Hi All
I was wondering if anyone can help me finding supplies for jewelry making (silver, not beads) in Zurich. I found some supplies from a US store that were ironically made in Switzerland. It's not a problem to order online but I feel pretty silly buying Swiss products from the US.
I'm also pretty curious about whether I'll be able to buy a suitable torch set up, as I'm not sure on laws regarding gas cylinders and torches. I can buy propane/butane/natural gas and gas+oxygen style torches on the net, but I have no idea if it's even legal to use them in a domestic situation, or how I'd go about getting the tanks.
I'm just learning and have very poor german, so any assistance would be very much appreciated!
Thanks
vix
http://www.spitzbarth.com/ is a silversmiths where they might give you info on suppliers, etc. but I guess any Smiths will have supplier details. Schmeide Widikon area has many small businesses and several large suppliers, but I'm at a loss for names right now. Let us know what you discover!
Hi Uncle Max
Thanks for the information. I've actually been into the store before but it didn't occur to me to ask about it there.
I am most concerned about whether I can use the torches and source the gas cylinders as without this I won't be able to anneal or solder.
I've emailed them and I'll keep you informed of any response.
vix
Hi Vix,
There should be no problem as to setting yourself up with all the soldering equipment, any one of the larger DIY outlets should have what you want ,,,,all perfectly legal...
There are plenty of people here who make jewellry at home.
If you need some help in translating or anything, then send me a private message, no sense sending all the way to the US when everything is readily available here....
I can do some digging if you want, I know of people that do this as well,,,so if you wish to pursue it further, let me know...
Ros
Hi Ros
Wow when I asked for help I had no idea I'd get so much great help so fast! Very much appreciated. I'm still a newbie here but I hope I can help you in return sometime.
Thanks also for your offer of further assistance. I have functional "high" german (I can food shop, navigate menus, transport, the post office etc - but technical things I am a bit lost). It took me quite a while to source tools for silversmithing, even in Australia, so in Zurich I had no idea where to start.
It's good to know I can keep this hobby going. I always prefer to find out if I'm doing something wrong before attempting to do it
I also got a reply (super fast) from an email to the shop from the link Uncle Max sent. I was a bit concerned about bothering someone who makes jewelry for a living, but got the following lovely reply within about an hour:
I know I'll be visiting his store when I want to buy a finished piece. So nice and so helpful!
Thanks again for everyone's help and I hope these links help anyone else interested in a really fun hobby.
vix
Hi Vix,
I was wondering if you have a chance to try out http://www.gyr.ch/? I want to get back into making jewellery, and was so lucky to find this place and the suggestions given you. I am looking for some silver sheet and wire, and wondered if you tried out gyr or any of the other suggestions.
I was also wondering if you know of any packaging places? I would love to find jewellery boxes to send some gifts back home.
Daisy
Hi,
I am a jeweler and I usually bring my supplies from the US because it's less expensive. I just got a custom job and I need to buy some gold wire. 14kt gold round in 18 guage and 16 guage. Does anyone know a local supplier. I prefer not to order from the US, it seems like it should be simple enough to get that here.
Thanks.
t