but so far we girls met our self imposed goal of spending no money on our NJAD project.

As we work through our craft materials and use things up, the project gets more demanding...but that also mandates more creativity. All in all...not a bad way to spend a very chilly winter.

Here is an index of projects to date by type of jewelry or accessory made:

Belts
Make a Belt from Brass Chain
Make a Stone & Elastic Belt (Made from Hair Bands)

Bracelets
Make a Stamped Bracelet
Make a Braided Duct Tape Bracelet

Copper Bracelet by GeltDesigns.com

Make a Leather & Brass Link Bracelet
Make a Three Strand Bracelet from Copper Washers
Make a Leather & Button Bracelet
Make a Beaded Bracelet with Copper Pipe & Wire
Make a Bracelet from Grommets
Make a Glass & Brass Link Bracelet
Make a Bracelet from a Gift Card
Make a Button Bracelet
Make a Bangle Bracelet from Steel Wire
Make a Bracelet from Steel Wire
Make a Bangle Bracelet from a Copper Pipe
Make a Kiln Formed Bracelet

Earrings
Make Earrings from Scrap Wire
Make Dog Earrings from Toys
Make Glass & Copper Earrings
Make Post Earrings from a Gift Card
Make Leather & Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings
Make LEGO® Christmas Earrings
Make Duct Tape Earrings
Make Earrings from Grommets
Make Post Earrings from Vintage Game Pieces
Make Earrings from an iTunes Gift Card
Make Earrings from Shoe Charms
Make Earrings from Copper Wire
Make Chanukah Menorah Earrings from Plastic Bottle Caps
Make Dreidel Earrings
Make Earrings from Steel Wire
Make Tricolored Riveted Earrings
Make Recycled Glass & Sterling Silver Earrings
Make Lego Earrings
Make Button Earrings

LEGO® Necklace by GeltDesigns.com

Necklaces
Make a LEGO® and Chain Necklace
Use LEGO® as Beads to Make a Necklace
Make a Necklace from a Credit Card
Make a Giant LEGO® Necklace
Make a Bib Necklace from Washers
Make a Necklace from Shells
Make a Glass Charm Necklace
Make a Chain and Button Bib Necklace

Neck-Rings
Make an Enamel Necklace from a Copper Pipe
Make a Neck-Ring from Copper Pipe

Pendants
Make a Pendant from a Bottle
Turn a Glass Jar into a Pendant
Turn an Earring into a Pendant
Make a Dreidel Pendant

Back of Pin made by GeltDesigns.com

Make a Tri-colored Riveted Pendant & Chain

Pins
Make a Lizard Pin from a Toy
Make a Pin from a Glass Pebble

Rings
Make a Ring from Gimp

Questions about Glass Clay

2011-01-18T08:36:00.000-08:00

Pate de verre Turtle Earrings by GeltDesigns.com

We received a number of questions recently from folks working with commercially made glass clay. Sorry. We never used the stuff. We began making our own glass clay long before anybody was selling glass clay commercially so we really cannot comment on why folks seem to be having difficulty using the commercially prepared product... other than to say there is a learning curve with all warm glass techniques.

by GeltDesigns.com

When we began experimenting with different pate de verre techniques (including freeze and fuse and glass clay) we had a LOT of mistakes, failures and really ugly experiments. It happens.

Two years ago I was invited to give a presentation on Pate de Verre and PMC at the PMC Conference, another presenter discussed freeze and fuse and I was surprised at how different their firing schedule was from my own.

When it comes to both freeze and fuse and glass clay, in our studio we tend to allow the clay to dry out longer, fire a LOT slower and anneal the glass longer than did some of my presenting peers... but then we are always always trying to push the envelope to tease out the most colors in my work.

Bottom line: kilns vary and firing schedules are not absolute. Keep detailed records and expect trial and error when working with glass clay... and consider making your own. It is not difficult to do and you can make a greater variety of colors.

Pendant by GeltDesigns.com

How to Select a Cup Burr

2011-01-13T08:47:00.000-08:00

Cup burrs are great tools for filing the ends of wire. Cup burrs are a fabulous tool for making ear wires, ear posts, clasps and building chains. Cup burrs can save you a lot of time when fabricating your own jewelry or findings.

Recently, we have received a number of questions about which cup burr is the best to use for jewelry making. The answer, of course, is that "it depends" on the project.

Like most tools, there is no definitive rule about which cup burr must be used. The best cup burr is the one that works for you. With that said, I generally use a cup burr that is two gauge sizes larger than the wire I am using. For example, if I am using 20-gauge wire (.8 mm) or 21-gauge wire to create ear wires or posts, then I typically use an 18-gauge cup burr (1.0mm). If I am using 18-gauge wire, I usually use a 16-gauge cup burr (1.3mm). If I am using 16-gauge wire, I most often select a 14-gauge or 1.6mm cup burr.

Many companies sell cup burrs using metric measurements rather than wire gauges...so it is helpful to know the metric size of typical wire.

Wire Gauge        MM
10                        2.6mm
12                        2.1mm
14                        1.6mm
16                        1.3mm
18                        1.0mm
20                        0.8mm
21                        0.7mm
22                        0.65mm
24                        0.5mm
26                        0.4mm
28                        0.3mm

How to Make Jump Rings

2011-01-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

Jump rings are an important component in many jewelry projects. You can purchase commercial jump rings but making your own is both more economical and allows you to make exactly the size and shape jump ring you need for a particular project. Below is a brief tutorial on how to make your own jump rings.

