Something strange happened to me today. I attempted to snd an email
message, and failed. I began fiddlin’ with my email program, and found
a stack of messages “stuck” in the outbound queue, but not listed on
the screen. Then, for some reason, this entire bunch, including
several to this forum of some days/weeks past, suddenly began to
transmit. I apologise that outdated messages appeared here. Thanks for your patience.
Subject Re: [Ganoksin] ** Orchid Digest - 1/2/01 **(How do I post to all?)
Sender: @owner-orchid
Precedence: bulk
Howdy Folks: For hammer handles you might try McMaster-Carr Co.,
whose last catalog I have list down to 2 oz. ballpein in wood and in
fiberglass 4 oz.& up, no chasing handles. It’s in Santa Fe
Springs,CA.& elsewhere around the USA.S.F.Springs phone # is
562-692-5911. Chaser hammer handles: Frei & Borel list four different
sizes/styles.Phone#=1-800-772-3456(orders), 1-510-832-0355(questions,
etc.) www.info@OFrei.com.
Mazen, I work almost entirely in brass, copper, and nickel-silver
because I enjoy making larger jewelry pieces and the cost of the
material in base metals is negligible. It also has the advantages
of making experimentation a lot of fun, and the three contrasting
colors of the metals can be used in designing.
If I did this full-time, I could probably make a modest living at it,
but, fortunately, I do not have to! I find that my best customers
are the same people who can buy much more expensive things but who
appreciate finding modestly-priced pieces as well. (My customers
often tell me I should raise my prices! I do, but I also remember
the days before I made jewelry when I couldn’t find anything I liked,
and if I did, I couldn’t afford it.) Such customers also appreciate
interesting and whimsical designs.
Of course, base metals go “off” in humid weather. I do not lacquer
my pieces because it will only wear off in places, leaving a
patchy-looking piece. More and more, I chemically “oxidize” my
jewelry (using, e.g., Jax Black), which produces nice shadows on the
surface and prevents much further oxidation. I offer my customers a
free list of suggestions for easily cleaning base metal jewelry.
HTH (Hope This Helps) Judy Bjorkman
Our list of those interested in attending a Big Apple Orchid meeting
is growing. We currently have 14 people who would like to attend. If
you are interested please contact me at @Joel_Schwalb or call
toll free at 888-566-8880. Joel
Joel Schwalb
@Joel_Schwalb
www.schwalbstudio.com
Subject [Update] Tips From The Jeweler’s Bench
Sender: owner-orchid@ganoksin.com
Precedence: bulk
The Ganoksin Project
S i n c e 1 9 9 6
Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Techniques
Join us at the “MJSA Big Apple Orchid Meeting”, Monday 11 March, 7
PM, Nino’s Reasturant, 39 West 46th Street, NYC. For Information and
reservations contact: Joel Schwalb joel4@optonline.net
Please visit our sponsor: http://www.creativegem.com
One of the World’s leaders in Precious and Semiprecious Gem
Production. Producing over 30,000,000 Cts of fine gems a year. Make
your gemstone shopping easier, safer and cheaper by buying directly
from the source at http://www.creativegem.com
New Uploads:
- Jewelry repair - Ring Resizing - Removing one Half-Size
Mrs. Moder was speechless when her children and grand children gave
her this ring on Mother=92s Day. It was exactly the one she had
admired in a jewelry store window while strolling with her
13-year-old granddaughter a few weeks earlier. Mrs. Moder was so
excited that she insisted on wearing the ring, even though it was
too large. She just wrapped some tape around the shank and assured
her family, =93It fits fine.=94
Now, a month later, the tape is shredding and Mrs. Moder has brought
the ring in for sizing . . .
Complete Story:
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/jewelry-repair-sizing-ring.htm
- A Modern Method of Creating Enameled Filigree Jewelry
After making jewelry and doing lapidary work for twenty-five years,
I began looking for another type of jewelry making which would be a
bit different. While on a visit to the Walter=92s Art Gallery in
Baltimore I became fascinated with the filigree work done by the
ancient Etruscans, Greeks and Mesopotasians.
Complete Story:
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/filigree.htm
- Making filigree wire
One of the necessary steps in making filigree is the forming of the
wire. It is made by twisting very tightly two pieces of very small
silver wire and then flattened. Either sterling or fine grade silver
wire may be used. Fine is preferred, even though it is a bit more
expensive but because it is more resistant to fire scale and needs
much less annealing than sterling.
Complete Story:
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/filigree1.htm
- Making the filigree Jig
To begin, procure or make a box out of cardboard or balsa wood. A
plastic soap dish, like the one used in a traveling toilet article
case although a bit deep is almost perfect for the job. The box
should be about 3" long, 2" wide and not more than =BD" high.
Temporarily set the box aside.
Complete Story:
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/filigree2.htm
- Making an altenate filigree Jig
Recognizing the problem of making a model plate, another method of
making a jig which requires less accuracy and mechanical ability was
suggested by Neal DeMoss. I have read every article on filigree
jewelry making that I have been able to find in the last 5 or 6
years, and they all use the model plate method for making the jig.
The new method suggested by Mr. DeMoss is without a doubt the most
ingenious and simplest way to make a jig.
Complete Story:
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/filigree3.htm
Enjoy
Hanuman
Dear Benoit Hamel, I appreciate your input. In this case the item is
not base metal, certainly. I have see what you are talking about,
though. Some events can happen without warning. An attempt to
repair the finial of a sterling teapot resulted in much the same way
as you earring. Little did I know back then the finial was thin
sterling, bulk provided by a fill of a low melting metal. All simply
collapsed into a mess. Ugh! Never again will I go that direction!
Hi , This is a pure silver plate... very thin as far as plating goes... In this particular case, as in many cases, it has been copper and nickle plated....
Thank you, Daniel. It was my “nearsightedness”, being too close to
the problem to recognize fine silver. I considered all sorts of
unknown plates and not fine silver at all. This process is used
also on machine fabricated hollow bracelets and other items.
Certainly the more tarnish free the items yet retaining the silver
look helps the marketer. However, this process with the nickel
undercoat is a true nightmare to the repair jeweler. Customers also
find it hard to understand why their “nice silver bracelet” now is
stained after soldering work.
T. Haynes, professional bench jeweler.
Hi Adriana and others, I rechecked some of my “facts” after sending
my last posting, only to realize that the tail end of it contained
an error. Although the “Anne of Gierstein” part was pretty much on
the money, I’d guessed about the historical parallel with the
scarcity of Opal, and was off by about a hundred years! Just goes to
show ya… mistakes pop up when we least expect 'em! (Oh well, sorry
about that; next time, I’ll review my data before sharing so much of
it.)
All the best,
Doug
Douglas Turet, GJ
Lapidary Artist, Designer & Goldsmith
Turet Design
P.O. Box 162
Arlington, MA 02476
Tel. (617) 325-5328
eFax (928) 222-0815
anotherbrightidea@hotmail.com
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Ultra-Vest investment is the investment of choice.
CoMA has established a high bar for conferences. On July 20-22, we
welcome Bernd Munsteiner, George Sawyer, Petra Class, Cynthia Eid
and Boris Bally to our gathering. You recognize their work. This is
your chance to see their work first hand, listen to a fabulous
presentation from each of them and actually meet and talk to them.
The CoMA conference is a friendly gathering held in the historic
town of Salida, Colorado. Noted blacksmith Bill Dawe is also joining
us with some terrific hot forging demos.
has conference and workshop details and registration
Judy Hoch