Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Neural]

going on year 3 now without access to my pretties and the ability to make more of them.  Everything all boxed up and stored.

Every time something goes wrong with the computer or the internet, etc., I'm reminded of how much I miss being able to sit down and just work with opal, or any stone for that matter, and as much as I sucked at it, I miss silversmithing too.

Sometimes I wonder if my body will be capable of returning to it all by the time I have the chance.  Eyesight started to do the "old age" thing last year, among other things.  Memory is not as much of a problem, unless you need to do something important like, oh I dunno, properly handle a torch and soldering equipment.

[lithicbeads]

I too have had scares this last year and worries that I am cutting my last stone. It is wonderful though to have an activity that is so wonderful that we crave it. That craving shows we used good judgement when we became involved with the hobby in it's many permutations. Keep on hoping.

[hummingbirdstones]

Jon,

Can't you dig out the flat lap and at least use that?  My eyesight sucks, too, but that's why G_d made optivisors!   

[Neural]

Jon,

Can't you dig out the flat lap and at least use that?  My eyesight sucks, too, but that's why G_d made optivisors!   

No space to do so. :(   We had to move into an apartment.   Another issue is curious four pawed critters that like small things.  It just wouldn't be possible to make things safe enough for me to work with them around (they are both really large cats, and unfortunately not the smartest examples of Maine Coons you'll find).

[Enchantra]

I'm really out of ideas on how to help you Jon.   
Cats can be a bit of a problem when they want to get into everything.
Is there a local club you can join where you can go one night a week and grind some opal?

[Phishisgroovin]

I worked an ethiopian only with a hand diamond & carbide files, wet/dry sand paper from 600 to 4000.
if you are determined, its possible.

[Asianfire]

If you are looking forward to only working opal, a dremel might be the key. The attachments and unit are easily stored in a single drawer. Noise is a minimum, and the variable speed, while not as good as a flatlap will allow you to do virtually anything. Files take a while, but on the other hand, you got control over the fire you expose.
Best regards, Kurt

[hummingbirdstones]

Cage the buggers up while you use the flat lap.  You have a kitchen table, right?  Then put it away in a cabinet or closet when you're done.   

Where there's a will, there's a way ...

[Bentiron]

A met a fellow thru my youngest son that works at Walmart, this fellow has two young grandsons and three cats, his solution, a roll top desk with two pad locks, This fellow does faceting and jewelry making and repair. He works when the grandsons are in preschool and kindergarten, then the cats are put in a large play cage while his grandsons are in school, this allows him four hours of free from little feet and hands. I didn't care much for the fellow, I was always wrong and he was always right but we meet from time to time for breakfast when I'm up for a trip to Oaks Dinner.