Your videos keep getting better and better, Liz. You seem more comfortable with filming your process and editing and voiceover bits are smoother. Lunch haul is always fun. I need to get that much variety in my snacks so you (and Zach since he packed it) have given me ideas.
I would check the price you are charging on the silver. I’m not sure where you buy it or in what form but I am always up-charged by the distributor as they want their processing fees. I’m charged in the $30 + an ounce (when silver is in $22 range) for sheet and wire from Rio Grande. Granted I buy Argentium SS which is a little higher but still their regular 925 SS will have an up charge as well for their profit. Thanks for the video!
I used the spot price on this because I melted and rolled my own scrap. If I’m using wire from Rio I do check what they’re charging for that particular wire and use that price. I never really thought about them upcharging on sheet! I should have mentioned that in the video, that’s a good call. 🙂
Hi. I’m a beginner in metal smithing and live in a condo. I’m also using a butane torch. I’m curious how long it takes you to melt a cheeto of silver. Do you have to refill often?
Hey! It doesn’t take too long with this Blazer butane torch! Do you have one of these? Or something smaller? I can melt several Cheetos on one fill of butane. 😊 Best of luck on your smithing journey! Let me know if you have any other questions! ❤️
Thank youuuu! I have been struggling for the past year with this exact idea... I started wire wrapping a little over a year ago and took to it really fast. Every time I would post my work I would have people reaching out to buy my jewelry. Definitely not complaining! 😅 Then, about a month or two ago I acquired most of the tools and tried metalsmithing for the first time. I haven't wrapped a single piece since that day 😂 IM HOOKED! (Probably should finish wrapping the requests I had 😬😆) Anyway... I've been encouraged by friends and family to start a business and sell my jewelry. I would absolutely love to... but... the economy sucks balls right now. And I'm scared. I have a family, a mortgage and being an artist doesn't provide health insurance or retirement. 🫣 But man is it sooo fulfilling. ❤ I've found my calling! Why is it I have to choose between surviving in today's economy and doing something that makes me happy to be alive. 🥺 The struggle is real. Thanks for listening to my rant! Lol I appreciate your videos! Keep them coming!
Ugh I hear you!! 🥲😭 And I’m always here to listen! It is so discouraging. I choose to just ignore the big scary things like insurance and retirement and live in the delusion that I’ll get stupid rich soon and those things won’t matter…😂, but realistically those are important to consider and it’s bs that we can’t just choose to do what makes us happiest in this short little life. I hope some day you find yourself in the position to go for it!! Until then, do it when you can and don’t give up on your dreams. 🥰 When I worked a ft job I would dedicate every Thursday to learning how to smith. Once you’re hooked, it’s so hard to pull yourself back into reality. 😵💫🫠😭 Rooting for you! 💖
Hey, thank you so much! I don’t but I’ve thought about it! 🥰 I’ve thought about doing more video tutorials on here. I did one where I go over how to make a simple stamped ring. Is there something in particular you’d like to learn? 😊
Your rings turned out, absolutely beautiful… great job… but if I were you, I would charge more for your rings or your gemstones.. when I buy gemstones let’s say I bought a piece of natural turquoise and I paid $40 for it. I charge $120 just for the piece of turquoise. Because I want to make my money back on the turquoise and remember your Paying wholesale prices for your gemstones… so it’s only fair to try to make a profit of $80 then you go into your silver price times your labor and I never thought about charging a wear and tear on my equipment. That’s a great idea. Anyway, that’s how I do it. But I personally think your ring you made are worth more than the price you came up to sell them for… big hugs you’re doing an awesome job 🤗, Michelle
That’s exactly what I did with my materials too. 😊 I do also multiply my cost by 3. These gemstones were just inexpensive and were only around $4/each. I did $5 silver plus $4 stone times 3, $27. Plus hourly wage. If I were using a $40 piece of turquoise I would also charge $120 for it. And yeah, I think the tool wear fee makes a lot of sense! Thanks so much for following along, Michelle! Always appreciate your input!! I’m glad you got your rolling mill! 🥰🥰🥰
@@Lizfoolery Artist seem to be really bad at pricing, I've heard the "multiply cost by 3" theory SOOOO many times. BUT charge what your market can pay, usually that is much more than x3 of your cost and being in Cali, your market can pay. You can always offer a *discount* for slow moving pieces, friends and family, buyers who get more than one piece.. or the end of the month push to get rent paid. If you are still not sure what to charge, ask someone else, someone who is NOT an artist or crafter. xoxo love your vids and your work.
Ha…I know the finger math of multiplying by 9’s!!! My grandpa taught me. In elementary school I stood up and taught it to the class. I was cool that day😂😂😂. By the way I live in Modesto Calif
Your videos keep getting better and better, Liz. You seem more comfortable with filming your process and editing and voiceover bits are smoother. Lunch haul is always fun. I need to get that much variety in my snacks so you (and Zach since he packed it) have given me ideas.
Thanks Cara! I appreciate that!! I am always too lazy to add voiceovers 😂 but I think it does make a difference!! Happy snacking!! 😝😝
14:00 i tooootally agree with that statement ❤
The rings look great! What size are the bands?
