Slideshow for The Jeweler's Bench Exchange

Alan Revere CA. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Jeweler Bench Picture from the book "Professional Goldsmithing"
by Alan Revere

Dave Sebaste Charlotte NC. USA Date: 09/06/2008 "What a mess!!! Its a wonder I get anything done at all!"

Will Francis Melbourne, Australia Date: 09/06/2008

Joel Schwalb Nyack, NY. USA Date: 09/06/2008

Kathy Johnson. Detroit, MI. USA Date: 09/06/2008 "Maybe seeing pictures of other folks' benches that don't look as bad will encourage me to keep mine neater. :-)"

Daniel J. Statman Cincinnati, OH. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Daniel J. Statman
Statman Designs
Cincinnati, OH (USA)
Statmandesigns.com

"I am a titanium ring maker, so my bench looks a little different than most jewelers."

Allan Heywood Skipton, Australia Date: 09/06/2008 Allan Heywood
Skipton, Australia

"Great idea, wish I'd thought of it! I'd probably have limited it to women though (grins)."

Rick Sindeband Pueblo, Colorado. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Rick Sindeband
Skystone and Silver
Pueblo, Colorado. USA
Skystoneandsilver.com

John Burgess Mapua, Nelson. New Zealand Date: 09/06/2008 John Burgess
Mapua Nelson NZ

"I acted on it as soon as I saw your posting, and here it is. Picture taken at May 9, 2002. 09.45 am. Friday (NZ time)"

Don McLeod Victoria, Australia Date: 09/06/2008 Don McLeod
McLeod's Jewellers
Wheelers Hill
Victoria, Australia
Mjgd.com.au

"Here's my bench in all it's glory. I like to tell people it's organized chaos :)"

Guy Payton Washington, D.C. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Guy Payton
Studio: Ai2
Washington, D.C.

"I start my day reading the list and haven't started my work day yet. I'll do better :D"

Larry Seiger Cary, NC. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Larry Seiger
Certified Master Jeweler
LSHancock
Cary, NC (USA)
Lshancock.com

"This photo illustrates why 24 hour webcams are never going to be seen on jeweler's web pages!

Bill Kohler Leesburg, Florida. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Bill Kohler
Billybob-Made By Hand
Kohler's Fine Jewelry
Leesburg, Florida. USA

"Now we can see who is giving advice and help."

Rick Hamilton Martha's Vineyard, MA. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Rick Hamilton
Martha's Vineyard, MA (USA)

"Well, two actually... custom made for me by my father. Cleaning and organizing seems to last hours at most. And it takes hours, at least...."

Jessica Halgren San Francisco, CA. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Jessica Halgren
San Francisco, CA. USA

"I'm just beginning to set up again after a 10-plus year hiatus (due to RSI). I can't thank everyone on this list enough for lighting a fire under my, um, 'tanks', and helping inspire me to get back to work."

Terri Collier Dallas, TX. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Terri Collier
Dallas, TX. USA

"My therapy station"

Marta Irvin Sacramento, CA. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Marta Irvin
Sacramento, CA. USA

"Here's one picture of just my bench and another my son took with me in it. "

Carrie Nunes Nashville,TN. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Carrie Nunes
Nashville,TN. USA
Metalpetalsworkshop.com

"Things in my workspace that make me happy (besides my tools) are my childhood Winnie the Pooh lamp, a paint palette covered with colors that was my grandmother's, and usually a few sleeping dogs"

Joseph Bowersmith USA Date: 09/06/2008 Joseph Bowersmith

"Here is a picture of my humble bench. It is home made and I wouldn't
want to use any other bench. Yes it is a mess but, I call it home."

Barney BeGuhl Eugene Oregon. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Barney BeGuhl
Eugene Oregon. USA
Joyful Crow Fine Metalworks

"I am a couple days behind on the digest. Stylin' idea!! My bench was an old office desk at Harley-Davidson, where my dad worked. I've had it since I was seven. Lots of mods since then. Dad was a tool and die maker, the bench is cleaned daily....sorry."

Michael Devlin Sebastopol, CA. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Michael Devlin
Sebastopol, CA. USA

"I usually clean up my bench just before getting into a new design diection"

Frank Goss Houston, T. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Frank Goss
Houston, T. USA

"This one is about 2 years old but not much has changed except the
jeweler is a little greyer."

Tony Konrath USA Date: 09/06/2008 Tony Konrath
Gold and Stone

Andrew Horn Port Hueneme, CA. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Andrew Horn
Studio Fiodh
Port Hueneme, CA. USA
Mastersjewel.com

"Here's my small and very productive little space, in the home office, right next to the computer, providing for scientific cleanliness in the computer lab, of course! There's a 1/3rd round piece of glass that fits into the bench perfectly, acting as a work/cutting surface, from an accidentally smashed up furniture design of mine Fiodh.com..."

Charleen Tyson Weigel West Sacramento, CA. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Charleen Tyson Weigel
West Sacramento, CA. USA

"This is such a great way to put names with faces. Thanks. - ct"

Clyde's Carets Silsbee Texas, S.E. corner, USA Date: 09/06/2008 Clyde's Carets Silsbee
Texas, S.E. corner, USA

"one man shop here.... clyde"

Timothy Shepard Kentucky, USA Date: 09/06/2008 Timothy Shepard
Kentucky, USA

"I'm sure the bench pic. should give a good laugh to everyone and I bet you don't see a Little Torch being held with your teeth very often either. I just do the best I can with what I have , including using only one arm."

Ivy Fasko Edera, Oakland, CA. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Ivy Fasko
Edera, Oakland, CA. USA

Judy M. Willingham, R.S. Manhattan KS. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
Manhattan KS. USA

"...I'm sending photos of my dungeon where my soldering area backs up to the buffing/rolling mill bench, and the handwork and binocular scope with kiln. It's all very compact - with I had more room!...."

T. Lee Minneapolis, MN. USA Date: 09/06/2008 T. Lee
Minneapolis, MN. USA

"...It was tough not to want to put just a few things away before a picture but....I resisted. Look at that dust! It was really comforting to see the messy benches of other jewelers that I respect, now I don't feel so compelled to 'get my act together'-this IS my act. PS...my assistant, Diane's bench is a total disgrace: every tool in its place. Her famous line to every one of my questions "its where you put it, T." A good jeweler AND an experienced Mom..."

Sandra Noble Goss Owen Sound, ON. Canada Date: 09/06/2008 Sandra Noble Goss
Owen Sound, ON. Canada

"Here's a picture of my bench taken at 11:36 am Daylight Saving Time (Eastern Time) May 14, 2002. My studio occupies the 3rd floor attic of my 90+ year old home in downtown Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada (on the shores of Georgian Bay, Lake Huron - about a 3 hour drive northwest of Toronto). My bench is at a window looking north towards the Bay."

Cindy Crounse Albany, New York. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Cindy Crounse
Albany, New York. USA

"It's looking a little neater than usual today, I have to confess..."

Lisa Hawthorne USA Date: 09/06/2008 Lisa Hawthorne
USA

"Here's a picture of my shop, and yours truly. I was really tempted to wash my windows before taking the picture, but I knew that would be cheating! :-)"

Tom Timms Gold Canyon, Arizona. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Tom Timms
Gold Canyon, Arizona. USA
Hobbiest and Moonlighter

Alan Lewis UK Date: 09/06/2008 Alan Lewis
UK

"25 Years at the same bench - May 2002"

Jerry Holt Kodiak, Alaska. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Jerry Holt
Kodiak, Alaska. USA

"The flag in the window keeps the low Alaskan sun out of my eyes."

Jeff Simkins Cincinnati, OH. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Jeff Simkins
Cincinnati, OH. USA

"I just started silversmithing, having made two pendants and one ring. I keep the fire extinguisher close at hand until I learn what does and what does not catch on fire easily when using the propane torch. This picture was taken about a week before the "Bench Exchange", and I did clean it up. I am grateful for all of the good advice that can be found at Ganoksin.."

Lori Lochner Argyle, NY. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Lori Lochner
Argyle, NY. USA

"I've always been attracted to shiny objects"

Pam Chott AZ. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Pam Chott
Songofthephoenix.com

"Then when I looked at what our community is sharing on the BenchExchange, I decided it was time to come clean. (tee hee :-} )

I cleaned my soldering station a couple of weeks ago. Honest! Obviously that part wasn't holding me back. The studio is a whole 'nother story! I combined two images to show all of it and you can see why my torch is kept on the patio! It's secured to a pillar, out of view here. I whip the studio into shape a couple of times a year whether it needs it or not. After doing this exercise, I'd say it needs it soon. :-) "

Chris Hanson Ketchikan, AK. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Chris Hanson
Ketchikan, AK. USA

"Is there an award for the messiest bench/studio with the best view?"

