Open Studio - Ready to Polish and Set the Stone!

...so, I worked hard at Open Studio on Friday and my ring is ready for polishing and setting my stone! This collage shows the set up and soldering of the bezel to the baseplate -- this time my soldering went really well, flowing on my first attempt.  I'm beginning to see the correct state of the flux and know when the solder will flow.  A pickle bath cleaned everything up.

Next, I sawed the excess silver into my desired oval shape around the bezel, leaving a small lip as part of the design.  You can see my sawing skills need practice but I did get the basic shape and a good filing will smooth everything and refine the shape.  I've discovered I really like the filing stage and the control it gives me to create the vision I have in my imagination.  Plus, it's kind of soothing in that you have to take your time and be so deliberate in your purpose.

 You can see the baseplate nicely shaped using a fairly coarse metal file.  Next I prepared the ring band to attach to the setting by first filing a flat plane on the band, opposite the original soldering seam.  Sweat soldering the flat spot prepared to the attachment. I spent at least 10 minutes lining up the band and setting (the 'third hand' tool is MOST helpful!) -- I was very worried I'd solder it off-center or lopsided - but it was worth it.  I got it just where I wanted! yay!

Here you can see the attached pieces, its next pickle bath and the ring all cleaned up and ready for the stone.

...and the stone fits!!!!! 

 

(Please excuse the dental floss -- I wanted to be certain I could remove the stone to finish the ring! :)

 

~ New Designs...

... in the drawing/planning stage...

 I'm hoping I'll have some time in Open Studio next week to begin these new earrings in copper!

Wednesday's Class - Creating a Bezel

This week we learned how to make a bezel setting for a stone (or other cabachon), a skill I've wanted to learn for ages! I also have a new appreciation for the time and attention required to get this just right :)   Originally, I intended to use a small larimar stone I have but decided set this larger lapis lazuli as it is about twice the size -- this seemed like a good idea for a beginner such as myself and I was right! :)  I chose my fine silver bezel wire and wrapped the stone to mark the length required.  I trimmed the seam for a snug fit to solder which is already completed in photo 3.  I struggled with the soldering of this seam, first causing it to flow right BESIDE the seam -- good grief.  My second attempt failed because I didn't have my torch temperature high enough which resulted in a second cleaning and a bit of a panic that the bezel would no longer fit the stone. Third time proved successful and you can see it still fit  -- YAY!

Next, I cut my base plate from 20 gauge sterling sheet metal and this is as far as I got in the process. At Open Studio on Friday, I'm going to finish the setting and solder it to the silver band I made earlier.  It will be ready to set the stone and finish at next Wednesday's class! I have a second ring band and that larimar stone I mentioned -- my goal is to have that ring also completed before the end of this course.  I've enjoyed it so much, I signed up for a second class later April :)  Stay tuned for the finished lapis ring next week...

Open Studio ~ Hammered Sterling Ring

Fridays are Open Studio time at Hui and I was excited to make another ring - this time a hammered band in sterling silver.  I took photos of the entire process (as far as I got :) this time and here they are!  1 and 2 - I cut and filed 18 gauge sterling silver sheet metal. Photos 3 to 5 show the texturing process with a hammer and anvil.

 I measured the length for my ring size and sawed the extra silver. Next, I annealed the metal with my torch to make it easy to work with and gave it a pickle bath to clean the fire scale from the silver. Shaping begins the preparation of the seam for soldering.

After quite a bit of filing and 'wiggling', I had a nice flat seam. A bit of flux and solder and I'm ready for the torch.  I LOVE this!! Another pickle bath and some shaping with a rawhide hammer and I'm ready for filing and finishing --

Here is the ring ready for some more filing and a bit more hammering to add more texture and increase the size a bit.  Next Friday, I plan to add a bezel set stone - probably lapis lazuli - and finish the ring by oxidizing and tumbling to reveal some highlights.  I'll keep you updated!

 

...on my way home!

My first sterling silver sheet metal ring band!

Where DOES the time go???

