Getting Started Metalsmithing

Metalsmithing - The good the bad and the fugly

I love being a jeweler, I can’t imagine ever doing anything else with my life; from gossiping with fellow tool addicts about the latest gizmos, to that rush of adrenaline after finishing a challenging piece, it’s quite simply unbeatable. And I don’t know about you, but have you ever had a job where you just can't wait to wake up and get into work? That’s how I feel every single day (even most Sundays).

I get such a kick out of how making jewelry is a never-ending journey of discovery. There's always something new to learn, and that's what keeps me coming back for more!

But after all that gushing about how much I love this, there are some lessons that when I was just starting out, I could honestly have done without!

So grab a coffee because I'm about to spill the beans on the advice I wish I had when I first started creating jewelry. Believe me, this guidance could have saved me a ton of time, money, and headaches, and made my learning experience a whole lot more fun and less chaotic. So, without further ado, let's get this party started...

My Top Tips for Getting Started Metalsmithing

Start with the basics

Whether you're new to jewelry-making or not, my two cents is this: start with the basics. Every jeweler worth their salt needs to have a solid foundation in sawing, filing, and soldering.

Take your time with learning these skills, but don’t be afraid to get creative in mastering them. Honestly, the work that can be produced with seemingly simple skills and a little sprinkling of creativity really is incredible.

Take an in-person class if you can

I want to shout this from the rooftop: taking an actual class is like a shot of instant confidence to the veins – especially when it comes to soldering! Of course it’s fun (I don’t need to tell you that), but you also get to hang out with and learn from your fellow students. And the best part; you'll get to test drive some awesome tools that, as a beginner, you’re just not going to buy outright without knowing their full potential. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about! I started my metalsmithing journey at a local community college, and that's where I got my first glimpse of the almighty Durston rolling mill. If it weren't for taking that in-person class, I would have never known what a top-notch rolling mill even looked like.

It's usually best to keep things simple to begin with

And this is especially true when learning to solder. Start with simple joins and get them nailed first. Trust me, you’ll want to know how to make a simple chunky chain (yep, we have that project over at the Metalsmith Academy), before diving into something more intricate like a prong set pendant. Take creative baby steps and perfect them before moving on to more complex projects.

But sometimes it’s good to push yourself out of your comfort zone

If you want to up your game, at some point you gotta step out of that cozy comfort zone. And it really will do wonders for your practice! But here's the thing: not all your experimental projects will be sellable masterpieces, and that's okay!
At the Metalsmith Academy, we kick things off with a bang by teaching you how to make a jaw-dropping saw-pierced pendant (it’s not easy). And for sure, it won't be flawless on the first try, but that's kind of the point. By challenging yourself from the get-go with saw piercing, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how jaw-dropping your skills really are when you ease up a bit.

All the fancy tools won't make you a better jeweler - Ouchy!

Just because you have a toolbox full of fancy gadgets and gizmos doesn't mean you're automatically going to be able to use them (just like everything, there’s s a big learning curve to many of these fancy tools). In fact, the less tools you have, the more of a problem-solving genius you become. So, if you really want to make jewelry that will impress, start with the basics: a jeweller's saw, a bench pin, a drill, hammer and a couple of pairs of pliers. Trust me, the more you challenge yourself with fewer tools, the better you'll get at improvising and perfecting your skills.

Spend the time necessary to master new skills!

If you're learning how to solder, making a couple of simple rings can be a good starting point. But if you really want to level up, go for a chunky chain (or two) instead!

Repeating a process over and over again (in a fun and creative way, of course) is the best way to master new skills in no time. Remember, practice doesn’t have to mean boring!

Learn from as many people as you can, but don’t learn from just anyone

There’s always more than one way to do everything, and it’s invaluable to see various ways to achieve the same thing. I’m forever grateful for the amazing teachers and incredible mentors I’ve had throughout my life working as a jeweler. But it's also important to find a teacher or tutor who not only has experience and expertise, but also has a reputation for being a good teacher. Doing a quick search online to check out the quality of a potential tutor's work and their teaching reputation can help you avoid picking up bad habits and / or wasting time.

