NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Dec 14, 2020 16:06:39 GMT -5
Good day!
Somehow I found enough time to view some of the other cabochons, pendants and wire wraps on the RTH today. There is so much beauty and talent on the RTH that I paused, hesitated and almost didn't want to post my batch just because I think they are just so amateurish efforts really.
But contrast is a good thing; like going to the dance, single, with one of your chubby friends. The eye is naturally drawn towards the prettier examples!
P178 - Deep Red Agate - This is deeper red than it actually appears. I think I should have used silver now that I look at it. The Agates are slipperier, in that there is less friction on the stone and it becomes harder for the wire to grab on to something than if it were Jasper. In my experience at least.
P178 - Jasper Star Trek Lobster - I liked the shape of the stone, and so I finished it this way. It is hard to shape and polish some concave surfaces. I didn't intend it to be anything, but I kept thinking of Star Trek badges, that the cast wore on their uniforms. Beam me up Scotty! But it also looks like a pit viper!
P179 - Tiny Opaque Cream Agate - I don't know if this is Agate or Chert. But it was very slippery and hard to get wire around it for sure! It's small, about an inch tall stone. The woman I create these for will only wear something if it is extremely small and bound with the finest gauge wire possible. It is often a test.
P180 - Copper Mine Rock - Not my pick for a cabochon wrap initially, I just couldn't see discarding the stone because I couldn't get a polish on it. No real idea why it has been hard to do so. I like the pattern though. It kind of reminds me of marble. I used a lot of dissimilar wire on this project.
P181 - Lavic Jasper Conglamerate Beads - An old piece of Lavic from one of my first trips out there, I dug this up from the scrap bin and wondered why I had not used it before. Oddly, for Lavic, there is not pitting or cracks to speak of which is usually the case when multiple colors and material converge in to the same place. Also, back to the beads.
P182 - Chrysocolla Dioptase Aquarium - This is a bit larger and has been sitting around due to its size mainly. I always thought that it was like looking in to an aquarium or some aquatic scene or something. The black is Limonite. Another bead heavy example.
P183 - Holt Jasper Triangle - This is the kind of stone that my wife likes. Simple, and small. The Jasper is actually from a large piece that I was cutting, which fractured on the saw. A good deal of my first batch of Holt Jasper fractures on the saw. So I am just happy to have some piece to wrap.
P184 - Dioptase Aztec Triangle - Boy is this one a heavy piece. The rock is thick and the wire I chose is too large for it. Done right after the one above it, the weight between these two is like night and day. This might look good on a really heavy weaved gold chain worn around the neck. Haha.
That is about it for this batch. Thank you much for stopping by to have a look!
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Post by MsAli on Dec 14, 2020 16:09:09 GMT -5
I really love seeing your work. You've gotten so good. I really like the second one.
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Post by miket on Dec 14, 2020 16:19:21 GMT -5
Nice work!
You did a great job containing the Star Trek Lobster/Pit Viper, I really like how it turned out.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 14, 2020 18:31:36 GMT -5
Pretty pendants, Bill!
I really like the Copper Mine Rock pendant. Even though it didn't take a high polish, you can still see the shine and your choice of silver, gold an copper wires in the wrap really complement the stone.
Other favorites: The Star Trek Lobster and the Chrysocolla Dioptase Aquarium. Great wraps!
