Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Feb 20, 2016 23:19:14 GMT -5
I had the opportunity to take a fabrication class at the Timberwolf Studio aka @arrowheadave 's house in Austin. Dave is a great teacher and host (thank you Dave!) and he walked me through the basics of fabrication. I had a lot of "firsts" making this pendant. First time soldering anything, working with sheet silver, a torch, bezel wire, first jump ring... It was a lot of fun and Dave is incredibly generous with his time, tools, materials, and knowledge. He actually had another person drop by to learn fabrication while I was there. Dave is a "hands-off" teacher. He explained the steps, turned me loose, then would check in and give advice, answer questions, and occassionally chuckle at me lol. So; here is my first bezel set stone. Turquoise in Sterling Silver. It hasn't been tumbled to remove tool marks and it is far from perfect. The mistake that bugs me most is somehow I goofed the bezel, which I swear fit right before I soldered everything together lol. Thanks again Dave!
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Post by Pat on Feb 20, 2016 23:37:45 GMT -5
Excellent first try!!! Not sure I see the bezel goof. Wondering why the bail and jump ring are on the side. How will it hang?
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Roger
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,487
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Post by Roger on Feb 20, 2016 23:46:15 GMT -5
Pat I should have moved the jump ring further down the side. I wanted it to hang off center but I didn't get it low enough to hang quite right. It looks more like a mistake than part of how I was trying to design it =\
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Post by Pat on Feb 20, 2016 23:58:05 GMT -5
Roger, to check out the hangability, bend the pointy ends at a 45 degree angle inwards of a pair of tweezers. Pick up the backplate with the tweezers to see how it hangs. When you find the good place, mark it and solder there.
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Feb 21, 2016 2:49:51 GMT -5
That's great workfor a first time piece!
Schools of thought divide into two camps: 1)keep your first piece(s) as a souvenir of how you were and then later how far you have come 2)return to improve it as your skills advance
of course there is 3) recycle - mine went this way and I don't consider it a loss!
Your, however is a 'keeper'...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2016 7:33:07 GMT -5
Aww shucks man,you got me all blushing and stuff.it was my pleasure to have so much creative genius in my shop.its what this hobby is all about,paying it forward.creative minds are always welcome at the Timberwolf Artisans Guild. Dave
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Feb 21, 2016 22:14:42 GMT -5
Awesome job roger, that is extremely good for your first attempt. You are a natural
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 21, 2016 22:21:15 GMT -5
That is awesome Roger. I sure wish I could find someone local to take a lesson on bezel setting. I think if I could take a class specifically for simple bezel setting I would do it.
Chuck
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Feb 21, 2016 22:21:24 GMT -5
*Really* great job, Roger!!! I like it, both workmanship and creativity-wise.
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flrocks
starting to shine!
Member since December 2013
Posts: 40
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Post by flrocks on Feb 23, 2016 21:35:02 GMT -5
Roger, The workmanship is very good for a novice, your skill will improve quickly. Your idea for the bail is spot on, in the correct location it will make the piece really pop.
Bennett
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 24, 2016 11:00:11 GMT -5
I think you did a great job. It was really great for Dave to help you out like that. I wish I had some hands on training. Beats trial and error.
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Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
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Post by Tom on Feb 24, 2016 22:41:33 GMT -5
It hasn't been tumbled to remove tool marks and it is far from perfect. The mistake that bugs me most is somehow I goofed the bezel, which I swear fit right before I soldered everything together lol.
You know Roger, I was thinking (not a real good idea for me) and you can pull the stone and move the jump ring, solder another jump ring on the other side and somehow tie them together. That would look cool. Or you could leave the stone in and cut the ring off and file/sand the stubs back and make a cold connection for the bail. Or leave it and call it a new fashion statement. You did real good for your first shot at it and you should be proud no matter what you do.
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