AQuartzLow
starting to shine!
Member since November 2020
Posts: 44 
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Post by AQuartzLow on Jun 30, 2022 14:18:33 GMT -5
Honestly, I let the rock talk to me. I tend to use interestingly shaped rocks rather than slabs and I tend to like the finished cab to be double sided to show off the rock in it’s entirety. Also, I don’t shy away from “imperfect” stones and like the fractures/inclusions b/c of the way light bounces off of them- I like the rainbows and shimmers 🥰 I’m also self-taught and am still very new to cabbing and enjoy it, but I enjoy the way I do it….which isn’t necessarily the “right” way. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I like shaping the stones then finishing them in my Lot-o…mainly b/c I don’t want to dop and change wheels. 😂 This is my favorite one- it’s my local blue quartz and is my first attempt at wire-wrapping. I LOVE IT 😍  |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 30, 2022 14:22:18 GMT -5
Honestly, I let the rock talk to me. I tend to use interestingly shaped rocks rather than slabs and I tend to like the finished cab to be double sided to show off the rock in it’s entirety. Also, I don’t shy away from “imperfect” stones and like the fractures/inclusions b/c of the way light bounces off of them- I like the rainbows and shimmers 🥰 Ikm also self-taught and am still very new to cabbing and enjoy it, but I enjoy the way I do it….which isn’t necessarily the “right” way. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I like shaping the stones then finishing them in my Lot-o…mainly b/c I don’t want to dop and change wheels. 😂 This is my favorite one- it’s my local blue quartz and is my first attempt at wire-wrapping. I LOVE IT 😍
OOooooooo, great wrap, especially for your first!
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 30, 2022 14:24:12 GMT -5
I don't have a big saw, so I buy slabs. I try to get the first 1 or 2 sweet spots. I use templates because it helps me maximize the slab. Although, I do do freeforms, too.
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AQuartzLow
starting to shine!
Member since November 2020
Posts: 44
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Post by AQuartzLow on Jun 30, 2022 14:31:35 GMT -5
Thank you!! I really like the simplicity of using prongs and letting the stone be the star rather than the wire work on this piece. 🥰 |
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Post by liveoak on Jun 30, 2022 14:35:46 GMT -5
I'm also self taught & still feeling my way around my cab unit.
But I for one, like to experiment with different shapes - too boring to do the same thing all the time.
Also, I like to think ahead as to what I'm doing with the cab - how will I set it in a piece of jewelry, etc.
So in that sense, I find making cabs has become another extension of my jewelry bench.
Patty
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Post by Rockoonz on Jun 30, 2022 16:00:23 GMT -5
I think the only time I intentionally cut the same shape is for calibrated settings and for a focal bead shape I like to use for simple necklace pendants. I can find a picture when I'm at the PC if you want to see it. Otherwise I prefer to look at the rock and choose the shape that fits the stone best. If the goal is to set cabs to sell, or to sell to jewelers, less complicated shapes may be better.
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jun 30, 2022 17:33:28 GMT -5
I have a very unique style. It is called "yah I'll get to it someday" lol Honestly I have so many cabs started that never go anywhere. I struggle to even enter anything in the monthly contest. I think I have finished 3 in the last year or so.
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Post by jasoninsd on Jun 30, 2022 18:55:28 GMT -5
1. What’s your goal you’re trying to accomplish when cutting a cabochon? 2. For those who find themselves repeatedly cutting the same shape, or stone type, what is it that draws you to said shape or stone? 3. Do you think it’s better to be creative and make every piece different, or do you think it’s better to have a signature shape/style? 4. How do you feel your cabs stand out from the sea of stones out there? I’m self taught and always find myself trying to come up with something different, and with that I feel like I don’t have a signature style that people recognize as my work. I’d like to hear your thoughts, Byron 1. My goal is to create a "setting" that will work well with my style of wire-wrapping. When I first started, I had no clue "why" I was creating the cabs. Once I started wire-wrapping, I finally had a "purpose" for cabbing. 2. I have a tendency to do a LOT of teardrop shapes. I think the main reason for that is patterns often work very well with the teardrop shape...a larger area for the main part of the pattern and a smaller area as the pattern tapers off. 3. For the last year, I've been cabbing an unbelievable amount...mainly with the thought of getting my "inventory" numbers up there. I was just talking with a friend last night about how I feel about cabs now. I want to slow down and concentrate on creating cabs that are "worth my time" to make. That is not meant to sound arrogant. I just can't justify taking the same amount of time to do a nondescript cab, versus one that has something special about it. 4. I don't know that my cabs themselves stand out...nor do my wraps really...but I'm working on getting better.  With regards to you and your skills...ummm...your abilities are insane! I've seen some things that you can do on wheels that I can only hope to figure out some day! |
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,501
Member is Online
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Post by realrockhound on Jun 30, 2022 19:49:33 GMT -5
I generally prefer shapes with symmetry. However… with that being said, I try to do shapes that capture as much of the pattern as possible and accentuate the pattern/flow of the material as possible. I’m still very new to cabbing, but as my skills increase, I’ve been finding myself being very picky about the material and shapes I cut.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,060 
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Post by gemfeller on Jun 30, 2022 20:13:09 GMT -5
I used to cut standard shapes exclusively to fit into pre-made settings. That changed over the years as my jewelry-making learning curve matured. Now when I look at a piece of rough the first thing I visualize is how it can be used in a finished piece of jewelry. This often results in really weird shapes because I often see a stone as part of a 2 or 3-stone finished piece. Those might end up as symmetrical when the jewelry item is finished. I plan for faceted accent stones if the jewelry concept demands it.
