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Post by susand24224 on Dec 5, 2023 17:21:36 GMT -5
Last night I ran across a tutorial on YouTube that very much resembles the bracelet I posted above. I didn't follow a tutorial but I *strongly* suspect that the photo and/or video provided inspiration, so I am providing a link:
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 5, 2023 17:31:25 GMT -5
I've been using up so many silver scraps on my earring projects. I LOVE it. I have 2 large pill bottles full of scrap. I have reduced it to 1.5 bottles and I'm not done. Today, I found a little jewelry box full of ball end wires that I had forgotten about. They hadn't even been pickled. So, I pickled and tumbled. More earwires!  I have so much copper that I'm not as frugal with it- except for the really large gauge. |
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Post by susand24224 on Dec 5, 2023 18:59:58 GMT -5
I've now got two scrap "envelopes" for gold and silver, one for pieces I might be able to use and the other for hopeless little bits and the balls that fell off the wire when I got carried away with the Blazer. I'm frugal with the smaller gauges of copper, (18 and smaller) since I have this fantasy that I will be able to somehow fuse them together and make something incredibly ornate and usable. I've tried a few times and they looked like crap, but I don't learn quickly. Sometimes with the 16-gauge plus copper I just go ahead and make jump rings so now I have ice cube trays full of jump rings instead of containers full of scrap. Congratulations on your scrap reduction! |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 12, 2023 12:39:52 GMT -5
I've got 90 pairs of earrings finished and I have more to make. I haven't taken pictures. I told myself that I would post this sword for the challenge. That way, I'd get it done. I had to switch hats for some real wrapping. Just finished the patina. Crappy pic. Doesn't do the ruby red crystals any justice. This is for my grandson. I know he will love it- right up his alley and his birthstone is ruby.
I followed a tutorial, which I recommend. The only issue I had was that it called for 22 g HR and I had 21, which was no biggie. But, she underestimated the amount needed, so I had to add some wire mid way. It is 3" long and has 4mm crystals. The crystals were a challenge, but I did it.
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Post by susand24224 on Dec 12, 2023 16:12:44 GMT -5
rockjunquie I love it, including the ruby crystals! I looked it over carefully this time and the tight maneuvering and close-in weaves made my head spin. Amazing job conquering the obstacles although you made it look easy! And of course it is extra-special because of the recipient.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 12, 2023 20:02:54 GMT -5
rockjunquie I love it, including the ruby crystals! I looked it over carefully this time and the tight maneuvering and close-in weaves made my head spin. Amazing job conquering the obstacles although you made it look easy! And of course it is extra-special because of the recipient. Thank you, Susan. The video is pretty easy to follow. A couple steps called for a little finesse, but all in all it wasn't too difficult. The crystals were the hardest part because they are so small. My grandson likes to wear pendants and he's into armory, games and medieval things. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 12, 2023 23:17:03 GMT -5
Excellent job on the sword, Tela! He'll adore it.  |
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Post by liveoak on Dec 13, 2023 7:19:57 GMT -5
The sword came out FABULOUS !
It looks difficult having the wires cross just right, and the star looking cross in the center of hilt is a nice detail.
BUT, 90 pairs of earrings is enough to stagger anyone !!!!
All I can think, is that I generally hope you have more people that you visit with, than you ship presents to, cause that's a lot of boxes (even envelopes) to ship !
Now I know you probably didn't do a group shot or anything, but it would have been cool to see.
Maybe next time 
Maybe, after I finish my 12 presents I'll figure out something to challenge myself with.
Patty....... REALLY glad she doesn't have 90 presents to make !!!!!
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 13, 2023 9:44:39 GMT -5
Excellent job on the sword, Tela! He'll adore it. Thank you, Robin! I'm excited for him to get it. The sword came out FABULOUS !
It looks difficult having the wires cross just right, and the star looking cross in the center of hilt is a nice detail.
BUT, 90 pairs of earrings is enough to stagger anyone !!!!
