JewelryMonk Studio

06/10/2026

From Wax to Silver… In Just a Few Minutes

There’s something fascinating about watching jewelry come to life.

This short video takes you through the entire journey—from wax model, to treeing, to investing, to the final cast. No talking. No interruptions. Just the process and a little music.

Whether you’re a jewelry maker, a casting enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates how things are made, I think you’ll enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at one of the most rewarding parts of the craft.

Every finished piece starts as an idea. This is what happens in between.

Watch the video and enjoy the process.

Together, Let’s Make the BEST Jewelry of Your LIFE!

06/09/2026

Are Your Casting Problems Starting Before You Even Cast?

One of the biggest secrets to successful jewelry casting happens long before the metal is poured.

In this week's video, I walk through my process for spruing wax carvings and 3D printed resin models, explain how I decide where sprues should go, and share some of the casting principles I use to help reduce porosity, shrinkage issues, and other common casting defects.

You'll also get a look at:
✅ Using a wax pen and sticky wax
✅ Preparing waxes and resin prints for casting
✅ Understanding directional solidification
✅ Treeing multiple pieces together
✅ Investing preparation tips

Whether you're brand new to casting or you've been doing it for years, proper preparation can make a huge difference in your final results.

Have you ever had a casting fail because of a sprue placement issue? Let me know in the comments.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/TqVLUYBKh6c

Together, Let’s Make the BEST Jewelry of Your LIFE!

06/05/2026

1350 degree flask (max temp) 1750 metal temp.
Some like it HOT!

06/02/2026

New Blog Post at Patreon today inspired by a Calvin Coolidge quote, which some of you might need today:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/talent-isnt-is-159931643?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

05/22/2026

https://youtu.be/ufnErjyDjY8?si=X9oR261oUhEH7FNF
As graduation season is upon us, here is a neat video from earlier this year.

For two decades, the South Dakota Mines ceremonial mace has marked ...

05/21/2026

Why do handmade objects still matter in today’s world?

In this week’s episode of Bench Wisdom Bingo, we dive into the deeper meaning behind handmade jewelry, craftsmanship, and custom work. There’s a huge difference between mass-produced jewelry and something created by the hands of an artist with intention, care, and meaning.

We talk about:
Why handmade jewelry resonates with people
The value of craftsmanship
The personal connection behind custom pieces
Why imperfections sometimes add character

If you’re a jewelry maker, artist, or someone who values craftsmanship, I think this conversation will resonate with you.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/a849OTk3pog

Together, Let’s Make the BEST Jewelry of Your LIFE!

05/19/2026

How organized is YOUR jewelry bench? 😄

After 40+ years at the bench, I’ve learned that efficiency isn’t about perfection… it’s about knowing where everything is when you need it. In this new video, I take you behind the scenes of my jewelry bench and show how I organize tools, burrs, files, pliers, soldering tools, and daily-use equipment so I can work faster and smarter.

Even in the chaos, there’s a system.

If you’re a jeweler, metalsmith, bench jeweler, or hobbyist trying to improve your workflow and productivity, this video may give you a few ideas you can use at your own bench.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/_wRlmAjgxUE

Together, Let’s Make the BEST Jewelry of Your LIFE!

05/15/2026

Ancient Ocean Ammonite Pendant

Forged by time. Finished by hand.

This one-of-a-kind pendant features a genuine fossil ammonite, preserved over time, beneath the earth and carefully set in handcrafted sterling silver. The natural spiral chambers tell the story of an ancient ocean creature whose form still reflects the beauty and order found in nature.

Each contour of the silver setting was individually crafted to follow the fossil’s organic shape, creating a piece that feels both rugged and refined, resting on a Sterling Silver chain.

Ammonites have long symbolized:

* growth
* transformation
* continuity
* the timeless patterns of life

No two are ever exactly alike.

This is more than jewelry — it’s a piece of ancient history, carried forward and reimagined by hand.

Handcrafted by JewelryMonk Studio. 
Created with genuine fossil ammonite & sterling silver.

05/14/2026

Today I launched something completely new called Bench Wisdom Bingo.

I’ve got a bingo cage with 75 numbers, representing 75 different questions covering:
• B - Bench Skills and Techniques
• I - Industry and Business
• N - Nature of Growth
• G - Greater Meaning
• O - Others and Teaching

Each week I randomly pull a question and answer it straight from over 40 years at the jewelry bench.

The very first question was:

“What makes a custom piece of jewelry truly meaningful?”

This one turned into a deeper conversation about heirloom jewelry, customer collaboration, storytelling, sentiment, and why custom jewelry is so much more than metal and stones.

Honestly… this may end up becoming one of my favorite series on the channel.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/IoxtKSzffPI

Together, Let’s Make the BEST Jewelry of Your LIFE!

05/14/2026

What one thing could change your skills radically in the next year if you focused on getting better at that? Identify that key element. For example, becoming better at soldering. Write it down, visualize it, and use it to fuel your goals. Imagine being a more accomplished jewelry maker in 12 months.