Post by NatureNut on Dec 11, 2009 13:21:34 GMT -5
The workshop has been bustling with activity and thought I'd share some of the new items coming out of the workshop.
These are for three of our four boys. (the first one went to the oldest) The new stoppers I ordered were of a little lesser quality with longer mandrels. The length turned out to be a lesser problem than the fact that they broke off so easily.
The finials were stuck and would not screw off and the mandrels broke in the process. Oh well, everything got epoxied in the final step anyway so all is secure. They are each made out of my local Albite Moonstone.
This year, we went green with a 4 1/2 foot live tree that will be planted in front of our garage in the spring. This is the smallest tree I've ever had and I was afraid the kids would think we were gypping them, but they surprised us with overwhelming support for choosing life, LOL.
At the top of the tree is another new creation.
I've been playing with a polymer clay (that really isn't a clay, it's polymer, LOL) that works well with stones. Although it takes some work to get it workable by hand, it hardens by popping in a 300 degree oven for only 10 minutes. So far, I have had no adverse reactions to many different stones. As I've progressed with these little rock angels, I've added a little more flair and detail. All but the last one are holding tiny moonstone cabs. Two have bodies that I cabbed from my local Amazonite Moonstone (Perthite). The shells came from our trip to Hatteras Island a couple of months ago.
Wanted something else manly and opted to cab some dino bone double sided and flat. Twisted some copper wire and fitted to encircle the outside edge. (thought about grooving, and think this would be a help for longer term durability) Then just formed a long strip of polymer and worked it in around the outside edges and baked. The polymer keeps the wire attached and helps protect the bone. We will see how well these hold up. I have had some problems with this type of keychain in the past falling apart after a while, but a key ring could easily be substituted if these didn't hold up. Anyway, here they are, Dino Bone Keychains:
I know I am owing everyone a ring tutorial. I've been working out bugs and think I have accomplished most of it. I ordered a ring mandrel, only to be sent the wrong one, and just received the right one the other day. I'll be working up pics and putting one together in the next couple of days. If things don't get too crazy here at the workshop, I'll be posting it very soon.
Thanks for looking! Jo
These are for three of our four boys. (the first one went to the oldest) The new stoppers I ordered were of a little lesser quality with longer mandrels. The length turned out to be a lesser problem than the fact that they broke off so easily.
The finials were stuck and would not screw off and the mandrels broke in the process. Oh well, everything got epoxied in the final step anyway so all is secure. They are each made out of my local Albite Moonstone. This year, we went green with a 4 1/2 foot live tree that will be planted in front of our garage in the spring. This is the smallest tree I've ever had and I was afraid the kids would think we were gypping them, but they surprised us with overwhelming support for choosing life, LOL.
At the top of the tree is another new creation.
I've been playing with a polymer clay (that really isn't a clay, it's polymer, LOL) that works well with stones. Although it takes some work to get it workable by hand, it hardens by popping in a 300 degree oven for only 10 minutes. So far, I have had no adverse reactions to many different stones. As I've progressed with these little rock angels, I've added a little more flair and detail. All but the last one are holding tiny moonstone cabs. Two have bodies that I cabbed from my local Amazonite Moonstone (Perthite). The shells came from our trip to Hatteras Island a couple of months ago.
Wanted something else manly and opted to cab some dino bone double sided and flat. Twisted some copper wire and fitted to encircle the outside edge. (thought about grooving, and think this would be a help for longer term durability) Then just formed a long strip of polymer and worked it in around the outside edges and baked. The polymer keeps the wire attached and helps protect the bone. We will see how well these hold up. I have had some problems with this type of keychain in the past falling apart after a while, but a key ring could easily be substituted if these didn't hold up. Anyway, here they are, Dino Bone Keychains:
I know I am owing everyone a ring tutorial. I've been working out bugs and think I have accomplished most of it. I ordered a ring mandrel, only to be sent the wrong one, and just received the right one the other day. I'll be working up pics and putting one together in the next couple of days. If things don't get too crazy here at the workshop, I'll be posting it very soon.
Thanks for looking! Jo
Tony