Tools
Round nose pliers or 3-Step wire looping pliers
Chain nose or bent nose pliers
Wire rounder or needle file or cup burr and flex shaft
Jewelry saw and blades or wire side cutters or flush cutters
Mandrel
Steel bench block or anvil
Rawhide or plastic mallet

Step 1
Wrap the wire around a mandrel. The first and last wrap will not likely result in a nice jump ring. Add at least two wraps to the number of jump rings you require for your project.

We used a mandrel from our dapping set, but you can use many things (inlcuding a pen or pencil) as a mandrel. The size mandrel determines the size and shape of the jump ring.

Step 2
Remove the coiled wire from the mandrel and cut the coil using a jewelry saw and blades.

If you do not have a jewelry saw and blades, then you can use wire side cutters or flush cutters. Note that a jewelry saw and blades will result in a cleaner cut that will be easier to solder.

Step 3
File the ends of the jump ring smooth using a wire rounder or needle file or cup burr and flex shaft.

Step 4
Adjust the shape of the jump rings to form a square or an oval, if desired.

Step 5
Place the jump rings on a steel bench block or anvil and hammer the jump rings with a rawhide or plastic mallet to harden the jump rings and prevent them form becoming misshapen. The jump rings may be slightly misshapen when hammering; if needed, adjust the jump rings with chain nose or bent nose pliers.

Note: If you are making a lot of jump rings, consider using a tumbler to harden the jump rings.

Related Tutorials
How to Use a Jewelry Saw
How to Smooth Sharp Edges on Copper, Brass and Sterling Wire
Make Earrings from an iTunes Gift Card

Further Reading
"Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition"; Tim McCreight; 2004.
"Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing (Jewelry Crafts)"; Tim McCreight; 1997.
"Jewelry: Concepts And Technology"; Oppi Untracht; 1982.

How to Make Frit

2011-01-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

My kids laugh when I say it....I know it is a lame, bad pun...but frit happens.

One of my favorite way to take my frustration out on failed warm glass projects is to turn the project into frit. The project cracked in the kiln? Oops. "You're frit now, baby!"

Low on funds? You can break glass bottles and jars into frit and then use the frit to fuse or cast the glass.

Plate Cracked & Bubbled in Kiln

Turing a glass into frit is a fancy way of saying I break the glass into small pieces that I can be used to decorate other projects and to fuse into another project. There are a number of different ways to create frit. Some folks like to heat the glass in the kiln and then drop the hot glass into a bucket of cold water.

My favorite technique of making frit requires a hammer and something to catch the small pieces. Very basic. Very therapeutic. I use a box constructed of wood to make frit. After cleaning the glass, I put the glass into a plastic bag to keep the glass clean. I place the glass into the wood box and then hit the glass with an old, heavy sledge hammer until the glass is the size frit I want.

Frit in Jars

Regardless of which method you use to make frit the result will be different size glass. Sift or sort the frit according to sizes and store it for future use. I like to store the glass in a clear plastic container (pulled from the recycling bin, of course) so I can see the frit. I also like to label the glass with the COE since we use different COE glass for different projects in our studio.

Making your own frit from failed projects is great therapy, as well as being a great way to reuse glass for kiln formed projects.

Related Tutorials
Turn a Glass Jar into a Pendant
How to Make Fused Glass Frit Paintings
How to Make a Fused Glass Mosaic
How to Make a Fused Glass Bead

Further Reading
"Warm Glass: A Complete Guide to Kiln-Forming Techniques: Fusing, Slumping, Casting"; Philippa Beveridge, Ignasi Domenech, Eva Pacual; 2005.
"Contemporary Warm Glass: A Guide to Fusing, Slumping & Kiln-Forming Techniques": Brad Walker; 2000.
"Fused Glass Handbook"; Gil Reynolds; 1987.
"Fuse It - 18 Fused Glass Projects": Petra Kaiser; 2007.
"Innovative Adornments - Introduction to Fused Glass & Wire Jewelry"; Jayne Persico; 2002.
"Richard La Londe: Fused Glass Art and Technique"; 2006.

New & Noteworthy
"Contemporary Fused Glass"; Brad Walker; 2010.
"Microwave Kiln Techniques: For Fused Glass Jewelry, Stained Glass Projects and Silver Clay"; Geneva Perkins.

How to Measure Drill Bits

2010-12-17T10:29:00.000-08:00

So a question we get a lot is "what drill bit should I use for my project?"

It is a good question because the success or failure of many projects-- especially those that involve riveting-- depends on drilling the correct size hole for the wire or findings needed.

Drill Gauge
The best tool for determining the right jewelry drill bit size for the job is a drill bit gauge that measures small drill bits. For larger bits, you will need a larger gauge. Almost all the bits we use can be measured using the 1 to 60 drill bit gauge.

How to Use the Gauge
The gauge is easy to use. Take a piece of wire the size you plan to use for your project or the same size as your finding and slip it into the hole of the gauge that fits snug. The hole that fits is the exact size of the drill bit. If you are riveting, then you will want to use the same size bit as is the wire. If you are putting a wire through the hole as a finding, then you will want to use a drill bit that is larger than the wire so the finding can move freely when fed through the drilled hole.

