Mark Nelson demonstrates how to make a simple ring using 16 gauge silver wire and a chasing hammer. Check out this popular video and be inspired!
The Squiggle Ring: A Project with Mark Nelson
Weighty Matters: Comparing and Interpreting Jewelry Scales
Questions arise daily about the various scales we use in the jewelry business. Gold is weighed on a pennyweight or gram scale. Gems are weighed on a carat scale. Postage is weighed on an avoirdupois scale and pearls are sometimes weighed on a momme scale. Do you know if you are u[...]
Chasing and Repoussé with Megan Corwin: Creating Low-Relief Design in Copper
We are pleased to present this project, excerpted from Nancy Megan Corwin’s book, Chasing and Repoussé: Methods Ancient and Modern. In the book, Ms. Corwin takes the reader on a marvelous tour of chasing and repousse, including the tools, techniques, and history behind this vi[...]
Interview with Megan Corwin, Author of Chasing and Repoussé–Methods Ancient and Modern
We are pleased to welcome Nancy Megan Corwin (Megan to her friends) to The Studio. Megan is the author of the book Chasing and Repousse – Methods Ancient and Modern. Welcome, Megan...
Resource Shifting: A Win/Win for Rio Grande and Customers!
Did you know that your order from Rio Grande may have been packed by a guy who works in our machine shop? Or that the tiny 2˝ x 2˝ bag that your findings came in might have been labeled by one of our very own business coaches? How about that guy on the YouTube videos—Mark Ne[...]
How To Promote Your Jewelry on Facebook
Promoting and selling jewelry on Facebook can be a great addition to your online jewelry business. Here are some basic tips on where to begin from the team behind Rio Grande’s own Facebook Fan Page.
Jeweler Spotlight: Wendy Toman Oestreicher
“I don’t like doing things simple. I like a challenge. I like to be pushed.” Wendy Toman Oestreicher is one of those folks who like to be intrigued by something they’ve seen or thought of, then just dive right into trying it . . .
A Day in the Life of a Rio Tech Support Agent
Occasionally someone asks me, “What’s it like to work in Technical Support at Rio Grande?” Usually my answer is easily summed up by the big grin on my face. Being part of the Tech Support Team is really cool. The job may not be what what one thinks of as a typical tech supp[...]
Rio Steampunk and Metal Clay Artist, Jaimie Verlander
Shortly after I was first hired here at Rio, I experienced my first Rio Associate Arts and Crafts Fair. I was so excited to see what kind of jewelry my creative colleagues were making and selling and was amazed by the beautiful craftsmanship and uniqueness of it all. But, there w[...]
Metal Clay Origami Jewelry with Sara Jayne Cole
We are pleased to partner with Lark Books and author Sara Jayne Cole to bring you this excerpt from Sara’s recently published book, Metal Clay Origami Jewelry. In the book, Sara combines the worlds of origami with metal clay to achieve fun and interesting results. The book open[...]
Jeweler’s Saws and Blades Demystified
The jeweler's saw is a fundamental jewelry-making tool. It's one of the first and most important tools found on every jeweler’s bench. At the same time this tool is different for each jeweler. If you take a quick look at the Rio Tools catalog you'll see over two pages of jewele[...]
Inside Rio: A Different Way of Doing (the Jewelry) Business
I knew very little about Rio Grande when I was hired a little over ten years ago. I learned quite a bit as I went through the interview process, but I wasn’t prepared for the reality of actually working at Rio. It has completely altered my ideas of what it means to lead and how[...]
