My terrible morning

Jewelry Discussion
1

First I ran out of oxygen. I knew I was low, but I only have one
more soldering job before Christmas and thought I could get by.
Evidently there was a small leak and I had left the cylinder valve
open last time I used the torch, which was a few days ago. I took the
cylinder to the welding place and they had just given out their last
cylinder 10 minutes ago. I left my tank there and they said that I
could come by tomorrow to get my replacement…Fortunately I only
have the one soldering job to do.

Next I had a casting with porosity to pick up from a repair jeweler
I know. I new it wasn’t “good” porosity, but I hadn’t heard anything
from the guy since Friday morning when I had dropped off the job.
Plus, the gentleman who does my lasering is usually pretty good.
Well, I get there and he had yet to even start on the job, then when
he does start he announces it can’t be done and unceremoniously hands
it back to me…buh bye, so sorry, see ya later.

After calling the client and letting them know of the delay I took
the ring to a friend of mine to see if he could do it for me. He was
really busy but agreed to do the lasering if I’d do some bead setting
work. Not really an even trade, but I’m desperate. Well, not 15
minutes into the job and his laser craps out. He hopes it just got
over heated. Hopefully I’ll hear from him soon because if it’s not
done, I’ll have to find a third person to laser it for me.

Aarrrgggg

Larry

2

Larry,

The Jewelry Poltergeists often show up when they can create the most
damage.

Happy Holidays
Greg DeMark
www.demarkjewelry.com

3

Larry!

consider moving. your pals in your town do not seem all that
sympathetic. try boca raton, fl. I would help with pleasure.

marvin lorberfeld

4

Thanks Larry for sharing the details of your terrible morning. Gave
me a good laugh as I was having similar problems. Misery loves
company. Was in the midst of working on a sprecial commission for one
my large enameled wall pieces. The client wants it before Christmas.
We had a strong wind storm here last weej, and electric power was out
for a few days, so doing anything with the kiln was out of the
question. Power is now back on, but there is much to do on the piece,
and I am feeling pressured.

My propane tank is running on low, and I have a lot of things that
need to be completed before Christmas, which is fast bearing down on
us. I had ordered a new tank from my regular distributer, but because
of the fierce weather we had last week,he is behind on his orders,
will be shut down during the holidays, and so he cannot deliver until
after the new year. If our usual weather pattern holds true, we may
well have an ice storm at that time, and as I live on a very very
steep hill, there is not a chance that any cars–no less trucks can
make it.

On the bright side I just found an unopened bottle of Irish Cream
left over from last year, so I will have that for consolation in
case the power goes out again, an ice storm hits, and I am unable to
work in the studio. Only question is whether or not the unopened year
old Irish Cream is still good

Alma

5

Larry,

If I’m right(?) you are in Raleigh NC. I live in Chapel Hill in work
in Elon. If you can’t get it done call me and we’ll get it for you. I
hope your day gets better. Somebody whos has been there

Kristy
(804) 240-7798

6

Christmas Story for people having a bad day

When four of Santa’s elves got sick, the trainee elves did not
produce

toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the

pre-Christmas pressure. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was
coming

to visit, which stressed Santa even more. When he went to harness the

reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and
two

others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where. Then
when

he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy
bag

fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered. So, frustrated,

Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum.
When

he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the
cider

and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped
the

cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over

the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had
eaten

all the straw off the end of the broom. Just then the doorbell rang,
and

irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood
a

little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said very

cheerfully, "Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn’t this a lovely day? I have
a

beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?" And so

began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

Happy Holidays
http://www.donivanandmaggiora.com

7

Hi Alma.

On the bright side I just found an unopened bottle of Irish Cream
left over from last year, so I will have that for consolation in
case the power goes out again, an ice storm hits, and I am unable
to work in the studio. Only question is whether or not the
unopened year old Irish Cream is still good

Trust me, the Irish Cream will be good! What a blessing an old
friend can be in a time of need. :slight_smile:

Pam Chott
www.songofthephoenix.com

8 
Only question is whether or not the unopened year old Irish Cream
is still good

Well, it is for sure still alcoholic!

Happy holidays,
Noel

9

Larry,

I keep a “spare tire”. I started out with a small oxygen tank that
was given to me by a friend. I later bought a larger tank and kept
the smaller one. I keep the small tank full and use it as back up. I
have never needed to use the back up tank, because I don’t use the
regular one that much either. Too bad we’re not neighbors!

A network of neighborly jewelers would be useful during the rush
wouldn’t it?

Jeff Simkins
Microelectronics Engineer
University of Cincinnati
390 Engineering Research Center
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0030

10

Update:

The jeweler’s laser had blown a fuse and after he obtained one from
a friend of his, he was back in business. The original laser operator
called me and said he felt bad about what happened and if I did some
prep on the ring he’d give it another try. It was too late though. My
client had already picked up the job from me and left a nice bottle
of wine. That really took the sting out of the whole situation. What
a nice lady!

I went back and delivered the bead set job then went to pick up my
oxygen tank. So, now I can finally finish my last couple of jobs.
Things have settled down and tonight I don’t think I’ll have to stay
up until 3:00AM to get things done.

Thanks to everyone who wrote. Phew!

Larry