[Orchid Blogs] New topics on the Orchid Blogs network

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

Medieval Workshop Machinery
by Jamie Hall

By the time De Re Metallica was published, in the middle of the 16th
century, mechanical engineering was well established. The woodcuts
provided by Agricola’s text display a wide range of devices,
including waterwheels, gears and simple pulleys. This kind of
technology harnesses a force, and either magnifies it or converts it
into a different force. For example the waterwheel could be used to
turn millstones, even though the wheel is vertical and the millstone
horizontal. It was this ability…

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http://primitive.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/06/21/

The most important class a jewelry designer can take!
by pattieparkhurst

The class will cover photography for marketing, internet sales,
inventory records, juried presentations, and framed art
presentations. We will cover lighting and background setup. There
will also be a general discussion on computer photo processing. We
will be making our own set of table top photography tools. Each
student may take home, their own simple setup to keep. There will be
5 work stations set up for students to use, each a different
style…

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http://metalartschool.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/12/

Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your glass…
by Laurie Jane Kern

Over a year ago, I bought some roman glass to use in some jewelry.
It has been sitting in my stash box waiting for inspiration. On July
4th I worked at the San Diego Fair, again, but not for the
Volunteers for Minerals. I worked for a friend who has a jewelry
booth and he sells jewelry made with roman glass and small bags of
roman glass shards. It is from him that I bought the glass oh so
long…

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http://lauriejanekern.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/12/

welcome summer! flowers are in bloom!
by k.o’brien jewelry

This week has brought some dreadfully hot weather to us. I feel like
I am in Vegas running from one air conditioned place to the next.
Seems like I won’t ever want to turn my kiln on to enamel again.
Even through all of this complaining I did get outside to capture
some flowers on my iPhone and it was worth it. This plant has really
blossomed in the front yard. I can’t tell what it is, maybe
lavender? The…

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http://kobrienjewelry.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/11/

Stack Ring. Let’s start at the very beginning…a very good place to
start.
by vonyajayne

I’d like to take you along my journey as an apprentice at the
Jewelry Arts Institute. Although I will continue to challenge myself
with new skills and techniques, I must admit that there is much to
learn by going back to the beginning. Repeating these projects will
help them to be fresh in my mind so that I can begin to teach the
new students starting at Jewelry Arts. I will point out the tips and
tricks I’ve discovered as…

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http://vonyajayne.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/12/

Top Ten Reasons to Put off Making Jewelry
by Elaine Luther

A humorous take on why not to make jewelry today!..

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http://allthingsmetalclay.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/11/

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The Final Tale Of the Dino War Machine–promise
by hansmeevis

I started with a piece of Mukwa, which is a wood that comes from the
deep and dark jungles of Africa. It is hewn from aggressive and hard
living trees that my African friend Mraka Zulu and I battled to
capture…

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http://meevis.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/13/

Student of the Week: Kate Sheehan
by jeanettecaines

Congratulations to our latest Student of the Week: Kate Sheehan. I
worked with Kate on this piece and we had to overcome her fear of
opals. I know so many talented jewelers who won’t touch opals. I
think their bad reputation is undeserved. I’ve set tons of opals
successfully and I think I have figured out the main problem. Since
opals ARE fragile most people have the urge to set them lower…

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http://jewelryartsinstitute.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/13/

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Snakes in Alloys
by Michael Johnson

I took my dog, Scamp, out for an all day hike at Oak Mountain the
other day, and I gained a whole new appreciation for the rattlesnake.
Most of the snakes that I have forged into metals have been boa
constrictor-ish or python-ish like Kaa from Jungle Book. Still using
the tensions between masculine and feminine imagery and symbols, I am
playing…

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http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/14/323/

