metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 4, 2016 15:37:47 GMT -5
Speaking of scratches, I made a few small scratches setting an ammolite triplet. I don't even remember doing it. (Insert many swear words.) I'm kind of afraid to use the abrasive green stuff to buff it out. Anyone know what the best way to get rid of small scratches on triplets? Thanks. I'd do the opposite of what we normally do in polishing and start with a high-grade polish. If it doesn't take out the scratches, try the next grade down. Ideally you'd run this as a trial on a piece that's not too important. Once you've successfully done your fact finding, run it on the set triplet.
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 4, 2016 15:04:23 GMT -5
Very cool projects. I love the paw ones. Amazing that you did that first one with just one blade. Chuck 2 blades/hole if lucky. Where's the 3 pound sledge hammer ? Ladies have nimble fingers. Try buying cheap blades. They're just about worth their money - and you're right: you'll snap plenty of blades. The more expensive blades are so much better. By spending your hard-earned on cheap blades that are intolerant, you'll train yourself up to be super-sensitive. Then the more expensive - more robust - blades will last so much longer in your hands, you'll surprise yourself!
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 4, 2016 12:24:39 GMT -5
You should be able to polish corundum with AlO &/or diamond
Re 4 weeks in stage 1 ... don't try that with anything soft!
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 4, 2016 12:19:36 GMT -5
Excellent work ... hope it raises LOTS
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 4, 2016 2:26:54 GMT -5
The proceeds of a mis-spent morning: Chrysocolla 1.5cts 6.1mm across 6.8mm deep
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 4, 2016 2:18:14 GMT -5
Hard to see a lot through the reflections but what I can see looks great. That's a compliment to your polishing! And an excellent sphere.
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 4, 2016 2:10:22 GMT -5
Cool... I like the old building: 'one to refresh' as the Mrs & I say to one another after a particularly misleading estate agent's description one time.
Bee-hive buildings, reminiscent of some pottery works. What were they?
Critter - always!
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 3, 2016 10:26:13 GMT -5
jewelry out of a few little items my dad had gotten her when they went to swap meets or yard sales. Nothing expensive, just that they meant something to her. A tumbled stone and a piece of glass marble Fran That's what it's all about. Congratulations on some great work. Sorry to hear about your dad.
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 3, 2016 5:12:58 GMT -5
It makes Fordite look sedate! Good for those wilder moods. Really? With Fordite's metallics as well as colours, I know where my preference lies.
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 3, 2016 5:11:24 GMT -5
I love this material. I live it more, now that it's honestly represented as a byproduct of a ceramic tile factory. Nice work amigo! I could come around to it on that basis... I thought it was just a poor attempt to fake fordite! The sample here is pretty with its cool blue's and greens
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 1, 2016 13:02:21 GMT -5
The nimpomo marcasite is just mad!
I'm still nuts for Moroccan Seam though - that's stunning.
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Dec 1, 2016 12:58:36 GMT -5
The video uses glossy - is that photographic printer paper?
Good go know acetone works; I may have a meddle but I don't see it happening any time soon.
So are you designing circuitry themed jewellery or being distracted by electronics?
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Nov 29, 2016 16:34:52 GMT -5
Thanks for the congrats Tommy. Since I don't need more slabs at the moment, I think your prize should go the runner-up Rivarat. Shipping to Oz may be a problem but you two can probably work it out. Hope your injury is improving and that we'll see you back at the wheels soon! That's mighty generous of you gemfeller. Thanks for the good words - my followup appointment is this afternoon and we'll find out if I can start putting weight on it. Not going to tell the Dr. I've been walking on it a little bit for the last several days haha. I'm officially back at the wheels as of last week and trying to bang through a literal buttload of shaped/dopped cabs I was working on when I went down. a literal buttload?!?!
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Nov 28, 2016 15:57:35 GMT -5
Wow those last couple in particular are amazing!
The Buttery Creek, not from the yellow rocks by chance?
