A post with a bit of a difference today, a look behind the scenes. Any jeweller who is any good spends a lot of time making sure that the tools they use are in tip top condition, and this includes refinishing newly purchased tools.
As I struggle setting stones in some of my work due to arthritis in my hands, I recently bought myself a tool to help with this which uses "anvil points" to push the metal over the stone during setting. These come from the factory with bumps and ridges and sharp edges all of which will mark my work unless I do something about it. So I have just spent a peaceful Sunday morning ,with Steve Wright on the radio in the background, shaping, filing and polishing these anvil points until they are smooth, shiny and beautiful. I enjoy making tools as much as I do making my jewellery!