|
Post by miket on Jul 16, 2023 10:09:33 GMT -5
So I sold some stuff at a festival here in town called Fur Trade Days and had requests for bolo ties and earrings. Can anyone offer some tips/suggestions on making these? I know it's a pretty broad request...
|
|
rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,995
|
Post by rockbrain on Jul 16, 2023 10:48:54 GMT -5
Well, I'm a beginner in general, but particularly on bolo ties. I do like to make large cabs though! I've just completed my first two bolos. I bought some slides from Rio Grande but they're available from lots of places. I bought tips from Etsy and a cord assortment from Amazon (make sure you go through the link on the portal page here) Mine are very simple with no surroundings on the stone. I just glue the slide to the back with some quality epoxy. I used Devcon 2 ton epoxy which someone here recommended. The fast setting epoxies are not as strong. I did rough up the back of the stainless slide and the rock with a diamond burr in a rotary tool. Then it's just a matter of cutting a cord to length, stringing it through, and gluing tips on. I kind of consider this more of a craft version compared to the art version like the amazing silver smithed bolo's that were posted by brotherbill here recently. I also got request for bolos but it's largely an excuse to make bigger cabs! I would caution against buying the cord in an assortment. From everything I've read standard bolo tie cord length seems to be 36-42 inches. The assortment typically gives you 72" lengths so it's kind of tough to get 2 out of each piece. Now earrings, that's a whole 'nother story! Congratulations on selling some stuff! That's always a good feeling.
|
|
|
Post by opalpyrexia on Jul 16, 2023 14:53:21 GMT -5
Here's one potential earring idea for you, Mike:
I imagine with some simple fixturing (crushed aluminum foil?), you could attach small earring cabs with an epoxy, perhaps JB Weld.
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jul 16, 2023 15:36:08 GMT -5
Well, I'm a beginner in general, but particularly on bolo ties. I do like to make large cabs though! I've just completed my first two bolos. I bought some slides from Rio Grande but they're available from lots of places. I bought tips from Etsy and a cord assortment from Amazon (make sure you go through the link on the portal page here) Mine are very simple with no surroundings on the stone. I just glue the slide to the back with some quality epoxy. I used Devcon 2 ton epoxy which someone here recommended. The fast setting epoxies are not as strong. I did rough up the back of the stainless slide and the rock with a diamond burr in a rotary tool. Then it's just a matter of cutting a cord to length, stringing it through, and gluing tips on. I kind of consider this more of a craft version compared to the art version like the amazing silver smithed bolo's that were posted by brotherbill here recently. I also got request for bolos but it's largely an excuse to make bigger cabs! I would caution against buying the cord in an assortment. From everything I've read standard bolo tie cord length seems to be 36-42 inches. The assortment typically gives you 72" lengths so it's kind of tough to get 2 out of each piece. Now earrings, that's a whole 'nother story! Congratulations on selling some stuff! That's always a good feeling. Thanks for taking the time to answer- and for the tips! I think the bolo ties wouldn't be too hard to make. Mine would be the craft version also. I was thinking of trying different sizes and shapes but I'm still deciding on that. I was thinking about wire wrapped earrings but I'm not sure about that either. 🤔
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jul 16, 2023 15:36:47 GMT -5
Here's one potential earring idea for you, Mike:
I imagine with some simple fixturing (crushed aluminum foil?), you could attach small earring cabs with an epoxy, perhaps JB Weld.
Thank you, sir! That might just work...
|
|
|
Post by opalpyrexia on Jul 16, 2023 16:50:34 GMT -5
Here's one potential earring idea for you, Mike:
I imagine with some simple fixturing (crushed aluminum foil?), you could attach small earring cabs with an epoxy, perhaps JB Weld.
Thank you, sir! That might just work...
If you can find a pad + jump ring combination (or a small disk/pad with a hole that would allow attaching a jump ring), that would be preferable. Dangle earrings sell better.
Best wishes and please post when you have a solution.
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Jul 16, 2023 17:14:35 GMT -5
miket a couple of ideas for earrings: You can wire wrap earrings. You have to use much thinner wire and of course it's a lot smaller stone. PITA if you ask me, but it can be done. What you can also do is drill tiny holes and the top of cabs, put in a jump ring and then add on ear wires.
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jul 16, 2023 17:23:46 GMT -5
Thank you, sir! That might just work...
If you can find a pad + jump ring combination (or a small disk/pad with a hole that would allow attaching a jump ring), that would be preferable. Dangle earrings sell better.
Best wishes and please post when you have a solution.
Thanks again, and I will for sure!
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jul 16, 2023 17:24:55 GMT -5
miket a couple of ideas for earrings: You can wire wrap earrings. You have to use much thinner wire and of course it's a lot smaller stone. PITA if you ask me, but it can be done. What you can also do is drill tiny holes and the top of cabs, put in a jump ring and then add on ear wires. Thanks Robin, I think I like the second idea better!
|
|
|
Post by stardiamond on Jul 16, 2023 18:29:02 GMT -5
A cabochon to me is a cabochon no matter the size. I sell a lot to jewelers and have learned their terminology of pendants and earrings. Jewelers like to make pendant earring sets, so I started making earrings to match pendants. Almost all of them have been 23x18 pears from the gold template. I also made a set of 28x10 from the great shapes template. An advantage to making earrings is that nice material that is too small to make a pendant can be used to make earring. The disadvantage for me is spending the additional time to make them match.
