Photo Tip for Photographing Jewelry

Photography is a big part of jewelry making if you sell your designs, write tutorials for your blog, or want to share photographs with family and friends.

One issue I have encountered many times is lack of proper lighting when photographing jewelry indoors. I prefer natural light. My ideal spot to take pictures of my jewelry is outdoors. The weather isn’t always kind to a photographer as it is often unpredictable.

In South Mississippi we have had a mixture of rainy and sunny days over the past few weeks. I love sunny days, but the heat doesn’t always agree with me. Then there is winter. When it is cold I am not taking my jewelry pictures outdoors. That leaves me with the necessity of coming up with good lighting indoors. I have played around with several techniques over the years, some more satisfactory than others. Yesterday I finally found a technique that works better than any I have tried. I was so excited about this that I had to share it with those of you who take photographs of your jewelry to sell or share with family and friends.

My discovery, a dry erase board! My intention was to use the dry erase board for its white background, but I soon discovered when the light hits the shiny surface it illuminates and causes the photographs to come out clear and crisp. To begin with I held a white piece of computer paper at an angle to help with the lighting, but I found out it wasn’t needed.

Want to try it? Take a dry erase board, make sure that it is clean. Sit it on a flat surface, I used my desk in front of my window with the curtains closed. The only light I had on was the overhead light from my ceiling fan. Make sure your camera is on flash. Snap your picture and viola! So far I have had very little editing to do. Usually when I take photographs indoors I spend hours editing pictures, fixing the lighting settings, using auto adjust, etc.. to make the photograph brighter. Using the dry erase board eliminates that. All I have had to do is crop and resize, using the auto adjust feature on my photo software only a few times.

Here is a picture of bracelets without using the computer paper.

Another shot without the paper.

What do you think? Any photo taking tips and tricks you would like to share with our readers? Feel free to email them to me or comment below!

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Soldering Tips For Jewelry Making

In the dimly lit corner of my small jewelry studio, the silver soldering torch hisses to life. The familiar scent of metal and flux fills the air. As a jewelry maker, I’ve always found a certain magic in the process of soldering. It’s the moment when separate pieces of metal, like puzzle pieces, come together to create a beautiful whole. Over the years, I’ve gathered my fair share of tips and tricks that have made this art form more of a delight than a chore. Here, I’ll share some of those secrets to help you master the art of soldering in your jewelry making journey.

1. Set the Stage for Success
Before diving into soldering, ensure that your workspace is well-organized and clutter-free. You need a clear and clean surface to focus on your work. Make sure you have all your tools and materials within easy reach. An organized workspace not only boosts efficiency but also minimizes the chances of accidents.

2. Fire Up the Torch with Confidence
The torch is often the heart of soldering, and it can be intimidating for beginners. When I was starting, I remember feeling nervous about lighting the torch. But here’s a tip: practice lighting and adjusting the flame without your jewelry piece. Get comfortable with the torch, and you’ll gain more control.

3. Understand the Three S’s: Surface, Solder, and Sweat
Surface preparation is key. Clean the metal surfaces you plan to solder meticulously. Use a brush or abrasive paper to remove any oxides or contaminants. Then, apply flux. It’s like a magical potion that prevents oxidation and helps the solder flow.

The solder itself comes in various forms: sheets, wire, and paste. Choose the type that suits your project best. For small, delicate joints, I prefer solder wire, as it’s easier to position accurately.

As for the ‘sweat,’ it’s the term for the moment when the metal reaches the right temperature, and the solder flows like liquid silver. It’s crucial to wait for this moment, rather than forcing the solder to melt. This requires patience and practice.

4. Master the Art of Heat Control
Controlling the heat is a skill that comes with time. It’s essential to understand that different parts of your jewelry piece may require varying levels of heat. Larger pieces need more heat, while smaller or delicate areas need a gentle touch. Don’t rush this process; take your time to heat evenly.

5. Use Third-Hand Tools and Binding Wire
These trusty sidekicks are indispensable for securing your jewelry pieces during soldering. The third-hand tool can hold your workpiece in place, leaving your hands free to manipulate the torch and solder. Binding wire is your invisible assistant, helping to align and support delicate elements during soldering.

6. Post-Soldering Care
Once your soldering is complete, it’s crucial to quench your jewelry piece in a pickling solution. This removes any remaining flux and oxides, leaving you with a clean, shiny piece. After pickling, give your creation a good scrub with a brass brush for that extra shine.

7. Practice Makes Perfect
Like any art, soldering takes time to master. It’s not uncommon to experience frustration in the beginning, but remember that practice is your best friend. Take on small projects, perfect your technique, and gradually work your way up to more complex designs.

Soldering is more than just a technical skill; it’s an art form that bridges the gap between separate elements and transforms them into a unified whole. My journey as a jewelry maker has been a series of sparks, flames, and, yes, occasional mishaps, but each experience has added to my skill and passion.

Solder Like a Pro with these great tips

Bezel Set Ring Tutorial

Torch Talk

Comments

Audrey says
July 12, 2013 at 7:21 pm
Sounds like a get solution to indoor lighting. I plan to give it a try. Thanks for sharing.
Mosaic Magpie says
July 13, 2013 at 5:42 am
This is a great tip that I will trying, Thanks!
Deb
Betty says
July 13, 2013 at 7:02 am
This sounds like a great idea. I am going to try it for cards and scrapbook layouts. I hope it works as well with paper objects. Your jewelry looks great in the photos. Thanks for the tip
Becky PS says
July 14, 2013 at 10:50 am
Thank you so very much! Gotta head to the Dollar store for a new white board…
Mardi Robyn says
July 15, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Thank y’all for the comments! I hope it works well for y’all. I went to a dollar store today and they already had school supplies out, including mini dry erase board!
Yuefang says
July 17, 2013 at 5:50 pm
Wow love to try it!!! What a simple idea for great result :).

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