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kjsspot
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« on: February 06, 2015, 07:17:43 am » |
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First piece listed here isn't a gemstone. Just a pretty lil bit of wire wrapping for Valentine's Day. Antiqued woven copper heart with red glass beads.
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kjsspot
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« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2015, 07:25:10 am » |
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Let's see... now backtracking to Jan. This is LR White common opal. It's basically common opal but in the right light it has a very subtle blue flash. I think this is what makes it luminous. Anyway, I really liked it, even though it's not gem grade, so I wrapped it in sterling!
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ScarlettoSara
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« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2015, 09:18:17 am » |
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A little red heart is always sweet
and I love the wrapping on the opal. Lots of work and patience there:)
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"I tramp a perpetual journey.”
― Walt Whitman, Song of Myself
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john likes rocks!
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« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2015, 08:41:05 am » |
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Interesting wire wrapping kind of like the work of a spider ... cool! Thank you for posting the pix.
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Steve
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« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2015, 01:34:20 pm » |
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Very intricate wire wrapping you've done there KJ.....................Far superior to the simple stuff I have tried to do. Keep it up and keep posting............  |
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kjsspot
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« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2015, 04:13:53 pm » |
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Thanks!
I can kinda see a spider... :D
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kjsspot
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« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2015, 01:39:36 am » |
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Couple new wraps for ya. First one is light based Lightning Ridge Opal in oxidized Sterling Silver. And the second one is Wyoming Nephrite Jade in 14k Gold Fill. 'Tis my first time working with 14/20 GF wire and I'm really impressed. It's a perfect match to my solid 14k chain. Just gorgeous stuff. I think it really works well with Jade.
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kjsspot
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« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2015, 04:11:22 am » |
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I haz a problem... I was gonna make this to sell... but I CAN'T!!! I'm in love. So... I mean, I really should keep it so I can make sure it wears well before making more to sell right??? And it IS my anniversary after all... :D
Lightning Ridge Semi-black crystal opal with fine Mozambique Garnets set in sterling
N6, B5
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Steve
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« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2015, 07:56:29 am » |
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Excellent fire in the Opal..............and a wonderful match on the Garnets................. |
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kjsspot
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« Reply #9 on: June 12, 2015, 03:08:29 pm » |
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Thanks!! It is literally taking my breath away. Gem quality opals are just plain MEZMERIZING!! :D And ya, I'm keeping it!!
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kjsspot
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Another opal finished! Video at
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Steve
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That is a gorgeous piece...................... However, may i suggest, the pale would be more in balance with the piece if it was a little smaller......more on the petite side to match the size of the pendant...........................  |
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kjsspot
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Thanks Steve. I'm still working on improving my bails. This one is ok for me though. It reminds me of a locket.
Here's one that failed (first photo.) I'll have to re-do the bezel. The gallery wire bezel strip from RioGrande was brittle and they just broke right off. I forgot why I stopped using it. lol I'll have to re-do it.
The second one I had to re-do three times. First time the PMC shrunk away from the bezel cutting out. So I repaired that. THEN I dropped it hot onto the carpet ruining the metal. The third time was a charm though. I soldered the bezel on and this time it worked. SOMEDAY I'll be able to be faster without so many re-dos...
3.25 ct LR Black opal in Fine Silver pendant on Sterling chain. I frosted the interior and polished the edges.
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Steve
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Sorry to hear about the D'oH............But it looks good in the photo, and the other one is beautiful.................
As for bales of that type, I think you should go to 26/24g sheet for them. That one looks a little thick. I generally use 26g, 1"x 1/4" and cut it into a diamond from the center,, bend in half over a small file handle and curl the tips so one fits under the other when pressed together, then solder over the jump ring/bale....................
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kjsspot
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I carved this Welo Opal and then sculpted the silver to custom fit the undulating shape. Now it's a magical tear captured by fine silver.
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gjones
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Wow ! Very artistically done!
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mirkaba
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WOW! Great Job. I really like what you have done with the PMC. Nice work on the Opals! Nice work all around. Hope you don't mind a few questions. Is it possible to set the bezel in or on the clay before firing? Or does the shrinkage screw it up? Do you oven or torch fire the PMC? If I were to buy some PMC.....how is the learning curve? This stuff is pretty spendy to afford more than a couple melt downs. I have been wanting to try it out for a while but the price has been the deterrent.
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Bob
Gathering dust in Montana.
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kjsspot
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I'm sure it's probably possible but I found out the hard way that the clay shrunk away from the bezel and created a cut out in the clay. I had to solder it on afterwards.
I used an Ultralite Kiln. You can torch fire but this is pretty hefty and I don't think it would have sintered properly via torch. Once I can afford it I'll be getting a regular kiln as the Ultralite limits me to low fire clays like PMC3.
Learning curve.. that's a hard one to answer as it'll be different for everyone. I come from a sculpting background and I found the PMC3 a bit difficult to work with. So I sculpted it in polymer clay first, baked it & made a mold instead of working directly on the PMC. Once it's dry you can go back and carve/sand some more as well if you're gentle. But ya, it's kinda pricey. :(
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Mark
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Great job KJ. I have to admit that most wire wrapping really bores me, but your's are really neat and intriguing. Especially love the 2nd and 4th ones. The ring and PMCs turned out really nice too. I think the leaf life PMC looks a bit thick, but its still a really neat piece. Refreshing.
Mark
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jminshal
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Very nice work on both of the pieces.
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jminshal
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I'm really a fan of your wire wrapping pieces. I like the way they are finished so neatly.
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