JA New York Summer Show! Look & Learn!
by Robyn Hawk

Discover how social networking canpave the way to profits for
jewelry retailers DON’T MISS THE FREE 2010 KEYNOTE SESSION Sunday,
July 25 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. | America’s Best Jewelers Workshop
Twest-ival (n. a gathering of users brought together via Twitter)
Optimizing Social Media for Jewelers ! A revolution in how our
culture communicates, the social networking phenomenon is
substantially influencing consumer behavior and shopping patterns.
Jewelers who have adopted this technology early have positioned their
companies to profit. Join in as the…

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http://dailyjewel.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/14/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

brewing coffee european style
by k.o’brien jewelry

I have been on the prowl for the perfect method of brewing coffee.
My sister-in-law suggested I try a Moka Pot. I gave in this week
{after being tired of drinking sludge produced from my french press}
and took a trip to the Coffee Exchange to get me one. Of course I
went with the snazzy, Made In Italy one, because the pots are just
so sexy in stainless steel {says the metalsmith in me}. It takes
more time to…

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http://kobrienjewelry.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/15/

Snakes in Alloys
by Michael Johnson

I took my dog, Scamp, out for an all day hike at Oak Mountain the
other day, and I gained a whole new appreciation for the
rattlesnake. Most of the snakes that I have forged into metals have
been boa constrictor-ish or python-ish like Kaa from Jungle Book.
Still using the tensions between masculine and feminine imagery and
symbols, I am playing…

View full article…
http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/14/323/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

A One-of-a-Kind Filigree Engagement Ring
by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG

We completed a most beautiful engagement ring a while back but
weren’t able to post this blog till now. It was one of the most
challenging projects we’ve ever done! Our clients Megan and Mike,
big fans of antique and period jewelry, fell in love with a 1920’s
Art Deco platinum ring in our estate department, set with a dazzling
one carat Old European cut diamond. We showed them several loose
period cut diamonds, but this particular stone had so…

View full article…
http://mardonjewelers.ganoksin.com/blogs/jewelry-making/275/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

welcome summer! more blooms
by k.o’brien jewelry

The gardens here are full of surprises as I haven’t witnessed them
in bloom yet. When I saw this stem I knew what was coming. After
waiting patiently the oriental lilies finally burst open this
morning. Maybe they were waiting for some rain? I know I was happy
to cooled down. Hibiscus have been in bloom for a few weeks now. I
just love seeing pink, purple and white as I drive around town. I
wonder what the neighbors think…

View full article…
http://kobrienjewelry.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/17/

A One-of-a-Kind Filigree Engagement Ring
by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG

We completed a most beautiful engagement ring a while back but
weren’t able to post this blog till now. It was one of the most
challenging projects we’ve ever done! Our clients Megan and Mike,
big fans of antique and period jewelry, fell in love with a 1920’s
Art Deco platinum ring in our estate department, set with a dazzling
one carat Old European cut diamond. We showed them several loose
period cut diamonds, but this particular stone had so…

View full article…
http://mardonjewelers.ganoksin.com/blogs/jewelry-making/275/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

A Day in the Convection Oven and Meeting another ORCHIDIAN…
by Laurie Jane Kern

Summer has arrived full bore in Southern California. I call it
convection oven factor verses wind chill factor because the
temperature is over 100 F, the humidity is low and a wind is
blowing. Not only do you cook but it sucks all moisture out of you!
That being said, my friend Jean and I went up to Riverside
Metropolitan Museum to see two exhibitions: Adornment and Star Trek:
The Exhibition Where Science Meets Science Fiction. The Adornment
exhibition was…

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http://lauriejanekern.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/18/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

New about METAL Inclinations2!
by midwestmetalsmiths

There was a glitch in the computer system of Juried Art Services.
Applications for METAL Inclinations were cut off too early ( 12
midnight EST instead of PST). There will be an extended, extended
deadline of July 19, 2010, 12 midnight PST…

View full article…
http://midwestmetalsmiths.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/19/

