|
|
Post by liveoak on Nov 3, 2022 9:08:05 GMT -5
Serpentine ? Gaspèite ? Woven wrap
AKA- Pretty green stone  I've been playing around with different woven designs & finally came up with one on my own. Overall I'm happy with it, but now that I'm staring at the photos, the back bindings look a little crooked, and in hindsight the top prongs on the back are redundant, as the extended bail wires hold the stone perfectly fine. But I was designing mostly as I went, so who knew. And how can a belt & suspender design be bad, right ?  I have really taken to the tumbling trick. It seems to tighten up the wrap a little & I think is a good thing. Glad I took that plunge. Thanks for looking, Patty
|
|
electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 341 
|
Post by electrocutus on Nov 3, 2022 9:25:09 GMT -5
Beautiful piece.
I tried polishing small gaspéite rough a couple of years ago and didn't have much luck (or rather not enough skill but I'll blame luck :-) ).
This makes me want to try again.
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Nov 3, 2022 9:32:04 GMT -5
Wellllll, in the interest of full disclosure that is NOT my cab - a purchased one . So I can't tell you any secret tips on polishing.
Patty
|
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Nov 3, 2022 10:18:08 GMT -5
Beautiful!!! You did a really good job and the fact that it is your own and done on the fly makes it even better. But, I don't think that is gasepite. Wrong color. Looks more like serpentine. But, that's just me.
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Nov 3, 2022 11:02:42 GMT -5
Last week someone posted some rings in the metalsmithing & his stone made me thing they were similar, just maybe a different flavor . You could very well be right - serpentine it is.
And thank you for the compliment on the wrap.
I'm slowing feeling a little more confident to branch out.
Patty
|
|
|
|
Post by susand24224 on Nov 3, 2022 13:29:39 GMT -5
Patty, there's not a lot of weaving I like on stones, but yours is very much the exception. It doesn't overpower the beauty of the stone in any way, it is delicate but makes a "presence," and bail pulls everything together without overwhelming. Excellent!
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Nov 3, 2022 13:48:27 GMT -5
I'd agree with you about some woven & some just wire wrapped designs.
I like things bit more simple.
I did really like the way the bail came out, in person it has a nice smooth curve to it. I guess I didn't want it to just end, so kept going down the back 
But, don't you just hate after you take the photos & see all the glaring defects, just as you're posting it!
OTOH , I suppose it helps make the next one better (with any luck)
Thanks for the compliments.
Patty
|
|
markb
Cave Dweller 
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
|
Post by markb on Nov 3, 2022 16:30:17 GMT -5
liveoakPatty, I like it. An artist is often their own worst critic. I like the different sizes of wires you used and the color contrast between them. Can you tell me what the gauge is of the smaller wire, as I’m just beginning to acquire a couple different gauges to work with. It looks to me like the main wire used is copper. I also like the stone and the color of the wrap you use to enhance it. Also when you say you’ve really taken to the “tumbling trick”, what does that mean?
|
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Nov 3, 2022 16:55:23 GMT -5
Thank you markb, that was very nice to say.
The wire is all copper, although after finishing the wrap I patina it with Liver of Sulfur, and then brushed off some of the color with 0000 steel wool.
It makes it look like 2 different colors of wire, as it highlights in brown/black the recesses.
It's a nice touch to some wire wrapping designs, and the woven ones especially, IMHO.
If you've never tried Liver of Sulfur (LOS) , you should and I'm sure you could find lots of info either here or on the internet,
it's a standard thing people do- I certainly didn't make it up. ( but I'm happy to answer any questions about it if you're interested further)
For gauge I used 4- 20 gauge round wires around the stone & the weaving wire is round 26 gauge.
But if you look at the bail area at the top of the stone- that wrap is 21 gauge half round.
I like the 1/2 round there as it packs in nice & tight.
The tumbling is something I learned from Tela, rockjunquie, although I think a number of people do it. After the wrap is totally done, I put the pendant in my rotary (3 lb) tumbler, with 1 lb of what they called "mixed" stainless steel shot
(it has different sizes of steel shot in it -pins, balls, etc), along with a handful of plastic pellets & a drop or two of dawn or such &
let it run for an hour (I've done 2 when I forgot) and it hardens the wires ( and cleans up and tarnish, if you're using bright wire).
