shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Sept 4, 2016 13:33:02 GMT -5
OK, your first picture looks like you hacked my Photobucket account and posted my final polish out of my first batch (and second, third and...). I grew up near Boys Town, and so I guess I've adopted the Father Flanagan philosophy of "there's no such thing as a bad rock." I would try to find a way to polish those poor little misfits on the left, and take the whole batch down with them. I am picking up a ton of great pointers, and seeing some of this helps to understand your creative process. I still don't know what I don't know about rock tumbling and polishing, but I'm 83% less stupid than I was a month ago. I think that getting better about every phase of the game, starting with picking the rocks that I'm going to tumble, then the "recipes" for going about it and paying attention to what worked and what didn't (and then writing it down so it isn't lost forever) will make me better, little by little. I started with the assumption that when you buy a tumbling mix off eBay, everything that comes in the bag a) is ready to go into the tumbler as-is
b) should tumble well with everything else that's in the bag c) really has any business going into the tumbler at all Then, when it comes to the tumbling process: a) Dump everything in, sorta pay attention to the directions and they'll be museum quality gemstones in 20 minutes. e) Buy LOTS and LOTS of stuff off eBay based on how pretty you imagine it could be
f) Winging it and not taking any sort of notes is the mark of a true artist
There's lots more bullets that I am sure I could add, but I'd like to retain a modicum of dignity for now. =) I'll sleep a little better, but I'm still gonna keep my eye on you... ;-) Your tumbler got smarter.
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Sept 2, 2016 10:37:02 GMT -5
I am legally blind, but may regain enough vision to drive again. It's a hard life depending on friends/neighbors.
I worked on necklace pieces last night.
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
|
Post by shermandukejewelry on Sept 1, 2016 12:47:55 GMT -5
Refined the ring size and did make a pair of earrings to go with it. I also made a complicated set of dangle earrings today. I'm wrapping a drilled round piece of blue magnasite now. Maybe pictures later.
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 29, 2016 10:42:55 GMT -5
I attempted one wrap today, but was not happy with it. Later I wrapped ring for a friend. It takes longer now. The copper feels good. Maybe matching earrings are in order. Do you wear optivisors? That might be a good solution for you. I was using a cycling head lamp. I misplaced it. What I'll probably need is prism/mirror adjusted glasses at some point. Night vision is less bothered. Save
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
|
Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 29, 2016 10:37:40 GMT -5
It'll be a month before my eye exam. I have someone drive me to a poll hall and I am trying to focus my vision. I have a big blind spot on the left. The issue may be brain damage and not sight. Driving is what I can't do for now. I'm tough... I'll adapt. I wrapped a ring after a few poor efforts. I added matching, from scratch, earrings.
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 28, 2016 18:18:30 GMT -5
I attempted one wrap today, but was not happy with it. Later I wrapped ring for a friend. It takes longer now. The copper feels good. Maybe matching earrings are in order.
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 27, 2016 20:34:15 GMT -5
Luckily you didn't need a lengthy hospital stay 1 eye is all it takes best mohs Five days, three of which were in the Critical Care Unit. I'm going to try to wrap a 22 x 27 mm Bird Eye Rhyolite. Save
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 27, 2016 16:48:55 GMT -5
I spent four hours in the pool hall. I almost felt sorry for the guy who lost to me shooting 8 ball. The visual damage affects my left side. It doesn't matter which eye. I'll see if I can manage to wrap a cab later tonight. Thanks all.
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 26, 2016 18:12:16 GMT -5
I can see enough to type some, but can't drive. I'll still be learning how to wrap stones and design rings. I'll post when they happen.
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 20, 2016 17:01:07 GMT -5
These arrived yesterday from metalclays.com:
Ring Maker - 8mm - (9-10 US Size) Ceramic Shrinkage Stopper, #21( 9-1/4 to 9-1/2 US)
I'll do a test ring in a few weeks. I looked at the rubies under real good light and they are more pink than they looked outdoors. Hopefully the heat will make them a deeper red.
The dog and I are headed to a jewely swap meet and make in a few minutes.
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 17, 2016 22:21:06 GMT -5
Have you tried tumbling it?
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 17, 2016 21:53:30 GMT -5
NASA has a pair of black copters headed your way. Do not resist them. It's only a dream... good night.
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 17, 2016 21:28:47 GMT -5
On order:
Bird Eye Rhyolite 21x36mm Bird Eye Rhyolite 21x36mm Bird Eye Rhyolite 22x27mm Bird Eye Rhyolite 24x41mm Laguna Agate 24x36mm Picture Jasper (AAA) 60x38mm
(4) 40mm Rectangle Dog Teeth Amethyst Gemstone Cabochon (4) 40mm Oval Iron Zebra Jasper Gemstone Cabochon
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 17, 2016 18:58:36 GMT -5
Thanks. Any comments on the wrap?
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 17, 2016 17:45:05 GMT -5
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 14, 2016 22:04:11 GMT -5
Awesome!
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 14, 2016 21:58:33 GMT -5
I personally dug these rubies out of the dirt and had them professionally cut. I'm going to torch fire the silver pcm clay. If I can calculate the shrinkage I'm okay with adding it later. I need to get the mounting space pretty accurate though. The three rubies are visually flawless. I have several pounds of uncut gemstones yet to be cut. I have already sold a loose pair of garnets for a $120 profit. Your comments are full of good information. Thanks. I'm not rushing this project.
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 12, 2016 0:16:55 GMT -5
Looking at your bales and wonder how spoon/fork handles who integrate with stone wraps. I finally have a few torches to soften up a few.
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shermandukejewelry
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Retired, learning jewelry design
Member since July 2016
Posts: 93
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Post by shermandukejewelry on Aug 4, 2016 22:20:36 GMT -5
Considering the market it's okay. I'm retired so I spend idle hours making jewelry. When something sells that money gets reinvested into supplies. Much of my beading material comes from a scrap store for $1 per ounce. I've sold rings for $20 that cost pennies to make. The same for earrings. I can set up shop pretty much anywhere. Lots of designs were done while relaxing at the dog park. I sold a pair of cut garnets recently for a $120 profit. This fall I'll apply for a craft space downtown. $10 per day, so a single sale will break even. I will not discount much there. Any ideas on the silver clay ring setting? I'm still learning lots of new stuff?
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