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 14, 2020 19:25:36 GMT -5
Bill, I'm neither a rapper, nor a wrapper...but I know what my eyes are telling my brain and my heart. These are spectacular! The Jasper Star Trek Lobster is both a beautiful stone and wrap. The Tiny Opaque Cream Agate has some very seriously fine wire on that one! It definitely makes the piece look "delicate". The Copper Mine Rock is polished better than some of my recent cabs! I've done a couple lately that just would NOT polish worth a darn! I like the beads on both the Lavic Jasper Conglamerate and the Chrysocolla Dioptase Aquarium...and I'll agree with your assessment on the Chrysocolla - I should know, I just watched Aquaman last week and stayed at a Holiday Inn... (Ok, the Holiday Inn part isn't true...I claim poetic license with that one! LOL) The Holt Jasper Triangle has that little addition of twisted wire at the bottom...subtle but very nice! The Dioptase Aztec Triangle is so appropriately named! I definitely feel an Aztec type influence when I look at this piece. Seriously, great job once again on the cabs, wraps, pictures, and descriptions!  |
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Post by fernwood on Dec 15, 2020 6:07:01 GMT -5
I like your wraps. As Jason said, the descriptions, too.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 15, 2020 13:57:47 GMT -5
I agree with what someelse said- you just keep getting better. I really like the star trek one and Holt Jasper Triangle one. Keep up the good work and remember - we are all our own worse critics. These are more than worthy of our viewing. Don't stop. |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Dec 18, 2020 13:22:13 GMT -5
I really love seeing your work. You've gotten so good. I really like the second one. Thank you! I really appreciate this coming from you. I almost didn't recognize you from the new avatar. |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Dec 18, 2020 13:23:27 GMT -5
Nice work! You did a great job containing the Star Trek Lobster/Pit Viper, I really like how it turned out. Thanks Mike! I appreciate any positive comments as it helps out with the old self-esteem over here.
I like your dog. He has the holiday spirit! I wish I still had a dog.
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Dec 18, 2020 13:25:31 GMT -5
Pretty pendants, Bill!
I really like the Copper Mine Rock pendant. Even though it didn't take a high polish, you can still see the shine and your choice of silver, gold an copper wires in the wrap really complement the stone.
Other favorites: The Star Trek Lobster and the Chrysocolla Dioptase Aquarium. Great wraps!
Thank you, Robin! I appreciate the kind words! Any comments or words of wisdom from you always help me move forward!
It looks like everyone decided to adopt a new holiday avatar. I guess I need to get with the program too!
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Dec 18, 2020 13:29:12 GMT -5
Bill, I'm neither a rapper, nor a wrapper...but I know what my eyes are telling my brain and my heart. These are spectacular! The Jasper Star Trek Lobster is both a beautiful stone and wrap. The Tiny Opaque Cream Agate has some very seriously fine wire on that one! It definitely makes the piece look "delicate". The Copper Mine Rock is polished better than some of my recent cabs! I've done a couple lately that just would NOT polish worth a darn! I like the beads on both the Lavic Jasper Conglamerate and the Chrysocolla Dioptase Aquarium...and I'll agree with your assessment on the Chrysocolla - I should know, I just watched Aquaman last week and stayed at a Holiday Inn... (Ok, the Holiday Inn part isn't true...I claim poetic license with that one! LOL) The Holt Jasper Triangle has that little addition of twisted wire at the bottom...subtle but very nice! The Dioptase Aztec Triangle is so appropriately named! I definitely feel an Aztec type influence when I look at this piece. Seriously, great job once again on the cabs, wraps, pictures, and descriptions! Thanks for the many kind things to say, Jason! I think I need to screen capture this one. There is enough positive reinforcement for me to take from this one response to keep me churning out cruddy, half-finished pentants for the next month! Pretty cool that you could see the Aztec attempt that I made there too. Not sure many would pick that up if I had not mentioned it. I need to dig and see what your recent cabs look like, because the last one I saw (from your landscaping rocks in your own yard) looked really cool. Thanks man! |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Dec 18, 2020 13:32:19 GMT -5
I agree with what someelse said- you just keep getting better. I really like the star trek one and Holt Jasper Triangle one. Keep up the good work and remember - we are all our own worse critics. These are more than worthy of our viewing. Don't stop. Thanks Tela! Any way that you might critique these is always positive. I wouldn't be lying if I told you that viewing some of your work always leaves me feeling like I will never get to my goal. I am just too much of a hack. I need to be more Ok with just being that.
