Hi Rob. Thanks for posting this - and keep doing more, please. I’m 68 and have just retired from my work as a Principal Medical Writer but I’m restarting as a silversmith - I supported myself for 2 years in the late 1970s, first in Europe then the USA, solely by silversmithing and selling at markets like Melkweg (Amsterdam (Holland), Fishermans Wharf (San Fran) and Jacksons Square (New Orleans). Like you, though, I worry, who will know what to do with all my tools and the silver wire & sheet I now have, when I lose the ability to work or have a heart attack, stroke etc and die. I’ve got 3 young daughters (17, 21 and 28) but none seem interested in learning silversmithing, though they like my work. I may contact a local college to see if I can leave everything to them to see if they can start a silversmithing course - but who would teach it??? Do let us know if you have found answers to this. Thanks again. David Candlish
In general colleges no longer teach practical skills, so gifting your tools to a local college would be less than optimal, as they’d likely sell them. There is a junior college in Paris, Texas which has a Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, and maybe there are other such programs, but in general, colleges don’t teach jewelry making any more. Your heirs could probably find an agent who deals in ebay sales to sell your equipment, or you could designate an actual jewelry school…there are some of those who would probably appreciate your gift. You’d have to look around for a likely recipient. Maybe an inquiry here? Or maybe someone will chime in… -royjohn
Thanks for the thoughtful response Roy. An actual jewellery school does seem the best bet. I’m based in UK, so the main one is the School of Master Jewellers in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. There’s a programme on UK TV just now called “All that glitters”, where 8 silversmiths compete each week on a ‘Best seller’ and a ‘Bespoke’ challenge and 2 professional jewellers judge them, eliminating one each week - it’s set in that School. Amazing to see silversmithing on a main national TV station - BBC2. See if you can access it on the web - well worth a watch!
A couple of other ideas for places tools would be greatly appreciated:
We Wield The Hammer is an organization which works to identify, train, and support women and girls of African descent who want to get into the jewelry trade. They accept both monetary and tool donations, and they do great work in reaching people who might otherwise not have access to this art form. www.wewieldthehammer.org
The other idea is a makerspace. These are basically open studios where people can buy memberships or day passes and get access to space and equipment. The one I use here in Somerville MA is called Artisan’s Asylum and in addition to a big, nicely kitted out jewelry shop they have everything from wood and metal (steel/iron) fabrication shops, bike shops, paint booths, photo studios, 3D printing, sewing/textile workspaces… any kind of art you do, they’ve got a shop and equipment you can learn on and use. There are classes of all kinds, community outreach programs (AA has mobilized to make PPE during the pandemic), partnerships with local educational institutions, and they even rent out studio spaces to individual artists. These sorts of places rely on membership dues, class fees, and a ton of fundraising to stay open, so getting a treasure trove of real professional tools is a dream come true for them.
There are a lot of good recipients for the type of generosity being discussed here. Thanks, everyone. 
hi,
i have heard about Artisan’s Asylum! I am jealous that you are nearby and a member!
Their website even has a section on how to start your own makerspace, and even shares about insurance needs! So awesome!
Julie
I’m not a member yet, but they’re changing their membership/fee structure when they move to the big new facility in Allston next year and I believe at that point I’ll be able to swing a membership. For now the day passes are a great option- or will be when they resume serving day pass users, hopefully in June or July.
All that Glitters show is available on YouTube the day after airing on Tuesday, in the USA, but the shows are only available for a short period of time.
Hello David,
I’ve just accessed All That Glitters S01E01 on Youtube and I can’t believe there is actually a show for jewelers like this. I hope this gives crafts jewelry an added push with the public. I’m just 5 minutes in and can’t wait to binge watch as much as is available here! Thanks for the tip! -royjohn
Brilliant - I didn’t know they’d put it on Youtube! And I’m glad you’re enjoying it too - I hope other people read this and start watching - it’s amazing watching people soldering, filing etc on mainstream TV. Have a great binge!!!
David
Hi David,
Yes, I see at least episodes 1-4 on Youtube now. I thought the first one very instructive…the person who got voted off seemed to be pretty tentative and lacking in great soldering skills, so it was easy to see why she didn’t do well…a great object lesson. I hope more people will watch over here, too. Looking forward to seeing more! -royjohn
Hi if…
I’m UK-based but I’ll look into whether we have makerspace equivalents over here. Thanks for the suggestion
David
I’ve been following this thread and started watching All That Glitters season 1 on YouTube. It’s fascinating and I was able to watch episodes 1-4. Now I can’t find any episodes anywhere for season 1 or 2. Can anyone tell me where to find them?
I think only the first four have been released, after airing in the UK, so I expect others to be uploaded as they become available. At least that’s my expectation. -royjohn
Thanks royjohn, I didn’t realize season 1 wasn’t fully released. I’ll keep my eyes open for the last two episodes.
Hey Craig,
I just searched “all that glitters britain’s next jewellery star” on youtube and I see episodes 5 and 6, so try searching for them again, they are apparently on there! I’ve watched the first three and will watch the rest soon…I wonder if there will be another season? -royjohn
They are already recruiting new contestants.
I watched all episodes about a week and half ago. I now see that there is only episodes 4,5 and 6 available. As it’s a BBC production I am fairly sure these releases on YouTube are 'illegal ’ and the BBC have had them removed. Be quick and watch the last 3 episodes before they are also removed 
I don’t think they were illegal I believe they are only limited to a short time frame, and then removed.
Hi Rob-
Wow, 70 plus years, that’s wonderful! I just found this post so a belated Happy Birthday! How generous of you to share your knowledge. I would be honored to receive any of your knowledge and will definitely look for your other posts and techniques. You can never have too much information. Especially from someone as knowledgeable and experienced as yourself!
I would like to know if you can help with a similar issue. I have been working with pinton wire lately for making rivets and posts for hinged earrings. I love it for making findings and ear wires too! I am running low and need to make more. As the batch I had was purchased from my local studio, but they’re not sure what the hardness is. These were the remaining supplies needed for one of the technique classes.
I have a lot of sterling wire already so I would like to make my own. Unfortunately, since I’m not sure of the hardness, I’m not sure what size to start with. It may have been a 5-6 draw pinton, but it may have been 3 draw, I don’t really know. It is extra hard, but still pliant to hammer rivets easy enough and bend into curved shapes using some additional pressure against the added tension.
To make a specific size, how many draws do you generally need or does it vary by gauge or wire diameter? I need to make 18 and 20 gauge finished size pinton. You said you started with 18 for 20 gauge, but what size to start with for 18 gauge final size - would I start with 16ga or a different size? Is it always a two gauge difference, vary by thickness, or a specific ratio? I would also like to make 21 gauge but I’m sure I could just use 18 and draw down slightly more than 20ga without much difference.
Any help or input is greatly appreciated! Thank you very much!!
Denise Romano
Interesting. All the episodes I saw loaded were not by the BBC but by members of the public. One episode was terrible with huge mute gaps in the narration. But then I may be mistaken😀 I just watched them as my husband warned me they most probably would be removed. Here’s hoping they reappear.