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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 28, 2010 17:45:56 GMT -5
Thanks, y'all! I do appreciate the kind words. Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 28, 2010 17:43:00 GMT -5
Wow, Fran, you really did a great job on the sets - matching colors and patterns beautifully! Love the rhodochrosite!
PS - I have the same problem with the clip-ons - I can't make any for Mom until I find clip-ons!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 28, 2010 12:37:09 GMT -5
I've been fighting a cold for what seems like months now, although it's really about 10 days. While sitting around all lethargic, sleeping through the Olympics on tv, etc., I decided to do a wrap to occupy my bored mind. So here's the result. Hope y'all like it. Thanks fer a'lookin! Tom PS - the stone is rhodonite, the wire is sterling 22ga.
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 28, 2010 12:34:08 GMT -5
So I had made this little cab that I didn't like because it has a vein of something crumbly running through it horizontally. The face is ok, though. I took a beginning smithing class back in January, and finally have acquired almost all the equipment I needed, so I decided to experiment with this crummy little cab and some inexpensive metals before I tried using the "good stuff". I first made a bezel mount by cutting brass sheet in the exact outline of the cab. Then measured around the girdle and cut that length of finesilver bezel tape (bezel wire). Squared up and soldered together the 2 ends of the cut tape, then shaped it around the brass base piece and soldered it onto the brass. Well, I decided that looked just too "plain", so I cut another piece of brass about 1/8" larger than the first brass piece. I cut about 4" of Sterling 18ga square wire, twisted it, then shaped it to make the perimeter decoration around the larger brass, and it also forms the bail. Then soldered the wire to the larger brass. Finally, I soldered the bezel to the larger brass. Then I "pickled" the final piece, brushed off some remaining discoloration, then mounted the cab into the bezel. What remains is to polish the whole thing, which is currently waiting for the crushed walnut shells and red rouge that I've ordered, to arrive. So here it is in it's current, not-quite-finished state. It's kinda funky looking, but hey, it's just for practice, right? LOL! Thanks for looking! I do have a question for anybody that does this smithing work - how do you polish your work after it's done - do you use steel shot in a vibe, in a rotary, or do you use something else? And would regular old BB's work instead of the stainless steel shot, which at today's prices must be gold-filled or something? Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 23, 2010 14:04:00 GMT -5
Mel, it's not a lot of fun to fall in that stuff, but you gotta admit, it's a lot purtier than the cold wet sleet and rain we got south of you!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 15, 2010 23:02:49 GMT -5
Hey, thanks, everyone! I found doing these that after a month or so off, my fingers were a bit rusty, but by the time I got to the 2 smaller ones, it was coming back to me.
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 15, 2010 12:43:32 GMT -5
I've put aside the stained glass equipment for a while to get back to the rocks - I enjoy both, but one needs a break occasionally! This is a set of banded onyx in sterling 22ga square and 1/2-round wire. I made the cabs about a month or so ago, but didn't have them wrapped when I decided to do stained glass for a while. Anyways, hope y'all like them. I don't think they measure up to Marie's work ("superioragates"), but they'll do for me. Thanks for looking, y'all! Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 15, 2010 0:38:05 GMT -5
Dadgum, Marie - this thread went right past me & I never saw it! Hope you had a good birthday, and lots more to come!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 15, 2010 0:37:04 GMT -5
Congrats, Tony! Man, increased income AND benefits! Wow, you hit the jackpot! WTG!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 15, 2010 0:22:17 GMT -5
Well, Marie, your earrings inspired me - they are so pretty! You've now made me stow away the stained glass tools and return to the rocks - I'm in the process of wrapping a set (pendant and earrings) even as we speak! Although you've gone WAY beyond anything I'll ever be able to do! I've really enjoyed watching your progress, and now you're a pro! Good on ya!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 15, 2010 0:14:14 GMT -5
Yep, the coral is outstanding! I really like the heart, too - wish the material had a name, it looks interestingly complicated. All of them are nice, though.
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 15, 2010 0:11:07 GMT -5
Very nice cabs - my fave is the amy sage. All of them are great, tho.
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 15, 2010 0:06:59 GMT -5
Very nice batch of blue! One criticism, though - your work area is WAY TOO CLEAN! ;D
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 13, 2010 23:51:30 GMT -5
That's a really nice looking batch of obsidian, Fran! I've gotten my best results on obsidian using M-5 polish that I bought off eBay, in the vibe along with a ton of ceramics and a mix of other stones.
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 2, 2010 23:58:32 GMT -5
What test? Tom, I think
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 2, 2010 23:54:58 GMT -5
I'm with Fran - looks like a cute little snowlady to me! 2 cute snowladies, in fact!
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 2, 2010 23:48:49 GMT -5
Those are gorgeous, Marie - the middle one looks like there must be about 8 or 10 wires in it, but I can't figure out how you made them all behave while doing the wraps! Way cool.
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 2, 2010 23:45:59 GMT -5
I got 2 words for ya: HOLY MOLY! Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 2, 2010 23:43:27 GMT -5
Really pretty cabs, Marie. Now that you have several done on the wheels, could you ever consider doing any more with the Dremel? No? I thought not! LOL! It's like night and day, ain't it.
Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Feb 1, 2010 15:02:45 GMT -5
Holy Cow, Marie - you're now officially a cabbin' fool! Those are all terrific! Proud of ya!
Tom
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