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Post by DawninCal on Feb 5, 2022 11:51:10 GMT -6
Michelle, my apologies for being so late commenting; this bathroom/plumbing thing has really messed up my routine. I'm feeling very discombobulated lately. That is really beautiful. What a beautiful rose quartz. You've wrapped it perfectly and really rose to the challenge of wrapping something smaller than you are used to. Your comment about the back (which looks really nice, btw) reminds me of what my grandmother used to say about embroidery. She always thought it was important to make the back side look as nice as the front side even though no one was going to see it. Dawn
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Post by michelle on Feb 5, 2022 19:06:47 GMT -6
No apology necessary, Dawn! I’m surprised you have time to log on at all. And thanks so much! I agree with your grandmother. At least it makes me feel better when the back looks nice. I can’t decide whether to antique the copper or not. I usually prefer to leave it, but with the rose quartz, I’m not sure.
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Post by DawninCal on Feb 6, 2022 11:22:45 GMT -6
Well, I'm a fan of antiquing copper; I love the rich, warm tones that can be achieved by using liver of sulfer. I think darkened copper would look especially nice with the pink of the stone. If you decide to go that route, test the back of the stone first as some stones can be stained by LOS. Rose quartz is a non-porous stone so that shouldn't be an issue, but I like to err on the side of caution. Also, after darkening metal, I like to buff it gently with steel wool afterwards to give the wire or metal a beautiful, burnished glow. HA! I'm not sure how I'm finding time to log in either, but since JAC is one of my favorite places and the folks who hang out here are some of my favorite people, I do my best. Dawn
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Post by michelle on Feb 6, 2022 12:48:16 GMT -6
I agree, Dawn. I think darkening the copper, giving the wire more contrast to the stone is the way to go.
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Post by caeterle on Feb 6, 2022 14:09:52 GMT -6
I vote for darkening as well. It doesn't have to be too dark, just enough for a good contrast which will make the rose quartz look even more beautiful. It is such a lovely piece! I don't use LOS, but something similar and often work with a brush (I have to be quick, though, or the part I begin with may become too dark). Also I don't use steel wire, but a kind of polishing compound called Dialux. It's like a block that I rub on my piece (and will probably last me a lifetime), then I work with a toothbrush, and afterwards I go over it with a microfibre cloth (which is waste material at a company where a friend's son is working, they are only allowed to use each cloth once). Works so well on copper <3
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Post by DawninCal on Feb 7, 2022 14:32:43 GMT -6
Surprise, surprise, I'm on time for this challenge! Although, I have to admit to breaking my own rules because my piece isn't pink. I tried to make up for that by using a gift bag that had a pink sugar skull on it and pink cellophane paper. I hope that is acceptable because I'm not set up to make anything else for a while! This is a gift for my Spanish teacher friend. I had to cancel our Christmas get together and her birthday celebration twice. Once due to snow and the other because our plumber's mother died and I had to stay home to help hubby with the plumbing. I'm driving over to old town tomorrow and we are going to see each other on Wednesday. This little charm is meant to hang from the rear view mirror of her car. She collects owls, so I think she will like this little guy. I made this with the help of a Youtube tutorial by Oxana Crafts. I really like her style and her tutorials are fairly easy to follow. It took me three tries to get this one made; I think if I did it again I'd be able to eliminate some of the flaws that are in this piece. Dawn
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Post by caeterle on Feb 7, 2022 14:46:34 GMT -6
That is so cute, Dawn! She will love it. Enjoy your visit
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Post by DawninCal on Feb 9, 2022 11:16:55 GMT -6
Thank you, Cat! We are getting together at noon today for lunch and gift exchange. Dawn
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Post by michelle on Feb 11, 2022 18:34:34 GMT -6
Now it’s my turn to apologize for being slow to respond, Dawn & Cat.
Cat, what do you use instead of LOS? I have no LOS (I discarded it before we moved), so will need to order whatever I use.
Dawn, such a pretty piece! I love the whimsy of it. I better your friend loved it!
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Post by DawninCal on Feb 11, 2022 23:58:13 GMT -6
Thanks, Michelle! She did love it and what was funny is that several months ago she told me that she didn't want any jewelry for Christmas or her birthday. She had too much, was trying to downsize, lighten her load, etc. In my attempt to comply with her wishes about no more jewelry, I made the "hang from the rear view mirror charm thingy" and as soon as she opens it wants to know why the chain is so short cuz it's the best pendant/necklace ever! *sigh* So, now my task is to send her a chain long enough to turn the mirror hanging thingy into a necklace. Dawn
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Post by DawninCal on Feb 12, 2022 0:01:37 GMT -6
Oh, and regarding oxidizing pieces without LOS, hard boiled slightly mashed eggs works well. Just put the egg and the jewelry in a ziplock bag overnight and you should get a nice patina. If it's a wire wrapped piece, take care not to get bits of mashed up egg mixed in with the wire wrapping/wire weaving. Dawn
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Post by caeterle on Feb 12, 2022 1:58:41 GMT -6
Michelle, it's an aqueous solution called Nerofor and can be used for nonferrous metals. It doesn't smell which is nice. The company is German and makes all kinds of oils, sprays, and more used in mechanical stuff, but also for people, and even horse shampoo I've tried the eggs as well and it really worked well. You know you shouldn't eat eggs with a silver spoon because it gives them a metallic taste? That's the sulphur in the egg white reacting which is what makes the oxidizing work. One of our chemists explained the process to me in detail once, lol, the "perks" of working at a university (he made it a little too scientific ). Just don't eat the eggs afterwards I had written a blog post about that, but couldn't find it. I think it was on an ArtFire guild's blog that has since been deleted. It really works well, but using a brush with the Nerofor is faster and gives me more control. Also I don't do it that often and I often don't have eggs in the house.
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Post by michelle on Feb 12, 2022 22:52:45 GMT -6
Thanks both Dawn & Cat! I think I may try the egg method, because I’ve never tried it. I didn’t know that about silver spoons and eggs. Makes sense though.
Ha! On the “I don’t want any more jewelry / this is the best necklace ever” situation, Dawn. Quite a nice compliment.
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Post by Irith-Rita on Feb 17, 2022 6:02:21 GMT -6
Oh! I am two days late! I have to apologize if more than you ladies! Here are my red and pink items:
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Post by michelle on Feb 17, 2022 16:39:17 GMT -6
I love all of them Irith! I don’t think I can choose a favorite.
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