What have you done?! You’ve been working on your first spinner ring, and you’ve minded the math, and perfected the details, and… SNAP! You hear it split in the final seconds of completion.

It’s heartbreaking, I know, but there is hope. Here are some possibilities…

Go with it!

If it’s a slight split and shows no signs of complete band failure, file and buff that baby until it’s yummy—personality is a feature, not a fault.

Fill it

But NOT with solder. Clean up the split and snip a shard of silver that will wedge into the space. Let it extend too far out, you can finish the edge as a unified whole. The spinning component lends the design an off-beat vibe, and this will be a compliment. Finishing will make it or break it. Try to blend into the existing band. If possible, snip the shard from the original texture, or pattern.

Plan ahead

It may be that your creative journey included more work hardening events than it could handle. Although it’s a discouraging thought to do it, anneal before you flare your spinner. Save the final clean/up until you are ready for your final flare.

Repurpose

If you feel there is no way to salvage what you started, consider an alternate design:

Accept the split and saw right through it. Keep going, take out a healthy chunk. It might be hard to get inside, but maybe your spinner didn’t need to be caged in completely, anyway! Filing and perfecting those newly exposed edges will be key.

If the spinner now falls off, solder it in place.

Or, skip the spin and go for a snatched silhouette by replacing it with a messy multi wrapped fine gauge wire, to match or contrast.

At the very worst you have some awesome metal to repurpose by starting that silver reclamation stash you’ve been meaning to get serious about! 👍

During an open air studio, Justin creates his first spinner ring while Tim (husband) looks on.

Upcoming Class: May 21, 2026 6PM

Take jewelry making for a spin!

Spinner rings are comforting, reminding you they are there with gentle movements as you go about your normal routine. They are also there in quiet times of reflection, rocking within closed hands, or twisting under fidgeting fingers, keeping nervous energy from surfacing. And they are beautiful to look at, gracing a hand with an elegant edgy aesthetic.

This Solid Silver Spinner Ring is a classic choice. Choose to texture or engrave the curve of your silver band while it is yet flat, or keep it pristine, roll it into shape and solder. Then the silver or gold filled spinner is formed to fit perfectly. Now all that remains is to lock the two parts together.

Register HERE for the SOLID SILVER SPINNER RING. Purchase price is exclusive of metals. Silver and gold are determined by market value when your class is scheduled.

JOE’S Garage Class: May 19, 2026 5:30PM

In many ways this is the purest form of linked chain. A pure silver, or sterling silver, chain is a jewelry staple that will be handed down through generations. I love passing on this craft for all the ways it can be completed.

We begin with round links. Every link must be fused closed while holding onto its neighbors. If the joins are quality it can be stretched to elongate the links a little, or a lot.

BRIGHT LINKS CLASS, offered as a Community Ed class, is devoted to fusing Argentium Sterling Silver. It may be soldered, but one of the attributes of Argentium Sterling is its ability to fuse to itself. Before it was a jewelry metal option only fine silver could achieve that nifty property—however, without the strength needed for a wearable bracelet. Argentium has all the strength of traditional sterling silver.

The other notable feature of Argentium is its inability to oxidize—it does not tarnish. Sweet! The stuff is currently more dear than fine silver, but when you need it, it is so worth it.

This is not a lightweight class. You will need to selectively torch individual links while not melting down the others. On testing the final strand you will learn the original meaning of “the weakest link.” And, there will likely be replaced links before you cross the finish line.

The final result will be a major notch in your silversmithing journey.

Register for BRIGHT LINKS CLASS HERE.

Class Date: May 13, 2026

I love the CORNER CUFF for its simplicity and elegance. There is no mystery, it is adornment at its best, natural and elemental.

But apparently not effortless to make. Those who took my first class in copper came away with 8 renditions of this cuff, all lovely and full of personality—but uniquely different. What looks like flowing liquid metal is achieved by a sequence of hammer blows that require ear protection.

Fine silver. White and malleable, eternal. Fine silver has the right attributes to make this cuff fully flowing. For the most recent class I added some visuals and moved step-by-step through the process with the group. All 8 renditions, though personal and organic by nature, were clearly born of this design.

I have a few open seats for this specially requested class. Please register by May 6 to ensure you are included in the silver order. The class registration does not include the cost of the materials. Silver will be figured by market value at the time of my silver order, and payment is required at class time (last class’s silver cost was near $100 per cuff).

Please register for the CORNER CUFF here. Oversold registrations will be reimbursed.