I don't wire wrap. It's an interesting technique but I prefer to make solid silver or gold jewelry either fabricated or cast. I like working with wax to make one-off jewelry designs to fit any particular stone and design idea.
So I guess I'm one of those "let the stone tell you what it wants to be" people. That's especially true when I'm cutting precious opal or fire agate. They're both very strong-minded and stubborn materials that can resist being "disciplined" into standard shapes.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 30, 2022 20:29:34 GMT -5
I used to cut standard shapes exclusively to fit into pre-made settings. That changed over the years as my jewelry-making learning curve matured. Now when I look at a piece of rough the first thing I visualize is how it can be used in a finished piece of jewelry. This often results in really weird shapes because I often see a stone as part of a 2 or 3-stone finished piece. Those might end up as symmetrical when the jewelry item is finished. I plan for faceted accent stones if the jewelry concept demands it. I don't wire wrap. It's an interesting technique but I prefer to make solid silver or gold jewelry either fabricated or cast. I like working with wax to make one-off jewelry designs to fit any particular stone and design idea. So I guess I'm one of those "let the stone tell you what it wants to be" people. That's especially true when I'm cutting precious opal or fire agate. They're both very strong-minded and stubborn materials that can resist being "disciplined" into standard shapes. I intend to get back into silversmithing. I have definite ideas for things to accomplish. It is actually silversmithing and a some fabulous artists that inspire me to wrap. Strange, I know. |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,060
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Post by gemfeller on Jun 30, 2022 20:32:08 GMT -5
I used to cut standard shapes exclusively to fit into pre-made settings. That changed over the years as my jewelry-making learning curve matured. Now when I look at a piece of rough the first thing I visualize is how it can be used in a finished piece of jewelry. This often results in really weird shapes because I often see a stone as part of a 2 or 3-stone finished piece. Those might end up as symmetrical when the jewelry item is finished. I plan for faceted accent stones if the jewelry concept demands it. I don't wire wrap. It's an interesting technique but I prefer to make solid silver or gold jewelry either fabricated or cast. I like working with wax to make one-off jewelry designs to fit any particular stone and design idea. So I guess I'm one of those "let the stone tell you what it wants to be" people. That's especially true when I'm cutting precious opal or fire agate. They're both very strong-minded and stubborn materials that can resist being "disciplined" into standard shapes. I intend to get back into silversmithing. I have definite ideas for things to accomplish. It is actually silversmithing and a some fabulous artists that inspire me to wrap. Strange, I know. Not strange - I totally get it. With your creative IQ and skills I hope you're able to make it happen. We anxiously await images! |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 30, 2022 20:36:49 GMT -5
I intend to get back into silversmithing. I have definite ideas for things to accomplish. It is actually silversmithing and a some fabulous artists that inspire me to wrap. Strange, I know. Not strange - I totally get it. With your creative IQ and skills I hope you're able to make it happen. We anxiously await images! You are too kind. Sadly, I lack the room for it. We were looking for a bigger place when covid hit and the house rush took over. Plus, we can't really move too far. My granddaughter still needs a homebase. She's a senior at William & Mary now. She'll be going to their law school after graduating.
Sorry for the momentary hijack....
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Post by Rockoonz on Jul 1, 2022 10:51:47 GMT -5
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