In the November 2009 issue of Art Jewelry (coming to a newsstand or your mailbox in the next two weeks), we introduce a brand-new regular column, Metalsmithing 101. The idea for this column came about during a discussion with a coworker on a different magazine, who sighed and said, "Someday I'll be able to make one — just one — of the projects in your magazine." She can make intricate bead tapestries that leave me shaking my head in wonder, but somehow just the idea of picking up not just a torch but a saw or a file intimidated her. Metalsmithing just seemed so hard. I tried to convince her that it wasn't necessarily true; we run lots of beginner projects, designed to appeal to all levels, but she wasn't having it. She insisted, "I just wouldn't know where to begin."

Well, this is where you begin. Metalsmithing 101, which will appear in each issue, authored by Michael David Sturlin. Michael is an experienced metalsmith, with a rock-solid grasp of the basics of metalsmithing. He'll get you started, and get you started right.

In his first column, Michael tackles the proper way to saw. It's one of the most fundamental processes in jewelry making, but also one of the most frustrating. Broken blades, jagged lines, sore wrists all conspire to frustrate novices, but if you know what you're doing, sawing can actually be a relaxing and almost Zen-like experience. 

And if you're a subscriber to our print edition and are looking for a quick and funky project to put your new-found sawing skills to use, check out our new free online project. Associate Editor Addie Kidd whipped these space-age earrings up in our in-house studio, with two saw cuts — one for each earring.