Janet Kofoed USA Date: 09/06/2008 Janet Kofoed
Kofoed Designs

"This is half of my studio. It's about 9 feet square, so I have to clean up between projects, or I couldn't get into the room at all. Both the soldering and polishing stations are pocket sized. The other half of the room is a work table topped with storage shelves, where I do waxwork. But the saving grace of the studio is a deck, about the same size as the studio, with the door just to the right of the polisher. It gives me ventilation (there's no window in the room) and a wonderful place for photography. "

Paul Townsend USA Date: 09/06/2008 Paul Townsend
Beau-jangles.com

"Well I am going to enter just to see if anyone is working in a smaller area than me !!!. Like most of the other people around, I thought I was the only one who worked in a messy unorganized manner but hey ....we all do it. Thanks for a great community, although this is my hobby I have learnt a huge amount of useful information and inspiration from this group, to the extent that I now wish this was my life ... oh well who know maybe soon it will be."

Lee Epperson Phoenix, Arizona. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Lee Epperson
Phoenix, Arizona. USA

"This is my casting area which is on the uncovered patio on the west side of my home. Planning to cast is almost as good as a rain dance. Its built into a plastic storage shed."

Lee Epperson Phoenix, Arizona. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Lee Epperson
Phoenix, Arizona. USA

My Jewelry Making Bench "I cut and polish my stones here in the storage room of my carport. It's very small but it serves it purpose.I get lots of walking exercise when I am working because no matter where I am the thing I need is at one of the other stations."

Lee Epperson Phoenix, Arizona. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Lee Epperson
Phoenix, Arizona. USA

My Jewelry Making Bench "This is the bench where I do my wax shaping and turning. Usually it buried under a pile of wax shavings but the vacuum got carried away and cleaned it up before the bench project got started. It was designed and built as a box with a bench at the front. it was supposed to catch all the wax and shavings."

Corliss and John Rose California. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Corliss and John Rose
2 Roses Studios
California. USA

"This photo shows half of the studio. We do lapidary and faceting on the other side. It was hard to resist not tidying up. We still have some items out from a recent show (they're on the -other- side)."

Mardel Findley North Heart Prairie, WI. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Mardel Findley
North Heart Prairie, WI. USA

"Look at all the tools I don't have! I love the feel of my attic workspace....la casita. I wandered in here looking for a pitch pot, but this is much more interesting this morning. I love to look into other peoples' work spaces and see what they've got....I'm nosy like that."

Ron Kreml Wichita Falls, Texas. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Ron Kreml
Wichita Falls, Texas. USA

"Twenty three years and look at the tools you collect. Just stood up and took this picture so no clean orderly place. If it was clean I might be able to find things."

Kate Wolf Portland, USA Date: 09/06/2008 Kate Wolf
Katewolfdesigns.com

"I use the same bench for wax and metal work- so I have to clean up well in between. The tv monitor is for teaching and video taping under high magnification."

Sheldon D. Warren Mableton, GA. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Sheldon D. Warren
Mableton, GA. USA

"My jewelry shop matches the watch shop that is pictured here. The shop is presently torn done in preparation to make a major move... I have practiced in Oregon, Utah and Florida. I find it desirable to make one last move and am in preparation to that end now...The buffer was covered for the evening just before this picture was made. Cleanliness in a showcased shop is essential.

My shop consists of two jewelers benches with one watch bench. The benches match and the storage for findings is in custom made cases that match. "

Sheldon D. Warren Mableton, GA. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Sheldon D. Warren
Mableton, GA. USA

Ralph Leach England. Date: 09/06/2008 Ralph Leach
Jobbing Jeweller, Goldsmith, Platinum-smith,tea maker, ect, ect, ect.
H.Johnson & Son, Nuneaton. Warwick's. England.

Well lets put some brits on here. My workshop for about 7 years, my old workshop, all 10ft x 6ft is now a the gents toilet (doesn't say much does it). Reasonably tidy as I like to keep it (sorry). "

Beth Merckel USA Date: 09/06/2008 Beth Merckel

Don't laugh, I'm new at this. And yes, it's a Sears Craftsman bench. You should have seen what I had before!"

Walter Kirk Blue Springs, MO. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Walter Kirk
Blue Springs, MO. USA

"This is my play house! I really need more space for my toys!"

Leon Mege New York, NY Date: 09/06/2008 Leon Mege
New York, NY

"I love this idea. I learned more from it then from your entire web site."

Myke Schmalzriedt Palmerton, PA Date: 09/06/2008 Myke Schmalzriedt
MS Jewelry
Palmerton, PA

"I try to keep my work area tidy."

Jeff Regan Cape Cod Mass, USA Date: 09/06/2008 Jeff Regan
Regan Jewelry
Cape Cod Mass, USA

"Here's a shot of my bench in my ever-evolving studio.I clean it up (almost) daily because I can't stand trying to find things in a messy bench.

It's been interesting to see everyone else's work spaces.I love this project. Great idea Dave!"

Michael and Neale USA Date: 09/06/2008 Michael and Neale

"Our benches don't always look like this lucky for us we cleaned them 5 days ago"

J Morley Boulder, Co. USA Date: 09/06/2008 J Morley
Coyote Ridge Studio
Boulder, Co. USA

"This is my bench in the bowels of Boulder, Co. It is in an old building. In the basement. I have my casting set up behind me and the usual assortment of toys. The bench in the store is never as tidy as my studio bench."

Robin Woodbury Auckland. New Zealand Date: 09/06/2008 Robin Woodbury
Auckland. New Zealand

"I work in close proximity with 4 other jewellers, my bench is only 2 months old as this is at our new premises. I am still getting used to having a tray instead of a skin!

Michael Grady-Dent Shildon Co. Durham. England Date: 09/06/2008 Michael Grady-Dent
Shildon Co. Durham. England

"a picture of my bench at my shop in Shildon, Co. Durham, England. its relatively tidy as customers can see it!Nice to see jewellers aropund the world work in the same mess!"

Rod.R.Thrower Christchurch. New Zealand Date: 09/06/2008 Rod.R.Thrower
Rod Thrower Jewellery
Christchurch
New Zealand

"The bench its self is approx 50yrs old,nearly as old as me"

Gail Meyer USA Date: 09/06/2008 Gail Meyer
USA

"My play/work space where I enjoy utilizing all the tips, tricks, and trivia from the orchid list. I will admit that it is a bit tidier than usual."

Julie Vine Sydney, Australia Date: 09/06/2008 Julie Vine
Sydney, Australia

"Hi, great to sneak a look at others work areas. Here's my temporary home bench in Sydney. 23 years on and doing some metal again as going into self employment after last ten years carving wax full-time. Next pic will be of new bench setup in New Zealand in about three months. Trays rule over skins in my book!"

Sparrow USA Date: 09/06/2008 Sparrow

"Hi, these are pictures of my wire working and beading bench. Since I work mostly cold and clean, I have the luxury of parking the rotary tool at a different bench in a different room of my shop"

John Pollard Christchurch, New Zealand Date: 09/06/2008 John Pollard
Christchurch, New Zealand

David Heffley Cleburne, TX. USA Date: 09/06/2008 David Heffley
DH Designs
Cleburne, TX. USA

"I slightly cheated. I had just recently cleaned up in preparation to gathingering my sweeps and scraps for year end send-off. That just means papers and plastic bags are taken up. The tools are pretty much like this all the time. "

Richard Whitehouse England Date: 09/06/2008 Richard Whitehouse
England

"This is my bench after the Christmas rush was over, what a mess. You can see my wonderful lamp which I use for magnification and light. www.richard-whitehouse.com"

Mark Zirinsky Denver, Colorado (USA) Date: 09/06/2008 Mark Zirinsky
Denver, Colorado (USA)

"...with faceting machine, drill press, jigs & fixtures in corner"

Olga and Yury Shmid Russia Date: 09/06/2008 Olga and Yury Shmid
Russia

"We live in Russia in Saint Petersburg. Everyone in our family (I, my husband and from recent time our daughter) does jewelry. Personally I am the artist and the member of Saint Petersburg’s United Artists Society. And we often participate in different exhibitions.... we have several tables and benches. One is for creating wax models or models of special plastic. We create mini sculptural images and therefore this part of work means involvement of microscopes. Then we take off silicon mold and cast the metal master-model. There is another bench for the assembly, soldering, mounting. Then the piece can be enameled, polished. The main place for work is the bench for the final step which is to bring the jewelry piece to the very end. Here setting jewels in and carving the ready piece take place. If you take a closer look at the photograph of our studio, you will see everything we do. And that is only a part of it!..."

