Post by Emerald on Nov 7, 2005 9:21:44 GMT -5
Forgive the photos...I slapped them on the scanner so you all could see. I'm still working on making a "tent" to photograph jewelry.
Overall, it was a long, but I think fruitful week. The class started out slow, but picked up at the end. We even had a chance to do some "straw casting"! I will show you all a piece once I get the bail on and have it polished! It was simply the coolest technique!
For my first project, I managed to do your typical oval ring but don't have it photographed....I took it off and can't find it atm. :-(
My 2nd project was a Chrysocolla Pendant
Nothing exciting here...except I used sawdust to raise the stone (that was novel!) and I learned how to make a home-made bail in about 5 min. (The bail is top-centered, but the way it was set on the scanner makes it look off-center.)
3rd project: Snowflake Obsidian Earrings
I made two bails I learned from the previous project, curled the back a bit, added a bezel for a small 6mm x 7mm stone and soldered a post to the back. (I used sawdust to raise the stone this time. MUCH easier to set!)
My 4th project: Labradorite Pendant
I started this one at home....and finished it in class. It was a pain to line up and I should have left well enough alone. It turned out kinda wonky, but a fair first attempt. I cut the Labradorite myself....and it broke right as I was about to polish it. It was a happy mistake in the end but a pain to make the bezel for the tiny stone on top. Once again...I used sawdust to raise the stones.
I really like this design and plan to do more, but I've learned to not mess with it once it's shaped. (I should have annealed it and THEN adjusted it) I tried to adjust the top and ended up bending it and knocking it out of shape....
Anyway...hope you enjoy!
Emerald
Overall, it was a long, but I think fruitful week. The class started out slow, but picked up at the end. We even had a chance to do some "straw casting"! I will show you all a piece once I get the bail on and have it polished! It was simply the coolest technique!
For my first project, I managed to do your typical oval ring but don't have it photographed....I took it off and can't find it atm. :-(
My 2nd project was a Chrysocolla Pendant
Nothing exciting here...except I used sawdust to raise the stone (that was novel!) and I learned how to make a home-made bail in about 5 min. (The bail is top-centered, but the way it was set on the scanner makes it look off-center.)
3rd project: Snowflake Obsidian Earrings
I made two bails I learned from the previous project, curled the back a bit, added a bezel for a small 6mm x 7mm stone and soldered a post to the back. (I used sawdust to raise the stone this time. MUCH easier to set!)
My 4th project: Labradorite Pendant
I started this one at home....and finished it in class. It was a pain to line up and I should have left well enough alone. It turned out kinda wonky, but a fair first attempt. I cut the Labradorite myself....and it broke right as I was about to polish it. It was a happy mistake in the end but a pain to make the bezel for the tiny stone on top. Once again...I used sawdust to raise the stones.
I really like this design and plan to do more, but I've learned to not mess with it once it's shaped. (I should have annealed it and THEN adjusted it) I tried to adjust the top and ended up bending it and knocking it out of shape....
Anyway...hope you enjoy!
Emerald
