Monday, February 21, 2011

RAW52-7




Well, here is the ring for RAW week 7.

I haven't attempted anything new metalsmithing wise in awhile.  I must say that it is always a learning experience trying something new, and sometimes it is successful, and sometimes not.

I always like to start with the good.

1) This is a GORGEOUS marquis cut Labradorite, with a stunning blue flash that fades to turquoise on the bottom end.

2)  I have been wanting to make silver flowers for awhile now, and I love how these turned out.  They are a keeper for sure.

Now for the not so good.

1)  This is a really thick cab.  Too thick for me to use the fine silver bezel wire I have on hand.  So, I made the bezel out of 26g sterling sheet because that is what I had on hand. 

Well, live and learn, and I won't bore you with specifics, but I don't like it.  The stone is a little loose.  It has a bit of a rattle.  I just don't like it.  I should have used fine silver sheet, and made the bezel walls a smidge higher.  So now I know that.

2)  I hadn't ever used any embellishment sort of half on the bezel and half on the shank.  I was a little worried about the soldering there, but really it came out ok.  So now I know that.

3) I'm not sure about the overall design.  Something isn't quite right.  So, as a consequence, I'm going to wear it around for awhile before I deconstruct it and start over.

7 comments:

  1. That's always what I do, wear it and if I like it, it's a keeper, if not, chuck it and start over. The cab is gorgeous by the way, and when you figure out how you want it, it'll be beautiful!

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  2. It's always frustrating when you're working with expensive materials and you just don't like what you've done. But, as much as I hate it, each new piece is a learning experience, like you've said, and as annoying as it is to rip it up and start over, it's usually well worth it!

    Loving the blog too;)

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  3. I think it is beautiful.
    I hate when the bezel doesn't fit right and the stone rattles a bit. It is understandable why that would bug you.
    I think overall it is fab!

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  4. Thanks for the encouragement ladies! I'll give it another go when the fine silver gets here! :)

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  5. I love the ring and that stone is to die for. One of the big name lapidaries on Etsy suggested that it was more than ok to use a bit of epoxy for security. Seems such a shame to de-construct the whole ring.

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  6. I think it looks spectacular from the side and the top but I know about the rattle - it's happened to me too. I've actually taken a very small planishing hammer or a rawhide hammer and gently hammered the top of the bezel so it gets closer and smoother to the stone. Mine never fell out. Whatever you do, it is a nice piece and I'm sure you learned some things from making it.

    Nice to meet you on your blog Amy!

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  7. Thank you both for the suggestions. I considered the epoxy, wish I had put some in there before I popped the stone in....oh well...
    I think I may try the hammering. I haven't taken it apart yet. So as of now it is free game for experimentation!

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