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Post by radio on Dec 13, 2013 13:30:50 GMT -5
Hi all, I have been a lurker for some time and finally was convinced by a friend (Rockmanken) to join up. We live near each other and both have way too many rocks! Or at least according to my wife I also work with Sterling Silver and mount many of my cabs in rings, pendants and cuff bracelets in mostly Native American style. I recently opened a retail shop in the Branson Mill Craft Mall in Branson, Mo. where I make jewelry on site so folks can watch items being made and chat with me about rocks or my silver work. Just a couple of weeks ago I became the proud owner of an 8 inch Cab King lapidary unit an am having a ton of fun cutting and polishing on the beast! Never in my widest dreams did I anticipate my hobby becoming a full time labor of love! I am starting to get inquiries from folks visiting the mill about things I don't have a good source for, and need to find some reliable sources for good quality higher end material such as Larimar, Ammolite, Charoite and Pietersite. I have good suppliers for Turquoise and Opal, but am always open to new sources for those as well Thanks in advance for any leads Radio (active in Amateur, or Ham radio, hence the moniker:-)
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,634
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Post by QuailRiver on Dec 13, 2013 16:50:08 GMT -5
Welcome to the site! And best wishes with your new shop! Related to your comment about having too many rocks; It's like I always tell my wife, "I don't have too many rocks...we just don't have enough yard".
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GeorgeStoneStore
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 168
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Post by GeorgeStoneStore on Dec 13, 2013 16:59:02 GMT -5
"I don't have too many rocks...we just don't have enough yard". yes, I have a similar situation
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Post by radio on Dec 16, 2013 18:19:42 GMT -5
Thanks guys. It seems no matter how much material you have on hand, one is always looking for something else new and exciting to cut:-) I just don't much in the way of exotic materials and am searching for some
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Post by Rockhobbit on Dec 17, 2013 10:37:21 GMT -5
Welcome! Sheri
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borock
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2011
Posts: 225
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Post by borock on Dec 17, 2013 18:59:56 GMT -5
I have some Larimar rough and have cabs too.
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Post by radio on Dec 17, 2013 23:46:58 GMT -5
Thanks Sheri. glad to be here
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Post by catmandewe on Dec 17, 2013 23:49:36 GMT -5
Welcome!
Tony
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Post by radio on Dec 17, 2013 23:50:15 GMT -5
I have some Larimar rough and have cabs too. Please send me a PM and I will get you an e mail addy so you can send me some pics. Doesn't have to be AAA, but I do need very good quality and hopefully not a lot of waste. I can cut and polish, but will look at some cabs
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Dec 18, 2013 7:26:09 GMT -5
Welcome! Ken helped me get my first saw. He and Donna are great people.
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Post by radio on Dec 18, 2013 9:52:11 GMT -5
Welcome! Ken helped me get my first saw. He and Donna are great people. Yes, Ken is a great guy and a wealth of knowledge! Where are you located? I live about 2 miles from Rockmanken
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Post by radio on Dec 18, 2013 9:53:02 GMT -5
I have some Larimar rough and have cabs too. Thanks. PM sent
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Post by roy on Dec 18, 2013 9:53:02 GMT -5
welcome!your shop sounds fun good luck on your quest for the rough you seek
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Post by radio on Dec 18, 2013 10:02:06 GMT -5
welcome!your shop sounds fun good luck on your quest for the rough you seek Thanks Roy! I have been disabled/retired for several years and never dreamed I would have the opportunity to pursue my hobby at this level. We have been at the shop 7 days a week since opening in early November to try and make every sale we can before Christmas. After that, we will scale back and take at least one day off each week. I love chatting with customers about rocks and silver smithing and they seem to enjoy standing there and watching me make a piece of jewelry out of raw materials. The new 8 inch Cab King is like a Caddilac/Lamborghini/HumVee all rolled into one! I've limped along for many years with an old Star Diamond 8 inch machine that I have modified and updated with a couple of diamond wheels and expando drums, but never could get a competition grade cab out of it. The Cab King just amazes me with the cabs I turn out on it!
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Post by roy on Dec 18, 2013 10:07:35 GMT -5
welcome!your shop sounds fun good luck on your quest for the rough you seek Thanks Roy! I have been disabled/retired for several years and never dreamed I would have the opportunity to pursue my hobby at this level. We have been at the shop 7 days a week since opening in early November to try and make every sale we can before Christmas. After that, we will scale back and take at least one day off each week. I love chatting with customers about rocks and silver smithing and they seem to enjoy standing there and watching me make a piece of jewelry out of raw materials. The new 8 inch Cab King is like a Caddilac/Lamborghini/HumVee all rolled into one! I've limped along for many years with an old Star Diamond 8 inch machine that I have modified and updated with a couple of diamond wheels and expando drums, but never could get a competition grade cab out of it. The Cab King just amazes me with the cabs I turn out on it! lol ! ya i use gennie's but i think if i bought new i would try the cabking ! the idea you have on the customer watching as there custom piece is being made is a great selling point also you get to know your customer and that help you to make a more personal piece !
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Dec 18, 2013 10:43:20 GMT -5
Welcome! Ken helped me get my first saw. He and Donna are great people. Yes, Ken is a great guy and a wealth of knowledge! Where are you located? I live about 2 miles from Rockmanken I 'was' located in NW Arkansas and went up to Branson and Springfield often on business. Also, saw Ken and Donna at various Rock Shows. I have relocated to south Louisiana for a job promotion and I am originally from here. I have been to Ken's house...lots of rocks! And a beautiful area.
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ash
spending too much on rocks
Prairieville, Louisiana
Member since July 2012
Posts: 361
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Post by ash on Dec 18, 2013 22:14:29 GMT -5
welcome to the forum
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,687
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 19, 2013 11:53:22 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum.....
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