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Tool Time - Files

16/6/2020

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Files are one of the most common tools used in a jewellers workshop - they are used to remove excess metal - to smooth, shape and refine metal surfaces, to clean or reshape edges and to cut shapes into the metal.
Files can of course be used on other materials too - wood, acrylic and wax being the most likely for a jeweller.
A file has a long handle, and then a specific shaped section that has fine, sharp, cutting teeth cut into it. 

Standard hand files come most commonly in a flat (rectangular cross section) shape, a half round (D shape cross section, tapering to the tip), and a tapered round shape. Needle files are mini files - usually around 15-20cm long including their handles and these come commonly in a much wider range of cross sections - to reach into small spaces and create specific profiles or edges on your metal.

My top 5 file tips...

1. - Files don't come with handles fitted - this is so that you can choose one that fits best to your hand. Make sure to fit a handle to your hand files before using them - the more comfortably and better you can grip the files, the more efficiently you'll be able to use them
2. - Keep your files clean - use a file brush to remove any filing dust from between the teeth. Use talcum of french chalk on your file before use to help prevent the teeth becoming clogged.
3. - File away from you - start at the top of the file and push away from you, using the full length of the file where possible, for the most effective filing - and make sure your work is supported 
4. - If you're starting to collect a tool kit - the most useful files to start with are usually a #2 cut half round file, and a small set of needle files.
5. - To work with wax, wood, or acrylic (perspex) - use a coarse file - a #0 or #00 as these won't clog up as quickly and will be more effective

For more info on files and filing - keep an eye on the Jewellery Club where I'll be loading full notes on this topic in the silver jewellery section later this month...

​Images below show a flat hand file, a standard wooden file handle, and a file brush
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Webinars and Live Online Events...

3/6/2020

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Over recent weeks, what I've found joining webinars / online events really great - both for discovering new skills, finding new artists and how they approach their jewellery, and for all sorts of jewellery information, as well as just to see and hear a friendly face...

A lot of these seem to have popped up, prompted by lockdown and the cancellation of real life events, but I do hope that they continue beyond lockdown too - as they are a really great way to connect and learn!

This is a collection of organisations running regular webinars (in no particular order), that I've discovered so far - do please let me know if you find others...

Rui Galopim is a Portugese gemnologist - hosting a series of fascinating talks about different gems - the next one is about pearls - find out more here - https://ruigalopim.com/events 

​Craftcast - Fun at One series - every Wednesday at 1pm US time (6pm UK) - sign up here to watch todays one - https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6107470840165009936 - you can also watch past ones that you've missed, for free - https://www.craftcast.com/recordings/fun-one-5-20-20 

AJF - the Art Jewellery Forum are hosting weekly slots with interviews with artists - https://artjewelryforum.org/organizations/ajf-events-and-trips 

The Jewellers Academy - has a number of free videos on their website - both jewellery making, and for starting or running a jewellery business, and also runs fairly regular live events - sign up to their mailing list for the latest news, or join them on Facebook - they also do facebook or instagram live events - https://www.jewellersacademy.com/

The Jewellery Cut has a calendar of events from various sources, that has been useful - https://jewellerycut.com/calendar/ 

If you're after business information and marketing specific to creative businesses - the Design Trust is great - they offer paid courses, but also do pop up with free webinars - join the mailing list for all the latest events - https://www.thedesigntrust.co.uk/

One off event - but this live webinar about fair trade gems from Tanzania looks interesting - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/artisanal-fair-trade-mining-the-moyo-gems-project-tanzania-others-tickets-105988283810 

CIBJO is the World Jewellery Confederation hosts industry and trade related events - http://www.cibjo.org/webinars/  
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Contemporary Connections

13/5/2020

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This time I'd really like to highlight a couple of contemporary jewellery links...

Athens Jewellery Week - http://athensjewelryweek.com/ - was about to happen this month - it has now been postponed to hopefully happen in November - they have a great YouTube channel here at - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLrYXhvqt5xLGXJ2kT-uk2A where you can watch films from previous events. 

Autor - https://www.youtube.com/user/EXTINS is a fair and an international platform for contemporary and art jewellery - based in Romaniaq - they also produce a magazine and collaborate with many different European groups - https://dautor.ro/en/

Both of these are also very present on social media - so do look out for them if you are interested in contemporary jewels!
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How did I get started?!

7/5/2020

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I've made this little video to introduce me and my jewellery fascination if you'd like to learn a little more about me.....
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Jewellery Resources #6

4/5/2020

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If you love the top brands of luxury jewellery, as well as gemstones and the latest news - it is worth checking out The Jewellery Cut - they offer a daily or weekly e-newsletter, as well as a calendar of events and news articles.

Check them out at - ​https://jewellerycut.com/calendar/

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    Penny Akester

    I am a jeweller and jewellery making teacher based in London UK - see more about me and my work by browsing around the rest of this site.

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