Test the Drill Bit
Once you tested the wire, pick up the drill bit and slide it into the hole to be sure you have the correct size.

Mystery Bits
If you are like us, then you have a box that is filled with drill bits of different sizes. We often use the drill gauge to determine the size of mystery bits before we begin drilling.

Related Tutorials
How to Drill
How to Use a Drill Press for Jewelry Making
How to Remove a Drill Bit that Broke Off in Your Art Jewelry During Fabrication
How to Use a Dremel to Make Jewelry
How to Use a Flex Shaft to Make Jewelry
GeltDesigns Tutorials by Topics
New Jewelry a Day

Happy drilling!

Chanukah Craft and Jewelry Projects

2010-12-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

Dreidel Pendant by GeltDesigns

Chanukah is always a lot of fun, but this year we were especially creative using Chanukah objects in the upcycling, repurposing challenge we issued to ourselves for the year.

Dreidel Earrings by GeltDesigns

Here are three tutorials for Chanukah jewelry made from dreidels, bottle caps and other reclaimed materials:

Make Chanukah Menorah Earrings from Plastic Bottle Caps
Make a Dreidel Pendant
Make Dreidel Earrings

If jewelry making is not your thing, here are links to other Chanukah projects you may enjoy on this last night:

Make Your Own Dreidel

Chanukah Craft Projects for Kids
How to Make a Hanukkah Menorah

Happy Chanukah from the girls at GeltDesigns!

Jewelry from Found Objects

2010-12-03T05:41:00.000-08:00

So it is almost two weeks since we began our adventure in upcycling. With the holidays coming, we issued ourselves a challenge: no purchasing items to make gifts or new craft projects. The rules are clear: use up what we have and use as many found objects as we can. We can repurpose, recycle, upcycle or otherwise reuse old stuff. We can sift through the recycling cans of neighbors, friends and even readers. We can incorporate craft materials and outgrown or broken toys from the toy box, but the goal is to solve jewelry making tasks every day using found materials.

Everyday we are publishing a new jewelry project made from these found objects on our new blog called New Jewelry a Day. Of course, what we have in and around our house and studio may not be in yours, but we hope our ideas will help stir your creative thoughts.

Here is a list of jewelry projects from found items to date:

Buttons

Chain

Necklace

Copper Pipe

Bangle Bracelet

Glass

Elastic Hair Bands

Belt

Riveted Scrap Metals

Steel Wire

Toys

Lego Earrings

Here is our score card to date:
Day 12. Week 2. Jewelry from Found Objects. $ spent: 0
New Jewelry a Day. Join our adventure.

Thoughts on Soldering Torches & Other Equipment

2010-11-29T15:11:00.000-08:00

One of the most common questions we get about soldering is "what type of torch should I use?" It is an important question as there are a lot of different torches to evaluate and there are many different fuel choices as well.

My answer is often frustrating. It really does not matter. Many artisans will speak passionately about their torch. That is good since it means the artist selected well for their needs, but what torch is best is a matter of preference. There is no one perfect torch any more that there is one perfect car. The perfect torch is the one that works best for you for the projects you undertake most often.

Consider the cost, size/heat of the torch, available torch tips and fuel when you select your soldering torch. If you are making jewelry for a hobby and are just beginning then a low cost Blazer GB2001 Self-Igniting Butane Micro-Torch may be just the ticket. If you plan to become a professional metalsmith, then you may want to invest in the more advanced torch set up using acetylene (or acetylene and oxygen if you want an even hotter fuel) such as the Smith Little Torch with 5 Tips. If you are looking for a torch that is larger than a butane torch, less expensive than a jewelry torch and availalbe in the hardware torch than you should consider a plumber's torch using propane (or propane and oxygen), such as the Bernzomatic - Welding, Brazing, and Cutting Torch Kit (OX2550KC)

Regardless of the torch you pick, there are certain soldering tools that I would not want to live without. These include:

1. Charcoal soldering block. Charcoal blocks radiate heat and make it easier to bring your piece up to soldering temperature. Charcoal blocks are especially helpful if you are using a butane or other low temperature torch.

2. Soldering pad size 6 X 6 X 1/2 and size 6 X 12 X 1/2. You can stick pins in these soldering pads to hold your piece in place when you solder.

2. Soldering and annealing pan. Fill the annealing pan with the pumice pebbles. Place the soldering pad on top of the pumice (and the charcoal block on top of the soldering pad). I like a pan that spins. Being able to move the pan makes in easier to focus heat where you need it without disturbing your piece while you solder. Use the pumice to reflect heat and support and arrange your piece while soldering.

3. Third hand or double third hand. We all would like to have assistants but these tools are the next best thing. Third hands can also be used to act as a heat sink when soldering really small parts, like posts on earrings.

4. Soldering, brazing and welding safety goggles. Protect your eyes. Always wear safety goggles when looking at a flame.

5. Ventilation fan, hood or system. There are many available to suit your work space, but having proper ventilation when soldering is a must.

6. Range Kleen Counter Mat. Our studio is not large enough to have a single area dedicated to soldering alone. All our work surfaces have to be used for multiple task. We put down the metal counter mat when we solder since it is an inexpensive, fire safe work surface.