Ken Davey New Zealand Date: 09/06/2008 Ken Davey
New Zealand

" Two photo's of my bench one with me taken by surprise the work bench is in the dinning room (the joy's of being a bachelor) I live and work in Ashhurst manawatu New Zealand (god's own country) rural area with a population of 2000 with plenty of hunting and fishing. A good place to live and play ( for me work is play)..."

Sam Patania Date: 09/06/2008 Sam Patania
Tucson, USA

John Crosby Brentwood, NH. USA Date: 09/06/2008 John Crosby
StoneEdge Jewelers
Tex's Masonry & Waterproofing Inc.
Brentwood, NH. USA

"Here's my bench, such as it is. I've been building on to it for years. Just an overblown hobby, I'm a mason by trade and love working with stone, all sizes. Here's a view from my bench. I don't have the fire going today, after a long hard winter, it hit 60 here today and felt like a heat wave!"

Jennifer K Pierce Okmulgee, OK. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Jennifer K Pierce
Okmulgee, OK. USA

Barbara Smith McLaughlin USA Date: 09/06/2008 Barbara Smith McLaughlin
USA

"My studio used to my husband side of the garage, I was kicked out of the basement - along with my tools! The photo only shows my bench, as the tools are behind me."

Howard Woods USA Date: 09/06/2008 Howard Woods
USA

My Jewelry Making Bench "For the last 33 years my various jewelry studios have been my one island of order in a world of chaos. My present studio is an 8'x12' room planned into my home for jewelry making. It features a fume hood above the bench, pre-plumbed compressed air, and 6 electric circuits. A step out the door shows the more chaotic garage where I can make a real mess (and do, as the photo shows) For the studio itself, I make frequent changes to make it easier to put tools in their place after I use them...it saves time in the long run. I try to keep it fairly clean to avoid contaminating my work but it does get out of control sometimes.

Varvara Shmid Russia Date: 09/06/2008 Varvara Shmid
Russia

"My name is Varvara Shmid. My parents are professional artists – jewelers. That is why I think I am very lucky to grow up in jeweler master shop. Its photos have been already published at your site, on bench exchange page. On the jeweler way I’m making my first steps. Maybe because I am very young person, I choose the technical way in jewelry making. I think technique helps jeweler to make the work technological and modern. Mechanical process helps all the craziest sketches become ready pieces. On the photo you can see my working place that was made specially for me. Maybe it doesn’t look like the traditional bench. There’s only one small lathe/milling machine standing on it. By means of it I make details that become jewelry later. I carve wax models. And then with the mechanical casting machine I cast them. I feel the power over the fire and the metal and I like this dangerous process...."

Ken Paulson, Saskatoon,SK,Canada. Date: 09/06/2008 Ken Paulson,
K.M.Paulson Goldsmith Ltd.
Saskatoon,SK,Canada.

" This is my bench in a fairly honest state. It was made for me by a customer in exchange for some wedding bands. He's no longer married, but the bench lives on. The design is based on my previous bench which is located behind me and to the left. My apprentice labors away at that one, so it lives on as well. The little detail shows where I keep my chuck-key. Always handy...."

Lee Pownall Australia Date: 09/06/2008 Lee Pownall
Lee Jeweller & Goldsmith
Australia

"When I moved to a workshop at home I was determined not to be facing a messy wall as in all my previous premises, it is nice to look out on my sub tropical garden here on the Gold Coast (Queensland Australia)."

Andrew Coomber UK Date: 09/06/2008 Andrew Coomber
UK

"I'm in North Wales, UK. My studio is in a 250 year old stone built stable (walls are 2ft thick - what a waste of space!) next to my home which is an old coach house for the village rectory. I can see the Clwydian Hills from my window. My old mate and 'smith Stan Vyner used to say when he came to visit my workshop "bad sign to see it too tidy - means you've got time to tidy it up". Used that excuse for years - seems I might be getting tidier in my old age - or just more relaxed about the workload!

Michael R. Mathews Sr Victoria,Texas. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Michael R. Mathews Sr
Victoria,Texas. USA

"I love the idea of this bench exchange. I think that seeing others work space is like meeting them personally. This is my shop at work. I still have my shop at home also, but this is where I make my living..."

Denise C. May USA Date: 09/06/2008 Denise C. May
USA

"This is my "bench" such as it is. It was originally built for a sewing machine, but I've converted it. I'm saving for a "real" bench, but this is very servicable. I use the orchid chest underneath for storage and as a catch drawer. I just lay my apron along the edge of the second drawer. I really need to organize! -- "

Tanya Krackowize England Date: 09/06/2008 Tanya Krackowize
England

"I am off work for 6 weeks as I have fractured my ankle and was just surfing the web and came across you site. I've enclosed a few pictures of my bench taken last year. I work in a railway arch in Battersea, London over looking Battersea Power Station, which is a bit of a London landmark. It's a nice big space but it is noisy with trains going over head and along both sides. It's also cold and a little damp but I love working there! This is how it looks pretty much all the time! Sometimes it's really messy and other times I go through really tidy spells, especially when I start on a new collection! Pre-Christmas is pretty bad, although we have an annual open studio at the beginning of December, which means a complete spring clean. I am a small contemporary jeweller supplying several galleries around the UK, selling through my website as well as doing commission work and a few shows! I love my bench - it was a big old door, which my stepdad converted into a bench when I was at college over 10 years ago!! It's a little bit low as each time I have moved we seem to have chopped a little bit off the legs so I need to have a new frame made as my back is beginning to suffer. I also teach one on one so have a spare bench as well! The site is great and very informative. It's great to see everyone's space."

R. Smith / M.J.Johnson USA Date: 09/06/2008 R. Smith / M.J.Johnson
USA

"This is it!... for the world to see! I am really enjoying this bench exchange. There are some very creative folks out there. I am in St. Augustine, Florida. I am guarded about letting people in my small space mainly due to what such a mess reveals about my personality. I got lucky though. I had recently "redone" my studio not too long before I took this photo. That means take everything out, clean etc. and put it back in without MOST of the dirt etc. Small lizards are regular visitors in my studio....."

Edy Orduz, Venezuela Date: 09/06/2008 Edy Orduz,
Puerto La Cruz
Venezuela

"I'm sending photos of my workbench, I have 8 years in my jewelry shop...

I lovely !!!!"

Steve Satow Highland Hts, OH. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Steve Satow
Highland Hts, OH. USA

"Polishing, grinding, burnout, sand and bead blasting, mig welding, band saw, drill press and tool development area."

Bud Wright USA Date: 09/06/2008 Bud Wright
USA

"This is the bench of Bud's Forge inc. budsforge.com I am at the start of a new project so the usual disaray which usually includes me is just beginning...."

Beth Rosengard USA Date: 09/06/2008 Beth Rosengard
USA

"his is one variation of my booth setup. Depending on the show (local or out-of-town), I vary the case configuration and table arrangement. Because this image may be difficult to "read," here's a description: There is a pedestal at the left and two covered card tables next to it; they are in a row at the front of the booth. I sit or stand behind the cases with the photo blow-ups behind me. There is also a small table at the back of the booth (not visible) which holds boxes, bags, tissue and assorted other items. The cases (three of them) are plexiglas with aluminum connectors. Between the two big cases is a black, leatherette-covered piece of cardboard. If you could see behind it, you'd know where I hide pens, receipt book, stapler, etc., etc. Above this is a piece of black plexi with a plant on it: I always have a plant or cut flowers in my booth. In front of the plant is a name plaque I had made and below that, on the table top, are my business cards in a plexi holder.

This booth design evolved slowly. I wanted to be able to fly with my display in suitcases and not have to ship anything. The pipe and black drape are rented. (I do not do outdoor shows so have no need of a canopy.) When a show is out-of-town, I also rent an 8 foot table and two chairs. I don't bring the pedestal; instead the small case goes where you see the plant, and there would be cut flowers to the side, since the 8 feet give me extra table space.

The table covering is fire-retardant, sturdy black material. The fabric panels, which I think tie the entire display together, were sewn (by me) from a rayon material which I have to steam or iron at every show (not ideal). The image does not do the colors justice; they're jewel tones teal, purple, blue and gold. The laminated, lightweight-framed pictures (sized to fit in my suitcase) are set off by teal fabric panels which hang from curtain rods. Since the jewelry is displayed on white, it "pops" against the darker background. The "floors" of the big cases are white, fabric-covered pieces of styrofoam. Everything I would need for an out-of-town show (not tables, chairs, pedestal, pipe and drape) breaks down and fits in one large suitcase. Because of airline weight regulations, however, I have to put a few items in a second, smaller suitcase with my clothes. The jewelry and other valuables travel with me in a carry-on bag, of course."

