Terry Thompson Jewelry

08/31/2026

Only a few days left to sign up for the Hinged Bracelet class at Pullen At Center. Beginning metals class is required. You will make a signature bracelet with your own style embracing your personality. Bonus— you will be a hinge expert, adding movement to pendants and earrings and hinges where you need them. I can’t wait to show you how!

08/17/2026

Make a beautiful copper bracelet that has hinges. This is basically a hinge making class and you will be a pro when the class ends! Hinges are often an overlooked detail that adds beautiful movement to earrings and necklaces. Your bracelet will be custom made for you in shape and style and design. Starting September 9 through October 14 on Wednesdays from 2 to 4:30. We will be decorating the metal with etching, hammering, riveted components, or whatever you would like. See you then. All materials are provided for in the class fee. # bracelet

07/26/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FF134J171/?mibextid=wwXIfr

As a jewelry artist working and making for over 25 years, I find this article distressing. I realize people want to spend their money wisely, but now we see the risks that imported, inexpensive pieces that are sold in department stores, amazon, and sometimes on line, could be harmful. I hope there will be a way where they can be tested.
On the other hand it would be great if those same people would consider buying locally from someone who hand fabricates one of a kind jewelry items . We are not necessarily more expensive. We do use pure sterling silver, gold, copper, etc. , hoping our jewelry becomes something that can be enjoyed for years.

"Silver" jewelry sold on Amazon actually contained 9,000 times the legal cadmium limit.

An investigation by The Sunday Times purchased inexpensive jewelry from Amazon and TikTok Shop and sent it to the Birmingham Assay Office for independent testing.

One Amazon ring advertised as “925 silver” contained 92.3 percent cadmium, more than 9,000 times the legal limit for jewelry in the UK.

Real 925 sterling silver should contain at least 92.5 percent silver.

Charms on a bracelet sold through TikTok Shop were found to contain 33 percent cadmium, nearly 3,300 times the permitted level. The products were removed after the marketplaces were informed of the results.

Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal that can accumulate inside the body over time. It can damage the kidneys, bones and respiratory system, and is classified as a human carcinogen.

The UK and European limit for cadmium in jewelry is 0.01 percent.

The discovery does not mean that briefly touching one contaminated item will cause cadmium poisoning. The amount absorbed through healthy skin is generally limited. However, experts are more concerned about prolonged contact, pierced or broken skin, and jewelry that children may place in their mouths or accidentally swallow.

The findings also raise a larger problem with low-cost products sold by third-party sellers online. Items may be advertised as silver even when buyers have no reliable way to confirm what metals they actually contain.

A separate UK safety report published in June found an Amazon-listed silver-colored ring containing 86.7 percent cadmium. Authorities classified it as a serious chemical risk and rejected the shipment at the border.

Consumers are advised to be cautious with unusually cheap jewelry, unclear material descriptions and products from sellers that provide little information about manufacturing or safety testing.

Learn more:
"Jewelry made of carcinogen sold as silver on Amazon." The Times

07/07/2026

I’m playing with copper again. It’s challenging because it’s so different from sterling silver.. I’ll almost always solder components on to sterling silver. I’ll almost always rivet on copper. I like the casualness of copper jewelry. it’s not precious like silver and looks better after it has been “lived in” , loved. Here I riveted the finished silver bezels to the copper. Tricky business, but it worked. I love the color play between the turquoise and copper. . www.terrythompsonjewelry.com

06/29/2026

Here’s a preview of the Hinged Bracelet class that is starting on July 27, 1:00 to 4:00 at Pullen Art Center in Raleigh. Not only will you make a gorgeous bracelet, but you also be an expert at hinge making! Although these samples are rectangular, yours can have oval, octagonal, or freeform links, narrow or wide. Each link will have its own design; etched, textured, riveted or soldered components. Beginning metals class is required. A $25 fee covers all the supplies you will need. There is space available so don’t forget to sign up soon. . Www.terrythompsonjewelry.com, terry thompson

06/11/2026

I’ll be teaching a copper hinged bracelet class July 27 through August 31 on Monday afternoons from 1 to 4. The hinges let the bracelet wrap comfortably around the wrist. The size and design of the bracelet will be determined by the student. It can be roller printed, etched, have components soldered, riveted, etc. to the sections, your choice. Make it fit you or a special person. Copper and necessary tools will be in the supply kit. Hope to see you there!

06/10/2026

The manager at my bank just lost her precious pup “Bubba” and asked me if I did memorial jewelry. Well I hadn’t but said I’d try . My first experience, a new technique and a learning experience. Bubba had very fine curly fur, and was a little bit of a challenge. She loved the ring.

05/30/2026

Rough nugget amethyst earring commissions for a lovely lady I met at NCMA exhibition. She and her husband were wearing such gorgeous Native American jewelry that I had to comment. We seldom see authentic pieces here and it was a rare treat. (I am from Colorado and love this genre.)Conversation led to jewelry making and viola!

04/20/2026

The Pullman Arts Center jewelry challenge wrapped up on Saturday the 18th. Participants included experienced teachers to students and newbies.It was a challenge to use odds and ends given to us to incorporate into jewelry. The odds and ends included Chinese play money, a monopoly piece, Mexican lottery ticket, beads, mahjong tile, etc. I decided to use copper as my base. The fan used the play money, and beads; bar necklace used the steel swan;bracelet the brass strip; pin used the aluminum honeycomb and a flower; Milagros used the lotto card, copper chain, canon monopoly, beads; the Chinese “lock” design used a bit of tin and mahjong tile. I was definitely out of my comfort zone and loved designing completely new jewelry. Everyone did exceptional work. Stay tuned to next years challenge!

04/19/2026

At the Pullen Arts jewelry challenge all members, instructors and students were invited to participate. These artists range from experienced to newbies. Their design esthetics took them to experiment with all the odds and ends presented to them to include in their work. It was so exciting to see how each of them approached the challenge and achieved such lovely results. Kiersten Bowser, Jason Hucking, Jeffrey Liston, Ndidi Kowalczyk, Chris Goforth and Emily Malpass gave me permission to post their results. Pullen Art Center is a wonderful place to expand your creativity. Spread the word and encourage everyone to try something new.