Related Tutorials
Soldering Tips for Jewelry Makers
Soldering Checklist
How to Prepare Metal for Jewelry Soldering
How to Make Pickle
How to Solder Using a Small Butane Torch
How to Correct Soldering Problems when Jewelry Making
How to Light a Torch
Braze Aluminum Tubing

Further Reading
Step-by-Step Jewelry Workshop: Simple Techniques for Soldering, Wirework, and Metal Jewelry (Step By Step)
Hot Connections Jewelry: The Complete Sourcebook of Soldering Techniques
Art Jewelry Magazine: Precision Soldering Simplified; Give a Classic Ring a Twist with an Easy Forging Technique; Make a Basic Chain with Spring Links (Vol.3 No.1 November 2006)
The Complete Guide to Jewelry Soldering: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why!
Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition

Happy soldering!

How to Measure Wire

2010-11-23T06:43:00.000-08:00

Wire Gauge

Yesterday we explained How to Make an Ear Cuff. In that entry, we included a link to General Tools 20 American Standard Wire Round Gage. One of our readers wrote in and aksed how and why does she need a wire gauge. Fair question.

If you love making jewelry like we do, you likely collected a variety of different size wire from different projects. Some of the wire is no longer in the original package and it may not always be obvious what wire is what size. To identify the gauge of mystery wire we use the Brown and Sharpe wire gauge (also called an American wire gauge). Using a wire gauge, you can measure your mystery wire and determine its gauge.

A little background

The Brown and Sharpe wire gauge (aka the American Standard wire gauge) is a standardized system developed in the United States in about 1857 to measure the diameter of round, solid, nonferrous wire. The cross-sectional area of wire gauge is a very important for determining the electrical current-carrying capacity of wire. In the jewelry industry, the B and S standard is used to measure all shapes of wire and sheet stock. The tool is very easy to use and will take the mystery out of your wire collection.

Step 1

Slide Wire into Slot

Slide the mystery wire into the slot that looks like it is the size of the wire. If that slot is not correct, try again. The wire should fit snug, but you should not need to force the wire for it to fit.
Step 2
Look at the number on the slot. In the photo at left, the mystery wire measures as 18 gauge. Mystery solved! The American Standard Wire Round Gage tool measures wire ranging from 0 to 30 gauge. Although it is counter-intuitive, using the scale on the gauge, "O" is the largest, thickest wire. "30" is the smallest, thinnest wire.
Step 3
Use your tool to select the correct wire for your project. There are no right or wrong sizes of wire to be used in jewelry making. These are typical sizes of wire used in jewelry making projects:

Ear wires: 21 or 20 gauge
Head pins: 22 to 18 gauge
Wire wrapping briolettes: 22-26 gauge, depending on hole size
Wire wrapping pearls: 22-26 gauge, depending on hole size
Wire wrapping lamp work beads: 18-16 gauge, depending on hole size
Pendants: 18 to 20 gauge
Bangles: 14 gauge
Neck rings: 14 gauge
Ring shanks: 10-12 gauge

Tips and Warnings
Always wear eye protection when cutting wire.
A different standard is used to measure wire in the United Kingdom: the Imperial Standard Wire Gauge (aka the British legal standard).
In other parts of the world, the diameter of wire is measured using the metric system in millimeters.

Further Reading
Tutorials by GeltDesigns
Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition
Jewelry Studio: Wire Wrapping
Wirework w/DVD: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping
Contemporary Wire Wrapped Jewelry (Jewelry Crafts)
Wire Style: 50 Unique Jewelry Designs
Inspired Wire: Learn to Twist, Jig, Bend, Hammer, and Wrap for the Prettiest Jewelry Ever Bead on a Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry Creative Wire Jewelry
Creative Wire Jewelry

Make an Ear Cuff

2010-11-22T12:11:00.000-08:00

An ear cuff is a piece of jewelry for the ear that does not require piercing. The ear cuff hugs the outer portion of the ear. Ear cuffs do not require the use of findings-- pierced or clips.

Step 1

Gather the your tools and materials. You will need:
--wire wrapping tools
--20 gauge sterling silver or gold filled wire
--pencil or dowel
Step 2
Cut two and one half (2-1/2) inches 20 gauge surgical steel, sterling silver or gold filled wire with your wire cutters.
Step 3
Finish the ends. You can create simple ends for your ear cuff jewelry by filing the ends smooth with a needle file, cup burr or wire rounder. You can create fancy ends for your ear cuff jewelry by burning the end of the wire until it creates a ball. If you chose to create a balled end then you will need to add an inch or two to your wire so that the wire with finished end is about two and one half (2-1/2) inches. See our tutorial How to Make a Ball Head Pin.
Step 4
Create a loop on either end of the wire with your needle nose pliers.
Step 5
Measure 3/4 of an inch from the end of one wire and create a "U" shaped bend using your needle nose pliers.
Step 6
Repeat on the other side of the wire.
Step 7
Wrap the formed wire around a pencil, pen, marker or other dowel into the shape you want for your ear cuff jewelry. You may need to hit the ear cuff jewelry gently with a raw hide or plastic mallet to form the ear cuff to your specifications.
Step 8
Test the ear cuff jewelry and adjust the size as needed.
Step 9
Place the ear cuff jewelry into a tumbler with stainless steel shot to harden the wire and prevent the ear cuff from becoming misshapen during use.

