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Post by jasoninsd on Jun 30, 2022 21:24:27 GMT -5
Definitely not saying anything negative...and I am NOT poo-poo'ing your wrap! Just some thoughts... I've just never used binding wire with a larger gauge than the main wires. On your wrap, my eyes immediately went to the binding wires due to their size...they lost being an"accent" to me. The two wires that are bent over the bail (both in front and back) - you can take a pair of flat nose and carefully work those wires back and forth (barely) to tighten them up against each other - rather than having them gap. In order to end your bail wire - rather than wrapping it into the top like you did, you can clip the wire at a 30 degree angle and end it dead-center on the back. The angled cut will end up being "flat" with the curve. Again...not nit-picking...just offering suggestions and things I'm seeing.  I did misspoke - the binding wire is 18 gauge, but 1/2 round, so actually in proportion with the 20 gauge round main wires.
Sorry for my misrepresentation.
You're right the front back folded down wires weren't as neat as I imagined, but passable :-)
I have to look further on your suggestion for ending the bail wire- as you saw, I just tried to tuck it into the center. How about a photo of a back showing your interpretation ?
Thanks ,
Patty
I knew you were going to ask for a pic! LOL  |
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markb
Cave Dweller 
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472 
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Post by markb on Jul 1, 2022 2:38:48 GMT -5
That's funny jasoninsd , I thought the same thing, but I'm glad markb was liking my stone, so no worries there. Wire is 20 gauge round for the main & 18 gauge 1/2 round for the bindings. The catch is 18 gauge round / hammered for the hook & 20 gauge for the wrap on the 6mm bead. I liked the catch design, as it had some wire wrapping on the bead that went with it all, I thought.
The bead was sold as Australian Jasper, and was the closed color I could come to the Shattuckite . Thanks for looking,
Patty
The problem was I read it off my phone thru the Tapatalk app and when you click the thread to read it I think it drops the heading. I was getting a haircut at the time and they wanted to know if I wanted my bangs trimmed, and I got confused. Huh? ![]() |
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Post by liveoak on Jul 1, 2022 6:14:41 GMT -5
One of the revisions I want to make in my book is that when doing that bail, I leave the bail wires a little long at the bottom of the loop (bail) so I can take my micro pliers and turn the bottoms barely up and out. Then I snip and file so it's smooth. But, enough sticks out to keep those wires from working up. Did that make any sense? Thank you, yes that does make sense.
Certainly want to be sure it's secure there, and not able to work out. I'll keep that in mind.
BTW the stone is not very big, it's actually the cab from last months "soft" contest
Patty
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Post by liveoak on Jul 1, 2022 6:24:01 GMT -5
Honestly, I don't see a gain there, just a different style.
Personally I like the smooth look of the tuck in.
I suppose the cut ends could be cleaned up and would to my eye be better.
I'll have to experiment some on the wire gauge & see what looks best to me.
I started with the 20 round & 18 1/2 round, as I read that in a book, and figured it was a good starting point.
So thanks for the thought on that.
Patty
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Post by liveoak on Jul 1, 2022 6:33:35 GMT -5
The cab is beautiful and your wrapping accents it very nicely. I actually thought the catch was a second piece of jewelry when I was first looking at it. I need to get a lot more practice on weaving but light gauge wire definitely helps. Thank you - I figured the catch should be another piece of jewelry, so when it works around to the front, as all catches do at some point, it would look interesting. I also added an extra jump ring 2" further up the chain, so it can be adjustable in length.
Yup you're right on the weaving- light gauge wire & I found using wire bobbins helps a lot to control the wire. I'll get there on it, eventually :-)
Patty
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 1, 2022 7:49:36 GMT -5
One of the revisions I want to make in my book is that when doing that bail, I leave the bail wires a little long at the bottom of the loop (bail) so I can take my micro pliers and turn the bottoms barely up and out. Then I snip and file so it's smooth. But, enough sticks out to keep those wires from working up. Did that make any sense? Thank you, yes that does make sense.
Certainly want to be sure it's secure there, and not able to work out. I'll keep that in mind.
BTW the stone is not very big, it's actually the cab from last months "soft" contest
Patty
I remember that gorgeous stone! I thought it was a little bigger, but it's still a good size.
Keep in mind, in the the book I'm using soft copper, so bigger gauges are required. Now that I am able to get bulk on 20 HH HR and 21 HH HR that's what I use- unless a design calls for 18.
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Post by liveoak on Jul 1, 2022 8:37:58 GMT -5
Thanks for that Tela,
Guess I'll need to order other sizes of wire so I can experiment .
Rio hasn't taken all my $$ yet 
Patty
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 1, 2022 8:50:13 GMT -5
Thanks for that Tela,
Guess I'll need to order other sizes of wire so I can experiment .