Frank and Marlene Marasco Canada Date: 09/06/2008 Frank and Marlene Marasco
Bearclaw Jewelry
Canada

"We have a great view of the ocean and constantly watch the Eagles go fishing from the trees in front of our house, have chased off the odd Bear , bumped into the occasional Deer, and experienced the Whales, Seals and Porpoises chasing salmon that visit Hardy Bay. Artistic Inspiration surrounds us."

Bruce D. Holmgrain USA Date: 09/06/2008 Bruce D. Holmgrain
JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler
USA

Adrian Ashley England Date: 09/06/2008 Adrian Ashley
Adrianashley.com
England

"This seemingly rare scene of order and efficiency is the bench, on the south coast of England, where I make master patterns for myself, or more usually for other jewellers (anyone is welcome to contact me about this). In truth this area has to be kept relatively clean to prevent the pewter I use for carving the master patterns from contaminating any precious metals. If you are concerned that a tidy bench is a sure sign of an unkempt mind I can assure you the rest of my work shop looks like a bomb has hit it. "

Khatchik Mazlemian Netherlands Date: 09/06/2008 Khatchik Mazlemian
Netherlands

"Hello goldsmiths I am an Armenian goldsmith in the Netherlands, and I would like to join the club of the working benchers! Its nice to expose your bench here so that other people can get some ideas or tips on making the place more efficient for the needs of your work. I myself got 2 ideas from 2 different pictures and i'm going to apply them...."

Angelika Bonas Germany Date: 09/06/2008 Angelika Bonas
Germany

"First one from germany!!.

Evgeniy Russia Date: 09/06/2008 Evgeniy
Russia

"I have gradually been establishing an "independent" workshop and achieved required freedom of creativity. Independently, looking up the special literature and asking for helping of the old master-hands, I learned a few techniques of work: filigree, enchase, fixture and setting of stones, foundry technologies. Gradually I am approaching technique of enamel. I am constantly in "creative search of a client", which capable to estimate my imagination, skill and eagerness....."

Michael Berger Germany Date: 09/06/2008 Michael Berger
Atelier-Berger.de
Germany

"Here you have another german workshop - I feel pretty lucky to have
so much space for all my machines and tools. But you cant build
kinetic jewelry without it. And as you can see - my chaos is highly
coordinated... ;-)"

Doug Napier Rapid City, SD, USA Date: 09/06/2008 Doug Napier
Alpinecustomjewelry.com
Rapid City, SD, USA

"I have most of the tools I need, now if I just had a little more time.."

Oya Borahan Turkey Date: 09/06/2008 Oya Borahan
Birdamlasu.com
Turkey

"On two wood plates I put some nails and I install these plates on the wall where I can reach them without getting up. I hanged the hammers, shears and scisors etc. I stick my files and pliers on a magnet at the bottom of these wood boards. I use small drawers for small items and large round cups for long items which are placed on the bench. Beneath my feet there is a tray where I placed the wooden mandrels etc.

This table carries my cutting and carving machines. From left to right; Facetron curved faceter, Facetron faceting machine, my carving tools and carving machine. "

Jeff Woodruff Austin, TX, USA Date: 09/06/2008 Jeff Woodruff
Metalcity
Austin, TX, USA

"A fuzzy picture taken during my 5th or 6th visit to the Orchid bench project site. In about 3 months I will send a photo from the 12X12 parallelogram studio I am building in my back yard. I am a mobile sculptor and jeweler in Austin, TX...."

Christina Gebhard Brentwood, MD. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Christina Gebhard
Brentwood, MD. USA

"These pictures were taken while I was working on a reverse glass painting project. The large plate of glass is propped up by my soldering station. The studio is rather tidy, because I had to be relatively dust free for the painting process. Usually the soldering station has proper "build up" of grime. Plus, I am overwhelmed by the amount of room I have now. I went from a small corner studio, set up in my bedroom of an apartment, to a half of a basement in a house. .."

Christen Douglass USA Date: 09/06/2008 Christen Douglass
USA

"This is my studio, a 6'x11' separate room with a window through which I vent my buffing wheel. I designed and built the oak work bench which extends in an L shape from the doorway in which I stood to take the photo. It is a cozy, inspiring place for me, and I have burned my muses into the fronts of my converted drawers. As usual, I always needs four times as much space as I started with..."

Rex Mongold USA Date: 09/06/2008 Rex Mongold
USA

"Here is a photo of me at work on my travelling bench. I am camped out in the Arizona desert this winter. The bench folds down and stows in the back of my pickup..."

Eric Griffin Queensland, Australia Date: 09/06/2008 Eric Griffin
Noosa Heads,
Queensland, Australia

"This bench looks unusually tidy, I must have been between jobs when it was taken..."

Howard Hall USA Date: 09/06/2008 Howard Hall
USA

"This is where it all begins..."

Vahan Altiparmark Melbourne, Australia Date: 09/06/2008 Vahan Altiparmark
Melbourne, Australia

"I'm a diamond setter and live in Melbourne, Australia. After 25 years of being in the jewellery business, I have designed and made my final bench. It has a one piece red gum top and specifically designed draws to keep a tidy work space. I believe it's important to have lots of draws to separately store all the tools in order to have comfortable working space on the bench..."

Bruce Pollock USA Date: 09/06/2008 Bruce Pollock
USA

Joseph Tanti Malta Date: 09/06/2008 Joseph Tanti
Malta

"I started my education when I was six at St. Joseph High School in Valletta. Then I continued my secondary education at St. Joseph Sec. Tech. School in Paola, Malta. I continued my studies privately in Jewelry Design and Diamond Setting, and that was for three years. By the way, I must mention my father, Moses {late} who helped me a lot in my studies and bench tricks, he was a Jeweler himself..."

Sam Turner Durban, South Africa Date: 09/06/2008 Sam Turner
Durban, South Africa

"This is the bench I made from an old table top and some bits of wood. As you can see, I like to spread out. The only thing I lack is drawers but somehow I think they may get too full of stuff..."

Jane Panico Fremont, California. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Jane Panico
Fremont, California. USA

"Here is my organized chaos after a mild day of working - it usually looks worse. I have tried to keep my area clean and neat and I can never find the tool I need when its organized. I am a metalsmith, lapidarian, and designer (part time/hobby for the time being). My lapidary area is on the right side of this bench and I have a work space on the left that is just an empty-ish table for paper work and drawing. I am still working on building my own improvements =) I prefer my "table set up" vs a bench..."

Mike DeBurgh Korea Date: 09/06/2008 Mike DeBurgh
Korea

"I've just begun to get set up again after a few years hiatus. I got the itch to travel and took a job with the US Govt in Seoul.

I've set this up in a spare bedroom. plywood on the floor to protect the real floor. still waiting for gas tanks. then figure out where to fill them. the hurdles sometimes seem to never end, on the other hand, I'm learning to do projects with fewer tools! My next project is to do a portfolio of handmade loop in loop and crotched chains and braided jewelry. It's all stuff I can do with a simple plumbers propane torch...."

Matthew H. Gross USA Date: 09/06/2008 Matthew H. Gross
USA

"i love my jewelry tools, we have grown up together. I like to keep my benches clean and organized. it seems that i do cleaner work with a clean bench...."

Melodie Reddy Sydney, Australia Date: 09/06/2008 Melodie Reddy
Sydney, Australia

"Here's my humble bench, well it's an old Post Office desk but it serves the purpose for now. I have a wonderful view over the Eastern suburbs of Sydney when I think to look up, and ton's of natural light, the piece I was working on when I took the picture is handmade sliver links and T-Bar with white Zirconia bracelet...."

David Keeling Canada Date: 09/06/2008 David Keeling
Canada

"Here are some images from my little studio in frozen northerly confines of western Canada. My two apprentices are making themselves especially useful on this particular day, as the paycheques were being issued...."

Tony Payne USA Date: 09/06/2008 Tony Payne
Payne's Custom Jewelry
USA

" This is my custom jewelry making bench. I use it for both wax carving and metal working. It is hand made and functional...."

James Miller England Date: 09/06/2008 James Miller
England

"This picture was taken 40 years ago and show me as an apprentice at the bench, I am the youth at the far end doing a bit of carving. The guy next to me (in the middle) is Don Spratling, he emigrated to Toronto in 1969 and has been a jeweller/goldsmith/teacher there ever since. The guy at the front was our master Mr.H. J.J ones, as Don was his apprentice before I arrived. Note the Birmingham side light gas fitting at each bench. This was the method of soldering in those days, we used a mouth blowpipe and natural gas. Our workshop was in Soho, London as we supplied Garrard the crown jewellers...."

