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The torch your teacher uses can also be adapted to use a foot bellows. But there are simpler ones to get. I have two one is a Smith little torch that uses Propane and Oxygen. The other is an acetylene torch with a prestolite handle. the little butane torch I find as a back up that I only use...

One of the DVD's of Alan's is about making a prong setting. For simple prong settings just buy the already made findings. Much easier. It is when you get odd shaped stones and larger ones that you will end up making your own. The flex shaft is used with specialized burs. The best most...

As with all metalsmithing and jewelry work, there are tricks to learn. Stone setting is not difficult, it is the practise to get good that can take a while. The only really difficult settings are pave and bead setting. My metalsmithing teacher in TN. was of the same opinion it was hard. Then...

To help with the sawing, never apply forward pressure while bringing the frame upwards. We tend to hold on tigh doing this, which makes the hand cramp. Next use slower and even pressure on the downstroke. The weight of the frame will help a lot and you don't need to hang on as tight. When...

I've seen this term on ebay quite a bit in reference to keshi. What does reborn mean? or is it just a marketing term to draw you in?

Now that I'm awake again, the grit size is guaged funny. The lower the number the coaurser the grit. so the 60 is reall coarse. Tripoli and such compounds are brick like stuff that is semi soft but still hard enough to hold together. You rub them on the buffing wheels to do what is called...

Get 0/2 to begin with. it is a good standard size. Also if you know of good woodworking stores in Sweden getthe powdered grit. You can get a small stick end wet then dip it in the grit and use it for detailed work of sanding. There is also the string trick of running it over a piece of wax...

Get and adjustable saw frame about 3" is a good starter. When you break the blades (you will break lots of blades) you can then reattach the smaller parts and get more usage instead of continually putting in new ones. I also wasnt to stress use plenty of the wax of your choice on the blades...

Beads? Oh that is easy. Most schools make it harder than it needs to be. I learned a slick trick at the Appalacian Craft center that makes it easy. So any help I can give I will. Tools are important. Some you pay way too much for and can get other tools cheaper. Then there are ones that...

If you watch the video there are inserts in the pearls that look like metal sleeves. Next those spacer beads must have some friction internals. Most likely it is like clutch ends you have on stick pins. They have a bit of rubbery like material in the center of them that securely holds it in...

If you go to the kitco site and scroll down to the ibnternational market that is currently open, you will see that gold is falling again in the world market. So is silver. Companies like Hauser and Miller, Rio Grande, and David H. Fell all tie the price of their metals to the spot market. I...

The dollar was up 2 cents agains the pound and euro today. That is what kept the run on gold from going crazy. It's not watching some stupid companies that made stupid moves go down in flames it is the long term prosepects of what the dollar is doing. We are seeing a repeat of what happened...

It actually dropped to 765 then rose back to 780. The dollar is still strong. What is bad is the stock market fiasco. Stock market messes are not what drives metals it is the strength of the dollar. Now if the dollar loses ground again say against the Euro, then metals will rise signifigantly.

They are muchly appreciated! Not easy to get those shots no matter what type of camera you use. I'm impressed!

The hurricane had a small effect for a short time. What is driving the price of gold back down is the global economy. When the dollar is strong, the gold price goes down. The dollar is crap, but the other currencies around the globe are worse at the moment. In essence this makes the dollar...

BUT BUT BUT then we can have a hen party!

I'vwe always loved what we called the oreo cattle. Napa Valley has a dairy at the south end of the main hyway into town. They have nothing but oreo cows.

Yeah and add grandmother and old to that list. I get bored easy!

Invoice for all three were over $600, not individually. First I have to get reaquainted with my blasted digigizmo. I have a hate hate relationship with it.

I have a multi strand peridot and SS (Thailand) circle pearl necklace. So there are definately SS circle pearls.