http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/handcrafted-jewelry-blog.html The Weekly Wire handcrafted jewelry blog. Here's where you can get instant updates on new content, my thoughts and inspirations, and see what's hot-off-the-bench. en-us handcrafted jewelry Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:52:06 GMT Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:52:06 GMT hodgepodgerie.com http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tip-for-cutting-sheet-metal.html Hi Stacy, Just wanted to give a tip. I aquired an old fashioned industrial paper cutter like they used in office & schools, one with the wooden base and Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:52:04 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tumbling-vs-lathe-polishing.html In the past, most of my jewelry was at least partially soldered and I only used a lathe for polishing. (even on pieces that weren't soldered) I am starting Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:18:36 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/is-there-a-way-to-tumble-sterling-silver-chain.html I was wondering if you can tumble thin Sterling silver chain? If not, how else can I polish it? Stacy's Answer:Hi Riley. You could wrap your chain around Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:55:57 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/wire-jewelry-class-schedule.html Check out my latest wire and metal jewelry class schedule and be part of a fun jewelry making class or workshop. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:49:59 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/does-stainless-steel-shot-need-replacing.html Hi there, just wondering if I need to replace my jewelry shot? I use the Lortone 3A tumbler and have 1-lb of stainless steel jewelry mix shot in it, have Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:54:08 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/metalworks-class.html Learn the basics in metal jewelry fabrication in this fun 6 week metalworks class. Sat, 19 Nov 2011 04:13:55 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/autumn-sunlight-copper-bangle.html Handcrafted artisan copper and lampwork bangle bracelet by Stacy Perry Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:34:58 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/sealant-and-silver.html Do you ever use a protective finish on silver? I have read arguments online against sealing silver, but is it really as bad an idea for tarnish prevention? Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:54:40 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/copper-turned-a-gunmetal-color.html Hi stacy, I made copper bangle bracelets. They were patinated in liver of sulfur. I then experimented with brass brushing some of the bracelets instead Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:52:02 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/using-and-disposing-of-midas-green-patina-and-copper-oxidizer.html Hi! I am working with copper and brass patinas for the first time, and wondering if you have tips on the use and/or disposal of either of these products, Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:46:59 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/my-silver-pieces-look-no-different-after-2-hrs-of-tumbling.html hi there, I recently purchased a Lortone 3A tumbler. I followed all the instructions and my sterling silver pieces looked absolutely no different after Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:40:29 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/what-are-the-plastic-beads-with-the-hf-tumbler-for.html I am tumbling sterling silver in my HF tumbler for the first time ever, and am having trouble with the pieces getting the black/hematite look. I will try Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:37:23 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/magen-david-jasper-necklace.html Magen David Sterling silver and Cherry Creek jasper necklace Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:21:13 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/how-long-to-tumble.html Stacy, How long would I tumble ear wires to work harden them? Is there a general rule of thumb for time to tumble to work harden jewelry pieces? Thanks. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:25:48 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tumbling-gold-castings.html I would like to know if a vibratery tumbler can remove casting lines from gold. I have used green plastic pyramids with a small amount of water for 20 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:07:46 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/wire-coiling.html Hi Stacy, How do you know how much wire to coil to make an inch of coil when doing bangle designs? Michelle Stacy's Answer: You know, that's a very Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:35:05 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/dapping-metal-or-wood.html Hi Stacy, Can you give me some beginner info on a dapping block wood vs metal. How to judge which size on the block to use. Thanks I appreciate any guidance Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:40:40 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tumbling-permanently-colored-copper-wire-coiled-components.html I make lampwork beads. I have begun using the beads in wire jewelry. I make links and/or coils of permanently colored copper wire. I can harden some Sun, 02 Oct 2011 18:26:10 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/smoothing-sawed-brass-edges.html How do I smooth rough sawed metal egdes on my handmade components? Stacy's Answer:I usually use a medium or fine-cut hand file for metal to smooth rough Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:58:40 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/bezel-set-pendants-workshop.html Learn how to measure, cut and solder a bezel and then set a stone into it in this fun bezel-set pendants workshop. Mon, 05 Sep 2011 22:06:03 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/will-tumbling-remove-an-etched-image.html I would like the last step of my construction process to be the tumbling and not to etch after tumbling. the metal will be red brass, is it ok to put Mon, 05 Sep 2011 18:49:24 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tumbled-too-long.html I tumbled a few silver bracelets and fell asleep. Oops! When I opened the container I was mortified to see that all my silver jewelry had turned a blackish Thu, 01 Sep 2011 23:17:14 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/sterling-turns-black.html I tumble my sterling jewelry with mixed stainless steel shot and it turns it black! It's driving my insane. I even exchanged the rubber housing (The Chicago Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:39:01 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/want-to-turn-white-pewter-in-a-tumbled-satinmatte-finish.html Hello: I recently bought a Thumbler Tumbler to tumble white pewter figurines (D&D) into a nice satin-matte finish. I am using a ceramic media of different Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:34:41 