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jul 16, 2023 18:37:41 GMT -5
A cabochon to me is a cabochon no matter the size. I sell a lot to jewelers and have learned their terminology of pendants and earrings. Jewelers like to make pendant earring sets, so I started making earrings to match pendants. Almost all of them have been 23x18 pears from the gold template. I also made a set of 28x10 from the great shapes template. An advantage to making earrings is that nice material that is too small to make a pendant can be used to make earring. The disadvantage for me is spending the additional time to make them match. More to consider, thanks!
|
|
rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,995
|
Post by rockbrain on Jul 16, 2023 21:07:31 GMT -5
I've been trying to make earrings and groove wrap them. A groove wrap is much easier than a regular wire wrap and takes a lot less time. To me it's a lot easier dealing with a groove wrap when the cabs are that small. I tried several with some copper ore mixes (azurite, chrysocolla, malachite, etc) The problem I was having was chipping around the groove on material that small. I decided to use cotton candy agate and when I was grinding the second of the pair I got the first one so I could match domes. That's when I realized I had used two different templates!. Tried a couple more and ended up with some bad spots in the material. It really turned into a pain but I'm not done yet!
|
|
rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,995
|
Post by rockbrain on Jul 16, 2023 21:14:58 GMT -5
Easy peasy!
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jul 16, 2023 21:26:22 GMT -5
Very nice! I've groove-wrapped a few cabs, it takes some practice. The bolos should be easy though. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by 1dave on Jul 17, 2023 19:09:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Mel on Jul 20, 2023 13:00:11 GMT -5
So I sold some stuff at a festival here in town called Fur Trade Days and had requests for bolo ties and earrings. Can anyone offer some tips/suggestions on making these? I know it's a pretty broad request... Just do your regular gorgeous work and make sure you charge enough. I would also make sure you use a fairly sturdy cord that doesn't unravel or seal the ends with a lighter before clamping on the metal end caps. Braided leather would probably be the best, but I don't know how to go about finding it small enough diameter. My dad used to wear them so that's where my advice is from, I've never really thought about making them! If you want some odds & ends (metal clamp on ends, some bezels) for making bolos and other western style bezels, let me know and I'll happily send them your way!
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jul 20, 2023 13:08:16 GMT -5
Great suggestion, thank you Dave!
|
|
|
Post by miket on Jul 20, 2023 13:09:56 GMT -5
So I sold some stuff at a festival here in town called Fur Trade Days and had requests for bolo ties and earrings. Can anyone offer some tips/suggestions on making these? I know it's a pretty broad request... Just do your regular gorgeous work and make sure you charge enough. I would also make sure you use a fairly sturdy cord that doesn't unravel or seal the ends with a lighter before clamping on the metal end caps. Braided leather would probably be the best, but I don't know how to go about finding it small enough diameter. My dad used to wear them so that's where my advice is from, I've never really thought about making them! If you want some odds & ends (metal clamp on ends, some bezels) for making bolos and other western style bezels, let me know and I'll happily send them your way! Thank you for the tips- and the compliment!
|
|
|
Post by Peruano on Jul 20, 2023 13:58:30 GMT -5
miket I realize we have real jewelers here, but will give you some of my techniques that border of the quick and dirty side of ear rings and bola ties. First earrings. You can buy simple wires that any loop can be supended on from Thunderbird or other jewelery suppliers. They come in base metals, sterling and non-allegenic varieties. There are couple of beartail type findings that are the appropriate size for gluing on stones that I use for earrings. I'll append a photo of the front and back of apache tear earrings and the findings depicted separately. I use #600 glue and have next to zero failure rates. In terms of bola ties(yes it bola and not bolo like the say in Texas). There two considerations when buying cords. There is a short cord used for kids and cheaper tourist ties and a long cord used for western styles (I believe the longer one is 36". The short version is someties sold with the little solid dingleberries instead of the sterling silve-like ends typically seen on better ties. there are at least 3 diameters of woven cords available. The middle or larger ones are best, but you can buy slides that are sized for the different sizes of cords. You can use the simple slide like rockbrain illustrated or one tha actually has an eccentric lock allowing a more secure tie adjustment. There is nothing worse than a sagging bola out on the dance floor. Sometime the leather cords (woven) are stiff and need to be worked a bit to make them hang straight but hey thats the hand made part of even the quick and easy side of life. Photos to follow. Sorry, my image files got tangled. I'm dealing with covid so have lots of time to fix the tangle. I hope this provides ideas. Tom
|
|
|
Post by Peruano on Jul 20, 2023 14:26:53 GMT -5
The apache tear earrings are not my best but they are popular because they are primitive and natural. The finding on the right is useful in having the loop offset that makes the stone hang a bit straighter. These wire earrings work best if used with a tiny rubber keeper on the wire behind the ear (especially in these days of masks etc that tangle with earrings). You can buy sterling dinglberries for the bola ties, but the silver colored nickel or whatever ones work just as well but are not as heavy. To add weight and credibility to my dingleberries, I've taken to adding a BB or two in the hollow before inserting the cord with glue. Clearly the clamp on bola slide is not essential but the loops on the plain one have to be carefully adjusted to make the movement of the slide possible but not willy nilly. Nuff said. A couple of other pairs of comparison. These are both examples of pedernal chert from Georgia Okeefe's favorite mountain.
|
|