Hi everyone! I just built a website recently and now I’m wondering how the heck I get people to see it 😄 I have a small following so far on my IG account, and posting there hasn’t brought me any traffic yet. Now I’m wondering if I pay to boost my posts, or if there are there more effective methods to drive site traffic? For example, should I…

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These are AWESOME tips! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your insights with me. 😊

Hi Travis! So sorry for missing your reply! I appreciate your willingness to provide insight 🙂

I am curious if there are things that newbies typically miss preparing for or including in their setup that you think would be good for others to know?

I’m also wondering how to know which events will be worth their investment?

Hello!

I’m in Rochester and wanting to get started selling pieces at various events. Curious if anyone has experience selling in this area and has any tips or suggestions 😊 Thank you!

I bought mine earlier this year and love it! I haven’t used the steel shot that came with it yet because I bought stainless steel shot from Rio. It was worth the $50 bucks and has had plenty of use this year with no issues.

Thank you both for your insight here! This has been incredibly helpful!

Hello! I have a cheapo saw frame from Rio Grande that stopped holding tension on my saw blades. The saw blade keeps slipping upwards after I tighten the screw each time. Never had this problem until today, so I took my saw frame apart and cleaned it before putting it all back together. Unfortunately, I still have the same problem. I’m bummed…

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Thank you! 😊 I just started a new account for my business and made my first posts today 😅 it is @roccitysmithy

https://www.instagram.com/roccitysmithy?igsh=N3NjbTUwajcwamYx&utm_source=qr

Make my first sale 🤞

A ton of ideas are running through my mind but I’m too much of a beginner to really know yet! Still working on my foundational skills and haven’t really done too much stone setting yet. Would love to start building my collection though for when I am advancing through the classes 😁

<div>I read through all of the reviews and there were some complaints about the pieces being dull and potentially second hand despite being the same price as new. Maybe I will see if there is a different tool on Amazon to upgrade my workbench and save some money to buy the disc cutter direct from Pepe 😅 Thank you though for taking a look!… Read more

<div>Thank you, Lucy! That’s awesome that Durston sent you a disc cutter! 😄 </div>

Awesome! I always get nervous buying items on Amazon so this is reassuring. Thank you!

This is great! Thank you so much for taking the time to look into this 😊

Hi everyone! I recently was awarded some Amazon gift cards through my work and would like to use them to buy a disc cutter. Has anyone had luck buying a disc cutter on Amazon? If so, can you please provide a link to the listing? Thank you!

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this information Dan! Very helpful 😊 Your cuff bracelet is stunning as well!

This is great! Thank you!

Thank you so much, Lucy!

I noticed that bronze is used in the classes and would like to try working with it instead of subbing in brass or copper. However, Rio Grande doesn’t sell bronze in sheet form. Where do you buy your bronze? Thank you!

Thank you everyone for your advice on this 🙂

Such great photos! I’m still working on getting a good photography setup, so the photo quality of my beginner project is poor. But, I had so much fun and made a piece that I am so excited about as a LOTR fan! This is my hobbit door 😊

Gimme The Rings please and thank you 😁

That’s very helpful! Thank you so much.

I am trying my best to make my basement (aka studio) as healthy as possible. It’s just a room with one A/C vent and that’s it. The ventilation is not great. My first investment was a fume extractor from Pepe Tools. Now, I am shopping for a dust collector. I came across the Foredom MAFH25 Power Filter Hood Dust Collector after hours of…

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Thank you SO much! I’m so relieved it can be repaired. I can now stop beating myself up over this 😅 I really appreciate the guidance!

I’m not sure how it happened, but today while working on the texturing challenge I noticed that my new hammer I’ve been using for less than a couple of months is damaged already 🙁 I’m hoping that it’s possible to repair these? However, I see that it is dented in so I’m not sure if that’s possible. I’m so careful with my hammers because of…

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I don’t have advice, but just wanted to say that I completely relate! I spend a decent amount of time wandering around my house taking pics of my pieces trying to get the best shot, just to end up with something that looks very flat and lifeless. I share the struggle haha!

Looks like Rachel has posted some handy resources. – definitely going to…

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Oh that sounds interesting! Thank you Linda, I’m going to check that out!

This is a great tip, thank you so much! I spent the night diving into Stage 1 and checking out all of the mood boards. Going to keep reviewing and see if I can still try to get Phase 2 complete before the deadline. If not, at least it’s great practice ahead of Phase 3! I appreciate it 😊

Awesome! Thank you for confirming!

I was so caught up in the classes that I didn’t realize I already missed the first phase of this Kickstarter! 😅 If I start now, will I still be eligible for the prizes in the next phases, even though I missed the deadline for the first phase? I’ll still try to participate regardless alongside the classes, but was just curious because those…

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This is a great way to think about it 😄 Thank you, Carmen!

It did go on very well to my pieces that I used it on so far, so it looks like it does a good job! I just couldn’t deal with the smell 😅 There is another comment in favor of Renaissance Wax and it seems like a good fit also. Definitely going to check it out. Thank you!

Thank you for this very thorough information! I’ll look into this. Much appreciated!

This came up in my research too and seems very promising. Thank you!

I wanted to save my practice pieces I’ve been working on for this class and random projects I have been up to with brass and copper. After doing some digging on the web, I found Everbrite Coatings to be highly recommended as a product to seal jewelry and prevent tarnishing. It takes several coats, which need an hour of dry time in between.…

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It was so much fun and informative! I have social anxiety and almost didn’t join, but so so glad that I did 😄

Great work and congrats on finishing your first course! 🙌 I’m working on finishing the saw piercing course, which is my first too! We got this 💪

What a wonderful prize! I’m a complete beginner so I would probably use these as I do new projects to improve my skills. I make new pieces with someone in mind to give them to, so my family and friends would be thrilled to receive something with these gems! Thank you for this opportunity and good luck everyone!

Thank you for the friendly welcome, Travis! So happy to be here 🙂

Thank you for the warm welcome, Lucy 🙂
I’m located in Rochester, which is very close to Buffalo actually!

I’ve attached some photos of recent projects, some of which might be recognized from the Metalsmith Society book!

My insta is @kaydeejay also.

Thank you for being so kind and I’m looking forward to learning more!

Hi there! My name is Kayla and I fairly new to jewelry making. I took a few local classes with my partner and fell in love with the process. Looking forward to learning more and supporting this community!