MeritMade Lessons - Favorite Vendors & Suppliers

Author: Kelly Conner

photo by Jason Dominques

I'm often asked where I get my materials, tools, and stones. In this post I'm going to share with you some of my favorites. I'll be the first to admit that this isn't something that I have researched extensively but instead have stumbled about until I found something that works for me. No guarantee that it'll work for you, but who knows ;)

Rio Grande
www.riogrande.com
What I buy: 80% of my materials and tools from here. This is my go to.
Note: Not always the cheapest, but huge selection and good quality

Fire Mountain Gems
www.firemountaingems.com
What I buy: bulk calibrated stones and packaging (kraft paper boxes)
Note: Loads of beading supplies and findings

Reactive Metals
www.reactivemetals.com
What I buy: Unique metal and unique patinas

One of a Kind
www.etsy.com/shop/oneofakindwire
What I buy: Unique Cabs
Note: HUGE selection if you visit them in person at a gem/mineral show

Jules Borel
www.julesborel.com
What I buy: Jewelers Bench!
Note: based in KC. Purchased items can be picked up to avoid shipping costs

Otto Frei
www.ottofrei.com
What I buy: Jewelry Kits - Great price and the right tools (not bloated with a bunch of stuff you don't need)

Hiles Plating
hilesplating.com
What I buy: Gold and Silver Plating
Note: based in KC

Arroks Rocks
www.etsy.com/shop/ArroksRocks
What I buy: Good quality unique materials - Cabs

Cool Tools
www.cooltools.us
What I buy: Stencils and freeform (non-calibrated) Stones
Note: They have a ton of PMC (precious metal clay) stuff

Hauser Miller
www.hauserandmiller.com
What I buy: Nothing currently, but I would like to start using them for my metal
Note: Based in STL and I have heard really good things about the quality of their metal.

Metalliferous
www.metalliferous.com
What I buy: Brass

Stuller
www.stuller.com
What I buy: Gold and Faceted Stones

Photo credit: Foter.com

Honestly the best way to get stones is to buy them in person. I highly recommend going to gem & mineral shows. You will not be disappointed. Here in Kansas City, we have a twice yearly show that has great stone cutters and lapidary artists selling their wares. You can also find jewelry tools, findings, crystals, display materials, and all kinds of other goodies. I'e been to the HUGE Tuscon show once, and can't wait to get back. I've also heard great things about the Denver show, but have never been. 

Don't overlook the small shows! I've found that these can be some of the best. I got a chance last year to the go to the Tri-State Gem & Mineral Show in Joplin. Let me start off by saying that there wasn't a huge selection, but what was there was very reasonably priced. Also you'll meet some of the most interesting people with the BEST stories. There is nothing quite like chatting with the rockhounds that both found and cut the material. 

Kansas City Gem & Mineral Show
www.showsofintegrity.com
www.kcgemshow.org
Held in March and November

Tuscon Gem & Mineral Show
www.tgms.org
Held in February

Tri-State Gem & Mineral Show
Joplin Historical & Mineral Museum (504 S. Shifferdecker Ave., Joplin, MO)
Sept 22-24 2017 - Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-3
Contact Chris Wiseman (417)-623-1180 jmc-cwiseman@sbcglobal.net

Hopefully you found some of this information helpful. If you want more of my recommendations, you might check out THIS blog post about tools needed to get started silversmithing.

What are some of your favorite vendors and suppliers?! I would love to expand my list. 

xo - Kelly

MeritMade Stones - Lapis

Author: Amanda Watson

Photo credit: James E. Petts via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Say hello to beautiful, striking, celestial Lapis Lazuli, or more commonly called, Lapis. This stone has been around for a surprisingly long time and has been prized since ancient times for its shockingly gorgeous blue color. Let's take a look at its unique place in history.

Lapis comes originally from northeastern Afghanistan, and can be traced back to as early as the 7th millennium BC (I told you it was old). It was even used in the funeral mask of King Tut himself.  Not only was this stone sought after for its beauty as a stone, but also for its place in the world of art. After being exported to Europe, it began to be ground into a powder that was used to make ultramarine, the most expensive of all blue pigments. After this discovery, some of the finest painters of the Baroque and Renaissance period incorporated this color into some of their most famous paintings. It was often reserved for figures of importance, most notably the Virgin Mary. The use of lapis for this purpose ended in the 19th century after an identical synthetic version was discovered.

Photo credit: Mark Fischer via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Now, lets take a more spiritual look at this mesmerizing stone. It is commonly accepted as a symbol of royalty and honor, gods and power, spirit and vision. Lapis has many uses for a variety of different professions. As a stone of truth, it encourages honesty of the spirit, and  is also known to activate the higher mind thereby stimulating intellectual ability. It powers a desire for knowledge, truth, and understanding as well as being a catalyst for the learning process. Lapis has a great purpose for those wanting to enhance memory. Wearing lapis aids in all forms of deep communication. It is a stone of friendship and brings harmony in all relationships. Lapis also has many healing properties, both physical and emotional. 

Here at MeritMade, we have been incorporating Lapis into several different wearable pieces. We want you to experience all of the benefits it has to offer, and look GREAT while doing so!

Take a look at what we currently have in the shop!

Happy shopping, Amanda

MeritMade Stories - Alison

I asked one of my all time favorite clients, Alison, 5 questions about her MeritMade experience.  Read below her responses.

What is your MeritMade story?

I didn't have any custom pieces made, but love to buy the one-of- a-kind pieces Kelly has been making. In the future, I'd love to order something custom!

Why did you choose to work with MeritMade?

I love to support crafts and tradespeople in their art, and after meeting Kelly, I wanted to support her endeavor. When I got my first piece, I was hooked! I consider each piece of MeritMade jewelry to be a wearable work of art.

How does working with MeritMade compare to buying jewelry in the past?

Compared to other jewelry I've bought in the past, I love that the MeritMade pieces are so simply, yet elegantly crafted and versatile. They can easily be incorporated into daily wear, or worn as an accent to a dressier outfit and are what I'd consider to be timeless, to be shared with friends or passed down through family.

If you could get another piece of MeritMade jewelry for free, what would you want?

Maybe a really simple, lightweight ring. I don't usually wear jewelry on my hands, but I'd like to!

What is the best movie quote ever, and what movie is it from?

"I carried a watermelon" from Dirty Dancing.

Anything else you would like to add?

MeritMade is the bees knees!

MeitMade Commentaries - I Got Married!!

Hi Friends! I'm so excited to share with you that I got married last month. It was a heck of a roller coaster ride. That said, it was wonderful!!!!!!

As you can guess, I made Brad's ring. It is a simple band with both 14K white gold and 18K yellow gold. What you might not have guessed is that Brad made my wedding band. He spent a whole afternoon with me in the studio filing, sanding, forming, and soldering. I'm so proud of him and am super happy that the rings where made by us, for us.

I want to send out a giant thank you to all of you who sent love and words of encouragement our way. The photos of the wedding that I posted on social media received the most likes and comments of any photo I have ever posted. I am so truly overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation. You all, my MeritMade family, are the best. Thank you!! - Kelly