Free Jewelry Tutorials Online: Helpful or Headache?
June 17, 2025
Do you love free online jewelry tutorials — or do they make you crazy?
If you're like many of the metalsmithing students who walk through the doors of our studio, you've probably dipped your toe into the sea of YouTube or TikTok tutorials. And you've probably also felt confused, frustrated, or even misled. You're not alone.
From what I’ve seen, many of these videos are designed to look helpful, while really just offering enough surface-level info to convince viewers that the creator is an expert. (Spoiler alert: anyone with a smartphone can make a video!)
These short tutorials rarely leave room for deeper explanation. And that can be dangerous.
For example, when I was first learning to make hollow forms, I watched a free video that walked viewers right up to the moment where things could go very wrong—and then it ended. No mention of air release. No safety warning. Just, “Bye, good luck!”
Excuse me?! Hollow forms must have a way for expanding air to escape — or you risk creating a vacuum that can cause components to explode. Luckily, I had done enough additional research to catch that. But what about a beginner?
That’s the problem. New metalsmiths don’t have the benefit of 20+ years of experience. So what’s a hands-on learner to do?
Here’s what I recommend:
1. Watch multiple videos on the same topic.
Pay attention to the techniques that show up over and over again — and take note of where they diverge. Those differences are your signal to do deeper research.
2. Trust your gut.
If something seems too good to be true (or just doesn’t sit right), don’t push through. Close the tab and find another source.
3. Follow trusted creators.
One of my favorites is Melissa Muir (aka @MetalsmithMelissa). Her content is beginner-friendly, her testing is grounded in science, and she’s a genuinely kind human being to boot.
4. Get in the studio.
If you're a tactile, hands-on learner, nothing beats taking an in-person class. Look for a studio environment that supports creative thinkers — where instructors welcome questions and no one is shamed for working at their own pace. If you ever hear “you’re falling behind” in a creative class, run. They're working for you, not the other way around.
Bottom Line?
Free tutorials can be a great jumping-off point — but they’re no substitute for thoughtful instruction, a safe learning environment, and the chance to actually try it with your own two hands. At our studio, we build in room for questions, experiments, and the kind of deeper understanding that helps you grow — not just copy.
Want help navigating your next metalsmithing move? Come see us in the studio. We've got tools, guidance, and coffee. Bring your curiosity — we'll take care of the rest.