An Interview with James Miller FIPG
by Jamie Hall

Although the focus of the Primitive Method blog is medieval
jewellery, many ancient techniques were still used within living
memory, and it’s for this reason that I contacted James Miller FIPG
to request an interview. He very kindly agreed. His work spans that
last 50 years, and most of it was done with traditional hand tools -
a remarkable achievement considering the complexity of the work.
Those of you who use the Orchid mailing list may be familiar with
him already - for the rest of you, here’s a brief introduction:…

View full article…
http://primitive.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/19/

Congratulations to our latest Student of the Week: Ellen Jacobs
by jeanettecaines

These gorgeous earrings made by Ellen Jacobs illustrate a technique
we are well known for at JAI, fusing. Fusing is based on the concept
of joining very pure metals such as fine silver and 22k gold without
the use of additional metal such as solder. It is the basis for
granulation and much of the decorative work you see in ancient
Etruscan and Byzantine jewelry. We at JAI start with .9999 fine
gold,…

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http://jewelryartsinstitute.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/19/

Top Ten Reasons TO make jewelry today
by Elaine Luther

Because the…

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http://allthingsmetalclay.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/19/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

SoWa Sundays and my happy return to Providence
by k.o’brien jewelry

This weekend husband and I made our way to Boston for SoWa. It was
terribly hot and I didn’t last under the tent. Husband stayed and
smiled at the potential customers for me while I tried to cool off
in a cafe. In the end, it just wasn’t worth the trip. Not enough in
sales and a sick me just doesn’t make it worth packing up my tent
and goods. It isn’t how I like to visit Boston. Generally, I…

View full article…
http://kobrienjewelry.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/19/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

What is your most valuable equipment?
by Laurie Jane Kern

We all have our favorite tools be they are hammers, torches, anvils;
then there are the expensive ones such as rolling mills, and the
like but would you think is your most valuable? How about your EYES?
Over the past two months I have been to the optometrist 4 times and
a retinologist twice with the potential of dire news being
delivered. It all started when back in June when I realized three
things were going on: I was having…

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http://lauriejanekern.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/21/

“Patterning Mokume Gane” Workshop with Wayne Werner
by Laela Cottone

View full article…
http://laelacottone.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/21/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

welcome summer! stroll through the neighborhood.
by k.o’brien jewelry

There are so many pretty gardens in my neighborhood. Front yards are
filled with lovely, bright blooms. It is always a great adventure
when I take Miss Callie for a walk. Luckily, I always have my phone
to take some photos. I don’t know what these white stalks of flowers
are called. They look like foxglove but are different from any other
plant I have seen. Any ideas? Drop me a comment. I love the texture
the ShakeItPhoto app captured…

View full article…
http://kobrienjewelry.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/22/

Wire: Block-twisting Method
by Jamie Hall

In April, I did a post on wire-making tools, which briefly touched
on methods of wire-drawing. There’s a proper discussion of some of
the methods in Gold Bulletin: The Production of Gold Wire in
Antiquity, by Andrew Oddy. This time, I’m looking at the
Block-twisting method in detail. In block-twisting, a
square-sectioned length of wire is tightly twisted so that it’s four
corners form a tight spiral which is then rolled between two blocks
to smooth it and produce round-section…

View full article…
http://primitive.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/22/

Thanks to all who entered METAL Inclinations2
by midwestmetalsmiths

The entries are fantastic, the jurors are going to have a hard time
jurying this exhibition and picking the winners. The award winners
and selected images/artists will be announced September 1, 2010.
Look for a kickoff ad for METAL Inclinations2 in the October Issue
of Metalsmith Magazine. Another ad is scheduled for the January
Issue of Metalsmith Magazine to promote the award winners and
selected artists. A special thanks to Hauser & Miller Co, who’s
generous financial support helped the…

View full article…
http://midwestmetalsmiths.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/22/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

production line
by k.o’brien jewelry

For the past few weeks I was working away on far too many earrings.
I get antsy when I have repetitive work to do so I try and change
things up a little with different textures and finishes.Even through
all of my complaining, I knew I would feel accomplished when I
packed up my finished pieces. When the piles of work start to grow
you remember why you started this big project after all. I have a
decent inventory of…