Rio hasn't taken all my $$ yet 
Patty
For a loooong time Rio didn't sell HH HR copper, so I made do.
Yeah, they have my first born for collateral. LOL! |
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markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Jul 1, 2022 9:02:29 GMT -5
Thank you, Robin hummingbirdstones , the color of Shattuckite seems too perfect for copper, I love it. Too bad it's difficult to work with. I want matching earrings- but I'm not sure I can pull them off !
Going to have to try, as nothing else matches just right.
Patty , help me to understand what you mean when you say "it's difficult to work with". I'm assuming it's because it's a softer stone, but why does that makes it more difficult? Is it more prone to crumbling, or easy to overwork, or what exactly do you mean? I'm sure all the other experienced folks here get it, but I'm newer and want to understand. Thanks! Mark  |
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Post by liveoak on Jul 1, 2022 9:38:11 GMT -5
Glad to try and explain markb . Here's a photo of cutting a piece of shattuckite on the saw,
you'll notice all the crumbled chips everywhere.
Then after I got to the cab unit, I found it was still grinding, even at the polishing stage,so hard to predict- requires gentle handling.
So I started with 3 cabs, as I wanted on to enter in the May contest- but the first one broke on the dop stick ( actually I dropped it in the tray of the cab unit),and the second one I was so happy with & put it in the freezer to get off the dop, and it snapped in 1/2. I think I held my breath on the third one, or at least held my mouth right- cause it worked.
Some people might stabilize a soft stone like this, with epoxy or opticon, to make it behave better.
I didn't and I guess maybe found out why I should have.
So as I said, it's a beautiful color , but a little difficult.
Patty
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markb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2022
Posts: 472
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Post by markb on Jul 1, 2022 11:10:29 GMT -5
Glad to try and explain markb . Here's a photo of cutting a piece of shattuckite on the saw,
you'll notice all the crumbled chips everywhere.
Then after I got to the cab unit, I found it was still grinding, even at the polishing stage,so hard to predict- requires gentle handling.
So I started with 3 cabs, as I wanted on to enter in the May contest- but the first one broke on the dop stick ( actually I dropped it in the tray of the cab unit),and the second one I was so happy with & put it in the freezer to get off the dop, and it snapped in 1/2. I think I held my breath on the third one, or at least held my mouth right- cause it worked.
Some people might stabilize a soft stone like this, with epoxy or opticon, to make it behave better.
I didn't and I guess maybe found out why I should have.
So as I said, it's a beautiful color , but a little difficult.
Patty
Ah, pictures are great, thanks so much for explaining. Yes, perhaps stabilization is the key! I will try to remember that for soft stones. Mark |
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Post by rockjunquie on Jul 1, 2022 11:13:07 GMT -5
liveoak- It was worth all the effort. 
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Post by liveoak on Jul 1, 2022 12:06:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the smile Tela.
Patty
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Post by drocknut on Jul 1, 2022 12:24:12 GMT -5
That is beautiful. I thought I recognized that cab from the contest. I really like the added bead to the clasp. You might also consider using square wire instead of round for wrapping. I find the square sits better on the side of the stone but that's just me.
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Post by liveoak on Jul 1, 2022 12:43:58 GMT -5
Thanks Diane, drocknut I think, when I order up the smaller 1/2 round I'll get some square wire as well. I'm thinking the square needs to dead soft and maybe 22 gauge ? (or at least that's what I saw one person using) Any input appreciated. Thanks, Patty |
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Post by drocknut on Jul 1, 2022 12:53:24 GMT -5
Thanks Diane, drocknut I think, when I order up the smaller 1/2 round I'll get some square wire as well. I'm thinking the square needs to dead soft and maybe 22 gauge ? (or at least that's what I saw one person using) Any input appreciated. Thanks, Patty You're welcome. I usually use 22g square dead soft although sometimes the copper wire is a little too soft. If you are used to HH wire I don't think I would go with dead soft because it will be too soft for you to work. In silver and gold filled I used dead soft but copper I sometimes use half hard. As you work with wire you will figure out what combo works best for you. |
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Post by liveoak on Jul 1, 2022 14:12:13 GMT -5
Thanks Diane, drocknutSeeing as I only want to buy 1 square wire at a time, if I buy soft copper, I can always harden it :-) Certainly easier then having to anneal wire ! Patty |
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Post by drocknut on Jul 1, 2022 14:32:02 GMT -5
Thanks Diane, drocknutSeeing as I only want to buy 1 square wire at a time, if I buy soft copper, I can always harden it :-) Certainly easier then having to anneal wire ! Patty True indeed. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2022 22:15:08 GMT -5
liveoakWow Patty! Everything is awesome! The wrap, the stone, the colors, your photo set up and the photos. Really great job.
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Post by liveoak on Jul 3, 2022 5:39:59 GMT -5
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