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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 26, 2009 21:29:02 GMT -5
Tomorrow's supposed to rain all damn day, so guess what I'll be doing? Well, I got 200 feet of gold filled wire to burn. lol.... Anyhow, here's what I did today..... Something blue, looks like chrysocolla except that there's some translucent spots. Also, I usually use 3 strands of wire, this one has a fourth added. This gives me more options..... Here's a really small sodalite cab, three strands, but with a scrap of wire added at the bottom for more swirlies.... Larsonite in one of my typical designs..... Any opinions on the extra strand of wire? I wanna know if it's overboard, or if some people will like it but it's not for everyone, or would Cleopatra herself not feel worthy of being in it's presence. Well, maybe not quite, but you get the idea. ;D lol
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Post by superioragates on Sept 26, 2009 21:39:17 GMT -5
First let me say they are just beautiful. Nothing "typical" about them. I was staring at them for some time, trying to figure out where the 4th wire is in the wrap? Unless I am crazy ya just cannot see the extra wire, with exception to the swirls.....so.....what'dya do with it? Very nice Randy! Still striving to compare - Marie
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Post by moondragon on Sept 27, 2009 9:51:05 GMT -5
Randy any queen, princess or Lady would love anything you create. You know how to create surprises and mystery in your stones and your wraps. Always a pleasure to see what you are designing:)
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Post by Toad on Sept 27, 2009 10:03:23 GMT -5
I don't particularly care for the extra curlicues at the bottom, but it's just a matter of taste. I prefer simpler other people like extravagent. Make some of everything, you'll always tickle someone's fancy. The craftsmanship is excellent as usual.
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wyobrian
fully equipped rock polisher
GO VIKINGS
Member since February 2009
Posts: 1,739
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Post by wyobrian on Sept 27, 2009 10:16:55 GMT -5
As always Randy BEAUTIFUL Brian
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Post by montanamuskrat on Sept 27, 2009 10:34:37 GMT -5
I have liked every one I have seen - I hope to get the skill to be as good. Tom
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Post by tkrueger3 on Sept 27, 2009 11:01:32 GMT -5
Randy, I think they are all terrific and the extra wire just adds to the overall beauty of the design. Can I borrow some of your talent for a while? LOL!
Tom
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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 27, 2009 14:33:15 GMT -5
Thanks ya'll!! Toad- my mother-in-law is the same, she likes the wraps simple. I just finished making one for her, no curlies at the top or bottom. For some reason, she likes them with the outside wrap only, just enough to hold the stone in the wire. I'll post a pic later, it turned out really cool.
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Post by sitnwrap on Sept 27, 2009 15:38:14 GMT -5
You know I love your wraps and the one with the extra wire doesn't look like an "extra" and I like the look. I see one end of the wire at the end of the curl but not the other end. How did you attach it?
Also, did you start the new design yet? Hurry up I want to try it. LOL
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Post by frane on Sept 27, 2009 16:14:08 GMT -5
I am the same Randy. I like them simple but yours are never ostentatious. They seem to be just right for the stones you are framing. I like the bottom swirls that you put on the top two. I think if they were any larger, it wouldn't look so good though. Like I said, you seem to do what the stone needs to look its best. Fran
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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 Sept 27, 2009 17:02:50 GMT -5
I think they are great Randy. I like all kinds of designs...simple to flat out BLING! lol So, I'm easy to please. ;D (gorgeous cabs too!)
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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 27, 2009 19:36:42 GMT -5
Thanks y'all!! Lori- both ends of the extra strand in the first pic are actually visible in plain sight! ;D .... Look at the top swirlies, there's an extra one on the left. Oh, and I attached it simply by following through the binds with the other wires. I'm still working on some new tricks. Here's an illustration of how I did it.........
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Post by sitnwrap on Sept 27, 2009 21:33:13 GMT -5
I never would have seen it unless it was in my hands. I would have much perferred that method of showing me. lol. Thanks Randy.
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bouldergal
freely admits to licking rocks
Glacier Meadow
Member since July 2007
Posts: 783
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Post by bouldergal on Sept 28, 2009 20:46:46 GMT -5
Really beautiful workmanship Randy! I've been trying some sodallite and chrysocalla recently and can't get a shine worth a darn. Are you going beyond your diamond wheels and using any polish like AO or CO? Seems like I just can't get a shine on the softer materials. Susan
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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 28, 2009 21:06:34 GMT -5
Thanks! I do my final polish on a pad mounted to the end of the Genie with 14,000 mesh diamond paste, it always does the trick. (especially on the harder agates)
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bouldergal
freely admits to licking rocks
Glacier Meadow
Member since July 2007
Posts: 783
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Post by bouldergal on Sept 28, 2009 21:13:30 GMT -5
Randy, I haven't used the diamond paste. Does it get into the little inclusions and discolor them like the CO and AO? Susan Sorry.......still learning!!!
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beckie
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2009
Posts: 2
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Post by beckie on Sept 30, 2009 1:26:49 GMT -5
Hi Everyone, My daughter and I have just got all excited in gem hunting, tumbling, and now are interested in learning how to wire wrap. Im so happy I found this site. Great work! Can you show me a simple wrap with a simple top with no fancy curls.. Im getting the jest of it but not sure of how to finish the top loop... Thanks so much!!
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Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 30, 2009 17:21:48 GMT -5
Simple wraps are done the same, except that you cut off the wires where they come out at the binding at the bail.
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mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,314
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Post by mossyrockhound on Sept 30, 2009 23:46:45 GMT -5
Nice work Randy! I like a little variation, so the extra wire is a pleasant change. I think Cleopatra would be happy with it. Those cabs are sweet too. Garry
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Post by Bikerrandy on Oct 1, 2009 4:18:35 GMT -5
Thanks bud! Susan- Diamond paste is clear, but I always fill the vugs and pits with super glue before the final polish. I let the super glue dry for about two hours. They always come out perfect this way.
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