Practice new skills with copper, brass or bronze first

Before you start trying out your fancy new (yet to be tested) skills in silver, let's take a step back. Learning is supposed to be fun, right? So why not remove the stress of potentially ruining something with an arm and a leg’s worth of materials in it and practice with copper, brass or bronze instead? These base metals behave a lot like silver and will give you a super clear idea of how your soldering skills are shaping up as opposed to working in silver.

Don't start out thinking about selling your work

When starting out, it's important not to focus solely on selling your work. This extra pressure can seriously hinder your ability to take risks and develop your skills. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s highly unlikely that your initial attempts will be your best work. But whatever you do, keep hold of your early pieces, in a few months’ time when you look back, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come!

Silver handmade jewelry with prong set gemstones

Think about the skills you might need in the future….

….and start working on exercises that will make those easier right now. Everyone at the Metalsmith Academy thinks I’m crazy in love with creating textures using burs ...and, okay, maybe they're not wrong. But hear me out: the reason we drill you on bur textures early on is that mastering bur control takes some serious time and effort, and when it comes to stone setting, you need to be really accurate with those burs. Creating textures with burs is quite simply a fun way to get that practice and start developing control early on.

Treat each single step as if it’s the only step

Starting a new project can be a daunting task, but don't fret! It's important to take your time and break the project down into a series of smaller, more manageable steps. Rather than viewing the project as a whole, try to focus on completing each step to the best of your ability. This way, you'll avoid feeling overwhelmed and can ensure that each step is executed to perfection. Sure, it might take a bit more time to begin with, but by working through each step with care and attention, you'll ultimately reach the finish line more quickly and with less stress. So take a deep breath, break that project into bite-sized pieces, and get ready to crush it like the jewelry-making pro you are!

Embrace the journey – it will never end

Jewelry making is not just a hobby or a career, it's seriously a journey that never truly ends. Whether you're brand new to wonderful world of metalsmithing or have been at it for decades, every jeweler I've ever met acknowledges that they are still in a state of constant learning. And honestly, that's part of the magic! There will always be something new to discover, whether it's a new technique, a fresh approach to design, or a novel way to incorporate materials. So, don't get too hung up on rushing to the finish line. Instead, take the time to enjoy every step of the process.

Finally, and I want to shout this out loud for everyone to hear:

As a jeweler, even one with years of experience, we're all going to make mistakes.

And you know what, IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. If we don't make those mistakes, we'll never learn the lessons that really make a difference. It's like until you set fire to the bog roll on your jeweller's bench, you never truly understand what a hazard it is.

On the bright side though, it's not like your silver goes up in flames, it just melts. And what do we do with melted silver? We just roll it, and start again!

Ready to unleash your inner jewelry maker and create stunning pieces from scratch?

Inside our value-packed online membership, you’ll find all the skills, steps, and tools you need to start making high-quality jewelry from home. With 30+ online classes and 100+ resources, hands-on support from expert jewelers, and a friendly community of like-minded jewelers, you’ll be unstoppable at making your goals a reality. Whether you’re brand new to the game or a seasoned pro, you’ll find everything you need to get unstuck and level up your skills - all in one seamless, flexible, and fun online portal.

Unlock your potential, progress faster, and actually enjoy your jewelry-making journey inside the Metalsmith Academy.

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About The Author

Lucy Walker
Lucy Walker is the Founder of Lucy Walker Jewelry & the Metalsmith Academy, she’s a self-proclaimed crossfit box champ, dog mum, and wearer of a bunch of other hats. With over 17 years in the jewelry industry and 7 years empowering jewelry makers globally, Lucy has created world-class online training designed to take you from absolute beginner to jewelry-making pro! Whether you’re looking to build a business, or create beautiful pieces to wear and share with loved ones, Lucy has created the best community to help you do it.