Shelbeeray
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 688
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Comfort
Oct 8, 2007 21:34:28 GMT -5
Post by Shelbeeray on Oct 8, 2007 21:34:28 GMT -5
Here's another agate from the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii). I like the banding in this one. The wrap is copper Artistic Wire. I hope these pictures aren't too big - please let me know if they are. Front: Back: This is the kind that's hard for me to put a price on because the materials are inexpensive, but it's a fairly labour intensive piece. I don't think I'll ever make a great hourly wage because I like the weaves and swirls and they take FOREVER!
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nancyf
has rocks in the head
Wired Cowgirl
Member since April 2007
Posts: 629
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Post by nancyf on Oct 9, 2007 6:57:25 GMT -5
Kewel jewel there Shelby! Yep, I know what you mean about labor intensive...nowdays I just charge for it. Hey, if it doesn't sell, I don't really care anymore. They always sell and now I get sad. lol... I've got a doozie I'm working on now...and dang is it going to be expensive! Me thinks I dun't care if it ever sells either. sigh.... Anywho, charge what you want...you just never know.
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Post by Tweetiepy on Oct 9, 2007 7:29:18 GMT -5
Woohoo! that is super cool - is that crocheted? What size is that? I like the copper artistic wire, I find it doesn't tarnish, or if it does, it's taking over 3 years cuz I have a roll that's still nice from 3 years ago. Great job! (thanks for posting the back!)
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,775
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Post by adrian65 on Oct 9, 2007 7:34:14 GMT -5
Very interesting style, Shelby! It seems you worked a lot at this wrap! Beautiful!
Adrian
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Oct 9, 2007 9:56:26 GMT -5
Nice wrap Shelby. That looks like a lot of teadious work. Don't know if I'd have the patience to do something like that.... Dan
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Shelbeeray
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 688
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Comfort
Oct 9, 2007 14:47:38 GMT -5
Post by Shelbeeray on Oct 9, 2007 14:47:38 GMT -5
Nancyf- I know what you mean. I sold one yesterday for $200 and that bleeeeeeeeeew me away. I still haven't decided what to charge on this - what do you use for an hourly rate? If I charge what I make at my regular job... of quitting the day job to play with rocks and wire...> Tweetiepy - hee, hee I posted the back just for you!!! It's a back stitch, I think. I got that part form an Eni Oken tutorial ( I LOVE her stuff!) First I created the bottom frame (wrapped wire) and then I started the stitching and then put the rock in and finished the stitching and then then created another frame with the swirlies on it, which I attached to the rear frame and then coiled the leftover wire from the swirlieframe over the top and front. The Artistic Wire shouldn't tarnish unless the protective - polyurethane - coating gets nicked off. I just wrote to them and apparently it's polyurethane. They have one that is non-tarnish silver, which is silver plated and then has the protective coating. Thanks Adrian and Dan - I really enjoy this style. To me, it looks old fashioned and lacy. The back of the pendant reminds me of a corset, or one of those really old-fashioned tie-up ladies shoes...
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Comfort
Oct 9, 2007 18:26:10 GMT -5
Post by Tweetiepy on Oct 9, 2007 18:26:10 GMT -5
If you're looking for the enamelled copper wire in non-tarnish silver and non-tarnish gold try www.theringlord.com - they have lots of wire - the non-tarnish silver is beautiful and is flexible and not too expensive - they may even have glow in the dark wire too (I know they have glow in the dark rings) and they're in Saskatchewan - the wire is "enamelled copper" wire - I bought rings from them in Enamelled copper and it looks "rich" sometimes I too dream of quitting my job to play with rocks - unfortunately I'm not making enough yet to even justify purchasing more rocks stuff - but when I do... *dreaming*
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Shelbeeray
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 688
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Comfort
Oct 9, 2007 22:48:59 GMT -5
Post by Shelbeeray on Oct 9, 2007 22:48:59 GMT -5
I love the Ringlord! They're awesome to work with. I just bought a bunch of the anodized aluminum links. I make earrings with them and they're selling like crazy! I'm at the point where I need to buy more wire (gold and silver) I think I'm going to save up and buy it directly from Imperial metals out of Ontario. RL doesn't have dead soft gold or SS. :-{
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Comfort
Oct 9, 2007 22:54:46 GMT -5
Post by LCARS on Oct 9, 2007 22:54:46 GMT -5
Wow, I imagine that took a little while to finish and it shows! Looks like you spent a lot of time patiently weaving and bending that wire to your will around the stone.
