khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Jun 25, 2023 14:58:24 GMT -5
susand24224 This is very nice.👍 I like your vacation story. I’m sorry you lost your sailboat, that’s a little disappointing. But it turned out great. I think the tall bead and bail combo works because you orientated the oval shape sideways. I also really like the Blue Mountain. Haven’t gotten ahold of any yet to work with but it’s on my BOLO list.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Jun 25, 2023 15:06:46 GMT -5
kate_foundlings Very pretty. I also really like the little nutshell. Did that cause you any issues from the patina? I’ve tried using some wooden beads and found they unfortunately end up dirtied by the patina process. It’s just hard to not get them wet. And I do also prefer to tumble burnish my work. I also really love the idea of making collections and your theme sounds really nice. Look forward to seeing them all together!👍
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Post by susand24224 on Jun 26, 2023 1:59:52 GMT -5
[quote timestamp="1687381575" [/div] I have to agree with Tela, you seem to show us a different take on things - using the tear drop sideways is a great idea.
Thank you for that.
I'm sorry I missed the sailboat, but it looks to me, like the clouds are what sent them into the harbor.  I like the wrap - even the top large bead, it adds some character to the bail.
On the other hand, Tom ( looking over my shoulder) says the annoying comment he always says about my photos,
that your horizon is tilted , and so the sailboat likely sailed off the edge of the earth ! Patty..... who found out this week that trying to do a complicated wrap, in a tent, by lantern light was NOT a good idea !
[/quote] Patty, a few comments--Tom is absolutely correct. Eagle eyes will note that I even turned it a bit sideways when I photographed to lessen that. This cab was very disrespectful of my wishes and kept changing the lay of the ocean and the grotto as I worked on it. Persnickety little thing. And I surely appreciate the comments about how I did things "differently." But I can I assure you that without the ocean scene I *never* would have turned an egg on its side to wrap it. Against my will, to maintain the scene, I did so--and stared at it two weeks trying to figure out how to do it. Some of that two weeks was used making decapitating duck heads with scrap wire, which never made it into the design, thankfully, that's why Tela didn't see them. I can also see your wrap in my mind. It definitely resembles the work I do pre-caffeine without my optivisor on, humming along, thinking everything is fine. Yikes! |
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Post by susand24224 on Jun 26, 2023 2:05:40 GMT -5
susand24224 This is very nice.👍 I like your vacation story. I’m sorry you lost your sailboat, that’s a little disappointing. But it turned out great. I think the tall bead and bail combo works because you orientated the oval shape sideways. I also really like the Blue Mountain. Haven’t gotten ahold of any yet to work with but it’s on my BOLO list. Thank you, Khara. Blue Mountain is a dream to work but at least what I have had "re-orients" itself as you are working on it. Alas, the sailboat, may it RIP. I now actually like the scene on the back better, although it likely would have changed as well. The story is a true one. It was an entirely accidental trip--designed by my friend. I offered to take her to the beach for her birthday and pay for accommodations and the gas, and figured we'd go somewhere like Nag's Head in N.C. Darned if she didn't look at me and say "I want to go to Barbados" so we did. (She did pay for half her plane ticket, though, and the accommodations were free since her cousin lived there. |
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Post by kate_foundlings on Jun 28, 2023 12:19:49 GMT -5
kate_foundlings Very pretty. I also really like the little nutshell. Did that cause you any issues from the patina? I’ve tried using some wooden beads and found they unfortunately end up dirtied by the patina process. It’s just hard to not get them wet. And I do also prefer to tumble burnish my work. I also really love the idea of making collections and your theme sounds really nice. Look forward to seeing them all together!👍 Thank you very much! I haven't actually done a patina for this one yet, I'm afraid of exactly what you mentioned, don't want to damage the nut at all! I might remove it and replace it later when I actually do decide to. It's only secured by a few loops through those holes in the center, shouldn't be too hard to replace. And yes, I absolutely love doing themed collections. I will be sure to do a post for the whole thing once it is released on July the 4th! |
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Post by kate_foundlings on Jun 28, 2023 12:22:59 GMT -5
kate_foundlings Wonderful and whimsical! I totally see the tree influence. I love all the techniques you used to pull this off. I like the nutshell, too. Great idea to bring the tree theme home. I have to say though, it's a jasper- not an agate. I love that material! Ah, a jasper! Thanks for pointing that out. I can wrap these stones like it's nobody's business, but I'm still a little iffy on actually identifying them, haha! I love the material too, I'm definitely going to have to get some more of it, such lovely color! |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Jun 29, 2023 2:22:22 GMT -5
Ok here is my May Flowers cab contest cab all wrapped up as my summer inspiration wrap challenge.☀️ On my phone, trapped under the cat, so hopefully I can get pics uploaded! 🤓 I’m fairly pleased with how this turned out. It of course isn’t exactly like I’d planned but that’s ok. I think I’ve realized I just really need more practice. I also realized this type of thing isn’t as easy as it used to be. I’ve been crafty all my life. My favorite childhood memories are of my grandma or mom taking me to the craft or art store and starting some new project. I tried everything! I always had great attention to detail, to the point of fussing too much, and spending way too long on things. And I also had great eye sight and apparently more small motor dexterity. It’s crazy how we can lose that as we get older. I didn’t realize. Until recently. It’s frustrating to not be able to do things I know I could’ve done easily years ago. I’m curious if this hobby or many hobbies actually, could help us to age a little slower. As I almost always mention, I’m grateful for these little contests or challenges on this forum because it gives me a little deadline to try and get something made. Otherwise life is too busy and 6 months would go by between cabs or wraps.👍   |
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Post by liveoak on Jun 29, 2023 6:10:49 GMT -5
That's very nicely done khara . I can't see a flaw, so you obviously struggled through just fine ! I like your top swirl, it's reminiscent of a music clef, and compliments your cab.
