What are my choices?

[Taogem]

Ok, well... some success.

I cleaned as well as I could with dremel, cotton polisher with silver polish.

Not perfect, but maybe not so bad for first one?

[mirkaba]

I think it looks pretty darn good for the first one!!    Bob

[Taogem]

My girlfriend has this choker like necklace. This pendant fit on it nicely and looks pretty cool.

[Steel and Stone]

Looks good George,

I take it the torch worked well for you? Also nice bail you put on the back. Are you planning on using that heavy of a ga. backing all the time?

[Taogem]

Looks good George,

I take it the torch worked well for you? Also nice bail you put on the back. Are you planning on using that heavy of a ga. backing all the time?

Yes the torch is working out great.

I don't know when I would use the two larger tips. The one time I tried the middle sized tip, it was just too much for the job. The smallest of the three seems to be the one I will be using most of the time.

I meant to ask about the backing and the gauge. My girlfriend says it does in fact feel heavy, and it does to me too. I can't imagine making a larger multi stone pendant with the same gauge, so yes... what would be the best guage?

I thought about cutting out the center part of this one, but did not do it.

Also, I am interested in doing some simpler pieces. Just basic step type bezel tape with a chain loop.

Also trying to figure out how to utilize only the soft, medium and hard solders to accomplish more solders on the same piece.

I sure could use at least one more opportunity to solder on the same pieces.

I would also like to do pieces similar to these.

[Steel and Stone]

George,

Glad to hear that your happy with the torch. I use 26ga for 90% of my backs. As for soldering like I mentioned before once you learn flame and heat control you will be able to use the Hard for the bezel, med for the bezel to back plate, easy for all the others and x-easy for the bail. It just takes some time to get the hang of it.

[Taogem]

It just takes some time to get the hang of it.

That is what I figure..

So will order some of the 26 gauge and if ok, would sure like to send it off to you again.

Probably be a bigger sheet or maybe a few similar to the last one except 2" wide instead of 1".

Yes, the torch is going to be perfect, just going to take much practice.

Been looking at your site a lot and examining your pieces.

I sure hope someday to be able and make mine as nice as yours. My girlfriend and I both have been really checking them out.

[Taogem]

I am getting ready to order a few things..

What gauge and fine or sterling for the wire you use in your designs? Soft, medium or hard?

Also the same for possibly adding square wire around the perimeter of some pieces. Sterling, or fine? Probably fine for that. Also a soft, medium or hard type?

And may I send you off some more for texturing ?

Can I send you that piece of Mookaite as sort of a bartering tool for the next few times you take the time to help texture for me?

Maybe that would be a fair trade for now?

[Steel and Stone]

George,

The only thing I really use fine silver for is the bezel. all the wire round, square,1/2 rd. low dome ect is all sterling and usually dead soft.

As for the texturing send away and the mookite will do just fine for texture and return postage trade. Besides I still have some green space left in my yard I need something to cover it.

[Taogem]

Besides I still have some green space left in my yard I need something to cover it.

Hey now ! 

Ok to the Mookaite then. Will send with the next batch.

Greatly appreciated!

[Taogem]

One of the things I learned from just this first pendant is an appreciation for rounded corners as compared to sharper ones.

One of my customers has commented several times how she prefers rounded.

Any way, it became quite obvious to me why the appreciation.

Now using the bezel tape with the prong like tabs that are rolled instead of a straight edge really makes it quite easy to bend over and around the squared of corners.

I can see how difficult it will be to try and do with a straight edged tape though.

Unless someone would like to share a trick or two?

[MedicineMan]

Really nice stuff George,

You've got the bug, LOL

[Taogem]

George,

The only thing I really use fine silver for is the bezel. all the wire round, square,1/2 rd. low dome ect is all sterling and usually dead soft.

As for the texturing send away and the mookite will do just fine for texture and return postage trade. Besides I still have some green space left in my yard I need something to cover it.

What about the copper? Looks like you may be using pieces cut and shaped from a sheet? Maybe shaped from some square?

What ever I decide on, safe to say to pick a dead soft? If that is how they gauge it..

[Steel and Stone]

Besides I still have some green space left in my yard I need something to cover it.

Hey now ! 

Ok to the Mookaite then. Will send with the next batch.

Greatly appreciated!

I only have a space about 30' x 6' left to cover with my "Rock / Rough" and my garden will be complete. Ok not really It will never be complete. I already have about a 30' strip along my driveway. I think my neighbor thinks I am "LOCO"

What about the copper? Looks like you may be using pieces cut and shaped from a sheet? Maybe shaped from some square?

What ever I decide on, safe to say to pick a dead soft? If that is how they gauge it..

Yes I do use copper, and brass sheet and wire. The wire I will run through the mill to change the shape sometimes.
And I always use dead soft unless I have a particular reason not to.

Unless someone would like to share a trick or two?

No not tonight, I have to save something for tomorrow.

[Taogem]

No not tonight, I have to save something for tomorrow.

Too funny... 

That makes sense to me know about running wire through the rollers. I can see it now..