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Comfort
Oct 10, 2007 7:30:05 GMT -5
Post by Tweetiepy on Oct 10, 2007 7:30:05 GMT -5
Try their enamelled copper rings - the colors are brighter and they have a little more weight - I'm getting the silver & gold You can also try www.metaldesignz.com they're in Sask too and she has a great selection - and her bright aluminum rings are super shiney! My daughter made the shaggy loops earrings and sold them for $5 - she sold 8 pairs - I like shiney metals!
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nancyf
has rocks in the head
Wired Cowgirl
Member since April 2007
Posts: 629
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Comfort
Oct 10, 2007 9:59:17 GMT -5
Post by nancyf on Oct 10, 2007 9:59:17 GMT -5
Hey Shelby...I charge $40 an hour! I also charge that for lessons...I don't get confused that way. lol... Sometimes I charge more for labor, but not often. Someone once told me that my skill was worth as much as the guy who changed the oil in my car...ever since then, I started charging more for my work...hmmmm....cost of living keeps going up, but I haven't changed my rates. Congrats on the sale! I remember my first biggie too. However, when they sell for $600, I still get all excited. Shoot, when they sell for $100 I still get excited! What am I saying for Pete's sakes? lol When the one piece I have for $1,200 sells....um....I'll pass out. I like the Ring Lord too...I haven't bought anything in a while, but they were great to work with. Their rings aren't as nice as Urbanmaille though. Urbans are cleaner cut and much shinier.
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Shelbeeray
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 688
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Comfort
Oct 10, 2007 12:32:38 GMT -5
Post by Shelbeeray on Oct 10, 2007 12:32:38 GMT -5
mmmmmmmmmm....$40 an hour you say?.....well...I'm not at your level yet. I think I'll try working out $30/hour and see what the costs end up being.
I like Urbanmaille's rings the best, but the last time I ordered from there customs hit me hard. Ends up bringing the cost of doing business up quite a bit.
Gotta go get inventory ready for the other 2 shops now. I wish stuff would sell more quickly. It seems that most of my work is custom orders now. People see something they like, but maybe a different wire, or stone or.... The inventory itself isn't selling as quickly. aaaaaaaaargh.
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Comfort
Oct 10, 2007 18:49:29 GMT -5
Post by Tweetiepy on Oct 10, 2007 18:49:29 GMT -5
I haven't yet tried urbanmaille, I find it's over the top expensive, Metaldesignz however has some beautiful sterling silver rings - no custom fees!
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nancyf
has rocks in the head
Wired Cowgirl
Member since April 2007
Posts: 629
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Comfort
Oct 11, 2007 8:44:05 GMT -5
Post by nancyf on Oct 11, 2007 8:44:05 GMT -5
Yikes...custom charges...forgot about those. They can be quite steep from what I hear. ack... Oh well...tumbling shines those bugger right up and hardens em up so well that what ever rings you use come out just fine. I thought of making my own, but shoot...I'm too lazy and don't want to take the time.
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Comfort
Oct 12, 2007 15:01:13 GMT -5
Post by larrywyland3 on Oct 12, 2007 15:01:13 GMT -5
Wow that must of taken some time to do.
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Comfort
Oct 13, 2007 22:31:51 GMT -5
Post by deedolce on Oct 13, 2007 22:31:51 GMT -5
Love the crochet! Eni Oken is my fave too! Very nice work!
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jjckitti
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2007
Posts: 775
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Comfort
Oct 14, 2007 10:51:24 GMT -5
Post by jjckitti on Oct 14, 2007 10:51:24 GMT -5
that is very beautiful. I can't imagine the price of something like that in sterling or 14k... eek. haha. great job
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Comfort
Oct 15, 2007 10:48:06 GMT -5
Post by creativeminded on Oct 15, 2007 10:48:06 GMT -5
Very Unique. Tami
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