Polishing is needed to take your jewel from a raw dirty texture left by the solution to dissolve extra solder and fire scoff after soldering. Many steps are required to achieve a beautiful piece. 1st cleaning with a metal or plastic brush, water and soap to take away the strong dirt. 2nd is to polish with a scratchy dremel wheel so the deepest scratches and extra solder will be taken off. 3rd is to use a metal filing wheel to completely erase the scratches or bumps and scratches. 4th is a silicone pink dremel wheel to planish and uniformize the metal. 5th

When we say a jewel is all manmade, it really means that no machine created the shape or design automatically. It does not mean your hands did not use a tool that is hand conducted. For example, some Navajo beads are said to be handmade when they were machine made. When the Navajos made their sterling silver beads they used a saw to cut round silver pieces, then a dapper to round them, then soldered two halves and a lot of polishing was then done with a file. Mexican silver beads are simply made with an automated machine. Everything at White Feathers is manmade!

Commemorative jewelry is in a class of its own. Adding ashes or hair of your loved one is a practice that existed as soon as man made decorative items to wear or use as talismans. They can be made of a vial with a cap in any metal or epoxy, enclosed in the metal itself made into any shape as a pendant, put into any everlasting recipient. As you see here, I used a piece of moose antler shaped like a tooth for a more rugged look.

Observation is the best way to learn. At White Feather, we had the opportunity to attend extended workshops in Montreal, Arizona and Mexico. We also follow online classes which are great. You Tube is also quite helpful as many renowned teachers have channels.

Beading is an art in itself. All jewelry made in beads, either Toyo seed beads or Miyuki Delicas beads are completely handmade. Seed beads are glass beads. They commonly are made in sizes from 8 to 15, the latter being the larger. You need a fine needle and thread to work with these and you can accomplish just about anything with them. On the photograph, you see a mix: Delicas 15, Toyo seed beads in 8 and 11.

Metals are numerous and they all have different properties. Some are easier to transform into nice pieces of jewelry. Others are more expensive and more difficult, less malleable. I was lucky to attend metalsmithing classes that used sterling or fine silver, argentium, coppern and brass in the same week. For the individual buying the piece, some metals show no clear differences. However, I find Argentium is the easiest to transform and copper, the hardest as it is hardest and is a heat absorbent; melts at higher temps. Her are some metals with some information: Gold/Ore : 2,392 US per once Platinum: 912.90 US Fine Silver: 27.11 US Sterling Silver: 23,56 US Tungsten: 0.75 US Titanium: 0.56 US Copper: 0.28 US Stainless S.: 0.012 US Source: Kylarmack.com, 30/06/2026

As everyone does, we also started from nothing. As you observe and get to work on your pieces, you will see what tools you prefer. Still, you have to start with a basic kit at first and expand as you go along and learn new things. Here is what you need to start with; -Silver plates are expensive but you can still use one or two to practice on 3 X3 and 3X6, 22 gauge. I suggest using copper at first. -3 X 12 and 24 inches round wires, 18, 20 and 22 gauge. -Jewel saw with no. 0/1 blades. - Pliers: you will use many different ones as you grow as a jeweler but first, needle end, flat, small cutters, chain nose and round nose. - Flat metal hammer - Raw hide hammer - Needle files set - Regulal files, different grits. - Sand paper pieces of different grits. -Jewel's bloc (2 pieces) -Bench pin with anvil - Good light That list will enable you to start making cuffs, adjustable rings and barrettes, hairpins, etc.