BenchNews

Ever have a great idea, but not the means to patent it or push it to market yourself (I have)? Everyone has heard horror stories of someone sharing an idea for a great product with another just to see it on the market later, and someone other than the idea maker getting rich. Here is a link to a great legal form to help you protect yourself, and get your idea moving.
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I had an extra ring clamp for my Benchmate system so I decided to modify it for holding bezels eazily without mess.


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So, a little about myself, a college dropout in 1993, I took a couple of odd jobs before a friend got me into a job polishing jewelry. Just 2 months after starting, I got the opportunity to attend the Holland Jewelry School, where I learned all the basics, and was able to move into setting stones and repair. From there I worked for the same company for 9 years becoming proficient in all areas of bench work, except the custom side of the business. This leads me to 2003 when it was looking to me as if I was going to get stuck being jewelry repairman, in which there is nothing wrong, but not the path I wanted to take. In 2001 I got the enough money together in order to go live in San Francisco for 4 months, and attend the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, a life changing, inspirational event.
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I have been wanting an all in one super tool for some time now. A lathe/ Press/ whatever else you can make it do type tool. I ran across this in some jewelry supply tool catalogs and quickly bawked at the price. So I started using the old trusty Google, and guess what I came up with? The excact same thing for CONSIDERABLY cheaper! So, I pass it on to you. If you get one, let me know your impressions and I will do the same.
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I was just looking around the web this mourning, and this caught my eye. Not a good time to buy european gold coin I assume.
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Jewelry repair can be made a very profitable part of a jewelry business, but it has to be done right. Uniformed choices while manging your repair business can lead to major losses, and turn what should be a welcome increase in revenue into a burden. Doing jewelry repair is also a sure way to bring extra traffic to your storefront. The best place I know of to start getting your repair business on track is
David Gellar’s Blue Book of Jewelry Repair. Mr. Geller in conjuntion with ISI have also put together some good products to get you on your way. Have a look, and start moving in the right direction.
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Not only is it fun, it lets you express your creative side. Being able to carve a wax puts you into a whole diferent catagory of metalsmithing. Being able to go from idea, to product, expands the posibilties of customer relations/your business potential. Here is a great tutorial on wax carving basics.
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Continuing your education can reinvigorate your passion for the work you do. Personaly, graduating from the Holland Jewelry School in Oct. of 93, gave me the basics I needed to start my career. Spending nearly 4 months with the incredible people at the Revere Acadamy in 2001, gave me the tools and inspiration I needed to forge out on my own into self employment. So get out there, and take advantage of the people who are willing to share their knowledge!
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You spend a lot of time in your chair, shouldn’t you make sure its the best you can get? Here is a start to knowing good seat ergonomics. Being in command of your workspace will make everyday a lot more comfortable.
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Don’t lose out on profits, keep up on the precious metal market. Making your own alloys by purchasing coins at just dollars over spot is a great way to stay ahead of the curve.
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