All I can think, is that I generally hope you have more people that you visit with, than you ship presents to, cause that's a lot of boxes (even envelopes) to ship !
Now I know you probably didn't do a group shot or anything, but it would have been cool to see.
Maybe next time 
Maybe, after I finish my 12 presents I'll figure out something to challenge myself with.
Patty....... REALLY glad she doesn't have 90 presents to make !!!!!
LOL! Thanks Patty! My granddaughter alone has 28 so far and matching bracelets for a few. She needs a new jewelry wardrobe for her new job. I need to start the chandeliers. I FINALLY got my lost wig jig package! (After I opened a case.) I only have one package to mail and it isn't jewelry. |
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Post by liveoak on Dec 13, 2023 10:26:28 GMT -5
That's one lucky granddaughter ( and grandson come to think about it) !
Lucky you on shipping.
Patty
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Dec 13, 2023 20:58:02 GMT -5
I've got 90 pairs of earrings finished and I have more to make. I haven't taken pictures. I told myself that I would post this sword for the challenge. That way, I'd get it done. I had to switch hats for some real wrapping. Just finished the patina. Crappy pic. Doesn't do the ruby red crystals any justice. This is for my grandson. I know he will love it- right up his alley and his birthstone is ruby.
I followed a tutorial, which I recommend. The only issue I had was that it called for 22 g HR and I had 21, which was no biggie. But, she underestimated the amount needed, so I had to add some wire mid way. It is 3" long and has 4mm crystals. The crystals were a challenge, but I did it.
The sword looks awesome. The red crystals look perfect on there. I'm going to have to try one of those. |
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Dec 13, 2023 20:59:13 GMT -5
 Just finished the patina on 9 pairs of copper earrings. These are the only ones that have wire on them so I'll use them. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 13, 2023 21:03:04 GMT -5
I really like those! I'm loving your style. |
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Post by susand24224 on Dec 13, 2023 21:19:59 GMT -5
Wow! They're wonderful! Unique, basic yet not so, great texturing job, and the wires are perfectly placed to make the design flow.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Dec 13, 2023 22:04:12 GMT -5
I really like those! I'm loving your style. Thank you Tela! Wow! They're wonderful! Unique, basic yet not so, great texturing job, and the wires are perfectly placed to make the design flow. Thank you Susan, the others I made are even more basic. I did a pair just like this with no wires. |
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Post by liveoak on Dec 14, 2023 7:20:27 GMT -5
Those are pretty nice.
Is the wire soldered on or just wrapped tight ?
Patty
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Dec 14, 2023 10:01:27 GMT -5
Those are pretty nice. Is the wire soldered on or just wrapped tight ? Patty Thanks Patty, they're just wrapped tight. I just got some copper solder from Rio yesterday but haven't tried it yet. |
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Post by susand24224 on Dec 14, 2023 17:08:58 GMT -5
Patty[/quote]Thanks Patty, they're just wrapped tight. I just got some copper solder from Rio yesterday but haven't tried it yet.[/quote] Gary rockbrain did you get the tube kind or the wire solder? I've had fits with the tube kind, but finally came up with a procedure that worked--but it's more silver than copper colored. Please, please share your experience when you try the solder out. |
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Dec 14, 2023 22:24:06 GMT -5
susand24224 , I got the wire type. I was really surprised at the size of the roll. It's in a large loose roll like the cut wire than send out. It's a serious amount of solder. I'll let you know how it works. Meant to bring the torch home today but ended up with a migraine.
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Post by susand24224 on Dec 15, 2023 2:25:34 GMT -5
susand24224 , I got the wire type. I was really surprised at the size of the roll. It's in a large loose roll like the cut wire than send out. It's a serious amount of solder. I'll let you know how it works. Meant to bring the torch home today but ended up with a migraine. Thank you much! I hope for both your sake and mine that the wire type works better for you than the tube kind has for me. |
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I have so much copper that I'm not as frugal with it- except for the really large gauge. 
