I'm between projects right now. I've just finished up several rings and am going to start a new one. This new ring will be complex and might take awhile. After finishing several projects in a row, and before starting a new one, I always do two things: Clean and Reorganize my bench.
So today, I'm going to show you my Clean and Reorganize procedures. This is a more of What's in My Bench than a What's on My Bench.
First, I pull out all previous half started projects and reassess if I'm likely going to 1.) finish them or 2.) go in a different direction with them or 3.) scrap them.
If there are gems involved, and I'm not going to finish them, then I have to replace the gems into the Gems Box.
Next, I tackle the contents of the pan (the metal lined tray in the center of the bench). I begin by marking a ziplock bag with the contents. I usually have sterling silver, silver sweeps (dust), or gold. When working with gold, I always do the pan clean up before I start so I can collect the gold and gold dust separately. I never let it mingle with the silver scrap.
Invariably there is other junk in the pan. If it's easy to pick out - like broken drill bits or copper scrap, I do that first. Then I pick out all the sterling silver bits. The rule is if I can pick it up with a pair of tweezers, it's considered scrap and not sweeps. Lastly,there's the dust. I collect it into a small pile, then I sift it through a fine mesh sieve. This helps remove the bits of stuff that is definitely not silver dust.
Lastly, I make a trip to my friendly neighborhood refiner and he gives me a bit of cash for my efforts!
If you would like to learn more about Jennifer go to WearablebyDesign. Remember to return next week for another episode of What's on My Bench!
8 comments :
Ah ... um ... Jennifer, when you get your bench organized, will you please come over and organize mine? If so - Yay! If not, thank you for the much needed inspiration!
I like your method here! thanks for the inspiration!
Great tips! I'm glad to learn I'm not the only one who has bags of projects!
Wow, inspiration for being more organized. Thanks for sharing Jenn:)
Talk about organization! Thanks for sharing.
Add me to your list of admirers, you know, those who have unfinished/undecided projects in trays, bags, etc. We use most of our scrap but it does really add up doesn't it? Thanks for sharing your method!!!
Great tips Jenn! I Love to organize my things, but the problem is, I'm so good at messing them up again..
It can get really messy in there! That's why I try periodically to get a cleaning in.
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