Articles by Charles Lewton Brain

Writings and articles published at the Ganoksin Project The Tips page at Ganoksin with other writers work

Topic List

Starting Out / Tool Notes / Jewelry Construction / Hinges / Casting / Stonesetting / Gemology / Surfaces / Patination / Jewelry Photography / PR Tools / Critical Notes / Safety / Repairs / Brepohl / Bibliography

Starting Out as a Jeweler

• On Jewelry Career Options
• Craftsmanship Improvement Method
• Jewelry Repair Principles
• Some Basic Metal Working Tools for Beginners
• Soldering and Construction Principles
• Some Thoughts on Fire Scale
• Studio Organization and Layout
• Time Management for Jewelers
• Basic Ergonomics for Jewelers
• Drawing Tools for Jewelry Rendering
• Thoughts on Computer Use in the Jewelry/Metals Field (1990)
• Bench Trick Principles: Coming Up with New Ideas

Tool Notes and Tips: Extracts from the book Cheap Thrills in the Tool Shop

• Files
• Hammer Hints
• Homemade Engravers Ball
• Making a pair of prong notching pliers
• Shop Machines
• Small Bench Tools Description
• Some Basic Metal Working Tools for Beginners
• Making a Forming Tool For Chasing and Repousse
• Some Basic notes on Chasing Tools
• Some Flexible Shaft Tricks
• Some Notes on Dapping Tools
• Some Notes on Stakes and Swages
• Some Polishing and Finishing Aids
• The Cardboard Disc Sanding Tool
• Scrounging Tools and Unexpected Tool Sources
• Goldsmiths pitch options
• Suggestions for tools to order from Fischer

Jewelry Construction Methods and Mechanical Devices

Extracts from the books Hinges and Hinge Based Catches for Jewelers and Goldsmiths and Cheap Thrills in the Tool Shop

• Basic Principles of Construction and Soldering
• Notes on Scoring and Bending
• Some Soldering hints and tricks
• Hints on making tubing
• Tubing Cutting Notes
• Wire Drawing Hints
• How to Step-Roll Wire
• Jump Ring Notes
• Tips on Placing Pin Back Findings
• Fabrication of a Basic Tubing Catch
• Making Earring Posts by Hand

Hinges Extracts from the book Hinges and Hinged Based Catches

• Basic Hinge making
• Basic Knuckle Options
• Hinges with bearings, a bracelet and a box
• Other hinge pin installation options
• Cast Hinges Design
• Cuff Link Hinge Pins
• Hidden hinges
• Ball, Strip, Coil and other Hinges

Casting

• An Investing Procedure for Lost Wax casting
• Wax Tools
• Buttons - Production Project Proposal Example
• Hints on Casting Safety

Stonesetting

• Stonesetting - Engraved Bezel with Vertical Walls.
• Suggestions for pitch and findings to order from Fischer
• Tube Setting - an Introduction to Setting
• Making a pair of prong notching pliers
• Basic Gypsy Setting
• Basic Bead Setting

Gemology

• Definitions Concerning Physical Properties of Gemstones
• Minerals, Crystals and Their Systems
• Some Notes on Making Your Own Polariscope for Gemology
• Gem Microscope Thoughts
• Basic Optics Notes for Gemology
• Notes on Gemstone Fluorescence
• Notes On Specific Gravity
• Some Notes on Optical Effects in Gemstones

Surface Manipulation

• Paper Die Method of Roller Printing
• Keum-Boo
• Notes on Depletion Gliding.
• Reticulation Notes
• Small Scale Double making procedures
• Some Notes on Granulation

Patination Notes from the Patinas for Small Studios paper

• Cleaning Metal Surfaces
• Cupric Nitrate Patination of Metals.
• Some Patination Information on the Net
• Patination Methods and Approaches
• A Method of Patinating Steel.
• Brief Notes on Shakudo
• Fuming of Copper-Based Alloys
• An Introduction to Using Liver of Sulfur Solution

Small Objects Photography: Many are extracts from the book Small Scale Photography

• Basic Lighting Options for Jewelry and Small Object Photography
• Basic Photographic Equipment for Jewelry and Other Small Objects
• Consideratio ns in Image Creation in Photography
• Holding Objects for Photography
• Photo - Booth Systems: Basic Set Ups for Jewelry and Product Photography
• M ore Photo Booth Systems and Methods
• Some Check lists for photography of small objects
• Suggested Film Types for Jewelry Photography
• Taking Photos of Reflective Objects
• Working with 35 mm Slides
• Depth of Field Notes
• Considerations in Photographing Various Media

PR Tools and Business Tips

• On Jewelry Career Options
• Time Management for Jewelers
• Resumes and Approaching Galleries
• Some PR Tools to have on your side
• Sample of Confidential Disclosure Form
• Some useful North American addresses for equipment, materials and information

Critical Notes

• Compositional Hints for Working Jewellers
• Some Thoughts on Computer Use in the Metals/Jewelry Field (1990)
• Some Thoughts on Modes of Working
• Teaching Through Process: Towards A New Metals Education
• Statement on The Teacher's Role

Safety Notes for Jewelers: Extracts from The Jewelry Workshop Safety Report

• A Jewelry Workshop Safety Report: A paper presented to SNAG.
• Basic Safety Principles
• Metals Safety Issues
• Keep Your Studio Out of Your Home
• Evalua ting Your Procedures for Health and Safety
• Evaluating Your Studio for Health and Safety
• Basic Ergonomics for Jewelers
• Noise and Sound Issues
• Dusts and Their Dangers
• Glove Usage Issues
• Rules for Tools
• Gas Handling Basics
• Basic Fire Safety Information
• Electroplating rectifier safety
• Hints on Casting Safety
• Grinding Wheel Safety
• Chemical Storage Principles
• Chemical Inventory Issues and Principles

Repairs

• Jewelry Repair Notes

Extracts from Brepohl's "Theory and Practice of Goldsmithing" translated by Charles Lewton-Brain. Hosted at the Ganoksin Project.

• Enamelling Notes
• Inlay Methods for Metals
• Niello Working Techniques
• Fire Gilding (Dangerous!!!)
• Engraving Tool Information
• Sand Casting
• Cuttlefish Casting
• Holding Methods for Engraving

Bibliography List and Book reviews

• A jewelry bibliography: books in my library
• Some patination information on the Net

Charles Lewton-Brain

Brain Press
Box 1624, Stn M,
Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2L7, Canada
Tel: 403-263-3955 Fax: 403-283-9053
Email: brainnet@telus.net