I wouldn't think it would clean any tools marks, but it's the hardening that I like.
Thanks for asking- hope this helps,
Patty
|
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Nov 3, 2022 17:19:25 GMT -5
I really like it Patty! The weave pattern you chose to do on the bezel area really looks nice! I actually like the belt/suspender approach on this one. It guarantees the stone is secure! (Of course, I'm also the type of guy who puts five nails in when something only calls for two! LOL) |
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Nov 3, 2022 17:34:27 GMT -5
Thanks jasoninsd, it came together in the end & I was happy. No fancy stick figure on the back - but I like it just the same 
Patty
|
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Nov 3, 2022 18:45:20 GMT -5
Thanks jasoninsd , it came together in the end & I was happy. No fancy stick figure on the back - but I like it just the same Patty
LOL I just did some woven wraps and maybe one or two of them should have had a "hangman" figure on the back! LOL  |
|
|
|
Post by susand24224 on Nov 4, 2022 2:16:34 GMT -5
I'd agree with you about some woven & some just wire wrapped designs.
I like things bit more simple.
I did really like the way the bail came out, in person it has a nice smooth curve to it. I guess I didn't want it to just end, so kept going down the back But, don't you just hate after you take the photos & see all the glaring defects, just as you're posting it!
OTOH , I suppose it helps make the next one better (with any luck)
Thanks for the compliments.
Patty
Patty, I don't think there's a wrap that I've made that didn't cause me to be dissatisfied after looking at the photograph. The *really* scary thing is when I do bindings or simple weaving without an optivisor thinking it's going just fine, and then I put one on and rip out everything I've done. I had to laugh at your not wanting the bail to end--I do the same thing, especially when it's going well. Why quit? |
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Nov 4, 2022 6:10:53 GMT -5
LOL I just did some woven wraps and maybe one or two of them should have had a "hangman" figure on the back! LOL Seriously, I love hidden designs on the back of something.
One of those, no one knows except the person wearing it.
So there's a challenge for you - a special back motif on a wrap.
Look forward seeing what you come up with
Patty
|
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Nov 4, 2022 7:33:28 GMT -5
LOL I just did some woven wraps and maybe one or two of them should have had a "hangman" figure on the back! LOL Seriously, I love hidden designs on the back of something.
One of those, no one knows except the person wearing it.
So there's a challenge for you - a special back motif on a wrap.
Look forward seeing what you come up with
Patty
I'm just happy to have a secured back on the wraps at this point! LOL |
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Nov 4, 2022 7:37:16 GMT -5
Seriously, I love hidden designs on the back of something.
One of those, no one knows except the person wearing it.
So there's a challenge for you - a special back motif on a wrap.
Look forward seeing what you come up with
Patty
I'm just happy to have a secured back on the wraps at this point! LOL Oh no! You're not allowed to sell yourself short. Nope. |
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Nov 4, 2022 7:40:18 GMT -5
I'm just happy to have a secured back on the wraps at this point! LOL Oh no! You're not allowed to sell yourself short. Nope. Hey...I'm allowed to set my own prices on myself. This week is definitely a "short sale" week! LOL  |
|
|
|
Post by liveoak on Nov 4, 2022 8:39:32 GMT -5
I'm just happy to have a secured back on the wraps at this point! LOL Oh no! You're not allowed to sell yourself short. Nope. I was thinking that Tela, I mean what part of wire wrapping is Jason actually still struggling on ??
Patty
|
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Nov 4, 2022 8:42:19 GMT -5
Oh no! You're not allowed to sell yourself short. Nope. I was thinking that Tela, I mean what part of wire wrapping is Jason actually still struggling on ??
Patty
Two parts...the wire...and the wrapping! LOL |
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Nov 4, 2022 8:44:44 GMT -5
I was thinking that Tela, I mean what part of wire wrapping is Jason actually still struggling on ??
Patty
Two parts...the wire...and the wrapping! LOL You're just lucky you are out of reach. LOL! Cause I'd smack you upside your head. |
|
