Friday, April 16, 2010

Roger That

Sometimes, despite great effort, something we try to make just isn't meant to be. Have you ever had that experience? I have, plenty, and I'll bet anyone who creates anything has had a project that just won't go along with the plan. That piece, for me, is the necklace below. I think you could guess which one.

Did you know that, in jewelry making, setting the stone is the absolute last thing you do? The piece is completely fabricated and finished (polished, oxidized etc...), and only then can the stone be set into its bezel or prongs. This makes troubles with stone-setting particularly frustrating—having spent hours making the piece, only to be foiled on the very last step.

These fossil coral necklaces are part of a small series of one-of-a-kind pieces featuring those gorgeous stones, and it looks like that series will have one less than originally planned. The bright side is, I glued that baby back together and gifted myself a new necklace. You can barely see the crack running through it, but it is still not in any shape to sell, so it's mine all mine now.

I am grateful that the amber-colored necklace cooperated with me. It is now listed in my shop.

Today's Great Outdoor Challenge photo is of the "roger, roger" microphones my girls created. These super-secret spy microphones are used to communicate with each other from opposite sides of the yard. Particularly useful when warning that a villain (read: parent) has infiltrated the territory.

Wouldn't it be great if we had "roger, roger" spy microphones to warn us when an uncooperative project was on the horizon?

15 comments:

  1. ooh! seeing that cracked piece is... ouchie!!

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  2. oh that must be frustrating to have a stone break like that. the crack makes me think of the japanese 'kintsugi' pots; the cracks are seen as beautiful and repaired with gold.

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  3. Gorgeous design! So glad you get to keep it. When knitting, I often remember how Muslim carpet weavers deliberately add mistakes to their work because "only Allah can be perfect". Works for me.

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  4. Wow. I can't imagine the frustration! But, I can't even see the crack in the fixed piece now!

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  5. The necklace you created is stunning Amy!
    I love the way it hangs, such a beautiful style!
    Yes, I understand that frustration on something so time consuming and delicate... loving the roger roger mics hehe : )

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  6. What a bummer, but yay on scoring an awesomely amazing new piece for yourself, maybe that's why it happened, so you could have a gift to your self. It's beautiful. Enjoy your weekend Amy.

    :)Lisa

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  7. i like that it means you get to keep it!!! almost as much as i like those nose freckles! : )

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  8. YOUR COMMENT , first line, says it all. yes: for me it is ......SOCKS. i cannot make em. they are driving me mad!!!!!!!!! =)

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  9. I'm glad that you were able to make this work to your benefit! We end up with furniture that way;) Both necklaces are really beautiful...I even like the way the stone looked in two pieces, but I'm weird that way.

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  10. I thought at first it opened like a locket - such a beautiful stone, I'm glad you gifted it to yourself! The frustration rate here is high - paper cutting tools are out and I'm trying some different stuff....Enjoy the rest of your weekend, looks like the sun is out there too? Em xxx

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  11. How fascinating! I love to learn more about your craft! I thought it was very moving and interesting what Mandy said about the cracks in Japanese pots and what JP wrote about Muslim carpet weavers too!

    Glad you got something for yourself out of it, and the "roger, roger" microphones sound like heaps of fun!

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  12. Oh, I am so sorry that happened to you. But you got yourself a great new piece. You can't tell one bit that there is a crack.

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  13. Absolutely beautiful necklaces, both of them, Amy. You are so talented!
    Nicola

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  14. Oh yes i have had a few of those experienced! I don't even notice the cracked once you glued them together! Your necklaces are so very beautiful and yes i agree with the other, you are so very talented! Hope you weekend was fun. Wishing you a lovely merry happy week and love to yoU!

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  15. these fossil pieces are crazily beautiful! love them! & my heart cracked as i saw that one beauty cracked in half. i think i might have cried if it was in my hand! (fossil tears). such relief to see some repair, and dear one, all yours now! love to you, in all that's yours, both cracked & whole. x

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