I recently made a made an important announcement on the forum. We have a new official moderator, Lolly, who many of you have known and loved for many years. She has literally worked as the unofficial moderator for awhile now, so I'm thrilled that she's not a real member of the About.com team!

Here are a few other recent discussions we are having at the jewelry making forum if you haven't stopped by in awhile:

Have you ever thought of spray painting your display props for your booth or other selling area?

Once your friends know you make jewelry, expect to become their personal jewelry repair person. Does this rub you the wrong way? Can you charge for this service, and if so, how much? (I also have some articles on this issue: Jewelry Repair Example and Tips for Handling Jewelry Repairs).

A member needs help with a wire ring. Have any suggestions to help out?

Have any tips or suggestions or how-to information to pass on about making jewelry using silverware?

I often buy supplies in bulk at some of the large jewelry shows I go to throughout the year, especially wire and findings. It is more economical to do that, and for me, I really have learned that the parts and pieces that make up your jewelry are critical to have around. It's great to have lots of beads, charms, or other components, or better yet make them, but if you can't turn them into jewelry because you are low on wire or don't have enough crimp beads, then it can get very frustrating.

Since metal has risen, I have had to buy silver wire and other silver items, but I confess, it wasn't until recently that I seriously priced gold-filled wire. Woah momma! I mean, I know that gold was way, way (way) up there, and of course, there is some real gold in gold-filled wire, but I hadn't actually crunch the numbers, you know?

I have now invested in some brass and copper wire that I plan to experiment with, and not just for my design prototypes like I normally do, but for actually making finished jewelry pieces. This trend to other yellow metals is nothing new, but I guess I'm finally jumping on board too because I'm just not ready to fork over the big bucks for gold-filled right now!

What about you? Take this recent poll located on the forum: Is it just too expensive, or are you still buying gold-filled wire?

Or feel free to give your twenty-five cents here in a comment.