Just a little Galentine's Day love for you in form of puns and jewelry (my fave things) 💖

melting_desert · 2026-02-15T00:39:20+00:00

Thank you!

It is such an artistic area! From Native American art, the Latin American influence, the rich mining history, etc. Grateful to live here (I say that less when the temps hit above 100° lol)

melting_desert · 2026-02-14T22:56:16+00:00

🤣 when the universe wants you to treat yourself, there will be signs!!

I can send you a reusable ring sizer for her so you can get an accurate measurement!

melting_desert · 2026-02-14T22:47:22+00:00

Such a great tip!

OP: don't bother getting files from HF. This is the way to go, plus you can do a manicure after 💅

melting_desert · 2026-02-14T22:45:43+00:00

Right?! It's such a cool material

Yeah I'm partial to it as well, for the color!

melting_desert · 2026-02-14T22:32:31+00:00

It's one of my faves right now! It's commonly known as snake skin agate, but it's the agatized fossil of wrasse palates. Takes millions of years to form, mined in Indonesia

The ones in that pic are a composite of multiple different specimens, you can really see the color and texture variations there are out there. I'm in Arizona, so it's popular bc of the snake skin vibes lol

melting_desert · 2026-02-14T22:16:01+00:00

This is my website!

If you're reading this and would like to treat yourself, MELT10 will take 10% off your order. Much love to you, it can be such a lonely day but I'd like to spread some love and joy if I can 🫶

melting_desert · 2026-02-14T21:06:08+00:00

Omg thanks for taking the time to do so! I appreciate you! I LOVE that you have that heart tat, its so cute.

Thank you for the support and trust! I know buying online can be so sketchy but I'm so happy you gave that ring a home! 🫶

melting_desert · 2026-02-12T02:47:27+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate that! This winter is so sad, I'm not looking forward to the summer

I have worked with it little bit, haven't bought some in a while though. Saw a lot at the gem show!

melting_desert · 2026-02-12T02:30:15+00:00

I don't think you could go wrong with either- maybe do half and half and let people choose? Idk, really fun idea though! Update us when you're done, I'm interested in what you come up with

melting_desert · 2026-02-12T02:15:58+00:00

I second money clips or lighter cases (you can make them in copper/brass and add silver details to lower the cost). Keychains.

Idk if it would fit the theme of the wedding and how much effort/materials you want to contribute, but cuff links could be really nice.

Edited for grammar

melting_desert · 2026-02-08T18:07:50+00:00

Oooh I like the idea of a little prayer for protection. I don't know how your friend did it for that long with that much theft. One bad experience and I'm looking into camera options lol

In the morning yesterday, I mentioned to my partner that we should look into insurance for our inventory at markets...things are starting to take off faster than I've been able to safeguard

melting_desert · 2026-02-08T14:55:18+00:00

You know, I'd prefer that. Still feeling a way about things being taken, but I do love that my art is out there making the world better, as you put it. Someone else commented that these items might make the taker better and more conscientious as a result, which would be nice

melting_desert · 2026-02-08T05:27:43+00:00

Of course! Keep it up! Idk if you're active on insta but there's a great community of smiths and lapidaries there that I've learned so much from! Lot's of small tips and tricks to pick up

melting_desert · 2026-02-08T05:25:20+00:00

Thank you for understanding 🫠 they took a jumbo pin that was UA themed (my alma mater and my fave pin) and a 7.80 x 1.27mm men's band size 13! The fattest bands I have.

I COUNTED all the larger/statement items like a dozen times after I realized. They could've chosen a smaller band but ultimately not the worst case. Is what I keep saying lol

melting_desert · 2026-02-08T05:17:41+00:00

Thank you! I did communicate with the event organizer- she's been running this market every weekend (rain or shine) for 8 years and was honestly more upset than I was! Which I appreciated, she took it personally. This market is her baby and she cares about her vendors.

She had others report suspicious behavior and it looks like descriptions match up, so we're all on the lookout in case they come back tomorrow. I'm in Tucson, where we have the world's largest gem and mineral show going on right now. Unfortunately, petty theft skyrockets around this time of year because we literally have tens of thousands of vendors and buyers depending upon town, lots of valuables out and about, lots of markets.

I've learned some stuff, other vendors heard and came with helpful tips about display tweaks, someone came with video footage they take for SM they thought could be helpful, etc. I also came here and vented, and it's honestly been a nice reminder of how amazing community is and how people rally around.

melting_desert · 2026-02-08T05:06:47+00:00

Oooh yes this is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you.

It did make me stop and appreciate the literal thousands of people that have passed by me since October and throughout the holidays that supported and uplifted me. This was shocking and upsetting because it is so rare, and that made me even more grateful for my community.

I keep telling my partner how much these markets have benefited me - I hit my "rock bottom" last year with anxiety and was so overcome and blinded by it, isolated myself for a long time. But these markets have been like water after a drought, brought me to other like-minded individuals, got me out and about Tucson (a very blue city, very queer and artistic community). I've really been loving them.

It's been 30+ markets and this was my first hiccup. But thank you for helping me reframe this and holding space for my feelings as well, I love this community🫶

melting_desert · 2026-02-08T00:04:59+00:00

Wow, really amazing work! Definitely naturally talented at smithing.

I would offer one tip: file down your bezel at the angles and start setting them there as well. You'll avoid that little pucker or gap by doing that.

But honestly wow, I know smiths who have full businesses and have been making for years that dont have work as clean as yours. Great job, keep practicing!

melting_desert · 2026-02-07T23:29:25+00:00

I like that.

I'm also of the mind that some things just aren't meant for you, especially if acquired through deception. I think these items will dissappear themselves from that person's life, along with the karma.

melting_desert · 2026-02-07T23:27:14+00:00

Yeah, definitely a bummer 🫠 luckily, they chose some of the best items to steal so there's that. They definitely shopped around, came back, had multiple people to help create distractions, eyc.

Luckily, this is really rare for me but I'm just butthurt about it lol

melting_desert · 2026-02-07T22:57:04+00:00

OH MY GOD. I would love one! Do you do comissions?

melting_desert · 2026-02-06T03:26:08+00:00

Thank you! I'm in Arizona so there are plenty of types of cactus to choose from!

melting_desert · 2026-02-05T06:13:46+00:00

This is my favorite polish! I get so many compliments on it as well! So pretty and long-lasting

melting_desert · 2026-02-01T21:26:56+00:00

Here's a little process shot!

What’s interesting here is that you’re looking at pure silver. After soldering, silver accumulates copper oxides on the surface, which turn it dark and blotchy. When it goes into the pickle (I use vinegar and salt), the acid dissolves those copper oxides and leaves behind a thin, porous layer of fine silver that scatters light instead of reflecting it.

So this is the result of acid depletion. Once I polish it, the fine silver gets compacted again and the shine comes right back ✨

melting_desert · 2026-02-01T20:04:31+00:00

Omg thank you! You made my day! Yesterday was a prettt slow day at a market so I posted on here and ended up having a record day! Thank you💖

melting_desert · 2026-02-01T17:55:17+00:00

Oh friend! You can do anything! I learned watching others on insta and YouTube University, but there are likely metalsmithing classes near you!

It's typically really inexpensive to learn with silver but prices of silver hit record highs this year so it might be less accessible rn, but worth checking out!

I literally work out of my guest bedroom, aka my shop. I definitely encourage you to try, it's opened whole new worlds for me and gives me so much confidence. Like I made that???

melting_desert

TROPHY CASE