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Post by radio on May 6, 2014 22:02:52 GMT -5
Had a customer stop by the shop a couple of weeks ago that had collected a few Petosky Stones and wanted to know if they could be polished up a bit. I mentioned that this one would make a great ring and a nice memento of the trip, so wound up setting it in Sterling for his Wife. It came out pretty nice and I think they will be pleased  |
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143 
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Post by nvkermit1512 on May 6, 2014 22:12:43 GMT -5
Very nice layout, do you smith your own ring blanks?
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Post by radio on May 6, 2014 22:30:53 GMT -5
Very nice layout, do you smith your own ring blanks? Thanks, and yes I do. I twist the wire out of various gauge dead soft SS, shape the bezel to the stone and mark the size needed on 18 to 22 gauge SS sheet, cut it out and solder things together. I then make the shank from various SS wire. The simplest being double half round cut to size, then split on each end anywhere from 10 to 15mm, pre file the ends, shape and size it on the mandrel then with a knife pry apart the splits and solder to the setting. Lots of small steps left out in this info, but that's the short version:-) The only thing I use that is pre formed is the SS wire. I often use two to 4 pieces of square wire and solder them together to form a shank also. My pieces are made pretty much the old school way and with a heavy Native American influence. I do some contemporary pieces, but I stay away from "Artsy Fartsy" new age stuff. BTW< I don't call myself an "Artist" and I don't work in a "Studio"  |
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on May 6, 2014 23:17:05 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, I may have to glean some ideas from you  . I too am more "old school" with most my workings, that and I mostly just make it up as I go, lol |
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Post by pghram on May 7, 2014 14:43:09 GMT -5
You do outstanding designs & craftsmanship.
Rich
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Post by radio on May 7, 2014 20:33:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, I may have to glean some ideas from you . I too am more "old school" with most my workings, that and I mostly just make it up as I go, lol I'll share anytime. Just send me a PM and I will get back with you. Sometimes I don't log on for a day or three, so be patient:-) I start with a design on paper most of the time, but am not against making changes on the fly. Some of the best pieces evolve that way. Glad to see more "old school" types in the craft. There is room for everyone, but I just can't bring myself to create "Art" :-) |
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Post by radio on May 7, 2014 20:42:31 GMT -5
You do outstanding designs & craftsmanship. Rich Thank you Sir! I'll try to not let it go to my head:-) Had a Lady test me today by asking if I knew the name of the stone in her ring. She has had it for many years and apparently takes great delight in stumping those who claim to be Jewelry makers and such. I dug out my reading spectacles, took one look and told her it was Ametrine. You could have driven a Semi into her mouth her jaw dropped so far! She said other than the guy who made it for her that I was the only one she has shown it to who knew what it was, so I felt pretty good about that:-) |
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nvkermit1512
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2014
Posts: 143
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Post by nvkermit1512 on May 7, 2014 20:44:52 GMT -5
You defiantly bring the "art", to me nature is the best artist and I just want to bring a little bit of the "art" to others. Now most "modern" stuff I will call "artsy-fartsy" , it may be fine for others but I prefer the look and feel of home made. And you got that in spades. At present time I am still working full time and only get the weekends to play, so I mostly see what everyone else is doing and plan a dozen of projects at a time in my head. I will be keeping my eyes open for more ideas I see on here. I really like the way you did the ring band and I will admit, I will probably use that style at some point in the future. Thanks for welcoming me into the fold. |
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Post by radio on May 7, 2014 21:12:07 GMT -5
You defiantly bring the "art", to me nature is the best artist and I just want to bring a little bit of the "art" to others. Now most "modern" stuff I will call "artsy-fartsy" , it may be fine for others but I prefer the look and feel of home made. And you got that in spades. At present time I am still working full time and only get the weekends to play, so I mostly see what everyone else is doing and plan a dozen of projects at a time in my head. I will be keeping my eyes open for more ideas I see on here. I really like the way you did the ring band and I will admit, I will probably use that style at some point in the future. Thanks for welcoming me into the fold. Thanks (blushes) I really liked the pattern in this stone and did a bit of trimming to get the nice rays near the center to be framed by the surrounding partial rays I gotta get me some of these! :-) |
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Post by roy on May 8, 2014 8:31:14 GMT -5
another nice piece Arlen
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Post by radio on May 8, 2014 18:32:22 GMT -5
Thanks Roy. Can't wait for you to open what's in the mail to you  |
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 8, 2014 19:58:53 GMT -5
Wow, radio, that is superb! Great stone and brilliant craftsmanship of the ring!
