Hey, it’s Jenessa.

In today’s issue:

• Deep Dive: Lessons from the Bench: When an Apprentice Goes Beast Mode…

• Let’s Connect: Here’s how I can help you...

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•PRESENTED BY THE ARTIST BURROW DESIGN + BUILD

•DEEP DIVE

Fixing Jewelry Mistakes: A Hard-Learned Lesson from the Bench

Jewelry making is an art of precision. A delicate balance of force and control.

But what happens when one of those elements goes wildly… out of control?

Let me introduce you to Junior—the new apprentice at the custom jewelry studio where I work.

To protect their identity, we'll stick to that name.

If you own a jewelry store or custom studio, you know how hard it is to find highly skilled jewelers who can set stones, engrave, curl filigree, solder, and polish at an expert level.

With demand high and skilled jewelers in short supply, these jewelry superstars have the advantage.

They set their rates, choose their projects, and negotiate contracts on their terms.

That's why I'm training Junior—fresh, green, and completely new to the craft.

In the kindest way possible...they have no idea what they're doing.

But that's what being an apprentice is about.

It's a challenging yet supportive journey that pushes you toward mastery.

The Chaos Begins…

Last week, Junior and I reviewed a highly underrated and difficult skill—filing a sprue evenly so no trace of it remains.

The ring was a classic 6mm comfort fit yellow gold men’s band, but it was slightly too small straight out of casting.

I told Junior:

"Hammer the sprue at the bottom of the band. Use the extra material to stretch it gently before filing it down."

Then, I made a fatal mistake.

I put my headphones back on and returned to work, thinking Junior had everything under control.

Minutes later, Junior appeared at my bench, eyes wide…

"Uh… is this fixable?"

Fixable? FIXABLE?!

I looked down at what was once a perfectly round ring. The bottom half?

Utterly smashed into a squared-off disaster.

It looked like a euro shank… except not on purpose…

Junior had gone full beast mode on the hammering—never once stopping to check the reaction of each hit.

This brings me to Lesson #2 on the most common jewelry-making challenges and how to fix them.

(Lesson #1 was Building Confidence with Tools—if you missed it, check out the graver sharpening video here.)

Lesson #2: Newton's Third Law of Jewelry Making…

These checks have become second nature to me over time, but it's all about repetition for new jewelers until it becomes instinct.

Once it clicks, it's a game-changer.

Long story short…

Junior and I saved the ring and learned an important jewelry-making lesson along the way: how to fix your mistakes.

I'm Launching My First Course!

I'm thrilled to announce that you'll find more essential lessons like these packed into my next project to take your jewelry-making to the next level…

I'm pulling back the curtain on the most profitable and in-demand hand-engraving techniques that will set your designs apart, expand your skills, and increase your sales.

Want to take your craftsmanship to the next level and create jewelry people can’t live without?

Just answer the poll below, and you’ll be the first to get course details when they drop!

•THAT’S A WRAP

Before you go…

Remember: You've got this!

Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and I'm here to support you in your jewelry-making journey.

In the meantime, if you have any questions hit reply. I respond to every email.

Keep pushing forward!