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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 25, 2018 11:27:20 GMT -5
Thanks all! Such a relief sometimes! Lol. I'm debating signing up for an 8 week all-day-every-saturday jewelry fabrication course that is miraculously happening right near my house. It's a little expensive, and I don't know the instructor, but at the very least, I'll be making a lot of things.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 25, 2018 11:24:58 GMT -5
That's beautiful, and works perfectly with the setting! I would venture to say that it's prettier than most opals too! Nice job. And Merry Christmas!
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 24, 2018 22:41:18 GMT -5
I'm always very impressed by your work. Elegant designs, clean craftsmanship.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 24, 2018 21:43:17 GMT -5
Congrats, Ali, and Thanks beefjello for 12 days of fun contests!
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 24, 2018 21:38:42 GMT -5
I couldn't get the pun to work with cross-out text in the title, so here's the better version: Back in the Saddle Bezel Again! I'M SO HAPPY right now!!! I wanted to set this intarsia piece so I could wear it at Quartzsite. It was one of very few (like 8, lol) new cabs I cut this year (I think you guys have seen it already but not sure). I was quite rusty, since I hadn't even set my torch up since moving here 1.5 years ago! Aside from having to improvise a new pickle pot from a coffee cup warmer and a bottle, and putting the cab in the bezel the wrong way around at the final fitting and pulling the floss out (gaah!), everything went surprisingly well though! Usually I have to redo at least one solder joint, and I usually gouge the piece somehow or drop it, necessitating cosmetic repairs. Everything soldered on the first try, and I only kind of dinged up the piece pushing the bezel. It's not perfect, but pretty good for being so out of practice!!! Yippee! Compared to all the disheartening disasters that COULD have ensued after such a long hiatus, this was definitely a good afternoon.
The bail is PMC. I need to make up a new batch of them - I usually make some textured, some plain. I like the "bail on a ring" design as it gives the pendant more movement than a bail soldered to the piece itself.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 24, 2018 19:16:34 GMT -5
I have the pre-mixed kind of pickle, but google "homemade pickle solution for silver" and there are several recipes. One popular one seems to be 1/2 c vinegar, 1/2 c water, 1tsp salt. Heat up (to like coffee-drinking temperature). Plop your piece in there for 5-10 minutes and see if anything happens. There is also one that uses citric acid, one that uses hot tub chemicals if you have those around.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 24, 2018 12:07:37 GMT -5
Hmm petrified wood "shot through with silver" is interesting indeed!
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 24, 2018 11:13:24 GMT -5
Easier to state least favorite—- hematite! Black everywhere. It turns out that marcasite is even worse than hematite. Unbelievable mess. Haha but are those worse than Psilomelane? I've never owned a piece of Marcasite good enough to warrant the mess.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 24, 2018 11:12:13 GMT -5
Love those! The agate calls to me but I love the Marcasite as well.
I wonder if a mild pickle solution or some other very mild acid would work to remove the oxidation in the pocket long enough to get some wax on it?
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 24, 2018 11:05:02 GMT -5
I love books like that. Have you read it?
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 24, 2018 10:49:28 GMT -5
7.777 10.101 11.222
Fun contest, thanks so much!
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 23, 2018 12:26:08 GMT -5
All's well that ends well! I like your bail - gonna copy that.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 23, 2018 12:22:51 GMT -5
Beautiful! Can't wait to see the piece you make.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 23, 2018 11:15:52 GMT -5
34, 48
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 22, 2018 16:36:47 GMT -5
That looks like the Moroccan stuff, except the Moroccan doesn't have that brecciated rind. Interesting. And, of course, GORGEOUS!
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 22, 2018 12:03:35 GMT -5
Gooding looking couple with good looking shirts near some good looking saws located in THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 22, 2018 11:56:11 GMT -5
LOLOL we need a semi-turbo blade Tommy!
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 22, 2018 11:39:35 GMT -5
I’m interested in what colours the calcite ... does it have purple fluorite in it? Yeah, not sure about that. The color came pretty true in the photos. I saw it around quite a bit at the couple shows I went to last year.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 22, 2018 11:27:21 GMT -5
Excellent trip report! Thanks for the pics! Looks like you had a blast!
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Dec 22, 2018 11:10:08 GMT -5
Elbridge Gerry John C. Calhoun
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