10 Fun and Useful Gifts for Smiths!

We Smiths love our tools and supplies!

I put together this list of things I recommend and/or use regularly.

Some are for learning, some for safety, some for function…a little something for everyone.

Go ahead and share this email with those who are struggling with what to give you this year

FYI: Some of these are affiliate links so I get a little pocket money for referring them. I only refer things that I use and love.

Great Guide Book

I love this book as an orientation to the craft

#10 Corkie’s Book

This is the book I WISH I had when I started metalsmithing. When I first started all people talked about was The Complete Metalsmith which I found very difficult to understand as a newbie. If you didn’t go to school for jewelry making, then start with Corkie’s book.

Corkie gives explanations and photos of some of the most important tools and processes in a very easy to understand way.

This book would make a great gift for those getting started and has detailed projects to challenge the newer smith.

It’s a great intro and place to start.

#9 New Solderite Board

Solderite Boards are used daily by Smiths and get crusty, pitted and full of sticky flux. Yuck!

There’s nothing quite like starting with a fresh board. It’s like sleeping on clean sheets. Aaahhh!

They come in hard and soft boards-the soft allows you to push pins and drill into it easier if needed.

Yes, you can go outside and scrub your old one on the pavement, but who has time? And please wear a respirator and clean up the remains of your old board if you do. Those particles aren’t good for us or our furry friends.

Portable Rotary Tool

Rechargable tool for sanding, grinding, smoothing and polishing when you don’t have a flex shaft handy.

#8: Portable Rotary Tool

Students in Open Studio swear by these handy little tools.

These are great to use on the go or if you don’t have a flex shaft handy.

Perfect for sanding, grinding and even polishing if you get some Zam to use on the polishing buffs that come with it.

It comes in a tidy little case and is perfectly portable. It also has a rechargeable battery so it’s very portable.

#7 Fire Blanket

We have several of these in the studio and I also keep one in my kitchen at home.

This is one of those gifts you never want to have to use but is essential when you work with fire.

I’ve also bought them for my daughter as well to keep in her kitchen just in case.

In the event of a fire you can quickly release this blanket and smother the flames

Every smith should keep one near their soldering station along with a fire extinguisher.

A Safety Timer

So you never forget to turn off the pickle.

#6: Timer for Pickle

While we’re on the safety topic, lets talk about that pickle pot-one of the most dangerous things in your studio, should you forget to turn it off.

That’s why I have mine connected to a timer.

You set the timer for a certain number of hours and it automatically shuts your pickle off. Genius!

A good torch

I like this one or the Durston Blow Torch.

#5 Blazer Torch and Gas

Every Smith needs a strong, portable torch that gets the job done.

This is the one I’ve been using myself in the studio. It’s powerful with a long flame which makes it perfect for enameling.

You have to watch your torch flame as you work because, as I said, it’s pretty strong and you can quickly get a pile of melted metal.

Get the Blazer Gas to go with it.

Keep the Dirt Away

This lives on my bench and zooms up the particulates

#4: Handy Little Vacuum

I seriously love this little vacuum for cleaning the metal and dirt from my bench.

I keep it right by my bench pin and zoom up all of the silicone dust and particulates after I’m done sanding or grinding.

And it’s just fun to use and is just the size of your hand and can also be handy for crumbs in the kitchen.

Hold Fiddly Bits

Soldering Clay holds small things

#3 Hold It

Hold It is a moldable clay that is used to position things and hold them in place while you solder.

It can withstand high temps and when you’re done, you throw the burnt part away and reconstitute the part that is still good.

This is good for tricky little bits that are hard to hold with the third hand-like prongs and bails.

The Better to See You With

I look like a doofus, but at least I can see with these

#2: Optivisors

I cannot see without these! They are my go-to while working and I just bought another pair to keep at home.

If you have trouble seeing small things, these are a must-have! They make different styles but anything that amps up the detail will be super helpful.

I have this style-some prefer the kind that flip down. I’m used to these and yes, they mess up my hair and make me look weird but vision over fashion friends, vision over fashion.

Gift Certificates

Order them right on our homepage

#1: Metalsmithing Class

Give the gift of learning or a shared experience in our Syracuse Studio!

Our studio is the only thing like it in the CNY region-a unique opportunity to try something new!

We have Gift Certificates from $25-$100 increments.

I hope you found this list helpful and hope to meet you in the studio soon!

Cheers!

Kelly

10 Fun Gifts for Smiths