Tips & Warnings
This design is for a very simple type of ear cuff jewelry. You can create your own design by adding wiggles or shapes to the wire. You can also change the look of your ear cuff jewelry by adding beaded drops.

Resources
Tutorials
How to Wear Ear Cuff Jewelry
How to Wear an Ear Wrap
Books
All Wired Up: Wire Techniques for the Beadworker and Jewelry Maker (Beadwork How-To)
Great Wire Jewelry: Projects & Techniques (Lark Jewelry)
Creative Wire Jewelry
Jewelry Studio: Wire Wrapping
Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping
Wire Wrapping: The Basics and Beyond
Wiresmithing -The New Look Of Wire Art

Wire Cutters
Beadsmith Jewelry Wire Side Cutters (Nippers) Pliers
Flex-Wire Cutter
Xuron 410 Micro Shear Flush Cutter
Wire Rounder
Wire Rounder Beading Tool
Wire Rounder Set With Pin Vise and 2 Cup Burs
Wire Gauge
General Tools 20 American Standard Wire Round Gage
Pliers
Wire Looping Pliers 3 Round Jaws and 1 Concave Jaw
Eurotool Beginner to Advanced Wire Wrap Tool Kit & Book
8Pc Pliers Set Jewelers Beading Wire Wrapping Tool New
Tumbler
Lortone 3A Lapidary Rock Gem Rotary 3 Lb. Tumbler New
Lortone 33B Twin Barrel Rock Tumbler

How to Create a Blue Patina on Copper

2010-11-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we explained how to Make Your Own Washers. We included a photo of a pendant we made with three different sized copper washers with a blue patina.

Today we will explain how we turned the copper washers that lovely blue using household chemicals. Copper will change color and tarnish over time. Very often artists want to accelerate or control the color change using a chemical patina. Making a blue patina on copper is easy using ammonia.

Things You'll Need:
Jar with tight sealing lid
Ammonia,
Kitty litter or cotton balls (optional), wire or string

Step 1
Gather some dry, clean paper towels or kitty litter. Dampen the material with a touch of pure ammonia.Use the cheapest ammonia you can find without additives. Be sure the material is damp, but not wet.
Step 2
Place the ammonia dampened paper towels or kitty litter in an air tight, screw on container. Check in your recycling can for a good container. We use a large glass jar with a screw top.
Step 3
Bury the copper jewelry piece in the damp material. Secure the container so that it is air tight. Leave the copper art jewelry in the ammonia mixture over night. If your jewelry piece is not blue enough, allow the piece to sit in the ammonia mixture until you are pleased with the results.

If you do not have paper towels or kitty litter available, you can hang the jewelry piece in an airtight container with a small amount of ammonia in the bottom of the jar. Stretch a string or wire across the jar, hang the piece and seal the jar.
Step 4
Add intensity by spraying the copper jewelry or craft piece with a thin, light, even mist of ammonia. Use a spray bottle to apply the mist. Leave the piece in the container with the ammonia overnight. If you want even more color, add fresh ammonia from time to time.
Step 5
Coax additional color by lightly sprinkling salt on the piece, using either of the above methods but be very careful as too much salt for too long will cause deep pitting in your jewelry or craft piece.

Step 6
Use a rag and cover the patina with a light coat of Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax Polish to protect the blue color. If you do not know how to treat a patina with Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax Polish, then see our tutorial How Use Renaissance Wax.

Further Reading

Make Your Own Washers

2010-11-20T10:55:00.000-08:00

Trio of Washers Pendant with Blue Patina

Circles are a common theme in jewelry. Spend some time in an art history course or in almost museum and you will find examples of circles in jewelry made by almost all cultures across the globe and dating back to early man.

The other day we received an email asking how to make washers. Oops. We realized we covered the basics of how to cut circles and disks in the following tutorials:

How to Use a Disc Cutter
Make Your Own Discs with a Disc Cutter
How to Dome Metal
How to Use a Jewelry Saw

...but the writer was correct. We never explained how to make a washer.

Washers are very easy to make and different metalsmiths do so in different ways using different tools. The easiest way to cut washers is to use a disk cutter.
Step 1
Mark the size washer you want. Select the two holes in your disc cutter. The larger hole will be the size of your washer. The smaller hole will be the size of the hole your create in your washer.
Step 2

Slide in Sheet Metal

Slide the sheet metal into your disc cutter. Use a mallet or hammer to cut the small center hole in the sheet metal.
Step 3

Hit Disc Cutter with Mallet

Mark where you want to cut the second larger hole. Slide the sheet metal with the small hole back into the disk cutter and then cut the larger hole. The result will be a completed washer.
Step 4
File, sand, drill, form and polish the washer as needed for your project.
Tips
Cutting the interior of the washer first makes it easier to handle the sheet metal when you cut the washer. Cutting the interior first also allows you to create interesting, off centered washers as as well as the traditional centered washer.

Commonly Asked Question
So the follow up question inevitable is: what disc cutter works best?