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Nov 26, 2016 16:16:54 GMT -5
Well, buy from me because I'm a poor high school graduate that prefers not to have a job and I live in a low income apartment and I have no chance of exceeding in life without selling half my rocks. Apparently, if I don't explain myself on eBay, I'm filth that shouldn't be bought from. I appreciate life can be hard sometimes. I've got the badge, the t-shirt and the car sticker, believe me. Believe me once more when I say 'You can get over this'. Don't prefer not to have a job. If rocks flick your switch, then instead, prefer to make rocks your job. Make a plan. It doesn't have to be detailed. Plans rarely survive the first contact with the enemy is a great quote I picked up. The first rule of making a plan survive is for the plan and you to remain flexible. What is the end-goal? To make some cash? What do you need to do to get there? Work out the steps. Then add some detail to the steps. How much cash? How does this affect the steps. Steps within steps if need be. Don't get bogged down on the planning. The plan will change. Carry out the steps. How is the plan performing with respect to the objective. The plan has to adjust. You have to adjust. It will take commitment and determination. Good luck.
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Nov 26, 2016 15:59:10 GMT -5
adam This is great advice. The bio is the place for the "company story". That is the place where you give everyone the reasons why they should buy FROM YOU. Others sell similar stuff. Why should.they buy from you? In sales management we teach our consultants that the customer needs 4 things to make a purchasing decision. They need to trust the company, the product, the presenter and the price. The customer chooses the order of importance. If the first three are solid, then price is less important to many, but not all. Bio is both company and personal story here, because, Adam, you are both. Then in the listings you put all the reasons they should buy THAT PRODUCT. I include company story in my ebay listings too. I have sold $$millions online. This works. Well, buy from me because I'm a poor high school graduate that prefers not to have a job and I live in a low income apartment and I have no chance of exceeding in life without selling half my rocks. Apparently, if I don't explain myself on eBay, I'm filth that shouldn't be bought from. To echo others, some great advice is being put your way. Don't take offence. Take the advice - it is intended with goodwill, I have no doubt. Again, I buy on ebay, probably now well into the thousands (my transactions in foreign currency £'s), from Asia, US, Canada, Europe and the UK My buying strategy is this: A trusted seller gets my business. As Shotgunner says above. A seller with one feedback may get my trade. However, the seller has nothing to lose. If they get bad feed back, they wrap up and start again. A seller with time spent and many sales, good feedback has more to lose. They don't want negative feedback and will go to lengths to avoid it. They make more trusted sellers. Therefore I only make small purchases from a low-rated seller. They are not filth, just haven't yet made the investment. Why should I trust them with my business? There are sellers of dubious intention out there. I've made acquaintances with some of the better ones. The best ones I go back to. My advice would be to start small. It has to be big enough to be worthwhile for both you and the buyer. But there are folk selling single tumble stones for single figure £/$ +post. No one would trust a seller with one feedback with hundreds of $. Don't just sell cheap to be attractive. Sometimes a bargain isn't a bargain, it's a sting. Price reasonably low to be attractive and sell your first. Build up feedback. Get a reputation. Sell more, bigger and improve your margins. HTH
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Nov 26, 2016 15:36:22 GMT -5
The sticky nature is due to shapes of particles... The sticky nature is due to the electro-static charges of the particles refNo doubt the shape, chemistry and ionic behaviour are all inescapably linked. I hope you guys are signed up for PhD's...
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Nov 26, 2016 15:29:49 GMT -5
I'm not sure what it is you'd like to know about clay ... try this, or this
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Nov 26, 2016 15:18:28 GMT -5
I started this piercing to do some Christmas presents, but I am really liking it. I did this Godzilla for my little grandson to hang on his back pack. It has a high polish, but it looks scratchy in the picture. The picture with the sd card gives you an idea as to size. Originally I was going to cut it like a stencil and then realized that I needed to cut the silhouette, hence the pilot holes. For anyone who does this or wants to - you will notice that there is a potential problem area where the back meets the tail. I tumbled this and hammered with a nylon mallet, so it is pretty hard. However, in the future, I need to remember to leave bigger gaps. It's all a learning process. Thanks for looking. Your cutting is so tidy you almost have both a positive and negative in one! Flush set the pilot holes and you're away ... Problem ... What problem?
|
|
metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
|
Post by metalsmith on Nov 26, 2016 15:11:24 GMT -5
Beautiful work! I think the turquoise could be worn by either sex, 'cept the ear-rings maybe
|
|