Don Hoaglund USA Date: 09/06/2008 Don Hoaglund
USA

"Here is a view of my work shop in New Bedford MA USA. I have 3 benches set up for gold and silver/ oxy acetelene and one strictly for Platinum oxy propane. I have had 3 stores where I have generally built in the bench(s).I was an instructor at the Jewelry Institute in Providence RI and worked in a manufacturing as master benchman. I've worked in a mall store window(repair and stone setting) and I've worked out of my home. I have always been interested in how other jewelers set up their benches. Thanks for the views...."

Ginger Meek Allen Wake Forest, NC. USA Date: 09/06/2008 Ginger Meek Allen
Gingermeekallen.com
Wake Forest, North Carolina. USA

"My favorite place! Confucious: "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life...."

Igor Zhurnenko USA Date: 09/06/2008 Igor Zhurnenko
USA

"workshop at home...."

Gerald Livings USA Date: 09/06/2008 Gerald Livings
Livingston Jewelers
USA

"I was working at my bench today, and I suddenly remembered The BenchExchange. I dropped what I was doing (carefully, since it was a wax!) and grabbed my camera. I apologies for the neatness of my bench because this is our studio and my girlfriend works on stained glass in here also. I love seeing how other people work; I get a real kick out of it!

Addy van de Ven Netherlands Date: 09/06/2008 Addy van de Ven
Netherlands

"Hello, goldsmiths all over the world! What a great and original idea to create a Bench-Galery. It's a nice way to look around in other working places. As you can see, most of the benches are home-made. So is my bench. A small detail is that you can move it away in several parts and rebuild it again.Sometimes this can be useful....."

John Graziano USA Date: 09/06/2008 John Graziano
USA

"Here a picture of my two benches, one for wax the other for metal,down in my dungeon in LI NY. 25 years of modeling...."

Aimee Domash St. Louis, Missouri Date: 09/08/2008 My father helped me build my bench...okay...he did 98% of it. I just told him what I wanted, helped get the maple wood and stained it when he was finished. I'm really happy with it. It's so neat to have a bench made from my father's hands, where memories will be made, that I can pass on to my daughter (11) who's slowly learning how to metalsmith. I enjoy seeing every-ones work space...a nice insight into the artistic mind of the metal world.:-)

Jen Lane USA Date: 09/09/2008 Hi my name is Jen Lane and Here is my work bench or should I say work benches
that last picture is Me hard at work, yup that's a wheel chair.
I know how to work hard. would also be willing to trade for anything I have. please I need to make a living. I am making chasing tools to sell to get jewelers tools. But I am not making enough to stay fed, as you can see I have very little to work with and It will be a while. first challenge a workbench that will work with a wheel chair your sight has inspired its design, now I have to build it. the kitchen is going to be my work shop but I love my view I just don't love packing up every day and lost days due to rain. That porch is not dry.

if you can use chasing and repousse tools I would gladly trade also have a few stones uncut. Jen lane 305 304 9994 po box 431341 big pine key fl 33043

Suha Canbay USA Date: 09/09/2008

Sofia Kemm Durban, South Africa Date: 09/09/2008 Hi there
Im a 28 year old silver smith from Durban South Africa and would love to be featured on ur BenchExchange
Kinds regards and thanks for agreat read
Sofia Kemm

Jessica Dow Jessica Dow USA Date: 09/10/2008 This is a photo of our engraving bench... this is the area where Mark
does all of hand engraving detail on our jewelry.

Michael Sturlin USA Date: 09/11/2008 Michael Sturlin
USA

Elaine Luther USA Date: 09/12/2008

Gerry Lewy Canada Date: 09/12/2008 I hope you all can grasp the little "odds & ends" of my setting bench this picture appeared in the may 2005 Issue of the AJM magazine. My favorite setting tool is the Foredom, "Micro-Motor". "Gerry, the Cyber-Setter!"

Arlee Netherlands Date: 09/12/2008 Hi, here some stitched images of my bench in my former kitchen in the Netherlands.

A lot of tools and machinery on a few square meters and it seems I am not the only one. I like the initiative of this Bench Gallery. On this site you get lots of good idea's from other people around the world.

Arlee Netherlands. Date: 09/12/2008 Hi, here some stitched images of my bench in my former kitchen in the Netherlands.

A lot of tools and machinery on a few square meters and it seems I am not the only one. I like the initiative of this Bench Gallery. On this site you get lots of good idea's from other people around the world.

Giovanni Pellicano Sydney, Australia Date: 09/12/2008 This is my work bench in the shop, only a small area but it enables me to manufacture a large part of what needs to be made for our clients. Hello from OZ.

Arthur Hash USA Date: 09/12/2008

Steve Brown Pikesville, MD Date: 09/12/2008 have been creating and repairing jewelry professionally since 1976. After apprenticing with an International gathering of craftsmen at a gold jewelry manufacturing company in Tel Aviv, I returned to The States, and attended Bowman Technical School where I learned jewelry repair and diamond setting. I built the bench with the curved tool drawer and dust drawer over 25 years ago, and it still fits just right.

Steve Brown
http://www.SL24K.com

George Webber San Francisco, CA. USA Date: 09/12/2008 Here's a shot of my studio, on a day when no clients are expected as you can see.

Isabel Edite Gondomar, Portugal Date: 09/12/2008

Bronwyn Pratt Wantirna South, Australia Date: 09/12/2008 My name is Bronwyn Pratt and I live in Melbourne, Australia and have been recently introduced to Ganoksin by a Goldsmith friend from South Africa who is immigrating here. I work from home in a small studio and find that I have an ever increasing need to learn more. The jewellery industry in Australia is very protective of its skills and is not one that will share easily. I have recently joined the Gold & Silversmiths Guild of Australia, but it is only in its infancy at the moment. Our small population and vastness of our continent does not help artisans achieve a good livelihood from their crafts like in the USA. So thank you Ganoksin....I do not feel so alone anymore....I now realize that there are a lot of other craftsmen out there....all learning...all interested in learning...and forever creating.

Sharon R Ehrlich Tucson, AZ. USA Date: 09/12/2008 I'm a Wax Carver and I tend to keep my bench pretty neat...

I'm a Third Generation Wax Carver/ Jewelry designer for the Wholesale Jewelry Industry. I offer my services as a one of a kind wax model maker. I specialize in 3D Animals & Figurines, from very small charms sizes to large Sculptures. Most of my work is very unusual and most wax carvers either won't or can't create them. I'm looking to find others like myself to chat with and share design ideas and thoughts.

Sarah Trafton-Barao South Gardner, MA. USA Date: 09/12/2008 I love this website, everything about it. I have been learning for many years now. hope I have sent proper pics, thanks.

Eugene Strauss Uniondale, South Africa Date: 09/12/2008 A work in progress, workshop renovations in back room.
100 year old house = tons of work.

Steve Satow Highland Hts, OH. USA Date: 09/12/2008

Steve Molinaro Long Island. NY. USA Date: 09/12/2008

John and Jo-Ann Donivan San Francisco, CA. USA Date: 09/12/2008 John and Jo-Ann Donivan's benches, and much of the
rest of the shop. Everything that can hold tools is full....

Philippe Bouasse Belle-Ile-en-mer, France. Date: 09/12/2008 Bienvenue to my "atelier-boutique" as you may call it over here : my workshop and my shop, too. It is located in Belle-Ile-en-mer, a wonderful island on the Atlantic shore of France. A warm and cosy space, a great job, nice people visiting, sometimes turning nice customers... Hey, it doesn't get better than this. Vive la joaillerie !

DSC00870 Valerie A. Heck Date: 09/16/2008 Valerie A. Heck

Valerie A. Heck Taneytown, MD. USA Date: 09/16/2008 This is my work area in my father's barn. When I'm not there I have to keep everything covered with sheets because he turns wood and gets the dust everywhere!

vahjewelry.com

John Barton Fort Worth, Texas. USA Date: 09/16/2008 Well after all these years I finally found the digital camera I always wanted so I'm now able to join the others in the bench exchange. Here are parts of my shop the fabrication end. I know there are those that are of the school that a neat clean shop is some kind of sign but growing up in the various shop classes in school back in the early 50's we were threatened within an inch of our life that if the instructor found so much as a speck of metal wood or other debris could cost us several whacks of an enormous paddle so at the end of the day time is allotted for clean-up.

Best wishes
John Barton

Suha Canbay Turkey Date: 09/16/2008 Here is my humble but very productive and very dear bench where crucial operations happen.

Liad Nemeth West Hills, CA. USA Date: 09/16/2008 "I can't find the mandrel!"

Melody Armstrong Canada Date: 09/16/2008 Here are my images for the bench exchange...