In our budget conscious small studio, we use a generic six piece disc cutter that looks like this:
6 Pc Jeweler's Disc Cutter Puncher Tool Set 1" to 5/8"
More than once I wished we had a larger seven piece or 14 piece disc cutter like these:
14 Disc Cutters Jewelers Holder Metalworking Punches
Disc Cutter 7pc Set Jewelers Metalworking Punch Tool
Over the years, we have worked in a variety of studio settings using a variety of disc cutters. Those used in a college metalsmithing setting were the most abused, but they all worked. Price your tools and pick one that fits your budget and your needs.

When selecting tools, the rule is simple: buy the best tools you can afford and make the tools you use work for you. More than once, we needed to get out our flex shaft to sand and polish the sides of our disc cutter and sharpen the cutting edge of the cutter to make it work better.

Remember, you do not need a disk cutter to make washers. You can use a jewelry saw. Disc cutters just make the job quicker.

Happy metalsmithing!

How to Sharpen a Graver

2010-11-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

This is the third in our series of tutorials on engraving. Earlier we discussed:

Recently, we were asked how to sharpen a wriggle graver.

A graver is a piece of metal sharpened for engraving and then stuck into a handle that is usually made of wood. The tip is the end of the graver that you sharpen. Graver tips can be shaped into different types of gravers. The wriggle (also called a wiggle tool) is a specialty engraving tool shaped like a flat chisel. The wriggle engraving tool is used to engrave zigzag lines. It is important to keep the gravers sharp as you work. Most engraver like to sharpen their gravers before begining to engrave. Moreover, gravers tend to get fatter and less sharp as you cut. As you engrave, you will need to stop from time to time as needed to sharpen the wriggle and other gravers.

To sharpen your graver, you will need to remove some metal to make the graver thin again before you can bring the edge to a knife like point. Here is a brief overview of how to sharpen a graver (including the wriggle):

Step 1
Use a grinding wheel or flex shaft to reduce the size of the tip of the graver. Quench the metal graver tip often in water to retain the temper. Quench the metal tip and not the handle of the graver. Do not allow the graver to turn blue or you will need to reharden and retemper the graver tip.
Step 2
Place a sharpening stone on a smooth flat surface. Lightly oil the stone. Clamp the graver so it is secure and will not slip. Rub the graver against the stone. Use a rotary tool and stone attachments to hasten the work time.
Step 3
Repeat using a a finer grit stone. Continue using increasingly finer grit sharpening stones until all scratches are gone from the graver.
Step 4
Remove burrs from the graver tip, if any, by jamming the graver tip into a block of hardwood. You need not purchase specialty products. Hardwood found in your yard will work.
Step 5
Tape a piece of fine grit sandpaper to your worktable or other flat surface (we like to use boards to create sanding boards in different grits). Polish the graver by rubbing the graver tip against the sandpaper.
Step 6
Test the graver to see if it has a "bite" when rubbed against your fingernail. If the graver slips rather than bites, then it is not properly sharpened. Continue sharpening.
Step 7
Rub the sharpened graver against a piece of crocus paper or cloth impregnated with rouge (a specialty product). Rub the graver until the surface has a mirror finish. You can purchase crocus paper or cloth impregnated with rouge from most companies selling tools for metalsmiths, many art supply stores and some automotive supply shops.

Note: Crocus paper or cloth is really, really fine. Rouge is a type of polish. The two are used to bring things to a high polish. There are many specialty suppliers that combine the two together so they are less messy.

Make Your Own Engraving Tools

2010-11-18T07:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we discussed how to engrave sterling silver, gold, copper and other metals. Today, as promised, we exlore how to make your own engraving tools, also called "gravers."

Different Shaped Gravers

While there a lot of great commercially made gravers, there are good reasons to make your own. Making your own graver allows to you to form exactly the style graver tip you need for your engraving project. Making your own graver is also a great way to upcycle. You can use old wrenches, old screw driver tips and broken or dull drill bits to make your own gravers.

Select the Metal
Use tool grade steel to make your graver. Different tools lend themselves to making different types of graver tips. Old screwdriver tips are best for creating flat or knife shaped graver tips. Old wrenches are a good choice for creating onglette, square and round shaped graver tips. Old, broken or dull drill bits are also well suited for creating round graver tips. Small drill bits are a good choice for creating very fine tipped gravers.

Cut the Metal

Cut wrench to create graver

Cut a piece of high-quality tool grade steel. The size of the steel will depend on the size and shape graver you want to create. For most graver you will want to cut a piece of steel that is about three inches long and 1/4 by 1/4 width and depth.

Form the Tip
Create the tip of the graver. Use a grinding wheel or flex shaft to shape the tip of the metal graver to the shape your want. Quench the tip often in water from time to time as you work.

Sharpen the Tip; Remove Scratches
Place a sharpening stone on a smooth flat surface. Lightly oil the stone. Clamp the metal. Rub the tip against the stone to sharpen the graver tip. Repeat using a finer grit stone. Continue using increasingly finer stones until all scratches are gone from the graver tip.

Remove Burrs
Remove burrs from the graver tip, if any, by jamming the graver tip into a block of hardwood.

Sand and Polish
Tape a piece of fine grit sandpaper to your worktable or other flat surface. Polish the graver by rubbing the graver tip against the sandpaper. Polish the graver until the surface has a mirror finish.