A good looking composition !
Patty |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 29, 2023 6:52:49 GMT -5
Very pretty Khara! Everything really works together. It's all nice and tight, too.
I was a lot like you, always trying some new craft. When I hit 40, almost to the day, I couldn't see up close worth a crap. Got optivisors. My hands cramp up now, too. I can do very little weaving. But, I keep wrapping- just not as much. Yes, I do think it is good for us to stay sharp.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 29, 2023 14:59:47 GMT -5
susand24224 You get to chose for July. PM your challenge when you are ready.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 29, 2023 15:01:04 GMT -5
khara What kind of wire did you use? It looks like bronze or that's a really nice copper patina.
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Post by susand24224 on Jun 29, 2023 16:50:30 GMT -5
khara, nice! I really like the way you did the top and fully "get it" on the dexterity you mentioned. Without my optivisor, I would be lost. But you've chosen a small cab, and handled the wrapping well.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Jun 29, 2023 17:29:07 GMT -5
liveoak Patty, thank you. The top swirl was different from my original plan. I had intended to add a bead but didn’t quite have the space so just did the swirl instead and tried to avoid over-bending all of it which seems so easy for me to do. rockjunquie Tela, thank you also. This was just raw copper wire and I did patina it. And mine also hit at 40, with no warning. I have an optivisor but can’t wear it long term. It strains my neck and shoulders. I use it mostly for looking for scratches while cabbing but I take it on and off. I may at some point try just some magnifying glasses. And yep, the hand cramping. I don’t get that. I don’t know why it’s happening but they just seize up and get so sore. Anyway, I’ll keep at it. It is always pleasing to make something. susand24224 Thank you Susan. Maybe I can find a lighter weight optivisor or something. I did look a while back but never pulled the trigger on a purchase. I’ve seen some that even clip onto your regular glasses. It just seems if I use it for several hours I’ll have quite a headache from the neck strain due to the weight of it while looking downward. Glad I got a wrap done this month. I’ve missed the last couple I think.
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Post by liveoak on Jun 30, 2023 9:46:38 GMT -5
Ah Summer !The theme I'm picturing - Hazy hot and humid, with the sun bursting through the dark clouds, right after one of the giant thunderstorms we have here. Remember, I couldn't afford the clear, summer sky blue Laramar The dark and stormy stone was ID'd as a beryl crystal. So I decided I'd try something different - This time, metal set into stone. I used 20 gauge metal sheet for the 5/16" sun (punched out with cutter) & 20 gauge metal wire for the rays. Drilled, carved & epoxied in. It's not perfect by a long shot -
My ray channels are a little longer than my ground down metal wire rays, and other things that I can see, but I decided I could live with it. The wrap was part of a tutorial I did a while back, & I knew that was the perfect border wrap for the sun motif -
But I never suspected how much trouble the darn bail would give me with the round cab. I tried at least 3 versions & then decided I was likely going to break the wires, so backtracked & went with something simple. In the end, I like it & it works ! Thanks once again for the challenge - I have to agree with Khara, they help keep me motivated every month ! Patty
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Post by MsAli on Jun 30, 2023 18:54:05 GMT -5
All so very talented!
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Post by jasoninsd on Jun 30, 2023 21:53:13 GMT -5
I had told Tela I was going to do a wrap for this month's challenge...but time and "life" got away from me...so I did not actually get one done...sorry folks... rockjunquie susand24224 kate_foundlings khara liveoakEach one of you did a wonderful job of capturing "Summer", each in your own way! Thank you all for coming up with some fantastic concepts!! |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 1, 2023 15:09:57 GMT -5
OMG!! Patty liveoak you knocked it out of the park!! I LOVE the stone AND the wrap. The back looks so neat- in fact, the whole thing does. That cab is really special, though. Thanks for sharing. Your piece is very inspiring. |
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,979
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Post by khara on Jul 1, 2023 15:20:48 GMT -5
liveoak That’s really neat Patty. Very creative and artistic. I could totally get into doing something like that. Definitely unique.👍👍 And the wrap itself is very sunny. Really nice overall piece! ☀️
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Post by kate_foundlings on Jul 1, 2023 16:45:22 GMT -5
What a fun month this was! So many great designs, I love them all! Hope you all had a great June. |
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Post by susand24224 on Jul 2, 2023 4:33:06 GMT -5
Ohhh! I've been gone a few days and am just now getting to oogle liveoak Patty's creation. You didn't wrap summer, you created summer! And beautifully, at that. Way to go. |
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