chrisperez
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 457
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Post by chrisperez on Apr 25, 2012 21:13:21 GMT -5
Hey guys, Here is yet another quartz crystal pendant... This design is quickly becoming my " standard " wrap, lol  .. this is the fourth one I've made like this... well, pretty much like this  . I like how this one came out... I actually broke the first crystal I was going to use one this one ( I guess there IS such a thing as too tight  , lol ), so I went back to our local rock shop and picked up a few more. This one fit perfectly, I really like how so much of the crystal hangs out of the bottom.  the side... pretty much completely open, as usual... really helps to show off the deep green color of the tourmaline.  Here's my usual piontless pic ;D, this is what it looks like when you are wearing it, lol.  ... and the back... this wrap uses four 20 gauge wires, is really tricky tucking away all 8 ends in such a small place.  Oh, and by the way... this one is in sterling silver and gold filled wire, in case you were wondering  |
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chrisperez
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 457
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Post by chrisperez on Apr 26, 2012 15:56:12 GMT -5
Wow, not one responce?!?!?! Is it really that bad? , just kidding  |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 26, 2012 17:21:53 GMT -5
Wow! That's awesome! |
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Post by christopherl1234 on Apr 26, 2012 17:35:36 GMT -5
Just seen this right now. Killer job Chris. I admire your style of wrapping.
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meta99
has rocks in the head
Ohio Flint Ridge flint
Member since October 2010
Posts: 540
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Post by meta99 on Apr 26, 2012 17:53:24 GMT -5
I've just started faceting, so I love to see how you incorporate faceted stones into your wraps. While I am not a big fan of the more ornate wraps, I appreciate your artistry and the work involved. And there is definitely a market for your style.
Sue
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chrisperez
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 457
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Post by chrisperez on Apr 27, 2012 15:02:26 GMT -5
Wow! That's awesome! ;D Thank you Just seen this right now. Killer job Chris. I admire your style of wrapping. Thanks Chris, I'll still do a custom for you whenever you want, bud ... If you have any real special fire agates or opal you want wrapped, I'll be happy to do it for 'ya... Heck, I just want to actually see them in person, lol I've just started faceting, so I love to see how you incorporate faceted stones into your wraps. While I am not a big fan of the more ornate wraps, I appreciate your artistry and the work involved. And there is definitely a market for your style. Sue Thanks Sue, One of these days ( hopefully ) I will get to cut my own stones... All I have is a couple of tumblers ( and a hammer ). The keep me entertained for now though . Oh, and don't get me wrong Sue... I do simple wraps too, I just haven't for a little while. I have tons of sketches though, I just need to get wrapping |
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Post by helens on Apr 27, 2012 15:27:51 GMT -5
Beautiful! How long does it take you to do such an intricate wrap Chris?
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cccbock
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2011
Posts: 502
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Post by cccbock on Apr 27, 2012 16:02:22 GMT -5
nice piece !!
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chrisperez
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 457
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Post by chrisperez on Apr 27, 2012 16:03:05 GMT -5
Beautiful! How long does it take you to do such an intricate wrap Chris? Thanks Helen, These take about 3 hours... My more rediculous ones have taken up to 10 hours, but I spend most of that time deciding what to do next ... |
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 27, 2012 22:43:33 GMT -5
Your work is really beautiful! I've seen a lot of this type style, but very, very few as well done as yours. ;D
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karock
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 667
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Post by karock on Apr 28, 2012 1:34:39 GMT -5
Never seen anything like it, very nice
Karock
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jody
spending too much on rocks
Love our country because it Loves U.S.
Member since January 2011
Posts: 436
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Post by jody on Apr 28, 2012 21:04:32 GMT -5
I would LOVE to learn this technique. Any helpful thoughts |
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Post by frane on Apr 29, 2012 7:11:48 GMT -5
Chris, I am in awe of how far you have gone with wrapping in just a few years! Have you tried selling some of these in the spiritual rock shops that are hidden around? We had one in Herndon that was called Chrystals. I am wondering if they would have the customer base that would pay the right price to make all that work worth it. I suspect a good shop would. Just a thought.