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http://kobrienjewelry.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/24/production-line/

7 Ways to Make Heart-Centered Connections
by Elaine Luther

Attending a conference, a class or even just an online forum can be
a little frightening. You might think no one is interested in your
opinion, you don’t want to be judged, you are afraid of putting
yourself in a vulnerable position. However, the only way you can
gain an experience is to be willing to be vulnerable. This courage
creates character and builds confidence. This is a win-win
situation…

View full article…
http://allthingsmetalclay.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/23/

Sapphires Illustrate the Limits of Perception
by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG

These two sapphires are both from the island of Sri Lanka, both are
heat enhanced, both are from the same vendor, both weigh about the
same…

View full article…
http://tinyurl.com/2wfdh3x

Folding the Laundry
by suzannecronin

So we now have a new washing machine! It’s smaller, quicker, uses
less water & power. Most importantly however, it fits under my
bench. All previous plans are now out the window. The sink will stay
in the corner and the bench top will now extend the length of the
laundry! In my last post “Victorian Ash” I showed a picture of the
white bench being installed. Well since then our family dynamic has
changed yet again. Not only do laundry…

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http://suzannecronin.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/23/

Mounting welding glass on Optivisor
by johndonivan

This is simple enough to understand, and goes with a posting on
Orchid. So, Just the pics here. Click on the pictures twice to view
them full size. [gallery]…

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http://johndonivan.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/23/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

Field Trip Report: Jalama Beach - June 23rd
by Robyn Hawk

Trip Report: Jalama Beach June 23rd Jalama Beach, June 23rd Got to
Jalama Beach about 9:30 AM, warned the gate we were coming, and
found parking near the store. Weather was clear and cool, with the
June gloom hanging about a mile offshore. There was a lot of sand in
front of the parking area, and a lot on the beach too. I walked to
the north to scout the area, then to the south. There was alot of
sand…

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http://flyviewsandreviews.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/24/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

My New Favorite Tool
by noelyovovich

First off, let it be said-- I love good design. I HATE bad design.
And I love a well-designed tool most of all. You too, right? A few
years ago, I went to the New Approach School in Virginia Beach to
take a stone setting class from Blaine Lewis. He’s a fantastic
teacher, and I unreservedly recommend the class, but that’s not what
this is about. While I was there, my group made a visit to the area
where they…

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http://noel.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/25/my-new-favorite-tool/

Student of the Week- Lydia Thein
by jeanettecaines

Congratulations on a job well done by Lydia Thein. This quadruple
loop in loop chain was made with 22 gauge wire on a 5/16 dowel. This
is a signature JAI piece and an essential part of the learning
process. Each link is coiled, cut, butted together and fused closed.
Fusing shut 22 gauge wire is a delicate process. I prefer to use a
white non-asbestos board for fusing links. It maintains it flatness
after repeated uses and really is a…

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http://jewelryartsinstitute.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/25/

Learning Curve
by Laurie Jane Kern

Back in May/June when I had a session with Deb we discussed my next
learning task - curves. I admit that I still have a way to go with
getting the sides of my vessels symmetrical but one can’t just make
vessels with straight sides for-ever. I think that in the OLD days,
an apprentice would and probably not be allowed to move onto another
skill until this was mastered but hey, I am not an apprentice nor
living in…

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http://lauriejanekern.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/24/learning-curve/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

A Diamond Pendant, A Pearl Necklace and Carving Work.
by hansmeevis

Double sided pendant. Gold and diamonds. Difficult work. Mission to
set. On either side. Made to go into a pearl necklace sideways so it
shows both sides. I am only hanging it here on a chain for the
picture. This is the longest necklace that I have ever made. 18ct
white gold, diamonds and South Sea pearls. Three meters in
length---- 9.8 feet. I am serious. She winds it round and round her
pretty neck and she looks oh…

