tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908952745169451157.post3529983289349272044..comments2023-11-02T01:12:15.585-07:00Comments on McFarland Designs - Ethical Jewelry Using Fair Trade Stones and Recycled Metal: Successes and FailuresTamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751512090298090771noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908952745169451157.post-66682751019936178732007-09-23T20:55:00.000-07:002007-09-23T20:55:00.000-07:00That labradorite ring is just amazing! I miss met...That labradorite ring is just amazing! <BR/><BR/>I miss metalwork - I used to set stones and make rings in college. I don't have the equipment to do it at home - but seeing your work inspires me to get back into it!Jodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14451023013278257731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908952745169451157.post-22304828438160710122007-09-23T18:11:00.000-07:002007-09-23T18:11:00.000-07:00Metalwork has its challenges, no doubt about it!I'...Metalwork has its challenges, no doubt about it!<BR/><BR/>I'm still blown away by how clean your bezels are.<BR/><BR/>What surface are you soldering on? Pumice blocks (the soft ones) are really good for oddly shaped objects because you can cut into them and make, say, a groove to balance out your bezel. I highly recommend Heikki Seppa's <I>Form Emphasis for Metalsmiths</I> and Tim McCreight's <I>The Complete Metalsmith</I> if you don't already own them. Their both inexpensive and absolutely priceless.<BR/><BR/>For bails I keep a heavy gauge wire on hand, rolled partly flat. Half an inch of it in the shape of a U soldered on the back works nicely. I guess that depends on the size of the pendant, though. If they're breaking off at the joint make sure you're not using too much solder and not actually getting a connection between the metals.Robin Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09880324929055546531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908952745169451157.post-19017404938058432192007-09-23T18:05:00.000-07:002007-09-23T18:05:00.000-07:00I might have to answer that you should not keep th...I might have to answer that you should not keep the labradorite ring for yourself; I think it really wants to come home with me. It is very beautiful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com