Caging Pebbles

Question: I understand that using beads and gemstones that have been drilled add to the security that they will stay in place with a strung wire. However, I have a large selection of loose tumbled natural gemstones (not cut or faceted) that represent a sizable investment (over a period of years) and I want to do something with them. Most between 1/4" to an 1" in diameter. None of these have been drilled, so I understand I will have to "cage" them in order to hold them securely. I've fiddled and fiddled with various ways to do this attactivly and keep falling short. I wonder if you might be able to, some time in the near future, create a short tutorial addressing a few attractive ideas on caging loose tumbled stones of various shapes.

Answer: I have worked on the same issues, and come up with a few alternatives. The first and most versatile one is to use a netted bezel, which traps stones, especially cabs, very well. You can use the net with tumbled stones also, as long as you make the net cover the stone in such a way that it won't fall off. Net Bezel Tutorial.

The second option is the Basketweave bezel: a little tricky, but very sturdy and nice.

I also have a design which I do not have a tutorial for, but it's a fun design, maybe you can figure it out: http://www.enioken.com/journal/2006/05/lantern-pendant-with-tumbled-stone.html .
I am constantly working on finding new alternatives for caging stones, especially without holes.

Live Class with Eni Oken: Netted Cap

One of my very rare and few live classes: the Netted Cap, presented by yours truly during a three hour class at Surf City Bead Shop, down in Orange County, here in California. The class will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2008, from 3:30 to 6:30pm. The cost of the class is $99, which includes materials.
To reserve your spot in this class, email Kerry directly at surfcitybeads@hotmail.com. We need a minimum participation to confirm the class!

Stop the wire from breaking

Question: How do I get the wire to stop from breaking when I am weaving the net bezel with it?
Answer: You have to make sure you do not let the wire kink, and not even form any small loops. As soon as you see it forming a loop, carefully straighten it out.

Does tumbling break stones?

Question: Have you ever had any gems break during tumbling? It seems pretty rough to use with gemstone beads, or do you add the smaller ones after tumbling?

Answer: Most stone are fine during tumbling and will take it very well. I find that tumbling softer and porous stones such as turquoise or pearls can make them a little dirty. Even smaller and delicate stones are usually fine during tumbling.

Question about tumbler

Question:
I want to purchase a tumbler to strengthen some of my work. I was wondering what tumbler you use and what a good capacity size would be. Also, do I need two different solutions for polishing and strengthening?

Answer:
You don't really use a "solution" for polishing and strengthening. Instead, when you put the silver piece in a tumbler with steel shot (tiny pellets made of steel), the natural friction of the pellets against the piece polishes and hardens the silver. You should also add a dab of dawn detergent to clean the piece as well and cover everything with water (just an inch higher).
The final shininess is determined by how much time you leave the piece tumbling, normally between 1 and 2 hours.
I personally have a Lortone 3 pound single barrel, which I really like. Connie Fox's site www.conniefox.com sells it for a reasonable price. She also sells bags of steel shot, you should get a couple of pounds.

Using 26ga wire instead of 28ga

Question: Can you use 26 guage wire for the [weave] wrapping? or is it to stiff?

Answer: Yes, you CAN use 26 gauge wire for weaving and coiling, but it will be a little bit trickier to work than the 28ga -- make sure it's soft and not half-hard. Also, if you are wrapping it around other thicker wire, then use thicker gauges, such as 14 or 16. That way, proportionally the entire piece will be bigger and bulkier.

Woven Hearts Tutorial

After the post of the Heart of Gold pendant, I got flooded with so many requests to finalize the tutorial that I decided to sit for two days and finished it off. So here it is!!!! I had to repeat some of the photographs to figure out the bail portion, but now it's done and ready.
The best part of writing this tutorial was that it was almost like writing a beautiful love letter, especially steps 52 (connecting the two hearts) and step 53 (open up the two hearts). With love theme music in the background, it was a wonderful project to make...

With love, to all of you: Woven Hearts Pendant Tutorial.