|
Post by kk on Nov 28, 2016 20:42:19 GMT -5
Yeah, natural formations worked mostly with sand-paper and machine only for polish. No carving needed at all.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Nov 28, 2016 20:32:51 GMT -5
Failed fire agate. An expensive heavy piece in a parcel that showed minimal fire at spots, but to costly to throw out straight away. So utilizing the chalcedony formation to get something out of it. Reading the theme this month it does remind me a bit of sleet/icing over. Cut two pieces and a third is waiting. And finished piece
|
|
|
Post by kk on Nov 23, 2016 22:54:28 GMT -5
Nahhh, just a matter of practice and a lot of luck. Currently, I'm trying to combine fire with chalcedony surrounding. I find a lot of interesting material gets cut in order to chase fire only. Hence, my FCC entry looking to me like "sleet", iced over.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Nov 23, 2016 19:41:27 GMT -5
Nice piece, and good size too. Working on about 7 right now, but besides taking it slow, nothing really to recommend.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Nov 17, 2016 19:21:26 GMT -5
Gerardo Rios made that in response to our call for a Lizard challenge. I'm nowhere close to produce that kind of quality in stone I'm afraid. We make them for a challenge, but most of us are in it just to challenge ourselves to do better and try something new. Some of the folks are at the top of their game, and I'm glad to have the company, as they are a huge motivating factor in trying to do better. Personally, I don't mind being so far behind, but I know that people do get intimidated easily.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Nov 17, 2016 17:00:09 GMT -5
Some fine pieces of work Kurt. Moss one hard to beat. Would not be so sure about that. I'm happy to report that we got everything from cabers to facetters, beginners to pros in our little group, but even more so artists that are able and willing to create that kind of quality on the spot...... Not for the same challenge as the moss-agate, but still a couple of weeks to go....
|
|
|
Post by kk on Nov 15, 2016 16:59:07 GMT -5
The moss will be used for the FB challenge, as there are elements of carving. Yep, two pieces of chalcedony, two pictures each from different angles and in different light. Still got till end of the month to continue sanding and polish, but the long one looks dirty in some way. Will see if that can be changed without erasing features.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Nov 15, 2016 6:53:46 GMT -5
This months challenge on Facebook is about curves, so started out with a Moss Agate And then I thought that chalcedony of a failed Fire-Agate (fire agate without fire) would suit both, the FB challenge as well as the monthly challenge here. Cut one piece to include all natural twists into a single piece, but then it broke apart. So now the question is which one to use here This one or this Unassuming, but tricky to polish out without erasing the curvatures and twists. Thanks for looking, Kurt
|
|
|
Post by kk on Nov 8, 2016 21:34:02 GMT -5
I know some photographers circumvent the reflections by submerging the pieces in clear gel when taking the pictures. A lot of pics floating around are done that way. But the thing is, when you ask for confirmation, quite a few of those "professional" photographers will deny the fact.
|
|
|
finally
Nov 7, 2016 18:08:40 GMT -5
Post by kk on Nov 7, 2016 18:08:40 GMT -5
Can't imagine what it must be like for you folks over there, but glad the circus is going to be done.
What happens in the US unfortunately affects the whole world, yet we are forced to watch the charades without ever having a chance to influence the outcome.
And for what?
No-one will ever agree that they voted for the winner, just like it was with Bush. As a tour-guide, I have met a lot of people, but have not ever met someone who openly agreed to have had voted for him.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Nov 7, 2016 18:00:18 GMT -5
While all entries are great, I like the OJ. Its just such an (to me) unusual colour.
And yes, contests are a good way to push oneself to do better, each and every time.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Nov 7, 2016 5:11:10 GMT -5
I'm in. I think I might have started something today that fits the guidelines and no carving involved.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Nov 3, 2016 22:35:49 GMT -5
Ohh yes, me too. I really like the look of the second one.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Oct 30, 2016 5:24:48 GMT -5
Love the look of Ocean Jasper. Never seen the colours like that. Same with PolkaDot, never seems to fail. Like working with it.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Oct 28, 2016 9:49:24 GMT -5
You made a cab of opal that weighs ~70 milligrams? What is it? 3mm?[/quote] Yep thats what the scale says. Nothing special really seeing how many people do that kind of size. The only thing of note is maybe that everything is done by holding it in fingers, without topping. The smallest in this set (showing the red colours) comes in at 0.1ct.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Oct 21, 2016 21:13:06 GMT -5
Got some Mexican "Flame Jasper" that looks very much like number 5 material.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Oct 21, 2016 19:28:29 GMT -5
Tough to choose between batches. Like them all. 1 and five are my favorites for colour and finish, yet to me, they don't feel like Halloween the way we outsiders understand it, so number 3 gets my vote. And yep, something is going on with internet worldwide. There is very little traffic these past 24 hours. Looks like a lot of ppl cant get on it.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Oct 19, 2016 6:39:05 GMT -5
For that kind of money they will make one. Or more likely a chain, like they use to cut marble.
|
|
|
Post by kk on Oct 18, 2016 5:55:59 GMT -5
OK, so I was thinking of putting my bug in here But as luck would have it, I got into searching for some eyes for another project, and uncovered some unexpected colours. Now, the bugger is how to choose just one. My choice for this contest. Next single it down to just one picture for the voting At 0.3ct, certainly the smallest cab I ever did. With all those colours, I slowly begin to understand as to why people are so crazy about opal. Thanks for looking, Kurt
|
|
|
Post by kk on Oct 17, 2016 20:25:06 GMT -5
The carvings are looking great Kurt. What those opals lack in size they make up for in fire. Beautiful little ones! Yeah, fascinating buggers. I think I got myself something to enter in the FCC by accident.
|
|