Lynne Glazzard England Date: 09/16/2008 Hi here are pics of my bench and my studio. My bench is always tidy - I make excuses about it being necessary because I am an enameller and have to be absolutely clean when I am enamelling but as you can see the enamelling goes on in another part of the studio altogether. I am really lucky to have a beautiful studio in the spectacular surroundings of the North Yorkshire Moors in the UK, like any I can see on here already I am inspired by my surroundings, changes in light and in the seasons, etc.

This is a lovely project - great to see all the other benches and those masses of tools!

Lynne Glazzard
www.lynne-glazzard.co.uk

Gary Wooding Date: 02/22/2009 Gary Wooding
UK

Gary Wooding USA Date: 02/22/2009 Gary Wooding
UK

Francois Paul Thibault USA Date: 02/24/2009 My messy bench, solid oak, 14 drawers, 3.5 teers, designed for carving and mixed mediums. Pull down ventilation system(530 cfm, out of view) hovers to catch it all and powers the makeshift hood for fumes when not in use

Lois Martens Rome, Italy Date: 02/24/2009 Lois Martens
Rome, Italy
loismartens.com

Many years ago I lucked on to a used cherry wood bench and it is serving me very well.

Joyce Farias USA Date: 02/24/2009 I am almost embarrassed to put my studio pictures up on this site with so many esteemed artists. Everyone started somewhere though so maybe it will inspire those like myself who are just beginning to just dive in and get their feet wet with me.

My studio is a tiny little room built in my garage that is 12 x 8'. It works for me. I just have to sit on the floor to use the drill press. As you can see I abided by the rules and didn't tidy up before taking the pictures and sending them in.

Juliette Arda Aix en Provence, France Date: 02/24/2009 My studio is in the old city center of Aix en Provence. It is the 25m2 bedsit I use to live in when I was single.The buiding itself is 17th century and as no straight walls and no right angles which give a nice "Tim-Burtonesque" feel to the room. I just moved my workshop back there and didn't finish to set all my shelves up (a tricky job on my funny curved walls). I am also going to build a small heavy duty bench fo my stakes and my rolling mill. The enameling area is planned by the window.

Juliette Arda

Jacob Smith Oroville, Canada Date: 02/24/2009 my name is jake and this is my humble work area. I work at sierra gem co. in oroville, ca with my parents and a few staff members. this is actually pretty clean since I just finished my daily work load.

Richard Langbert, Bench USA Date: 05/02/2009 Richard Langbert, Bench

Richard Langbert, Photography Area USA Date: 05/02/2009 Richard Langbert, Photography Area

Richard Langbert, Sanding Area USA Date: 05/02/2009 Richard Langbert, Sanding Area

D. Scott Phillips G.G. USA Date: 05/02/2009 D. Scott Phillips G.G.

Roy Williamson's bench Christchurch, New Zealand Date: 05/02/2009 Roy Williamson

Nicholas Seal USA Date: 06/21/2009

Nicholas Seal USA Date: 06/21/2009 Normally there would be a few more power tools but I’m currently in a small bungalow in Hill City

Poppy Vincent USA Date: 06/21/2009 Hi I've been going to do this for several years and now I'm in the process of building a bigger studio to have room for students. But I love my little "Log Cabin" studio and it would be wonderful to have it preserved here on the Orchid for posterity. I'm very fortunate to have separate stations for wax work, enameling,PMC, soldering and construction. I also have my cases set up for customers to see my work. I have a curtain behind them that I can pull back so they can see where it all happens.

Aaron Willoughby San Diego, CA (USA) Date: 06/21/2009 I Love Makin' Stuff. This is my space / workshop / studio - where I get to do what I want.

I love my workbench ( an old restaurant kitchen butcher block counter - with drawer! ). A gift from a friend who used to manage a nightclub / restaurant was closing the restaurant part of the club and bestowed it upon me (Kiss Kiss).

Hora Siertsema The Netherlands Date: 06/21/2009 This is my bench, brand-new. I made it myself and I’m very happy with
it. Now it needs development into a handy tool, but so far so good.

Harvey M. Kaplan Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA Date: 06/21/2009 If you look carefully in this badly stitched-together panorama,
you'll see a Weinermobile bank, images of Felix, Spam, the
Weinermobile, and Sophia Loren in a welder's helmet. Everything fits
in an 11' x 11' square. The two alcoves shown at right are for the
press and the polishing machine, also part of the 11' x 11'. There
are two jeweler's benches, and a watchmaker's bench wedged in
sideways. It looks much more organized than I really am. I used to
make jewelry full time but ran out of money.

Cedric Sansen Liege, Belgium. Date: 06/21/2009 I wanted to add my little contribution to your "benchexchange" by submiting a picture of my workshop, here in the suburb of Liege in Belgium.

I love it, I've a nice view on the backyard when working...
I try to keep it clean and neat...Lets say: my little cocoon?n

John Hay Australia Date: 06/21/2009

Isabel Edite Gondomar, Portugal Date: 06/21/2009

Holdmann Gerhardt Cluj-napoca (Klausenburg), Romania Date: 06/21/2009

Larry Silva elaplane, Virginia, USA Date: 06/21/2009 Yes it is true. This photo is after a full day of work. I start and end
the day with everything in its place.

Jeff Demand Bristol, Vermont, USA Date: 06/21/2009 I wasn't even tempted to tidy up, and a couple of small photos do not even begin to capture the chaos.

Ralph Bakker The Netherlands Date: 06/21/2009 Here is my workingplace, as i can see on the benchexchange i'm blessed by the space i have (45 square meters)
after every day i clean it and order it, i cannot work in chaos.
so it looks in the morning like this, for my work visit my site

Philippe Bouasse Belle-Ile-en-mer, France Date: 06/21/2009 Bienvenue to my "atelier-boutique" as you may call it overhere : my workshop and my shop, too. It is located in Belle-Ile-en-mer, a wonderful island on the Atlantic shore of France. A warm and cosy space, a great job, nice people visiting, sometimes turning nice customers... Hey, it doesn't get better than this. Vive la joaillerie !

Lena Albertsson Ljungskile, Sweden Date: 06/21/2009 This is my working place - cleaned up before the picture was taken... I share with three ceramists,that's why there is a kiln in the right of the picture. Here I spend as much time as possible - I'm recovering from cancer and my studio has played a very big role in this.Its a place where no pain or destructive thoughts can reach me, and I'm all happy when I'm there... Lena Albertsson

Dave Andrews USA Date: 06/21/2009 It had needed cleaning for quite a while now, all I lacked was the motivation, which I found with this thread. It had been a while since a jewelry project and the debris and scattered tools were an accumulation from several other projects. No way was I going to show you a room that testified to the recent detonation of a medium yield device.

The bench is crafted of vermilion, a tropical hardwood also known as purple heart. The top itself is Benalex, used commercially to mount power units (diesel engines) on when installed in factories. Think of Masonite 3 inches thick. that top weighs 100lbs. took 3 hours to cut that circular piece out.

The bench features compartments that the tool racks extend out from on bearing glides, and a bunch of drawers.

The bench pin is inserted into a slot in the anvil and is secured by a vise grip type locking device underneath. Pull forward to release and push to lock. I have adapted several devices to fit the pin slot: A standard reversible wooden pin with rubber on one side, and the dust catcher I use when grinding/smoothing the work, and a tool I designed to accurately cut faceted stone seats on a set of prongs. The pin pictured has a "third hand" mounted on it. Now I need to figure out how to mount one of those on my forehead.

There is an old cloth bag Kirby vacuum ( minus the handle) mounted to the underside of the bench top with the intake mounted through the skin to provide positive dust/particulate removal during sanding/smoothing operations with the Craytex wheels.

The Foredom hand pieces are plugged into a speed regulator (those things are great!) that is right next to a small motor whose shaft goes through the skin to mount various buffing heads on..(right in front of the vac)

The foredom motor is suspended from the brass rod above where you see the coping saw hanging from.

I can only show a portion of the shop, but it is also used for welding, grinding, plasma cutting, lapidary, and generating generally offensive odors. Yessir, right at home here, and as you can see, it ain't pretty.

I have really enjoyed seeing the work areas from the members here. Great thread

Eric Coleman USA Date: 06/21/2009

Jessica and John Oakland, CA. USA Date: 06/21/2009 Truly a work in progress!

Kath Kerswell Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Date: 06/21/2009 Improvised studio "under the house" of a typical Queenslander style house. My workbench was a 1960's architect designed pulpit from a church.

