MJSA Podcast

Master goldsmith, author, professor, and jewelry expert, Charles-Lewton Brain is renowned for his 'printmaking' approach to working with metal, the work is done in separate steps, groups and layers building towards the finished piece. In this episode, Charles shares the tools he considers most essential for achieving a safe and efficient workflow. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Nanz Aalund is a freelance jewelry designer, production consultant, and jewelry apprenticeship educational designer. A renown author and educator, Aalund has also won multiple awards for her jewelry design and goldsmithing. In this episode, Nanz shares her most essential tools and explains how they help her create her award-winning pieces. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Christopher Taylor Timberlake's interest in jewelry stems from a childhood fascination with the chemical formulas of gems and minerals. Today, he creates artistic jewelry using recycled metals (including his own handmade alloys) and ethically sourced gemstones he often mines and cuts himself. In this episode, Christopher shares five tools that play critical roles in his shop. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Jeweler and metalsmith Patrick McMillan has spent the past 15 years building his personal business as well as teaching jewelry and metalsmithing. He is currently the director of The Bench, located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a creative and educational studio offering personalized instruction, tools, and workspaces to aspiring and experienced jewelers. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Matthew Tuggle (Tuggle Designs, Denver) utilizes time-honored techniques to create jewelry that exhibits a modern take on traditional design. Tuggle and his wife Lauren are owners of Tuggle Designs in Denver, where they focus on helping clients create emotional connections to their hand-crafted custom pieces. In this episode, Tuggle shares the top tools in his arsenal and explains how they assist in the creation of his exceptional one-of-a-kind pieces. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Kyle Sharos has been in the world of jewelry his entire life, taking over family-owned Olde World Jewelers after his father's retirement in 2020. In this episode, he shares the tools on which he most relies (beyond his eye for quality craftsmanship) to create one-of-a-kind wearable art. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Jewelry artist Michelle Pajak-Reynolds handcrafts small collections of one-of-a-kind designs featuring unique gemstones, pearls, and ethically sourced precious metals. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Custom jeweler Cady Carlson Dill specializes in working with renewable, ethically sourced materials and updating family heirlooms. Dill relies on a assortment of essential tools that allow her to develop creative solutions to fit her customers' needs. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Best known for his pieces that highlight the vivid contrast between high karat gold and oxidized sterling silver, Denver-based jeweler Alex Boyd also teaches at workshops across the country. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Andrew Bugher is a custom jeweler specializing in creating unique, handcrafted pieces utilizing his expertise in casting, forging and sculpting. Bugher's style combines rugged nature-inspired shapes and textures with more polished and refined details and finishing. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites