How to Protect Your Hands When Making Jewelry

Jewelry making is a dangerous hobby and in many cases, our hands get the worst treatment, often getting cuts and knicks from our carelessness. Knowing how to protect your hands when making jewelry isn't always easy when much of the focus is on protecting your eyes.

Here are three ways you can protect your hands while making metal jewelry to ensure you're making jewelry safely.

Use Alligator Tape while sawing and cutting

Alligator tip is a non-sticky tape that is flexible and durable so it’s ideal to wear when you cut metal, file, and even sand your metal jewelry. The best part is that the tape sticks to itself so you don't have to worry about having the stick residue after you remove it.

I plan to invest in some Alligator Tape for my studio since I often find myself with cuts and knicks after I cut metal with my shears. If you have this problem, this may be the solution you’re looking for to help protect your hands.

Wear finger gloves while buffing

Wearing gloves while buffing is controversial in the jewelry making work. When I was first learning how to use a buffing wheel, my teacher offered us just the fingers of old garden gloves to use while at the wheel. This only allowed us to hold the metal for longer, especially since the heat level intensifies quickly when using these machines.

It should go without saying that if you are buffing something that responds to high heat, you should use your bare hands to help gauge the temperature. However, if you often find yourself burning your fingers on the buffing wheel, try this tip to see if it cuts down on the burns.

Wearing gloves when necessary

Jewelry makers can handle some toxic substances when they work in their studio. If you’re working with liver of sulfur, epoxy clay, silver black, or any other toxic materials that could react poorly with the skin, wearing gloves is key to avoid exposing your skin to these substances.

Grab a pair of heavy-duty rubber gloves to keep in the studio for such occasions. While you may think you’re ok going without, protecting yourself is always smarter.

Exercise safety to ensure your hands are protected

These three tips for protecting your hands should help cut down on the number of cuts and accidents in the studio and keep your hands in tip-top shape. All this being said, while these tips work for me, they may not work for you in your space. Practicing safety for your work ethic in your space is always the most important safety tip.

What other safety tips do you have for working in your studio? Share them below!