Add a Handle

Test
Test the graver. A sharp graver will have a "bite" when rubbed against your fingernail. If the graver slips rather than bites, then it is not properly sharpened.

Add a Handle
Slide the completed graver into a handle for easier use.

How to Engrave

2010-11-17T06:14:00.000-08:00

Decorating metal is infectious. So many metalsmiths start off stamping, move on to etching and then want to expand their skill to learn how to engrave.

Engraving is an ancient technique of cutting a design into metal. Engraving is used to show ownership and to decorate metal objects. You can find examples of elaborate engraved jewelry, housewares, swords and guns and other armor in museums throughout the world. Engraving is an easy technique to learn but a difficult technique to master. Practice engraving on scrap metal before you try to engrave your project.

Sketch your Design

Plan your engraved design. Make a sketch on a piece of paper.

Prepare the Metal

Clean the metal with dish soap and water. Dry. Remove any scratches or other damage to the metal using sandpaper.

Transfer the Design

Transfer your design to the metal. Use a laser printer to copy your design. Put the ink side of the copy against the metal. Apply heat to the back of the paper using an iron until the ink transfers to the metal. Touch up the design, if needed, using a permanent black marker.

Secure the Metal

Secure the metal using an engraving block, shellac stick or vise. Check to be sure the metal cannot move at all.

Cut the Metal with a Graver

Use a graver to cut the design into the metal. Tim McCreight recommends in The Complete Metalsmith that engravers "hold the graver between your fingertips and along the length of your thumb." Push the sharp graver across the metal following your design. Vary the engraved lines by rolling the graver as you cut.

Change Gravers

Change gravers to add shading and dimension. Different gravers cut different width and shaped lines. Gravers are made in flat, knife, round and other shapes.

For examples of commercially made gravers, see the links below:

GROBET CARBON STEEL GRAVER CHISEL GRAVER # 1 5MM THICK

GROBET CARBON STEEL GRAVER LOZENGE GRAVER # 6 2.50MM THICk

Sharpen Your Graver

There are two secrets to engraving. The first is practice. Engraving is easy to learn but difficult to do well. The more you practice, the better your engraving will get. The second tip is working with a sharp graver. Stop from time to time, check your graver and sharpen your graver when it starts to dull. "How to Sharpen a Graver" is the subject of another blog entry, for the mean time check out this tool:

Hand Graver & Screwdriver Sharpener Jewelers Bench Tool

What to Do with Old Playing Cards

2010-11-16T07:56:00.000-08:00

If your family is like mine then somewhere in your house there is a junk drawer. Dig in the junk drawer and you are likely to find playing cards, game cards and sometimes scattered game pieces-- but not quite a full set. Ugh. What can you do with an incomplete set of cards? Make gifts of course!

Here are some ideas on how to upcycle old playing cards:
1. Use the cards as cover and back page of
a homemade 3x5 notebook (you can make the notebook with or without dividers).
2. Select a playing card or two to use as part of a decoupage to make a holiday card.
3. Punch a hold in the cards and tie on a string to create decorative string tags.
4. Cut and laminate to create a bookmark.

Use Cards to Make Pins or Magnets

There are a number of ways to use card to make jewelry. Here are some different methods:
1. Cut up a card or two into interesting shapes, poke a hole in the top and use as paper charm for earrings or a pendant.
2. Cut the card and paste it into a bottle cap and then fill the bottle cap with resin until the resin domes.
3. Cut up a card and paste the card to the back of glass to make a pendant. Glue on a pendant bail to complete.
4. Cut up a card and paste it to the back of a scrabble tile. Seal with Mod Podge glue and add a finding.
5. Paste a cut up card to the back of a poker chip. Seal with Mod Podge glue or fill with resin to complete the look. Add findings.

Gift Wrap for The Eco-Minded

2010-11-14T08:29:00.000-08:00

Drawings as Wrapping Paper

Lets talk about gift wrap. Who can deny the excitement of unwrapping a present from a close friend, family or lover and wondering what is inside the pretty package. Intrigue. Curiosity. Hope. Finding or making the perfect gift for someone you love and watching them open it is one of life's treats....but wrapping paper adds to the landfills and because of the environmental perils involved in the paper-making process and is not considered one of Santa's more sound practices. What's a gift giver to do?

We all remember an older depression era relative who carefully unwrapped presents and reused the paper. While I admire the sentiment or recycling, when it comes to presents I must confess to being a tear-the-paper type. I just don't have the discipline to unwrap carefully when given a present. Rip, tear and admire is more my style.

So here are some of the techniques we use to wrap pretty presents and still recycle:

1. Paintings & drawings. If you are blessed with young children in your life, you undoubtedly have lot of paintings and drawings that are sent home every Friday. One creation is prettier than the next, but there is a limit to space on the refrigerator and even the walls for all the artwork sent home. Pick the art you want to keep and ask your child if they would like to use the remainder as part of the present preparations for friends and relatives. If your kids are like mine, the kids will come home designating what artwork should be used as wrapping paper for each important person and the kids will feel empowered at helping create a more beautiful, personal and environmentally sound holiday.

2. Drafts and sketches. If you are a crafter, then use your own drafts and sketches for wrapping paper.

3. Pamphlets, calendars, magazines, catalogs and funny papers often contain lovely photographs and artwork that can be used to wrap gifts.

