Where would I find sources on making my own pewter jewlery?

Question:

Where would I find sources on making my own pewter jewlery?

I was told that it's a good hobby, and I'd like to give it a try, but I don't know where to start. Where would I find the raw materials, and how do I handle them?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

If you are looking for pre-made jewelry parts to assemble, I found the following website. This page sells all sorts of pewter components, and the pieces look quite nice:

http://www.abeadstore.com/pewter_clasp.h...

For advice on how to assemble and design the jewelry, there are many good guides available on Amazon that tell you what basic tools you would need and how to use them, depending on what you want to do. Here's a link to a selection: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105...

Alternatively, if there is a local bead or hobby store, they may have classes, or someone there who can advise you.

If you want to actually create the pewter parts themselves, I did a search and came up with "Introduction to Pewter Smithing," a video that explains techniques of working with pewter. While the description does not specifically mention jewelry, it sounds as though the skills you'd learn would apply to jewelry. You would simply be working on a smaller scale. Here's the description:

"In this video, you will learn how to spin metal in pewtersmithing.

Starring Tom & Pat Hooper of ASL Pewter, internationally renowned pewter smiths and artists, Tom & Pat demonstrate the time honored art of metal spinning & casting in the tradition of pewter smiths from the 1700's. All of the artist's techniques, tips and secrets of metal spinning, metal casting, polishing, finishing and soldering metal pewter to a finished practical and useful piece of artwork and product are clearly shown on these videos. They will show you how to make, decorate, finish and market pewter for fun and profit."

Here's the order page: http://www.totalvid.com/metalsmithing-vi...

By the way, I am not associated in any way with these products or sites. (Just so the spam police don't think I'm marketing my work here!)