Alastair,
Outstanding analysis.
And Pat, I have no doubt that you are right, but I am sure
Alastair's suggestions will be a very good start.
My intentions for 2012, once it gets warm enough, is:
1) Forge more sets of fine silver cross earrings, adding color to
some through torch enamelling.
2) Rethink my silver-framed ebony pendant design by connecting the
wood background and the silver frame together via homemade silver
screws, nuts, and bolts. I'm calling upon my prior experience with
aluminum, and a recent purchase of 0-80 and 00-90 drill and tap sets.
3) Create better silver chain for the above with less labor.
Previously, I had used my rolling mill, torches, a vise, and a
jewelers saw. It took me three weeks of half time days to create a
single 28 inch chain. That's too much effort for the chain to
command a fair wage, and the sawing of the coil into jump rings was
what took me the most effort.
This time, I have obtained a jump ring cutting pliers, the type
which holds the coil inside with a slit on the side to admit the
jeweler's saw. That, and lubricating the saw, should together double
my productivity.
Three things I would like to attempt if I have the time:
1) Add 2.5 mm brilliant cut round stones as accents to my pendant.
2) Incorporate agate and shell elements into the foreground of the
pendant.
3) Start using my kiln to make glazed porcelain elements for
earrings and pendant.
That's my reason for all of my unrelated questions on the group.
Yes, I have a plan.
Andrew Jonathan Fine