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http://meevis.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/26/

Round up: recipes, tips from around the web
by Elaine Luther

View full article…
http://allthingsmetalclay.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/26/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

Embracing My Inner Fussbudget: Being reasonable may be overrated
by noelyovovich

First, a disclaimer: This post is about art, style, and life, not a
specific technique. I hope you’ll stick with me, and let me know
what you think. OK, then. Ever since I was a small child, I was
encouraged to be reasonable. No one else in my family was-- I
somehow got stuck being the reasonable, rational one, even though I
was the youngest. The lesson I took from my life has always been to
moderate my statements, see…

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http://noel.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/27/

Make a ring from a quarter
by Elaine Luther

View full article…
http://allthingsmetalclay.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/27/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

WiRe: Block-twisting Method
by Jamie Hall

In April, I did a post on wire-making tools, which briefly touched
on methods of wire-drawing. There’s a proper discussion of some of
the methods in Gold Bulletin: The Production of Gold Wire in
Antiquity, by Andrew Oddy. This time, I’m looking at the
Block-twisting method in detail. In block-twisting, a
square-sectioned length of wire is tightly twisted so that it’s four
corners form a tight spiral which is then rolled between two blocks
to smooth it and produce round-section…

View full article…
http://primitive.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/22/

Floor Plan to use 10X16 Storage Shed as Silversmithing Studio.
by aule

Yavanna and I have been very busy these last several weeks. We’re
almost done with all the paperwork needed to close on the house
we’re taking a mortgage out on. Little One is also getting rather
excited, as she’s looking foward to painting her own room with
“princess colors”! We’ve also been working out spending budgets,
house floor plans, and last but not least, storage shed floor plans.
To recap from the previous post, my wife had promised me a…

View full article…
http://aule.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/28/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

gonna set the night on fire
by k.o’brien jewelry

I overcame my trepidation of torch firing enamels and I am ever so
happy I did. Husband cheered me on while I lit my torch to see what
would happen. Here is the first layer on a poppy.I chose flame
orange because it seemed appropriate. For some reason I had thought
I would need a different set up for using my torch to fire enamels
but my kiln trivets worked just fine. {shown is a little stand I
made to hold pieces…

View full article…
http://kobrienjewelry.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/31/

Another Successful Metalsmithing I Class!
by pattieparkhurst

This class was the biggest class we have had so far with 11 people.
We usually have a max of 10 people but there was such a high demand
we added one more desk. Everyone was very happy and created sweet
pendant and earrings!..

View full article…
http://metalartschool.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/30/

Braaivleis, Biltong, Chevrolet and Sunny Skies *
by hansmeevis

There’s this thing with South Africans…It’s called Braai vleis
(barbecue) or just having a ‘braai’. Or a ‘bring and braai’ This
means that your buds and their wives pitch at your place, each with
meat, salads and plonk. Then the manne (dudes) make a fire with
‘harde kool or kameel hout’ (A slow growing wood that God designed
just for braaing) and then the manne stand around the fire poking a
sausage called boerewors ( farmers sausage, literal translation)
and…

View full article…
http://meevis.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/29/

Jewelry Historians Tour of All That Glitters Exhibit in San Diego!
by Robyn Hawk

American Society of Jewelry Historians Offers Exclusive Tour of All
That Glitters: The Splendor & Science of Gems & Minerals at San Diego
Natural History MuseumExhibit Curator Elise B. Misiorowski leads tour
on Sat., August 7 at 9:45 a.m. SAN DIEGO – The Southern California
Chapter of The American Society of Jewelry Historians (ASJH)
announced an exclusive tour of the new exhibition, All That Glitters:
The Splendor & Science of Gems & Minerals, at the San Diego Natural
History Museum on…

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http://dailyjewel.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/29/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

