I cannot believe the Holidays are already here again! I have 32 orders for custom jewelry designs and starting to panic just a little bit on how I will get them done. Take one day at a time..(I tell myself this daily)! I am so thankful for the orders and cannot believe that I have made it another year with my business. 11 years and counting now. Wow!
One of my newest design challenges have been soldering mixed metals and silver bezels and rings. I have finally progressed to making family trees and charms with birthstones that will fair the worst wearer. If you're like me, you forget to take that necklace or bracelet off when swimming, sleeping or showering. These will definitely stand the test of time. It is a bit more of a process, though. I first purchase a tube of sterling silver. Then slice the pieces based on the thickness of the stone. Buff and smooth the edge, then solder to the silver. Clean, polish and tumble the piece, then set the stone and press the silver all around the stone to insure it will not come out. Then more polishing and another tumble. Here is a picture of one of the first ones I did.
Also the family tree. I have ordered some extra polishing tools to attach to my foredom so that I can get in the nooks and crannies to get the smooth shine through out the piece. This was my first family tree. The prices are $6.00 per bezel (stone setting) plus the price of the silver charm with stamping or the family tree. If you would like one, feel free to email me at
mel@melstreasures.com and I will quote you a price for the entire piece. I will stop taking Christmas orders around the first week of December. I ended up working all the way up to Christmas Eve at 9pm last year and missed my Christmas Eve dinner with my in-laws and was so tired I didn't even feel like socializing so I plan to be closed on Christmas Eve this year.
One of my newest design challenges have been soldering mixed metals and silver bezels and rings. I have finally progressed to making family trees and charms with birthstones that will fair the worst wearer. If you're like me, you forget to take that necklace or bracelet off when swimming, sleeping or showering. These will definitely stand the test of time. It is a bit more of a process, though. I first purchase a tube of sterling silver. Then slice the pieces based on the thickness of the stone. Buff and smooth the edge, then solder to the silver. Clean, polish and tumble the piece, then set the stone and press the silver all around the stone to insure it will not come out. Then more polishing and another tumble. Here is a picture of one of the first ones I did. 
Also the family tree. I have ordered some extra polishing tools to attach to my foredom so that I can get in the nooks and crannies to get the smooth shine through out the piece. This was my first family tree. The prices are $6.00 per bezel (stone setting) plus the price of the silver charm with stamping or the family tree. If you would like one, feel free to email me at mel@melstreasures.com and I will quote you a price for the entire piece. I will stop taking Christmas orders around the first week of December. I ended up working all the way up to Christmas Eve at 9pm last year and missed my Christmas Eve dinner with my in-laws and was so tired I didn't even feel like socializing so I plan to be closed on Christmas Eve this year. 