Jim Smorto Deland, FL. USA Date: 06/21/2009 I am a hobbyist at present. So my "Studio" is my spare bedroom. I have had to cram jewelry and lapidary equipment into a small space. Out of the frame to the left, is my flexshaft and polishing bench, and my photography setup. I even subverted the nearby bathroom into my steaming and ultrasound cleaning room. I haven't produced much yet, but hope I have enough equipment, but I'm sure I'll just get more and more and more....etc. So just wanted you professionals see how a rookie jewelry artist also copes with limited space, but lots of dreams. I was worried about showing all of youmy verymessy setup, but having seen all the other working benches and studios posted, I don't feel so bad about what I have created. Thanks Ganoksin and members for all the great advice a beginner like me needs

Julie Sanford Grand Haven, Michigan Date: 07/01/2009

James Miller UK Date: 07/11/2009

Gary Wooding USA Date: 09/06/2009

Anita Pierce USA Date: 10/09/2009 My bench is a portable that goes in and out of my motorhome whenever I use it. My soldering station is on the other table in a cardboard box to block the sea breezes. I didn't have my grinder/buffer, tumbler and cab mate out that day. My view is the San Clemente beach in southern California. Moving things daily is the only way I know (I'm new), I sometimes think about having a "room" but then I'd have to give up my Gypsy lifestyle, not worth the trade for me...yet! Thanks for looking and if you ever find yourself in San Clemente, look me up at the State Park where I work as the Park Interpreter.

Jan Willingham Date: 10/29/2010 Jan Willingham
California

David Potts Date: 06/19/2011 USA

Here are a few pictures of my shop...well the inside of my garage. My bench is probably 50 or 60 years old or more.. It was around when I first started in the jewelry business back in '72 in Santa Ana, Calif. I just love seeing other people's benches and where they do their craft. I keeps me thinking we are all a big family in a way and I find some comfort in that.

Sarah Madsen Date: 06/19/2011 Nevada. USA.

Nicholas Daly Date: 06/19/2011 UK

Mikolaj Andrzej Krol Date: 06/19/2011 UK

Annemi Nelson South Africa Date: 08/11/2011 My home is in the beautifull Somerset West, South Africa, and these are some photos of my workshop.

I work from home and have space for three people to work as I sometimes give classes in basic metal work.
These were taken on one of my more tidy days. Most of the time my workshop is in shambles. I live by the rule of organized chaos, or thats what I tell people, but disorder can only go so far and then its time to clean up.

I must say, there is nothing nicer than working in a clean, tidy workshop, where you can actually find what you are looking for.

Kind regards to all of you,
Annemi Nelson

Sonia Spano Date: 04/28/2012 Cagliari, Italy

Richard Paille Date: 09/14/2012 Seattle, WA
"My 2nd Home"

Deborrah Daher Date: 09/14/2012 President at Zax Design, Inc.
Saint Louis, Missouri. USA

Bench with helpers Date: 09/14/2012

Pedro Llanas Date: 09/15/2012 Livin' the Dream.

Colorado Springs, USA

Paf Dvorak Date: 09/15/2012 USA

Lil' helper at a messy bench Date: 09/15/2012

Coleen Byrnes Date: 09/15/2012 Hello, I've attached a photo of our benches. It's supposed to be a bit His and Hers - my husband and I both do jewelry work, but at the end of the day we always end up switching back and forth depending on what projects we're working on. He's really proud of his bench - He built it himself with about $40 worth of scrap wood and it fits perfectly in the corner of our home studio.

Juliette Morris Williams Date: 09/16/2012 USA

Lucie Janku Czech Republic Date: 09/16/2012

Malin Dahllöw Date: 09/16/2012 Sweden

Have always believed that I have a messy workshop, but I've changed my mind;-)

Carol Dee Myers USA Date: 09/16/2012 I almost waited till after I had cleaned up to take a picture of where this woman creates...but that's not the point, huh? So, here is my "studio" after a private bead enameling class (one student). Kinda looks like a bomb went off! It's my pleasure for others in chaos to not feel alone!!! Creative juices usually create more than art! In my life it also = mess!!! Yay!

Mia van Beek USA Date: 09/16/2012 My work bench is custom made in solid oak wood attached to the wall for extra support.
The layout is made after sharing one large work space with 7 other jewelry artists and welcoming in clients to see and visit all of us!

Terri Garcia USA Date: 09/16/2012 I had just finished up a minor home repair project and cleaned, getting ready for the next job. Too bad you didn't get to see the chaos!

Kristina Weick Date: 09/19/2012 USA

I finally took at pic of my bench and did not clean it up.
I have 2 benches in that small room as I have a couple apprentices. Thank you for letting me share

Jose Ugalde R. Date: 09/19/2012 Chile

George Poblocki Date: 09/19/2012 New Franken, WI. USA

Yulia Papelis Date: 09/19/2012

Karen Goeller Date: 09/19/2012 USA

I love this project... and even though I haven't posted too much in recent years, I've been keeping up with my Orchid "family." Things have been busy, and I remodeled my studio earlier this year (was forced to due to damage from spring flooding and a mold infestation). I'm in the process of launching a completely new line that is a HUGE departure for me and a Kickstarter project to help launch the line.

Andres Cardenas- Whorton Date: 09/19/2012 USA

I'm Really happy to share my work space!

Ayse (Taki) Unaydin Date: 09/19/2012 Turkey

my bench several years ago at almost 5pm

Ayse (Taki) Unaydin Date: 09/19/2012 Turkey

today at 7.21 pm

Jeannette from Sout-Africa Date: 09/19/2012 hi I am a goldsmith....and yes pretty messy for a girl but I know exactly where everything is!!!! :) but when my bench is all cleaned up and tidy I can't find anything....so yes this is my lovely bench where I create my masterpieces :)

Jeff Regan Date: 09/19/2012 CB Stark Jewelers
Martha's Vineyard, MA

Here is the business end view of my workspace. It is less organized chaos than it may look from this vantage point...

My shop is ever evolving, and has changed a great deal from my last Bench Exchange entry several years ago. Adding new equipment means shuffling everything.

Growth is constant.
Change is good.
Here's to the Bench Exchange!

Jeff Regan Date: 09/19/2012 CB Stark Jewelers
Martha's Vineyard, MA

Here is my home away from home. My bench..my workspace, my playground.
I try to contain the daily mess, (this pic was shot at one of the tidier moments) but as the filings begin to fly, it gets looking lived in pretty quickly!

I love checking out the other benches on the Exchange, from all over the world.. It's really cool to see how creativity can occur in so many different environments!

Jeff Regan Date: 09/19/2012 CB Stark Jewelers
Martha's Vineyard, MA

Here is one view of the current state of affairs for my ever changing shop...

I only work here on a very part time basis, but love my workspace!

Jose del Rio Date: 09/19/2012

Paolo Cerruti Date: 09/20/2012 my old bench when I was sixteen

Paolo Cerruti Date: 09/20/2012 My micro-bench (in the bedroom)

Paolo Cerruti Date: 09/20/2012 My everyday bench

Paul Richter Date: 09/20/2012 USA

Jan Bennett Date: 09/20/2012 USA

Jan Bennett Date: 09/20/2012 USA

bench side of workshop

Bob Borter Date: 09/20/2012 Brattleboro, VT. USA

Jan Bennett Date: 09/20/2012 USA

finishing side of work studio

Gild Atelier Date: 09/20/2012 USA

Chantel McCabe Date: 09/20/2012 Perth, Western Australia

Mmm ... my bench! A palm tree log, not ideal I might add. I keep my tools on shelves and in drawers and take out as needed.

Carlo G Verda Date: 09/20/2012

Mario Sarto Date: 09/20/2012 Germany

Amy Wyckoff Date: 09/20/2012 Agate & Elm Jewelry in Charlotte, NC

Joanne Date: 09/24/2012 Glens Falls NY
Here is a shot of my bench, complete with job envelopes and all.

Maria Breeden Date: 09/24/2012 I am still very new to silversmithing but I thought I would submit my humble bench anyway.

Lawrence Terry Wheeler Date: 09/24/2012 Oxnard CA

Thought this, from a sculptor shop might make you smile. I have called this "Always wear protective gear". My father had a jeweler bench and made marvelous silver in Tucson 30 years ago. I have his tools, but not his talent.

Melissa Cox Date: 09/24/2012 Mel's Treasures
Glendale Springs, NC

I have been designing jewelry for 12 years now. This is a temporary location in my dining area where my table used to be. Last month I closed my store down to help care for my mother. It is unusually neat only because I just finished setting everything back up. I had to make some free standing shelves behind my bench to hold lights, etc since I didn't want to hang my peg boards on my wall and then have to re-paint when I move back out. My drill press, grinder/polisher and other larger machines are in the garage. I would love to actually purchase or make a nice jeweler's bench. It would be much easier to saw, etc. and catch everything that I drop on the floor.

