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12 Months Of Metal Challenge With Make It Kim

About 12 Months Of Metal series

Kim Thomson is taking it back to metalsmithing basics! Each month during 2019, Kim focused on a different jewellery making technique, sharing tutorials, top tools, documenting demos and top tips along the way. 

You will be able to find all the content for each month on this blog page - including all of Kim's videos and tips so you have a great resource to turn to. Not only this, we provide you with a list of tools and supplies for each month which you can purchase directly on Kernowcraft's website, so you can get making in no time!

This series is perfect if you're just starting out in your jewellery making journey, while also brilliant for experienced jewellers wishing to refresh their knowledge and be inspired for their next project.

If you try any of the techniques featured in the series, please tag us in your designs - we would love to see and share! Find Kernowcraft & 'Make It With Kim' on Instagram and use the hashtags #12MonthsOfMetal & #Kernowcraft for a chance to feature.

A message from Kim...

"I wholeheartedly believe that jewellery making doesn't have to be expensive, you can create beautiful ranges of jewellery with minimal tools and skills, if you have a good grounding in the fundamentals. I hope to show you how much is possible with so little but also enable you to keep building on your skills and tool set-up each month if you wish to keep developing your craft. So whether you're just interested in giving it a go, looking to improve your confidence or hoping to gain some tips and tricks to make your jewellery making journey a little easier, I hope you can join me during #12MonthsOfMetal."

#12MonthsOfMetal

Watch Kim's monthly round-ups below

January: Basic Cutting & Texturing Metal For Jewellery Making
February: Sawing Metal For Jewellery Making
March: Forming Metal
April: Soldering Tutorials For Jewellery Making
May: Cabochon Setting Tutorials
June: How To Use A Rolling Mill
July: Riveting & Cold Connections For Jewellery Making
August: Metal Etching Tutorials
September: Claw Setting Tutorials
October: Reticulation Tutorials
November: Hollow Jewellery Tutorials
December: Casting & Granulation For Jewellery Making
Larkman's Legacy & Kim's Trip To Geevor Tin Mine, Cornwall

Q&A With Kim

12 months of metal

Meet your tutor, Kim

Kim Thomson is a jeweller who has been a customer of Kernowcraft for over 20 years! Kim lives in Bristol and runs her own jewellery making workshops from her studio shed, offering private tuition, group workshops and is well-known and loved within the jewellery making community for sharing her experience, skills and knowledge.

We are so excited to team up with Kim to bring you these brilliant and fun tutorials, where you can learn the basics of metalsmithing, experiment with techniques and grow your skills.

Follow Kim

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1 piece of silver, 100 days, 100 designs

If you like Kim's 12 Months Of Metal series, you'll likely love to find out more about Kim's project of recycling the same piece of silver for 100 days.

Read our interview with Kim about this fun eco-friendly challenge and discover how Kim comes up with exciting new designs to try.

"I'm doing this to show people that silversmithing doesn't have to be an elitist, expensive past time. You can remake, recycle and keep going until you are happy with the results and no scrap should be wasted..."

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What Our Customers Say...

Eve
The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!
Maggi Henman
I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.
Lauren Jodie Piercy
Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.
Rhiannon Piper
The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.
Jill Hammersely
I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.
Kim Thomson
I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.
April Luescher
Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?
Sarah Tiley
Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.
Christine Wood
Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.
Janice Scragg
Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!
Denise Mountain Pike
I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with the friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.
Lynn Carson
I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.
Helen
Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!
Lydia Farrow
Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.
Mihaela Ciubotaru
I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.
Lenna
Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.
Marshal
Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.
Claire Hall
Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!
Deborah Roberts-Barter
I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!
Frank Wilson
It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!
Daniel Coe
The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.
Jaquie
It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.
Gloria Williams
I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!
Joel Martin
Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!
Vivienne Sadler
Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!
Catherine Warwick
Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!
Helen Bowles
I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.
Jenny Kirkwood
Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?
Claire
I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.
George Inglis
Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.
Julia Schofield
I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.
A
I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!
Catriona
Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website. 
Frank Wilson
I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.
Dorota Todd
I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.
Hayley Meredith
I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft.  I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!