Thanks so much! The width of the bands or the ring sizes? The width is about 5 mm. 🥰
I love the batches of similar yet different rings, they all look so pretty as a group :)
Thanks girlfriend!
I would check the price you are charging on the silver. I’m not sure where you buy it or in what form but I am always up-charged by the distributor as they want their processing fees. I’m charged in the $30 + an ounce (when silver is in $22 range) for sheet and wire from Rio Grande. Granted I buy Argentium SS which is a little higher but still their regular 925 SS will have an up charge as well for their profit.
Thanks for the video!
I used the spot price on this because I melted and rolled my own scrap. If I’m using wire from Rio I do check what they’re charging for that particular wire and use that price. I never really thought about them upcharging on sheet! I should have mentioned that in the video, that’s a good call. 🙂
Hi. I’m a beginner in metal smithing and live in a condo. I’m also using a butane torch. I’m curious how long it takes you to melt a cheeto of silver. Do you have to refill often?
Hey! It doesn’t take too long with this Blazer butane torch! Do you have one of these? Or something smaller? I can melt several Cheetos on one fill of butane. 😊 Best of luck on your smithing journey! Let me know if you have any other questions! ❤️
So cute!!!! I belive in you! 😸😸😸😸
Thank youuuu! I have been struggling for the past year with this exact idea... I started wire wrapping a little over a year ago and took to it really fast. Every time I would post my work I would have people reaching out to buy my jewelry. Definitely not complaining! 😅 Then, about a month or two ago I acquired most of the tools and tried metalsmithing for the first time. I haven't wrapped a single piece since that day 😂 IM HOOKED! (Probably should finish wrapping the requests I had 😬😆) Anyway... I've been encouraged by friends and family to start a business and sell my jewelry. I would absolutely love to... but... the economy sucks balls right now. And I'm scared. I have a family, a mortgage and being an artist doesn't provide health insurance or retirement. 🫣 But man is it sooo fulfilling. ❤ I've found my calling! Why is it I have to choose between surviving in today's economy and doing something that makes me happy to be alive. 🥺 The struggle is real.
Thanks for listening to my rant! Lol I appreciate your videos! Keep them coming!
Ugh I hear you!! 🥲😭 And I’m always here to listen! It is so discouraging. I choose to just ignore the big scary things like insurance and retirement and live in the delusion that I’ll get stupid rich soon and those things won’t matter…😂, but realistically those are important to consider and it’s bs that we can’t just choose to do what makes us happiest in this short little life. I hope some day you find yourself in the position to go for it!! Until then, do it when you can and don’t give up on your dreams. 🥰 When I worked a ft job I would dedicate every Thursday to learning how to smith. Once you’re hooked, it’s so hard to pull yourself back into reality. 😵💫🫠😭 Rooting for you! 💖
Love your channel. Do you have online courses?
Hey, thank you so much! I don’t but I’ve thought about it! 🥰 I’ve thought about doing more video tutorials on here. I did one where I go over how to make a simple stamped ring. Is there something in particular you’d like to learn? 😊
Your rings turned out, absolutely beautiful… great job… but if I were you, I would charge more for your rings or your gemstones.. when I buy gemstones let’s say I bought a piece of natural turquoise and I paid $40 for it. I charge $120 just for the piece of turquoise. Because I want to make my money back on the turquoise and remember your Paying wholesale prices for your gemstones… so it’s only fair to try to make a profit of $80 then you go into your silver price times your labor and I never thought about charging a wear and tear on my equipment. That’s a great idea. Anyway, that’s how I do it. But I personally think your ring you made are worth more than the price you came up to sell them for… big hugs you’re doing an awesome job 🤗, Michelle
That’s exactly what I did with my materials too. 😊 I do also multiply my cost by 3. These gemstones were just inexpensive and were only around $4/each. I did $5 silver plus $4 stone times 3, $27. Plus hourly wage. If I were using a $40 piece of turquoise I would also charge $120 for it. And yeah, I think the tool wear fee makes a lot of sense! Thanks so much for following along, Michelle! Always appreciate your input!! I’m glad you got your rolling mill! 🥰🥰🥰
@@Lizfoolery Artist seem to be really bad at pricing, I've heard the "multiply cost by 3" theory SOOOO many times. BUT charge what your market can pay, usually that is much more than x3 of your cost and being in Cali, your market can pay.
You can always offer a *discount* for slow moving pieces, friends and family, buyers who get more than one piece.. or the end of the month push to get rent paid.
If you are still not sure what to charge, ask someone else, someone who is NOT an artist or crafter. xoxo love your vids and your work.
3:54 in my opinion, you do just the right amount of both musical and describing what you are doing :) a little bit of both goes a long way 🫶🏼
I can relate so I’m just going to subscribe and I wish you success.
I really appreciate that! Wishing you success as well, fellow smith! 😊
Ha…I know the finger math of multiplying by 9’s!!! My grandpa taught me. In elementary school I stood up and taught it to the class. I was cool that day😂😂😂. By the way I live in Modesto Calif
Aww cool! We’re about 2 hours apart. The 9’s thing is the most useful thing I think I ever learned in school. 😂😂
Excellent video! ❤
Hi from Morocco. H
Hi Houcine! 👋