After a couple more weeks of work around the house, the last two have been a whirlwind of family fun! We've explored every corner of the island and more beaches than I can count...such a wonderful time! You may have seen me on my boogie board, riding the waves! I've been weepy since they left for home yesterday -- we miss you guys already :(

and we'll see you soon!

I had my metalsmithing class this morning which helped take my mind off their departure.  So far, I've loved it! Our instructor is a talented sweetie --

she explains and demonstrates projects clearly and is patient with us too.  So far I've made a copper and brass pendant using sheet metal that I sawed and textured. Last week and today, our project has been a sterling band, also made from sheet metal. I remembered my camera today, so have some photos just prior to soldering through several stages of sanding and polishing.  Right now, the band is ready for it's final buffing.  I plan to go to the studio on Friday to finish it and create a wider band, also in sterling. 

After class, I scooted to a local bead store that carries gorgeous gemstone cabs.  I found several pretties - lapis, kyanite, turquoise and larimar (this one is new to me and is a beautiful shade of aqua blue). Our next class project is creating a bezel setting and I plan to add it to my ring.  I am VERY excited about this step -- something I've been keen to learn for quite a while.

My ring band, ready for the final polishing!  I'll make sure to take photos next class of my finished ring :)

 

Spotty, a.k.a. Catherine

Really? my picture? where's the food?

 The first Islander to greet us when took possession of our house was a little black cat. She climbed a tree next to our deck, leapt over the railing, stopped to meow hello, sauntered across the deck and settled on the lounger for a snooze.  We were immediately infatuated!  She has visited for a snack, a nap or a scratch behind the ears, almost every day since.  I've never met a friendlier, funnier cat -- she does a figure eight around my ankles, meowing excitedly, while I fill her dish (yes, she has a dish...and a bag of cat food in the pantry).  She feigns indifference and disdain but can be easily influenced with a saucer of milk. She loves people and follows us around the house, settling down where ever we happen to be, just in case she's missing something :)




Looking at our kitchen
window waiting for
a sign that
food is on the way.

A white patch on her chest earned her the name Spotty.
On an island full of feral cats, she is so comfortable around people and so prefers a comfy cushion for her naps, we thought she must belong to SOMEONE close by -- but who? After a brief stalking episode and some chatting with the neighbors, it seems Spotty is owned by a gentleman down the road, but indeed, divides her time and appetite between THREE other families including us - hilarious! And while she prefers to remain anonymous and doesn't answer to anything at all, her name is Catherine.  For some reason, I think that's funny too -- it reminds me of Catherine the Great, and this cat definitely has a queenly attitude!

Anyway, she's a sweetie and lovely company when she decides to drop by -- here are a few more shots of her in one of her kingdoms!



Do NOT Disturb

Keeping me company while I hang the laundry.

 

"I know you think this is your new couch, but you'd be wrong."

Easy Peasy Fresh Guacamole!

Every now and then, I feel like creating with food.  Usually, the mood strikes in the late fall when I'm overcome with my hunker down-stock up on cosy winter comfort food-we might not make it out til spring fears and stock the freezer to bursting with spaghetti sauce, chili and all manner of baked goods that will last til May (pause to consider a recent episode of Doomday Preppers). 

 

 Anyway, I've been inspired in the last couple of weeks in a different direction...fresh island grown fruits and vegetables! They are growing on trees and in the ground everywhere on Maui (we even have 13 fruit trees in our own yard -- but more about that another time).  Avocados, mangos, bananas, lemons and limes, oranges and gorgeous tomatoes too -- their colors are so vivid I can almost see the vitamins in them!  And, I'm in love with avocado-- delish! So, I've made a quick and easy-peasy recipe for guacamole and included some photos to show this beautiful produce - enjoy!

 

Ingredients
 2 avocados, 2 ripe tomatoes, juice of one lime, salt and pepper to taste

Peel avocados, slice fruit from the seed.
 

Mash avocados.
Chop tomatoes and add to mashed avocado.
Squeeze juice of one lime in the mixture.
Mix and add salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
I like it with hint of lime taco chips - YUM!!

Even the bits for the compost are pretty!