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Tools I Reach for Most in the Studio

Kim
Sep 4
3 min read

I reach for different tools depending on the piece. Some have been with me since I first started making jewellery, others are newer additions that help me try something different. I like the mix — the everyday essentials, the odd helpers, and the tools that make me feel like I’m learning something new all over again.



A selection of jewellery‑making tools laid out on a wooden bench — pliers, hammers, saw frame, stone setting tools, and bench block.


Everyday essentials


There are a few things I always reach for on my bench —  pliers, saw, soldering torch, and polishing cloths. They’re the backbone of pretty much everything I make.


The jeweller’s saw probably gets the most use. It’s the tool that turns a flat sheet of metal into something with shape and intention. The frame’s been tightened and loosened hundreds of times as I listen for that perfect ping to get the tension right. It can be fiddly, but I’d be lost without it.


Pliers are the quiet workhorses. I’ve got a few types depending on what I’m doing. Chain nose for gripping wire and closing jump rings, round nose for loops and curves, flat nose for holding pieces steady while I make bends. There are dozens of options out there, but these are the ones I reach for first.


My soldering torch is a small moment of magic every time. It’s all about control — directing heat exactly where it’s needed. The torch demands focus and patience; too much flame and the metal warps, too little and the solder won’t flow. Getting it right feels quietly satisfying each time.


Then there are my hammers. They’re essential for shaping and texturing metal — adding strength, detail, and character. No two pieces ever turn out exactly the same, and that’s half the fun. Plus, there’s something very satisfying about hitting metal on purpose.


Needle files are great for cleaning up rough edges, but they’re also shaping tools that help refine each piece. They’re the ones I reach for time and again no matter what I’m working on. 


  • Using a jeweller’s saw to trim backplate.
  • Using needle file to shape jewellery piece.
  • Annealing copper with a soldering torch.
  • Hammering metal on a bench block to add texture.


The unexpected helpers


Not everything on my bench started life as a jewellery tool. There are always a few odd bits and pieces that sneak into the process — the ones never meant for jewellery at all. 



Everyday items repurposed for jewellery‑making — a kitchen spoon, scrap of denim, wine cork handle, and dental floss on a wooden surface.

A kitchen spoon for burnishing metal to a high shine.


A scrap of old denim for polishing.


A wine cork turned into a handle for my files.


Nail files for smoothing edges in those awkward corners.


Dental floss for checking the fit of a stone in a bezel setting.


They remind me that creativity often lives in the everyday — and that a maker’s studio is full of small improvisations that quietly make things better.



My newest addition



A vise on a wooden bench, holding a small metal piece ready for texturing.

My latest tool is a vise — it’s helping me learn new ways to add texture to my pieces by keeping my work secure so I can be more deliberate and precise with every mark. It’s one of those tools that instantly makes you wonder how you managed without it.


I’ve started using it for practising burr control — it keeps everything steady so I can focus on the pattern rather than worrying about movement. It’s also great for holding smaller pieces when I’m experimenting with new finishes. I’m still getting used to the feel of it, but it’s already becoming part of my routine.



Each piece begins here — with tools that shape, refine, and bring ideas to life. Every tool, whether it’s a jeweller’s saw or a kitchen spoon, tells part of the story of how a piece takes shape. With so many tools around I could easily get carried away — but these are the ones I reach for most.


 
 
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