It is fitting that you have the prettiest profile avatar this holiday season! |
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 18, 2020 17:14:26 GMT -5
Bill, I'm neither a rapper, nor a wrapper...but I know what my eyes are telling my brain and my heart. These are spectacular! The Jasper Star Trek Lobster is both a beautiful stone and wrap. The Tiny Opaque Cream Agate has some very seriously fine wire on that one! It definitely makes the piece look "delicate". The Copper Mine Rock is polished better than some of my recent cabs! I've done a couple lately that just would NOT polish worth a darn! I like the beads on both the Lavic Jasper Conglamerate and the Chrysocolla Dioptase Aquarium...and I'll agree with your assessment on the Chrysocolla - I should know, I just watched Aquaman last week and stayed at a Holiday Inn... (Ok, the Holiday Inn part isn't true...I claim poetic license with that one! LOL) The Holt Jasper Triangle has that little addition of twisted wire at the bottom...subtle but very nice! The Dioptase Aztec Triangle is so appropriately named! I definitely feel an Aztec type influence when I look at this piece. Seriously, great job once again on the cabs, wraps, pictures, and descriptions! Thanks for the many kind things to say, Jason! I think I need to screen capture this one. There is enough positive reinforcement for me to take from this one response to keep me churning out cruddy, half-finished pentants for the next month! Pretty cool that you could see the Aztec attempt that I made there too. Not sure many would pick that up if I had not mentioned it. I need to dig and see what your recent cabs look like, because the last one I saw (from your landscaping rocks in your own yard) looked really cool. Thanks man! You know, you are your own worst critic (as a lot of us are).  I see nothing cruddy about any of the cabs you've posted. Remember, quite a few cabs and wraps DON'T get posted by other members on here, so we have a tendency to see and focus on the "best of the best" quite often on here. As far as my cabs go, there is definitely room for improvement! LOL I've been spending the last couple days slabbing and cutting pre-forms so I'd have a steady supply of cabbing material for the next few frozen months. So, I will be making many more cabs in the near future...and I have a tendency to post ALL of them, whether they're good or bad! Plus, you do wrapping too! That's something that just hasn't piqued my interest *(yet)...but I'm hoping I can nudge my wife into wanting to do it...but it's not looking good for the home team on that one! LOL |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Dec 28, 2020 16:05:44 GMT -5
Thanks for the many kind things to say, Jason! I think I need to screen capture this one. There is enough positive reinforcement for me to take from this one response to keep me churning out cruddy, half-finished pentants for the next month! Pretty cool that you could see the Aztec attempt that I made there too. Not sure many would pick that up if I had not mentioned it. I need to dig and see what your recent cabs look like, because the last one I saw (from your landscaping rocks in your own yard) looked really cool. Thanks man! You know, you are your own worst critic (as a lot of us are). I see nothing cruddy about any of the cabs you've posted. Remember, quite a few cabs and wraps DON'T get posted by other members on here, so we have a tendency to see and focus on the "best of the best" quite often on here. As far as my cabs go, there is definitely room for improvement! LOL I've been spending the last couple days slabbing and cutting pre-forms so I'd have a steady supply of cabbing material for the next few frozen months. So, I will be making many more cabs in the near future...and I have a tendency to post ALL of them, whether they're good or bad! Plus, you do wrapping too! That's something that just hasn't piqued my interest *(yet)...but I'm hoping I can nudge my wife into wanting to do it...but it's not looking good for the home team on that one! LOL I think I know what you mean by pile of preforms, ready to cab.
I cut this pile over the past year or so. It still has not shrunk much. Looking at it honestly I think that I could be cabbing for the next 2 years if I got started today... just no time! where is all of the time going!
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Post by jasoninsd on Dec 28, 2020 18:24:12 GMT -5
You know, you are your own worst critic (as a lot of us are). I see nothing cruddy about any of the cabs you've posted. Remember, quite a few cabs and wraps DON'T get posted by other members on here, so we have a tendency to see and focus on the "best of the best" quite often on here. As far as my cabs go, there is definitely room for improvement! LOL I've been spending the last couple days slabbing and cutting pre-forms so I'd have a steady supply of cabbing material for the next few frozen months. So, I will be making many more cabs in the near future...and I have a tendency to post ALL of them, whether they're good or bad! Plus, you do wrapping too! That's something that just hasn't piqued my interest *(yet)...but I'm hoping I can nudge my wife into wanting to do it...but it's not looking good for the home team on that one! LOL I think I know what you mean by pile of preforms, ready to cab.
I cut this pile over the past year or so. It still has not shrunk much. Looking at it honestly I think that I could be cabbing for the next 2 years if I got started today... just no time! where is all of the time going!
LOL - I think you're setup for awhile right there! You've got some nice looking material mixed in there! |
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