Ellen Metal

Category: Uncategorized

  • Where Lockets Begin

    Continuing with my goal of making useful jewelry mechanisms, I have decided to make a series of lockets. One of them is going to be donated to the annual PTA Silent Auction at a local school, and that is the one I have chosen to start with. Historically the school’s motto has been “Qua Posterus…

  • Understanding Metals

    With metal prices reaching historic highs, many people are interested in exploring alternatives to traditional 14 Kt gold and sterling silver.  There are acceptable substitutes such as copper and nickel that are dramatically different and stand really well on their own as a nontraditional choice. Other choices, such as plated and filled stock can also…

  • Catch 22

    Recently I decided to make a tube clasp. This is essentially the same idea as the box clasp I have for sale. It’s a classic design, one that I found in several jeweler’s manuals I keep on my bookshelf. I’ve been searching for an elegant way to finish my handmade chains and finally today decided…

  • Casting with Charcoal

      You may be familiar with other forms of casting such as lost wax. That is the method of making jewelry from wax models. Basically a plaster investment mold is poured around a wax model which is then melted out  Sometimes called by its French name, cire perdue, it produces clean crisp details and is…

  • Two Soldering Techniques for Jump RIngs

    Earlier this year Rio Grande had a bench tips contest, the winning tip was a speedy way to solder jump rings. Necklaces and chain mail use tons of jump rings, a spectacular look can be obtained by using rings that have been soldered shut. I especially like to hammer them a little flat, something you…

  • Neckerchief Slides

    Yesterday I made a neckerchief slide for someone who is going to be starting Cub Scouts this fall. I got the idea to make these when I was asked to coordinate the artist badge requirements for my son’s Webelos Den. This son also happened to lose his brand new neckerchief and slide at the very…

  • Hello world!

    Welcome to my new website. I am looking forward to sharing my jewelry and metalwork with you here. Be on the lookout for new designs, supplies for sale, as well as bench tips and tutorials. Check back frequently, as new things will be added all the time.

  • Updates

    I added two items to my jewelry supply catalog, jump rings and striped wire. The latter isn’t showing up at the moment, and I have a lot more content to add.  Keep checking back however because it will be up and running before long My aggregate striped wire is really unique and I haven’t seen…