Sometimes, old school is best. I never listen to people when they say, "You can't do it that way!"
My dad is an engineer. When growing up, whenever I made something (usually out of wood), he would say, "Where's your plan/design/blueprint/paperwork?" Ha, I always winged it, never wrote down measurements, sometimes just a sketchy sketch. Cut to fit lives!!! (Glad I didn't inherit that particular trait from him, lol!)
Carry on! You've got a great eye.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,049
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Post by gemfeller on May 8, 2014 21:33:29 GMT -5
[quote author="radio"
BTW< I don't call myself an "Artist" and I don't work in a "Studio"
[/quote][/p]
Delightful! My sentiments exactly. I don't "name" my work either or come up with "profound" double-talk about my inspirations. Nice work Radio.
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jollyrockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 409
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Post by jollyrockhound on May 10, 2014 11:48:18 GMT -5
Very nice! Awesome capture of the stone!
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on May 10, 2014 23:44:27 GMT -5
Orientation pick on the stone can't be beat. Good subject surrounded by a really nice "holder". Well done.
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Post by radio on May 11, 2014 19:19:16 GMT -5
Orientation pick on the stone can't be beat. Good subject surrounded by a really nice "holder". Well done. Thanks all for the positive comments! Quartz: If you look at the topmost part of the stone you can see a couple of brown rays that I had to minimize as much as possible. I had to settle for leaving some of the off color in to keep the overall balance around the main burst near the center. I was surprised it took a pretty good polish for being a fairly soft stone. |
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on May 11, 2014 22:48:28 GMT -5
I noticed the bit of brown. Given that ma nature rarely gives us perfect pieces to work with, we [wife and I] think you did a fine job.
Larry
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Post by snowmom on May 12, 2014 7:10:22 GMT -5
very nice. love the silver, perfect compliment to the stone. <3
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Post by connrock on May 13, 2014 9:01:08 GMT -5
Awesome job on the ring Arlen,,,,,,,and after the cross you did for me I wouldn't expect anything other then that from you!
Petosky Stones are very soft and you did a great job polishing this one!
Many years ago a friend asked me to tumble polish about 8-10 lbs of Petosky Stones for him.They were the most difficult rocks I've ever done and don't want to ever do any of them again!
connrock
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Post by radio on May 13, 2014 20:16:27 GMT -5
Awesome job on the ring Arlen,,,,,,,and after the cross you did for me I wouldn't expect anything other then that from you! Petosky Stones are very soft and you did a great job polishing this one! Many years ago a friend asked me to tumble polish about 8-10 lbs of Petosky Stones for him.They were the most difficult rocks I've ever done and don't want to ever do any of them again! connrock Thanks Tom  It was a bit of a bear, but the diamonds on the 8 inch Cab King and a final polish on 14,000 made it shine pretty good. I never knew what I was missing all these yaers as I muddled along on an old 8 inch Star Diamond machine I converted with a 100 and 220 diamond wheel and two expando drums with SC, then switch one to a 3M aluminum oxide belt and a final polish with cerium on a 12 inch elk hide bull wheel. The first cab I did on the Cab King had a glass smooth mirror finish and I was in awe! I opted for the big bad boy 8 inch as I was planning on giving lessons at the retail location, but don't think I will have time. I do have an apprentice and can't believe how hard he is on the wheels!!!!!! That kinda made me realize that several Noobs on the machine would kill the wheels in very short order and there would be no profit to be made from the lessons after the cost of replacing wheels  |
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. I too am more "old school" with most my workings, that and I mostly just make it up as I go, lol
It was a bit of a bear, but the diamonds on the 8 inch Cab King and a final polish on 14,000 made it shine pretty good. I never knew what I was missing all these yaers as I muddled along on an old 8 inch Star Diamond machine I converted with a 100 and 220 diamond wheel and two expando drums with SC, then switch one to a 3M aluminum oxide belt and a final polish with cerium on a 12 inch elk hide bull wheel.