Philip & Toni Powell Date: 09/24/2012 QLD Australia

Robin S. Bean Date: 09/24/2012

John Clark Date: 09/24/2012 From my bench in Eugene, Oregon

Jennifer Gow Date: 09/24/2012 Brisbane, Qld., Australia

Here is a current photo of my chaotic bench. I made this very basic bench a few years ago from scrap timber and a plywood top that was in the shed. Maybe one day I will put together something fancier but in the meantime this works fine.

Roxan O’Brien Date: 09/30/2012 My name is Roxan O’Brien and I am the owner of Designs by Roxan. I have been making jewelry for 25 years and love what I do. Here are a few pictures of my studio where I do all my work. I work and live in Pennsylvania.

Digger and Cathy Date: 09/30/2012 Just who's bench is it???

Adam Alexander Thalacker Bartl Date: 09/30/2012 My Name is Adam Alexander Thalacker Bartl and i'm a jeweller from São Paulo, Brazil

John Atwell Rasmussen Date: 09/30/2012 Here is my work shop bench. The desk to the left was my great grandfathers, as is the spindle back wood chair.

James Newton Date: 09/30/2012 upstate NY. USA

My current bench. Shop designed by myself, located in Connelly's Diamond Gallery. The one in my home is far less sophisticated or clean I am sorry to admit, as this is now the primary bench/shop I where do most all repairs and projects, after I relocated my major tools like the laser and microscope into this new shop.

Dylan Johnson Date: 09/30/2012 Denver, CO. USA
Here is my bench in its present state... I also including some of my work..

Theresa Parsons Date: 10/02/2012 I'm Theresa Parsons of Virginia Beach - goldsmithing since '76 - attended Bowman Tech - hand engraver, custom design & repair

Madebyangels Date: 10/02/2012 My studio is my lab. Right now, I spend more time writing about the craft than smithing -- the studio is where I experiment with the things I am writing about. I have rocks all over the place. Lucky me.

Sofia Nunes Date: 10/02/2012 My name is Sofia Constantino Nunes and I'm from Lisbon, Portugal.
Here is a picture of my bench. I actually designed and built it myself.

Carrie Nunes Date: 10/02/2012 Pics from my studio in Nashville, TN. (They differ greatly from my bench
exchange pic from many years ago.) This is my wonderful workshop, in an
unusually clean state for visitors.

Katerina Stamati Date: 10/02/2012 My name is Katerina Stamati and I make jewellery for 7 years now, selling them to shops all around Greece, and at some places in Europe. Very shortly I'm going to open my own shop and I'm very exited! This is the bench I've worked all these years, it's custom made and I'll abandon it very soon because I bought a new one for the shop. This is how it looks right now as I'm in the process of polishing an order. I feel lonely while I'm working as my bench is at home but now this is going to change since I'll be moving my workshop at my new shop. Can't wait!! The name of my jewellery is "Psit!" and my shop will be on 9 Veikou st. at the centre of Athens, Greece.

Rosi Polo Date: 10/06/2012 Lima, Peru

Lucie Janku Date: 10/06/2012 Czec Republic

Here is my modest home-bench. I'm a hobby jeweller on jewellery studies now from Prague. Our kitchen table turns after I got back from work into a jewellery creators bench.

Kathleen Gatliffe Date: 10/06/2012 Superior, CO

This is my metalsmithing bench, purchased used from a local metalsmithing school. I only use it for cold working metal; I have a separate desk for enamel while all my torchwork goes on in the garage.

Maria Marmara Date: 10/06/2012 Athens, Greece

Susan E. Snyder Date: 10/06/2012 of S.E.S. Design Jewelry

I've had this bench for two years but only recently started to use it. My neck is grateful. I do like to spread out a bit. To the right, just out of the frame, is my roller and a vice. My work has changed now that it's closer to eye level, and I've increased light and magnification. Great seeing everyone else's benches!"

Glenda Skarie Date: 10/06/2012 Stuart, FL.

The attached photo is from my studio "Adori L'Argento"

Yves B. Roldan Date: 10/08/2012 Tepoztlan, Mexico

Peter Brasser Date: 10/08/2012 Costa del Sol, Spain

My workshop is in the basement/garage, living on the coast in Spain, the autumn and spring humidity is a problem, hence the plastic sheeting and anti humidity equipment.

The lathe is there because I make a lot of tools myself, from hard wood or metal.

The workshop looks more organized than normally, (I cleaned it up yesterday)

Lisa Sirlin Hall Date: 10/08/2012 Los Angeles, CA

Crystal Rivera Date: 10/20/2012 Long beach, CA. USA

Marilene Morency Date: 10/20/2012 Montreal, Quebec, Canada

This is my bench, such a mess right now as I'm trying to get ready for the X-mas exhibition.

I've also included pictures of my favorite pieces of equipment.

This is what happens when you study textiles and end up making jewellery!

Vernon Wilson Date: 10/20/2012 This is my work shop still a work in progress but having great fun creating things while I get everything put into place and connected up...

I most like making one of a kind pieces and work in everything from bronze to Platinum. All depends on the color of the material and the effect I want to get for the piece.

As with all of us, I love my tools. With the proper tools you can make anything, without them it is much harder :-)

Hrysoyla Kallntin Date: 11/29/2012 Palios Panteleimon
Greece

Katinka Stelder Date: 11/29/2012 I'm proud of my bench, neet, just enough things i need, everything i need. In my bedroom so my friend always complains especially when i poor into sepia. ;-) Bought everything secondhand the past few years.

Crystal Rivera Date: 11/29/2012 Long beach, California. USA

Laney Clark Date: 11/29/2012 USA

Lisa Crispin Date: 11/29/2012 I just thought I would contribute to the workspace pictures whilst my benches are nice and clean! I suspect that this time tomorrow the pictures will be vastly different.

Murray Brereton Date: 02/26/2013 New Zealand
akaroabluepearls.com

A few photos of my work bench. all the timber I milled from the Forrest and made them my self as well as most things that are not the usual things you find on jewellers benches. The draws I made are very handy to keep some order.

The bench peg rotates from filing with rubber to sawing and is interchangeable with lathe, setting wax holder, vices etc. microscope helps keep a good posture you can see what you are doing !!!

Gerald Lewy Totonto, Canada Date: 02/28/2013 Gerry's Stone Setting Blog

This is my stone setting bench. It is not cleaned up, it is left this way every night. Every tool has it's own proper place. When setting diamonds my hand goes to the exact place where each tool must, and should be. No need to keep rummaging around a dirty bench looking for my 10x loupe or tweezers. Yes, I am a "Obsessive Compulsive" clean-bench setter! If I drop a .005 pt diamond, I can find it in seconds!!!

Karin Castens Copenhagen, Denmark Date: 03/03/2013 This is my bench in the morning in my shop Galleri Castens in Copenhagen. I have chosen to place my bench centrally in the shop in order to let my customers follow my work. There are even barstools around it!

And yes, those are Christmas decorations in the back with green cupolas awaiting the silver tiaras, which haven't come out of the safe yet.

Chrissie Webber USA Date: 03/03/2013

Tonia Rockwell Oceanside, CA Date: 03/25/2013 Oceanside, CA

Dwaine Ferguson Date: 04/11/2013 Goldsmith Silversmith
Omaha, NE. USA

Paul René Barsalou Date: 04/11/2013

Maija Malinen Date: 04/11/2013 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

There was some good light coming in today. Certainly there are messier days around here. This wasn't too bad.

John Donivan USA Date: 04/18/2013 OK, here are two pictures of our workbenches at Donivan & Maggiora Co. They are taken of both John's & Jo-Ann's benches and john at his bench working...This is in the new location at 833 Market St. Suite #521..We are part of The Phelan Building Survival Group......

Glenda Skarie USA Date: 04/18/2013

Margie Mersky USA Date: 04/18/2013 Margie Mersky at the bench.

Glenda Skarie USA Date: 04/18/2013

Kim O'Brien USA Date: 04/18/2013 Here is a photo of my soldering station. Thanks for sharing our images!

Joyce Thor USA Date: 04/18/2013 This is a picture of my work bench. It's an old computer station and it works perfectly for me. The holes where computer cords would have gone through work for the hose on my tank at one end, and the cord for my pickle pot on the other end. Cork board holds items that I need quickly and don't want to dig for, and shelf on top keeps other items out of my way. It was used for books, but I needed to get an actual book shelf because I had so many.

My new studio is being built after my husband drove into the back garage wall getting me out of the basement.

Glenda Skarie USA Date: 04/18/2013

Bradley Rothman Date: 05/05/2013

Momchil Abadzhiev Date: 05/08/2013 Sevlievo, Bulgaria

Jose luis Escribano muñoz Date: 05/08/2013 Barcelona, Spain

Israel Delgadillo Date: 05/18/2013 Long Branch, NJ. USA

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