Latest Copper/Stone Jewelry

So I decided to try something pretty ambitious (for me anyway)!

I have some nice botryoidal jasper from a now long gone nearby locale and was trying to come up with a good setting. The edging was a little flaky so the first thing I did was wrap it in copper foil. Then I got out my copper sheeting and went nuts and here is the result.

I call it Gulliver's Treasure.

The back plate was hammered to give some texture and then holes were drilled to wrap the stone in copper wire and attach it to the hand hammered and drilled copper paddle. I hung it from a gorgeous premium Greek red leather that attaches to the paddle with hand made findings.

It was a lot of work (100% hand made except for the rock and the leather) but I think the results are awesome and plan on doing more like this in copper and, if I can screw up the courage, sterling silver.

Feedback is always appreciated, especially suggestions for improvement!

The Wisdom of Listening To Your Wife

Every once in a while, you should listen to your wife.
Wait, it is often good to listen to your wife.
OK Vickie, a husband should ALWAYS listen to his wife!
Can I get my keys to the rock shop back now???

One such occasion was during a recent trip to nearby Gulliver's Cove on The Bay of Fundy. Gulliver's is a beautiful spot and there is a spectacular look out as well.

Gulliver's at Low Tide

 We decided to try out my new hip and see if I could get down to the coves. The hip worked great and we got down to an area where we had previously found some nice agate.

One Of Our Favourite Spots

Vickie Hard at Work With Her Personal Geologist's Pick (Thanks Jonathan)

Eventually Vickie found a seam of chalcedony that looked quite rotten so I told her not to bother. After all, I'm a highly trained geologist and I KNOW what is usable.
She bothered and got a few pieces since I told her just to take a few.
We lugged everything home and were going through it when I said "You might as well throw this out because I can't do anything with it." She demanded-yes DEMANDED- that I at least cut one piece. So to preserve my perfect record of one year marriage contracts, I did. And while the outside was so rotten it broke as soon as it got near the saw blade, here's what was inside:

Gorgeous Chalcedony With Beautiful Botryoidal Patterning

Of course I had to cab a couple up to see how they finished and, as you can see, they finished up pretty darned nice. So I spent the rest of the day cutting rotten chalcedony and getting some superb material.

Naturally, I gunked up my saw pretty good so I'll have to clean it up and change the oil before I can cut MY stuff but hey, an unblemished record of marriage contracts makes it worth it!

ALWAYS listen to your wife!