Actually I should say, how I love new tools when I get the right ones! Which can definately be tricky sometimes with so many products on the market. Recently, with the help of my Etsy Metalsmith team, Ganoshkin, and several other sources, I have have managed to pick 3 great new tools. They have made my life so much easier, the product better, and they were all at a great price! (Because the best, does not necessarily mean the most expensive!)
Introducing to the Jonesing for Jewelry family the newbies:
On the left we have my newest torch! It's the baby in the family! A pencil torch. These can be picked up at your local hardware store. It is great for closing jump rings, soldering jump rings to bezel discs (like in my new shop J4JCharms), and just about any other smaller end project. I am really hoping to one day get a super fancy torch that can span all jobs, but budget, and space are pretty limiting. For now, this little guy is just what I needed to stop all the overkill my big boy was producing!
In the middle, is the coolest tool I have seen! So inventive! I first stumbled across it again on my Etsy Metalsmith team. Jewelers were talking about random tools they at first didn't know what to do with, but now can't live without! This is a set of tweezers that has a flat bottom, and a curved top. It is used to solder ring shanks on to whatever setting you are using. So much easier, and more precise than my previous method (you don't even want I was going through to solder those things together!)
And last, but definitely not least. On the left we have the BEST metal cutters ever! Ok these did cost a bit. But worth every penny in the end. They are the Lindstrom brand. Although most people LOVE this brand, it also gets some mixed reviews. Awhile back I bought new Lindstrom wire cutters, and although they are good, they aren't perfect, so I was a little hesitant to order from them again. However, this particular set had great reviews, and you will be glad to know, they cut metal like butter! Saves on the hands, and should last a lifetime!
Now off to use these babies to make more beautiful jewelry! Remember my next step is to repopulate my Jonesing for Jewelry etsy shop with lots of great everyday items, as well as many OOAK items you can't find anywhere else! Check out sneak peeks of them on my facebook page!
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