A Page on Titanium
by noelyovovich

This blog is a new enterprise for me, and I was too excited about
writing it to learn everything first and do it after. So I’ll be
adding bells and whistles as I go. Today, I have added a page, as
distinct from a post, and truthfully I’m looking forward to seeing
how these things mesh together. What I have added is an article on
titanium coloration, which is pretty central to my body of work. The
process itself is…

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http://noel.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/08/01/a-page-on-titanium/

Hammer-formed Bronze Urn
by shelbyvision

It’s been way too long since my last post. It seems I’ve just been
much too busy. Lately I’ve been preoccupied with this big project,
which was prompted by a heads-up from Brad Severtson, who showed me
a link to an exhibition for funerary art…

View full article…
http://shelbyvision.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/08/01/

C4C raises $9,752.00 for Cancer Research
by Elaine Luther

View full article…
http://allthingsmetalclay.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/08/01/

Now, That’s a Stone I can Dance To
by Michael Johnson

I come from a very free thinking community of people, and I get
asked from time to time if I believe that stones can heal. Of course
the first thing that comes to my mind is a beautiful long-haired
woman waving stones about to clear away something that only she
seems to see, probably with some ethereal belly dancing music
playing and incense burning. I have issues with magic, but I even
have issues with those MagicEye posters where you…

View full article…
http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/08/01/

Orienting a Moonstone crystal to show off the phenomena
by The Gem Doctor

I received this crystal from a customer with the request to facet a
checkerboard brilliant oval. I am not a big fan of faceted
phenomenal stones as they rarely do justice to the effects.
Moonstones are especially suited to low flat cabochons which will
display the adularescence optimally. High rounded cabs will have
much smaller ‘moons’ but colour and visibility are improved with the
extra material…

View full article…
http://thegemdr.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/31/

gonna set the night on fire
by k.o’brien jewelry

I overcame my trepidation of torch firing enamels and I am ever so
happy I did. Husband cheered me on while I lit my torch to see what
would happen. Here is the first layer on a poppy. I chose flame
orange because it seemed appropriate. For some reason I had thought
I would need a different set up for using my torch to fire enamels
but my kiln trivets worked just fine. {shown is a little stand I
made…

View full article…
http://kobrienjewelry.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/31/

AF150 Labradorite Necklace
by John Rasmussen

Taking multiple gifts from my wife, I designed this necklace made of
faceted labradorite beads (8 mm) in groups of 5 with two colors of
bead alternating (light and dark). The groups are separated with
Swaroski crystal elements strung with Sterling Silver crimps on
silver crinkle Beadlon wire. Suspended from the necklace is a 44 x
31 mm labradorite free form cabochon. This was a fascinating project
which I designed in a very symmetrical manner. Hope you enjoy:
John…

View full article…
http://rasmussengems.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/07/31/

If you have been considering your own Blog, but haven’t yet, the

Special issue of Art Jewelry — all metal clay!
by Elaine Luther

View full article…
http://allthingsmetalclay.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/08/02/

Meet The Masters: Christine Dhein, on the Green Jewelry Movement
by Metalwerx

Christine Dhein returns to Metalwerx Aug. 12-15 for ‘Surface
Embellishments and Riveting Techniques,’ a class she loves to teach
because it offers students opportunities for both learning and
experimentation. She provides instruction on how to achieve a wide
variety of surface textures and encourages students to combine the
techniques to create unique results. Students begin by making a
“texture sampler” on copper to keep for a reference. Using this as
the foundation for a piece of jewelry, students learn to…

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http://metalwerx.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/08/02/

Applying to AA2A (Artists Access to Art Colleges)
by Jamie Hall

So, I was reading Benchpeg last night, which is a weekly newletter
for the UK trade, and I saw an advert for a scheme, called AA2A, or
“Artists Access to Art Colleges”. It’s quite an interesting scheme -
the basic intention is to give artists from outside academia access
to the facilities that students get. If any of you have seen the
inside of a jewellery or art college, you’ll know that they have
loads of tools, machinery and expertise,…

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http://primitive.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/08/02/