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/polishing-gold-filled-and-silver.html I have some charms that have scratchy marks on the back, almost a brushed finish because the are stamped, not cast. I was hoping the tumbler would remove Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:28:47 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tiny-specs-all-over-silver.html I have been trying to tumble some silver castings in my 3lb tumbler and they keep coming out with tiny specs all over them. Do you know what is causing Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:23:02 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/concentric-circles-workshop.html Have fun transforming ordinary disks into contemporary, stunning jewelry in this fun metal jewelry workshop. Tue, 30 Aug 2011 02:58:48 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/soldering-basics-workshop.html Add new dimensions and possibilities to your jewelry-making repertoire in this fun 6-hour soldering basics workshop. Tue, 30 Aug 2011 02:49:42 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/liver-of-sulfur-and-brass.html Hi Stacy, thanks for taking time.... experimenting for a long time with LOS finishing, found good technique for copper... brass is a different story, Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:27:50 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/blog-08-03-2011.html Here's a quick look at some upcoming events and some new features on my website. Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:34:29 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/help-finding-nontoxic-tumbling-recipe.html I've wanted to avoid retail burnishing compounds since I have a toddler and prefer to keep everything as non-toxic as possible. I've been experimenting Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:57:19 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/fold-formed-cuff-workshop.html Turn copper, silver or brass sheet metal into beautiful wearable art in this fun fold-formed cuff workshop. Mon, 01 Aug 2011 01:55:57 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/stopping-the-patination.html Do you know the ratio of water, salt and vinegar to stop the process? Thanks Stacy's Answer:Hi Gail! I don't use salt and/or vinegar as that can create Wed, 20 Jul 2011 02:11:11 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/patina-or-los.html Is Liver of Sulphate the same as black patina? I have a bottle of black patina and is a light greenish blue color. I want to use it on a piece of copper Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:24:43 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tumble-polishing-coral-beads.html What would I use to re-polish coral beads in a tumbler? Stacy's Answer:Hello to you in Hawaii Maria! I can help you with questions about metal work, but Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:57:42 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/ever-worked-with-titanium.html Hello, I have been doing chainmaille jewelery for several years, and have always used a tumbler with great results on almost every metal, from bronze, Sun, 26 Jun 2011 16:23:59 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/problem-with-copper-patina-polishing.html Hello to everyone! I attached a photo of pieces what I get after tumbling. (picture keychains Mostar) and picture of finished product like I want to get Wed, 15 Jun 2011 01:36:03 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/tumbling-silver-and-brass-together.html I've read that you can tumble copper and silver together, but what about brass and silver? Is it safe? Thanks! Stacy's Answer:Hi Angela! I tumble all Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:55:12 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/silver-plated-copper-wire-and-liver-of-sulfur.html Hi! I was wondering if the liver of sulfur will work on my silver plated copper wire? They are anti-tarnish but I read somewhere else that it can work Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:17:02 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/intentionally-removing-plating-from-brass-findings.html I have an assortment of brass jewelry components that are plated in silver and gold. I would like to strip them down to bare brass using a vibratory Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:59:38 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/brass-mallet.html What is the purpose of a brass mallet? When do you use one? Thanks Deb Mae Stacy's Answer:Hi Deb Mae! Thanks for your question! With all the hammer Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:53:31 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/walnut-shells-not-removing-tarnish-in-tumbler.html I recently got into chainmaille and have finished about 20 different bracelets in Jewelers Brass- after a month of showing pieces around most have a very Sun, 08 May 2011 17:36:37 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/silver-filled-wire.html Hi Stacy! Have you seen or used this new silver filled wire? It is suppose to be a less expensive alternative to sterling, and perform like sterling. Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:49:14 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/finest-gauge-wire-for-tumbling.html Hi, I just found your website and am excited to find such thorough tutorials and information! My question is regarding the tumbler(s) you use, and how Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:28:49 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/protecting-the-stone-in-wire-wrap.html Does anyone know of a way to protect the stone in an already wire wrapped piece. I recently had some wraps tumbled and the silver was very nice, but the Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:18:23 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/can-a-us-tumbler-be-used-in-spain.html Hi, I know very little about tumbling and am trying to learn quickly!!! I live in Spain but have only found tumblers I can buy from the US. Can these Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:09:07 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/wire-jewelry-white-instead-of-bright-after-tumbling.html My silver wire jewelry comes out looking white instead of bright and the silver beads looks grey. I'm using stainless shot and Woolite. What am I doing Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:03:31 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/oxidizing-silver-with-an-egg.html I had a custom oxidized sterling silver ring made and the finish is pretty much gone. The jeweler told me I could re-oxidize the ring with a hard boiled Sat, 30 Apr 2011 20:55:00 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/remove-patina-from-copper.html My first try at using LOS was not good. It was evidently to strong and my copper piece came out black. How do I remove the patina? I want to start over. Tue, 08 Mar 2011 01:26:06 GMT http://www.hodgepodgerie.com/toy-tumbler.html All I have (and all I can afford right now) is a Rolling Stones red plastic toy tumbler. I think it has maybe a 1/2 pound capacity. About how much shot Tue, 08 Mar 2011 01:22:36 GMT