Fran
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Post by NatureNut on Apr 29, 2012 8:18:18 GMT -5
I agree with Fran. I think you've really found your niche with the crystal and faceted stone thing. Next you'll have to do chakra wand pendants. All somebody has to do is see your work in person and they'll go nuts for them!
Jo
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Apr 29, 2012 8:50:44 GMT -5
It's a nice job as far as technique goes but if you want my gut check, I'm thinking it's WAY too much metal being used for today's volatile metal market. By the time you pay for your material and put a price that people will pay for wire wrap...is this economic? It would make a great gift item though, but it seems to me that 3 hours of wrapping plus lots of silver for a quartz crystal wrap is going to lead to burn-out if you are looking to sell. Reason: Other people can make many and multiple wraps of their quartz crystals and have half a booth wrapped and ready in the time you're making a couple of items. So it gets frustrating if you need to make money. If you DON'T need to make money, none of this applies...you can continue with what you're doing because it is beautiful.
Fran, my experience of the New Age/crystal shops is that a lot of times you are asked to put your item on consignment, the item is sold or otherwise vanishes, and yet you can't get paid because the owner is too /advanced or too spiritual to pay his bills. Never sell on consignment to that type of business...
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chrisperez
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 457
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Post by chrisperez on Apr 29, 2012 11:02:55 GMT -5
I would LOVE to learn this technique. Any helpful thoughts Hmm... Well Jody, practice I guess, lol ... Honestly, the most helpful thing I've read as far as tutorials goes is still Randy's tutorial on this forum. Other than that just a bunch of experementing . Personally, I think there's nothing to it really . I will suggest that you practice weaving with 16 or 18 gauge wire for the frame and 26 ga for the weaving. It's alot easier with thicker frame wires... but mostly, just play around ;D. |
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chrisperez
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 457
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Post by chrisperez on Apr 29, 2012 13:08:02 GMT -5
Chris, I am in awe of how far you have gone with wrapping in just a few years! Have you tried selling some of these in the spiritual rock shops that are hidden around? We had one in Herndon that was called Chrystals. I am wondering if they would have the customer base that would pay the right price to make all that work worth it. I suspect a good shop would. Just a thought. Fran I agree with Fran. I think you've really found your niche with the crystal and faceted stone thing. Next you'll have to do chakra wand pendants. All somebody has to do is see your work in person and they'll go nuts for them! Jo Thanks Fran and Jo, I've been to some of the spiritual shops around here and they are always interested. But usually just for consignment. I manage to sell enough on my own to make the hobby self supporting. Maybe if I stepped up production, but for now I'm doing O.K. ... Actually there is a town near me, Yellow Springs, OH. The whole town is pretty much a throwback from the hippie days. A huge tourist attraction. Suprising amout of money there... So maybe someday It's a nice job as far as technique goes but if you want my gut check, I'm thinking it's WAY too much metal being used for today's volatile metal market. By the time you pay for your material and put a price that people will pay for wire wrap...is this economic? It would make a great gift item though, but it seems to me that 3 hours of wrapping plus lots of silver for a quartz crystal wrap is going to lead to burn-out if you are looking to sell. Reason: Other people can make many and multiple wraps of their quartz crystals and have half a booth wrapped and ready in the time you're making a couple of items. So it gets frustrating if you need to make money. If you DON'T need to make money, none of this applies...you can continue with what you're doing because it is beautiful. Fran, my experience of the New Age/crystal shops is that a lot of times you are asked to put your item on consignment, the item is sold or otherwise vanishes, and yet you can't get paid because the owner is too /advanced or too spiritual to pay his bills. Never sell on consignment to that type of business... Thanks Peach, There's not as much wire in these as it seems, but yeah... plenty of time. I've got a day job, so I'm not worried about making much money off them right now. But then againg, I DO hate my day job, so... lol. " because the owner is too /advanced or too spiritual to pay his bills. ", lol ;D |
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jody
spending too much on rocks
Love our country because it Loves U.S.
Member since January 2011
Posts: 436
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Post by jody on Apr 29, 2012 21:25:05 GMT -5
Thanks I just Love your work.. It is Amazing |
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.. this is the fourth one I've made like this... well, pretty much like this 
.
, lol ), so I went back to our local rock shop and picked up a few more. This one fit perfectly, I really like how so much of the crystal hangs out of the bottom. 