4. Use scrap duct tape, gimp, wire or buttons to decorate the package.

What to Do with Bottles

2010-11-13T09:59:00.000-08:00

The holidays are fast approaching and gift gathering time is upon us. With the economy down and environmental sensitivity up, more and more folks are looking in their trash and recycling cans for materials to make treasured gifts. The glass in bottles make a great raw material.

Make the glass bottle into a lovely vase. Just cut the top off a used bottle using a tile saw, glass cutter or a string, file the edges until smooth and your new vase is ready to be wrapped as a gift or filled with flowers. Make the vase even more special by painting the glass.

Use the same technique to make small glass bottles into a set of drinking glasses.

If you have a kiln or a torch bottles are a great source for cheap glass. Melt the bottles into a tray or jewelry in your kiln. Melt the bottle into beads using a torch. Crush the wine bottle into frit and then use the frit in your kiln to cast glass. Here is how:

How to Melt Wine Bottles into a Bead
How to Melt Wine Bottles into a Cheese Tray
How to Melt Wine Bottles into Jewelry
How to Melt Wine Bottles for Lampwork

So save your bottles, upcycle and get ready for a creative, thrifty and environmentally sound holiday season.

Make Your Own Halloween Costumes

2010-10-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

Start with a box

Today is the day of most elementary school Halloween parties, pagents and pumpkins parades. Petula Dvorak of The Washington Post ran an interesting article about homemade and store-bought costumes for kids. In our house, Halloween is just another excuse to craft. We start brain-storming costume ideas a few weeks before Halloween, collect materials and work together to make whatever the kids want. The only Halloween rule in our house is you cannot change your mind about a costume the morning of Halloween. Up until then, all changes are possible, if negotiable.

So what tips can I give about making your own costumes for Halloween? It comes down to one simple rule: start with a box, construction paper, markers and glue. With these items, you can make almost anything. Your kids wants to be a car? A box is perfect. Take off the top and bottom of the box. Add four holes and string to wear the box. Use construction paper or paint to create the body. Cut four big wheels, headlights, etc. Draw on the door. Let your kid zoom around.
Your kid want to be a TV? Use a box again. Cover the box with tin foil. Print out a color picture. Use bottle caps for knobs. Locate some old, abandoned antenna and your kid is set.

Last year the neighborhood girl scout troop decided they wanted to trick or treat as candy bars. The girls had a ball making M&Ms, Hershey Bars, Hershey Kisses and other chocolate treats. All the costumes began with....you guessed it, cardboard boxes the girls collected from local merchants who kindly set the boxes aside for the girls after unpacking merchandise.

Crafty iPod

This year one my kids bucked the trend. We used poster board rather than a box to make an iPod. The recycled science project and broken headphones took on a new and certainly sweeter life.

There are some very real bonuses of a costume made from a box -- apart from the low cost and crafty fun. Since you wear regular (but coordinating) clothes under the costume, the costume can easily be ditched if you or your child is the only one to show up in costume; disaster averted, reputation spared (an especially important factor for teens through twenty-somethings where events are often costume-optional). Also, since weather can vary at Halloween, it is good to know the box costume can be worn with or without a coat (an important factor for the elementary school set).

Happy Halloween!

Braze Aluminum Tubing

2010-10-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

Recently, we received queries on how to braze aluminum tubing.

Brazing, like soldering, is a way of permanently joining metals (including aluminum tubing) using a torch. There are many reasons why you may want to braze aluminum tubing. You can use aluminum tubing for jewelry, sculpture, making furniture, building or repairing bicycles and all sorts of projects for crafts and construction around your home.

Step 1
Clean the metal. Dirt, grease or grime on aluminum tubing will prevent the brazing wire from melting into the seam or joint you want to braze. When folks have difficulty brazing, it is usually because the aluminum tubing is dirty. If the brazing wire does not flow, stop and clean your aluminum tubing and begin again. Clean any dirt with soap and water. Clean any grease with acetone. Clean any oxidation with sandpaper.

Step 2
Flux the metal. Flux prevents oxidation from forming at the joint of the aluminum tubing when heated. Paint the seam of aluminum tubing with flux and the metal will not oxidize and interfere with the brazing wire moving into the seam. You can braze aluminum tubing without using flux, but it is easier to braze aluminum tubing using flux.

Step 3
Arrange the metal. Brazing wire binds the seam of the aluminum tubing by capillary action when subjected to heat from the torch. If the aluminum tubing is flush, then the brazing wire will better melt into place. Use binding wire, a clamp, a third-hand or other other tool to hold the aluminum tubing still if gravity alone will not do so.

Step 4
Use even heat. Heat the aluminum tubing evenly with your torch before adding the brazing wire. You will know when to place the brazing wire in the seam when the flux begins to bubble and the aluminum starts to turn a chocolate brown.

Step 5
Melt the brazing wire into place. Place the brazing wire in the joint of the tubing. The brazing wire will begin to melt into the joint. Heat the brazing wire with your torch. Draw your flame along the joint. The brazing wire will melt into the joint until it is secure.

Step 6
Allow the aluminum tubing to cool to room temperature.

Warnings
* Use fire safety precautions when handling a torch.
* Work in a well-ventilated space when brazing

For related information on soldering see these GeltDesigns.com tutorials: