tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42952360150950821042024-03-14T03:47:07.099-04:0082KYDiscoveries about the ancient art of jewelry guided by Pal Gooz goldsmith: Works of contemporary artists, their inspiration, stories and behind the doors information about what goes into the making of their spectacular adornments for the body.Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-22528492373601062292012-04-04T21:09:00.001-04:002012-04-05T20:23:12.991-04:00Squirrels and the EconomyThe squirrel population in our neighborhood experienced a nice boom during the past few years. While previously we had 6-8 squirrels permanently inhabiting our yard, now we have at least 20!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJZtecU8CV4oJnKTpgkv2XGCsyli4VILadNVSXNS6I-l7EYqCw9-v27g5GqhXI6-uPk602zjQchPIyNxEjimE5IbNIO-Y3a-LrIv14HV0LE6Ih1ekdigsrQ3aOis4lZ6e42iW5APLlq68/s1600/DSC_0499+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJZtecU8CV4oJnKTpgkv2XGCsyli4VILadNVSXNS6I-l7EYqCw9-v27g5GqhXI6-uPk602zjQchPIyNxEjimE5IbNIO-Y3a-LrIv14HV0LE6Ih1ekdigsrQ3aOis4lZ6e42iW5APLlq68/s640/DSC_0499+copy.jpg" width="592" /></a></div><br />
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I really love watching them playing and searching for nuts in the grass ( well, more like weed).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhprLiCKI6qX2vAQo_UXle2uG-ka4ghWjD3ekWNyiK6OG7SYgRKy1TgLN55ezz8k65z328IpMH1QSqUXF9eL9qemDwAo1L2JfLmGjLa5dS5me_qHAK5tQOC_96_moBk5dMKLBHb0XQJGC/s1600/DSC_0503+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhprLiCKI6qX2vAQo_UXle2uG-ka4ghWjD3ekWNyiK6OG7SYgRKy1TgLN55ezz8k65z328IpMH1QSqUXF9eL9qemDwAo1L2JfLmGjLa5dS5me_qHAK5tQOC_96_moBk5dMKLBHb0XQJGC/s1600/DSC_0503+copy.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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The apparent two fold increase in the population of our furry friends happens to coincide with the roughly 50% decrease in the motorist traffic in the area, which in turn seems to coincide with the stagnating economy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips7A2Jx4gNfhPMgqakMqNFJzsKkn2lJo1wyzSGC073ZWBP6KMh_so4Pp43kcvMXFz4dKAboxSr__I1kxLq0bo0wg34swLg482gO6bStQs6ebWEfirFCYmf4-icjR1HIxbotvnOK6dwH8-/s1600/DSC_0500+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips7A2Jx4gNfhPMgqakMqNFJzsKkn2lJo1wyzSGC073ZWBP6KMh_so4Pp43kcvMXFz4dKAboxSr__I1kxLq0bo0wg34swLg482gO6bStQs6ebWEfirFCYmf4-icjR1HIxbotvnOK6dwH8-/s1600/DSC_0500+copy.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Some say they are quite tasty roasted. ( Just kidding, I cry for days if I accidentally hit one... gulp.)Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-45149721090288013512012-03-26T16:00:00.002-04:002012-03-26T22:10:01.301-04:00Raw Diamond Rings - Fine Jewelry with a Primordial Taste<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> <span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">"</span></span></b></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="color: #ffe599;"> When Homo Sapiens unites with Mother Nature."</i></span></b></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SgOyroe4P9yuj3HhyhGmhzR6-TFHe1GjH75Ll19EZiuN7-J4H9PKJsuzfRHkdncTiu6wmX4ZsCbcajH617t9ChzInL4x60VAg3H8QQQajTL7qYbxAjAWjUEsM5OE3pckbZWfzvsAPXF0/s1600/Untitled-11+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="raw diamond ring, raw diamonds, rough diamond ring, raw diamond band, uncut diamond band, uncut diamond, ring, wedding ring, wedding band, ring for men, mens ring, mens band, band for men, unisex ring, unisex band, rough diamond, rough diamonds, raw diamond wedding ring, raw diamond wedding band" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SgOyroe4P9yuj3HhyhGmhzR6-TFHe1GjH75Ll19EZiuN7-J4H9PKJsuzfRHkdncTiu6wmX4ZsCbcajH617t9ChzInL4x60VAg3H8QQQajTL7qYbxAjAWjUEsM5OE3pckbZWfzvsAPXF0/s320/Untitled-11+copy.jpg" title="Raw diamond ring" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91609072/raw-diamond-wedding-band-for-men-or" target="_blank">Order yours on Etsy....</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I like working with uncut diamonds. I guess we all have our favorite parts of our professions and if I had only one to pick, I would probably say: rough diamonds.</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: #eeeeee;"> What is that in natural, unprocessed diamond crystals, that attracts me like sunflower seed squirrels? I can't pick one feature, it is probably all of the following: </div><div style="color: #eeeeee;">- the hidden potential within, </div><div style="color: #eeeeee;">- the miracle of naturally formed geometric shapes, </div><span style="color: #eeeeee;">- the irregularities that break up and make each one of those crystals unique and exciting: the perfection within the imperfect.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2kT0U2UkxEd7-NKqbX6TlmFGGc2MeqUlHRpk4P4c1JyR1bezdVLGuVMSmTg0zC1001obMdZohcWMvepZ5tDJJkZC-P9PCPgL119QILq6cSaiLdbDrEoNkamW1_dVXnjgMV7L5bpoj8_o/s1600/dia+tetrahedron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2kT0U2UkxEd7-NKqbX6TlmFGGc2MeqUlHRpk4P4c1JyR1bezdVLGuVMSmTg0zC1001obMdZohcWMvepZ5tDJJkZC-P9PCPgL119QILq6cSaiLdbDrEoNkamW1_dVXnjgMV7L5bpoj8_o/s320/dia+tetrahedron.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: #eeeeee;">Diamond in itself is one of the miracles of nature. The chemical bonds in the diamonds crystal are arranged so perfectly, pointing towards the corners of a tetrahedron, that in our universe they are the hardest materials. </div><div style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspcDOiIqrSoNDSsfnhNgjvbJDpAXgyB9dO9fyrrL02tmHKYKo5W04xlxwhCRyzh_SGAGOcTN556t0gANQmCY_ESDg-mBBLAzNgw_jdbVRlp5zEOSIibJNSZbCJP-MK_zp7HDVoU4mgNwr/s1600/il_570xN.207510225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspcDOiIqrSoNDSsfnhNgjvbJDpAXgyB9dO9fyrrL02tmHKYKo5W04xlxwhCRyzh_SGAGOcTN556t0gANQmCY_ESDg-mBBLAzNgw_jdbVRlp5zEOSIibJNSZbCJP-MK_zp7HDVoU4mgNwr/s320/il_570xN.207510225.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... <a href="mailto:pmgart@pmgart.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Or contact me directly at pmgart@pmgart.com</a>: ...</td></tr>
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<div style="color: #eeeeee;">The origin of diamonds also has some mysteries. Some of the diamond crystals are thought to have born deep inside our planet, under immense pressure and heat. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PCvPRw710zHk_BtB-5r1kS9FxC7nd1CKyhk7x4z2xxNtkkFccB0vbj5oCmvovRO6QB5A3TqtvpGivvTL9HCEGdbYHmisENecsTcaM1u_uPcf0dEKU7INDtkVCsxYwNe-_kd2K3b-Tu21/s1600/Princess+and+rawband+copy+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="raw diamond ring, raw diamonds, rough diamond ring, raw diamond band, uncut diamond band, uncut diamond, ring, wedding ring, wedding band, ring for men, mens ring, mens band, band for men, unisex ring, unisex band, rough diamond, rough diamonds, raw diamond wedding ring, raw diamond wedding band" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PCvPRw710zHk_BtB-5r1kS9FxC7nd1CKyhk7x4z2xxNtkkFccB0vbj5oCmvovRO6QB5A3TqtvpGivvTL9HCEGdbYHmisENecsTcaM1u_uPcf0dEKU7INDtkVCsxYwNe-_kd2K3b-Tu21/s320/Princess+and+rawband+copy+copy.jpg" title="Rwa diamonds wedding ring with princess cut diamonds added" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/4523626" target="_blank">... or check out this ring on Artfire!</a></td></tr>
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<div style="color: #eeeeee;">Researchers of the field say, that certain diamond crystals that we put into our rings were born in the stars and arrived to Earth with projectiles from supernovae. Without doubt, some diamond crystals are formed during meteor impacts.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCELSUgxwKXdgd_J8o6TDfxe4K3RuXQUWxvTI0c-tEKpNdfpGoos_tfYMlHZag0mf6p1BI0dw6izM8JcQd6JaOQgawsoS67N1ByeHWcqsiC_w7ipeOxz74t3letuMalA6DkdwZRM5JyE5v/s1600/5263309332_6ed62acc7a_o22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCELSUgxwKXdgd_J8o6TDfxe4K3RuXQUWxvTI0c-tEKpNdfpGoos_tfYMlHZag0mf6p1BI0dw6izM8JcQd6JaOQgawsoS67N1ByeHWcqsiC_w7ipeOxz74t3letuMalA6DkdwZRM5JyE5v/s320/5263309332_6ed62acc7a_o22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: #eeeeee;">None of the above is specific to diamonds alone, but when all of them applies to one material, that is truly a miracle of nature.</div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY8aqFo_BpFGdmbh_4vGmwfHS6VSsyB_RPj_6FExv1W-dA4q4RFL33_xZfJZrrvh1oYaxvqHu_AhhlefGGvcz5mDNMPy74s44mXKv8V0qbMqLzqFFAXq82gP18r2dy_iBG-CHJfMC-fFT/s1600/DSC_0034+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="raw diamond ring, raw diamonds, rough diamond ring, raw diamond band, uncut diamond band, uncut diamond, ring, wedding ring, wedding band, ring for men, mens ring, mens band, band for men, unisex ring, unisex band, rough diamond, rough diamonds, stacking ring, raw diamond wedding ring, raw diamond wedding band" border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY8aqFo_BpFGdmbh_4vGmwfHS6VSsyB_RPj_6FExv1W-dA4q4RFL33_xZfJZrrvh1oYaxvqHu_AhhlefGGvcz5mDNMPy74s44mXKv8V0qbMqLzqFFAXq82gP18r2dy_iBG-CHJfMC-fFT/s320/DSC_0034+copy.jpg" title="Rough diamond rings Thin and Stackable" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">In my designs I aim to achieve balance between natural and artificial, calculated and random, organic and architectural.</span>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-3980689838378142082012-03-24T18:16:00.001-04:002012-03-24T18:33:33.470-04:00Side Note: 165 Years After Semmelweis<div style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am deeply disturbed by the fact, that so many years after Semmelweis discovered the cause and methods of prevention of puerperal fever and worked out the basics of modern asepsis, modern healthcare institutions and professionals are still having trouble grabbing the concept.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosocomial_infection" target="_blank">Nosocomial infections</a></span> <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">kill approximately 100,000 ( one hundred thousand ) people in the USA alone every year! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP-f6Wx6nb99BIQwd3obe7yV0bpvM_eqo7pu2pC72sdRi8iziRcI4zXj0VQSr_Ow3AzzH6PADUM6uEUI3cFXwut8MQocqBHb6ytxI6oGhAS1ZdkdZxdqStfWJux15P10p5WZe9maLVTEs/s1600/images+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP-f6Wx6nb99BIQwd3obe7yV0bpvM_eqo7pu2pC72sdRi8iziRcI4zXj0VQSr_Ow3AzzH6PADUM6uEUI3cFXwut8MQocqBHb6ytxI6oGhAS1ZdkdZxdqStfWJux15P10p5WZe9maLVTEs/s200/images+5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MRSA microphotograph</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="color: white;"> So what?! one might say. Life is a risky business, let's move on!</b><br />
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Back in Semmelweiss' time, in the mid 19th century ( 1841-1847 ) ONE in every FIVE -TEN mothers (range 5-30%), that gave birth under the guidance of doctors, died of puerperal fever. At the same time, only about ONE in FIFTY ( ~2%) mothers, that delivered with help of midwives, suffered the same fate.<br />
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</div><div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are we much better off today?</span></div><div style="color: red;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWbDC291hvhY8-zvylX7VJHWoDl8PpaAAyc7VS_dolT95SIE873EoY6CS0ZC8HsoKGzJDV1NqcG57pAropws8oGTzSsI5Svi-3ZQZDPhv-iQSnmaA5KENPiA89u6zHPX12AkPxxuQzuO3/s1600/staph_bacteria_large+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWbDC291hvhY8-zvylX7VJHWoDl8PpaAAyc7VS_dolT95SIE873EoY6CS0ZC8HsoKGzJDV1NqcG57pAropws8oGTzSsI5Svi-3ZQZDPhv-iQSnmaA5KENPiA89u6zHPX12AkPxxuQzuO3/s400/staph_bacteria_large+3.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MRSA - Methycillin Resistent Staphylococcus Aureus, one of the many killers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Estimates ( since there is no systematic collection of data ) say, that about ONE in every TEN persons (10%) admitted to a hospital contracts nosocomial infection in the USA. Number are similar in many developed countries.<br />
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Of these, 100, 000 a year dies due to this infection, again in the USA alone. Sorry, I have no better data. The numbers are staggering, since we know the cause of these infections and we have an arsenal of antibiotics, disinfectants, regulations and best practice recommendations in place, none of which were available back in Semmelweiss' time. He had no idea about bacteria, let alone the availability of antibiotics, which came about 80 years after his discovery (see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Fleming" target="_blank">Alexander Flemming, 1928</a>).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wonder why?</span></div><br />
Take a visit to one of the nearby healthcare institutions, and chances are that you will observe many, if not all of the following:<br />
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<div style="color: #eeeeee;">-Nurses and doctors with long nails and rings ( the original reason this post is written) .</div><div style="color: #eeeeee;">-Carpets</div><div style="color: #eeeeee;">-Plants potted in soil</div><div style="color: #eeeeee;">-Personnel commuting in work uniform ( meaning they take everything home and it is their responsibility to clean the clothes!!)</div><br />
<div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Come on! What would you choose if presented a choice: Life or a few days of homely comfort while in the hospital?</span></div><br />
None of the above objects can be properly sanitized and regarded as safe in a health care facility!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluUU14XcTxgtVP-yKZSjEPljELl_UCkWJdv_y5jF5AnoDraOa9KfU3W8WEn41EO7fs7QJIWUdUctuS7dSIYcHF0oddomQKyvAWndi_UsAFZID-5BiaOqAoHkHvQJvVLvAEjL2RzpNblcH/s1600/images+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluUU14XcTxgtVP-yKZSjEPljELl_UCkWJdv_y5jF5AnoDraOa9KfU3W8WEn41EO7fs7QJIWUdUctuS7dSIYcHF0oddomQKyvAWndi_UsAFZID-5BiaOqAoHkHvQJvVLvAEjL2RzpNblcH/s320/images+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MRSA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>-You can wash your hands every minute, the bacteria under your nails and rings will be just fine.<br />
-No amount of vacuuming and steaming can make a carpet free of germs. <br />
-Soil in pots are the best reservoirs for one of the deadliest killers: anaerobe bacteria.<br />
-Uniforms DO come in contact with patients and nosocomial strains and need aggressive cleaning, sterilization to prevent the spreading of these! You can't just walk in these clothes for day, then throw them into the perm press cycle with your kids shirts!<br />
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All of these objects facilitate the hiding and recirculation of these bacterial strains from patients to nurses and doctors back to patients. Every time they have a chance to contact some new antibiotic and develop resistance against it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">165 years after Semmelweis, we still do not understand the concept of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asepsis" target="_blank">asepsis</a>!</span></span><br />
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No amount of hand washing ( which, I sadly observed myself on many occasions, is err... not always done properly at the right time) and Mom's best friend sanitizers can fight off the legions of killers that hide and attack from these places!<br />
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Let me just relate a story, that I observed at one of my previous workplaces, a cardiothoracic surgery. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MRSA in bacterial culture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Institution had just completed the construction of a new, cutting edge operating unit. When they performed a few dozen of open heart surgeries at the new place, they noticed, that patients suffered more ten times more often nosocomial wound infections, than in the old operating rooms. After long months and many deaths resulting from these infections, they finally figured out the hiding place of the killer bacteria ( Klebsiella strain in this case). They were hiding in the insulation inside the roof structure and walls. They had to tear the building to bones and re-do the whole insulation and stucco work.<br />
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<div style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: large;">One could be wondering if bacteria hiding under the wall was enough to kill dozens of people, what can those germs do that freely circulate between the rings, carpet, clothing, soil, recirculated A/C air and weakened patients!</span></div><div style="color: #eeeeee;"></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Methicillin-resistant+Staphylococcus+aureus&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=syY&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvnsb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=hjJuT8nGFuPW0QGY6rDnBg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CBQQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=1056" target="_blank">What does it look like when somebody gets infected with MRSA, these really pretty little creatures? ( Warning! Disturbing images!)</a></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/business/27germ.html?em=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1267412412-yP2bfl/3pu4+g34XVmluJA" target="_blank">"Some patient advocacy groups say hospitals need to take better steps to prevent such infections, like making sure that health care workers frequently wash their hands and that surfaces and instruments are disinfected. And antibiotics should not be overused, they say, because that contributes to the evolution of resistance." </a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Let me add this: all the above are not enough if we cannot eliminate the hiding places of these bacteria from health care institutions.</span></span>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-20489331372049594752012-03-23T13:54:00.000-04:002012-03-26T22:42:18.579-04:00What Is Hand Made? - Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b>- Think Continuum, SHADES OF GRAY, instead of BLACK $ WHITE. -</b></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">For me handmade is a product, that is the result of the creativity, ingenuity, talent, skill, expertise and passion of one or a few artists or craftsmen, artisan (amateur, hobbyist or professional alike). Hand made products also need to be created with really significant amount of hands on work.The creator of handmade items finds great satisfaction in her/his work and proud of it! Creating something from raw materials, realizing an idea or concept is elevating and enriching to both the creator and observer, buyer. </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWGdaCGiM_-8bOG6o3DXAGBuo-W6dwL_nLyat75VcXYWB6FDMVUWVXKVR9h7jzl6qxtm28DDmN4YzOAt1eZzW1KDlEkM5Xvpu2I-CJwUB4xyIs8v_kzwfS5nAMZQhr1V1sKXkDFjb4Dq5/s1600/DSC_0484+500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWGdaCGiM_-8bOG6o3DXAGBuo-W6dwL_nLyat75VcXYWB6FDMVUWVXKVR9h7jzl6qxtm28DDmN4YzOAt1eZzW1KDlEkM5Xvpu2I-CJwUB4xyIs8v_kzwfS5nAMZQhr1V1sKXkDFjb4Dq5/s400/DSC_0484+500.jpg" width="296" /></a> There are only very few items, that you can create only using your bare hands. An example: I can make a ring from a piece of grass: This is <span style="color: #6aa84f;">HAND MADE</span>! I can also make a similar ring from a piece of wire: No doubt it is still hand made, but think about the awesome amount of tools ant other people's work to make that piece of WIRE, that I used! A few other examples of things, that you can create with bare hands: baskets , pottery , knapped items ( but for this you need a tool too, although that tool is not the result of human activity: another flint) jewelry from vegetation or feathers ( grass ring, feather necklaces, or leaves woven into head pieces...), mudhouse, sandcastle...</div>
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I guess, by now it is clear, that the limits are not clear in the hand made market, just like in any other areas of life. We live in a University of CONTINUUM, determined by the laws of QUANTUM mechanics ( if that theory holds up at all).</div>
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When we go shopping for handmade, however it seems, that <span style="color: #6aa84f;">everything out there is claimed to be handmade</span> and this plethora of hand crafted product sometimes makes it really hard to find real hand made items. If you keep the above "definition" in mind during shopping, it will help. It is important, that all criteria are fulfilled otherwise you just get a product with certain functionality and aesthetic values, but it will not necessarily be hand made.</div>
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By the time I got to this point in this post, I realized, this was going to be a series again. Just too many thoughts, too little time, too slow typing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28A6ygo721jGYNen5TXDFNVpz-JbKuP4heksMKlZWZGbL9YEIYVSk_ANpeGRt8iDpnmQEW5suQJFLXb329lB4dFxrKzz4-ZuPeZToSIfjcDi8xhMc8g7ae9IEecivJLlPQE8SxnHOVomX/s1600/Container_ring_WIP_14108492226389531487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="custom jewelry, custom design, hand made, hand crafted, handmade, jewelry" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28A6ygo721jGYNen5TXDFNVpz-JbKuP4heksMKlZWZGbL9YEIYVSk_ANpeGRt8iDpnmQEW5suQJFLXb329lB4dFxrKzz4-ZuPeZToSIfjcDi8xhMc8g7ae9IEecivJLlPQE8SxnHOVomX/s400/Container_ring_WIP_14108492226389531487.jpg" title="Custom design" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
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The first thing, that got me really seriously thinking and moralizing about what makes a product hand made vs. mass produced , was a chapter in the book : "Making a Living in Crafts" by Larks Books. </div>
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There is the story about how a potter turned profitable. First she was throwing her own pottery and "painting" them. People liked her style and demand grew. So she outsourced the clay part to China and kept painting the pots... </div>
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The question here: Are her pots still hand made? I have no problem with her not liking sitting at the wheel, but I can't really get the idea of mass produced pottery, hand painted. How does she keep up with the incoming mass of pots and kegs? Or how much of the paint work is hers? After a while does her involvement get reduced to signing the stuff? Again, it is no problem to run up a business and start making money, but where is the point from where it cannot be called hand made anymore? Does this story really belong in this book, as a viable way of turning your hand crafts profitable?</div>
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So, what difference does the involvement of the worker-creator make?</div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d;">Let's see a positive example here:</span> I found this video: <a href="http://video.vogue.com.au/1868771907/The-Making-of-Cartier-Jewellery#.T1nZYRDOjNY.google">The Making of Cartier Jewellery</a> through the blog of <a href="http://narellebox.blogspot.com/"> Narelle</a> . In case if you won't watch it, I tell you what it told me: The jeweler in this video, working for Cartier, hand crafted a bracelet - timepiece. </div>
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He spent about 1200 hours making the piece from scratch. Think about it: Based on 5 days a week, 8 hours a day schedule, he spent 30 weeks, more than 1/2 year of his life making this piece come true. </div>
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He is obviously tremendously proud of his achievement, even though the design was somebody else's ( I don't know if the designer's time is included in total 1200 hours). His vision is to cover a piece in gemstones, that the metal in not visible. He is an extremely skilled, proud, visionary craftsman... he is probably reasonably satisfied with his life . Maybe even an artist on his own ( I don't know if he designs anything... just for the fun of it...that would qualify as art, but he may as well, with such a drive in him). All thumbs up!</div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d;">Another one, still not a very bad one</span>. It's story for me is, that many of us can be content to perform a job well, that does not require much creativity or very wide set of skills, as long as the physical and mental requirements of human being is respected and taken care of. ( Side note: many of us is happy to live out their creativity, the desire to make things, the desire that is common in humans and make us humans in the first place.)</div>
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I had a trip to a Mercedes factory and realized how much hands on work goes into the making of our cars. But that still does not make Mercedes cars hand made. Just as hand painting an ornamental line on a Rolls-Rolls does not make it hand made. Hand decorated at most.</div>
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Mercedes have realized, that monotony in job is cutting into their profits, so they made it a policy to rotate workers between tasks: Today you drive four screws into the driver side door 500 times a day, A few weeks later you are fixing up the rear bumper with lights... and so on. But this still does not make a car handmade. </div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d;">Now let's take a trip to the dark side</span>. The recent fallout from a very disturbing video made at an Australian slaughterhouse made me think: What made the person in the video hitting the half dead swine a hundred times with a steel pipe? Did that happen because the guy is rotten sadist ( as many comments would suggest), a potential serial killer - child molester - rapist - would be Jack The Ripper? </div>
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Warning ! This video IS really disturbing : <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/down-under/australia-animal-cruelty-slaughterhouse-indonesia-meat-video">Warning ! This video IS really disturbing!</a> .</div>
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There is another - IMHO more likely - reason for his acts, and that makes the guy as much a victim as the swine: He acted this way out of piety. </div>
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WHOA ! How can you say that? Did you loose your mind? </div>
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No, I don't think I did. I think the pork beater lost it, because he has processed too many half dead, wriggling pigs in his life, and could not bear more suffering. I think he wanted to end the both of their - his and the pig's - suffering and acted in this primitive, hysterical way. I think he wanted to beat the life out of that pork the quickest way, using the first tool he had handy, and beat all his frustration over his own f...ed up life and monotonous, not-satisfying job at the same time. He may even saw his employer on that table, whaddaya know?</div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d;">The other side of the coin</span> is the report I read a few weeks ago in a paper, about a sticker ( is this right word for a professional, who goes to houses and kills the pigs and helps in processing the meat?) who was a balanced individual, proud of his profession (he should be, after all most of us eat meat, just like a million other creatures of Mother Nature). He would not trust anybody with cleaning his tools and has his own sausage recipe. </div>
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Can you imagine this person going into a rage, hitting his pig with a steel pipe a hundred times in the head, just to end its struggle, like a madman? No, because he <span style="color: #cc0000;">RESPECTS the PIG and HIMSELF.</span></div>
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It is hard to argue against the necessity of mass production, against the slaughterhouses and car factories. But if we give in to the <span style="color: #cc0000;">BUY MORE , BUY CHEAPER</span> mentality, it will come back at us with full vengeance.</div>
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Good night, Children, sleep well... See you later.</div>
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</div>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-10672412083208203052012-03-21T17:19:00.001-04:002012-03-26T22:40:07.923-04:00Ethical Diamonds? Green Gold? Conscience and Consciousness?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The following is my opinion. If you find factual errors, please make a comment and I will correct. If you disagree or would like to add anything, please feel free to comment. In any other case, if you feel like, please comment. </i></span></div>
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I had been entertaining to express some of my opinion about man made diamonds vs. earth mined ones. About Green metals ( recycled ) and other serious issues. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQASndbho-B36dphN-NOScNiZQ-4eYZV6NufQnPZVvz__7DzOshExZBvdOgHXE9kpSaBlV8lJwH1Qx7GqCzHasOrUqhCUIEAz9xC_4NsJ-j5HuOjcq3pdkJybI6z9_SjKDmNIfzSwKknXR/s1600/DSC_0260+1+copy+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Yellow diamond, fancy diamond, fancy yellow diamond, natural diamond, radiant cut yellow diamond" border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQASndbho-B36dphN-NOScNiZQ-4eYZV6NufQnPZVvz__7DzOshExZBvdOgHXE9kpSaBlV8lJwH1Qx7GqCzHasOrUqhCUIEAz9xC_4NsJ-j5HuOjcq3pdkJybI6z9_SjKDmNIfzSwKknXR/s320/DSC_0260+1+copy+copy.jpg" title="Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond" width="320" /></a>What is ethical and sustainable? We are easily made believe many things if authoritative sources (like CNN, PAID advertisements, etc.) say them loud enough. However the real world is not so simple.(I admit I am trying to recollect the timeline from my head, correct me if I am wrong!) Ten - odd years ago the disturbing facts about diamond mining and trade surfaced. It took about 6 years for the UN, miners and traders and involved governments around the globe to offer a solution, that is known as the Kimberly Process. By now, 99% of the traded diamonds bears the stamp of KP. Currently only Ivory Coast is under embargo, which has no significant rough production. And there is debate about the Marange region, nonetheless, diamonds from these mines get approval by KP. </div>
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Does it tell you, that the subhuman conditions, oppression, murder, rape and torture ended in all the diamond mining countries?</div>
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Does it tell you, that a Kimberly Certificate is all we need to sleep well?</div>
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Did the KP do in effect more than sanctifying the trade of all diamond?</div>
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What do we do about all the other pressing issues?</div>
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Will new 200000 pages long regulations and a few thousand new stamping offices solve all injustice and suffering? Maybe we need longer and stricter Codes? </div>
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Now, if you read this far, please continue and read my personal opinion as well.</div>
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It is easy to put our revolting conscience to rest by buying synthetics or Canadian or Australian diamonds. I have no doubt, that well intending individuals make a difference and they, the consumers had a major part in regulating diamond trade and forcing DeBeers to give up its monopoly.<br />
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So public pressure is GREAT! But, think about this too: Those regions in Africa live off their natural resources. Mining for gemstones is the only possible source of some income for millions of families. Change to these regions will only come with better economy, more wealth, better education, etc. SO in the future, some of these regions will hopefully shake off the raging madness of militant hordes and dictators. Maybe. </div>
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I am not trying to tell you what is right or what is not, I am only trying to show the <span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">other face of the coin.</span></div>
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And what follows is the <span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">THIRD</span> face of the coin: Do you have any idea about the carbon footprint of the synthetic diamonds and other diamond " substitutes" (Oh God! don't even get me started on this) manufacturing process? I don't but I bet it costs tons of C emission to punch a few grams of C into a diamond crystal.</div>
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Let me point towards the <span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">FOURTH</span> face of the coin: Diamond mining in Arctic. No doubt, the residents of those regions in Canada get more in exchange of their natural resources then the starving millions in Africa. But read upon this controversy a little (use Google or something) and you will see mischief in every corner, despite all the good intentions of citizens and governments and yes, even mining Co's. Tribal lands purchased for a few bucks, rivers and hunting grounds destroyed, etc. </div>
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And we barely touched the issues concerning diamonds. What about gold mining? What about the mercury poisoning of our oceans due to the extreme poverty and almost zero regulation in many gold mining regions? What about the inhumane conditions in copper or silver mines? </div>
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How many millions are made on slave labor in gemstone mines? Who is pocketing those millions? </div>
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<span style="background-color: red; color: yellow;">What is purchased on that money?</span> Rolls Rollces made of pure gold? Books for the children that somehow reach the age of school? Machine guns to keep the slaves from revolting? A cow to give milk and livelihood for a family? Knives to cut babies out of pregnant women? A few gallons of clean water for a family to drink and cook and bathe? Maybe we should pickup our guns and go there and force all of those countries to start assembly lines for our newest breed of fancy-talking-networking-everpresent-privacy intruding cell phones? Or have them start accounting firms? Or WHAT? </div>
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Where is the truth? What is right? Shall you buy mined diamond or not? I certainly cannot tell. The only advice I can give is to READ upon everything you READ and then make an effort to CONFIRM everything you had READ so far. And it still will be murky. </div>
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Because: IF WE DON'T EDUCATE OURSELVES, NOBODY WILL and our sons and granddaughters will live in hell, here on Earth.</div>
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In conclusion, please allow me to emphasize: I have no idea whether or not you should buy mined diamonds or synthetics, glass or emerald, recycled plastic rings versus gold. All I would like to ask from you is to be aware of the MULTIPLE SHADES of TRUTH and become more EDUCATED and more INCLUSIVE as opposed to be more EXCLIUSIVE!</div>
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<br /></div>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-86961710374635830712012-03-16T19:52:00.001-04:002012-03-16T21:19:05.469-04:00Diamond or Not Part 3: The Sources of Beauty<div style="color: #cccccc; text-align: right;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is!" </i></span></div></blockquote></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I intend this series as a practical guide for those who are - quite understandably - confused by the wide and wild variety of diamonds "diamond substitutes" and "diamond simulants". </i></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I don't even try to cover all the names, that advertisers put out there in their attempts to stir the already murky waters. </i></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>All I am trying to do is to help you make informed shopping decision based on common sense. This - our Common Sense - is what is the target of various marketing efforts; most of which are legitimate, reputable and sell fair quality products. The difficulty for the consumer is to select products they are going to be happy with.</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Before we continue I prepared a few lists of commonly used minerals, (trade) names, term and concepts, that can be confusing and without full understanding, may lead to a regretted purchase.</i></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXLRVtEGZ11koewb3uCfkrFF-MvMxpj89jOiebyh7zWO3dxGbNEmHWNlOd338PBRuXmpw1nxqvhoG_J7pPzauI5vP1QHPsPmvPNOiwwKFFALtEdBrrtiS-CypcaRs5c_1au3K95XM6n4e/s1600/dispersion_-_Metamorphosis_of_Tiffany2207335050148630543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXLRVtEGZ11koewb3uCfkrFF-MvMxpj89jOiebyh7zWO3dxGbNEmHWNlOd338PBRuXmpw1nxqvhoG_J7pPzauI5vP1QHPsPmvPNOiwwKFFALtEdBrrtiS-CypcaRs5c_1au3K95XM6n4e/s320/dispersion_-_Metamorphosis_of_Tiffany2207335050148630543.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dispersion</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">The 4Cs</span> <br />
We are all familiar with the 4Cs of diamond buying. This sounds like a great and simple list of things to check. We are relieved when tough decisions are taken off our shoulders by easy to do methods, that will lead us infallibly to good decisions.<br />
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However, we are all (well, most of us) conspiracy theorists deep in our minds and I would like to urge you to call upon that guy in your head, because the 4Cs can easily be abused to make inappropriate purchase! Does this mean the 4Cs are tools in a conspiracy to get your money? No way, but they suggest that value determination is easy and quantitative. Furthermore - in order to make it easy - the 4Cs are only a very limited set of value determinants put into a particular order, that does not necessarily reflect on the needs or goals of most buyers.<br />
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In light of the above, we can re-phrase our motto: <span style="background-color: #ffe599; color: black;">"If it sounds too easy, it probably is"</span>.<br />
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So for now, let's forget about the 4Cs and examine from a scientific viewpoint, what are the parameters, that determine the beauty of diamonds in particular and most gemstones in general.<br />
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We find gemstones beautiful, because what they do with the light. They take light, spin it around, bounce it off, break it up into elements - colors - swallow some of it and throw the rest back at us. We can say, that we enjoy the byproduct of the struggle of gemstones with light. What we see is what the gems spits back at us! The parts that it does not want, make us delighted!<br />
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Ironically, in the places where gemstones were born, there is usually little or no light. However some research say, that diamonds - particularly black diamonds - are the products of supernovae. Go figure...<br />
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However, diamonds and gemstones are not born ready to be set in a ring! Their beauty has to be uncovered by skillful craftsmen, lapidary artists and diamond cutters. Here I offer my apologies to mineral enthusiasts, who find beauty in the rough, uncut form of gemstones and minerals. There is infinite beauty to be found in the natural formations, colors and inside structures of unprocessed or partly cut crystals! I am just focusing on a particular area in these postings, that's all.<br />
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In short, what does the cutter do? He/she creates light reflecting surfaces by removing material from the crystal. The cutter's selection of the part of the material and the geometry of the reflecting surfaces will ultimately determine how successfully the gem will process light.<br />
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I think this is the time to review the 4Cs:<br />
<div style="color: #999999;">Carat</div><div style="color: #999999;">Clarity</div><div style="color: #999999;">Color</div><div style="color: #999999;">Cut</div><br />
While the particular order in which these qualities are presented does not seem to bear much importance, I think that it is important!<br />
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So let me rearrange the above list:<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #cc0000;">Cut </div><div style="color: #cc0000;">Clarity </div><div style="color: #cc0000;">Color </div><div style="color: #cc0000;">Carat</div><br />
And now let's see what is behind each of these qualities, that determine the value.<br />
Please note, that I use the word "value" quite often and we need to be clear about what is value as opposed to price.<br />
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Value is determined by the user. Price is determined by the market. <br />
<br />
Value is the combination of qualities in an item, that makes us happy to own it. Some of these qualities are :<br />
Usefulness<br />
Beauty<br />
Lifetime<br />
Price<br />
<br />
It is obvious, that most of the above are very subjective; what one person finds beautiful may be ugly for another. Some people find manual transmission very useful, while others would never drive a stickshift car. And so on.<br />
Even Price is subjective, to the extent, that many items on the market are subject to bargaining: what some of us finds reasonable price, others will find too high or too low!<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://pmgart.blogspot.com/2012/03/diamond-or-not-part-2-most-important.html">Read Part 2 here!</a></span></div><br />
To be continued....<br />
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</div>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-72310006929873078742012-03-16T00:02:00.008-04:002012-03-16T19:54:44.360-04:00Diamond or Not Part 2.: The Most Important Characters in The Game.<div style="color: #cccccc; text-align: right;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is!" </i></span></div></blockquote></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I intend this series as a practical guide for those who are - quite understandably - confused by the wide and wild variety of diamonds "diamond substitutes" and "diamond simulants". </i></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I don't even try to cover all the names, that advertisers put out there in their attempts to stir the already murky waters. </i></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>All I am trying to do is to help you make informed shopping decision based on common sense. This - our Common Sense - is what is the target of various marketing efforts; most of which are legitimate, reputable and sell fair quality products. The difficulty for the consumer is to select products they are going to be happy with.</i></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Before we continue I prepared a few lists of commonly used minerals, (trade) names, term and concepts, that can be confusing and without full understanding, may lead to a regretted purchase.</i></span></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #cccccc;">I plan to update this list as I see necessary. </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">However if you see or hear a term or an expression, that you would like to see here, or you feel it needs explanation, please feel free to contact me, or propose in the comments section!</span></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhH2Fur5E1FPFIIbEn0bH14hQ4ur-2Jyc8clj4c7ZzyaRV_0vMBaoLQ6D9LUZx_V6WoS3tP_cS3ZsbOckEyxJftVJZqEtMbd7LeaexuKTzidXJ96oHmi9hssaDGjyXim43hXwj6yYSYm0T/s1600/Fancy+Deep+Orange+Yellow+Diamond+1+.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhH2Fur5E1FPFIIbEn0bH14hQ4ur-2Jyc8clj4c7ZzyaRV_0vMBaoLQ6D9LUZx_V6WoS3tP_cS3ZsbOckEyxJftVJZqEtMbd7LeaexuKTzidXJ96oHmi9hssaDGjyXim43hXwj6yYSYm0T/s320/Fancy+Deep+Orange+Yellow+Diamond+1+.jpg" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
A rare, fancy deep orange yellow diamond of ~ 0.7 ct. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Diamond</span>: Carbon (C): is a mineral that has a very simple chemical composition; C. This means nothing else, but that diamond is the element carbon. More exactly an allotrope of carbon, a structural variation of crystallized carbon. Wikipedia has a lot to offer on this topic for those who are interested : <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond</a> .<br />
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<span style="color: red;">CZ or Cubic Zirconia:</span> :zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), CZ should never be confused with zircon ( see below ), because CZ in commerce is exclusively man-made, or laboratory grown, inexpensive, colorless and frequently cut and sold as diamond (downright crime) or "diamond simulant", which is perfectly legal - see my previous post. Natural CZ is extremely rare, practically non-existent. The process is continually improving, but there is considerable variation between products! Any man made thing is only as good as the process and the maker ( the laboratory in this case). <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_zirconia">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_zirconia</a><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Zircon:</span> zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4): a gem quality mineral, frequently mined, cut into beautiful gemstones and prized by jewelry and lapidary enthusiasts. It can be found in a wide variety of colors and certain varieties can be very valuable. It certainly is not an inexpensive gem if good quality. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zircon%20">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zircon </a><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Moissanite:</span> silicon carbide (SiC). A mineral, that so far has been only found in meteorites, in the form of extremely small crystals, However, similarly to CZ, it can be grown under laboratory conditions and cut into gemstones. The process is patented and currently only a couple companies produce it.It has many advantageous features, that we are going to talk about later. Good quality Moissanites are produced by <a href="http://www.charlesandcolvard.com/">Charles and Colvard</a> and <a href="http://www.moissaniteco.com/">Moissanite Co</a>. However, there are "generics" out there and even the original products have different qualities. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moissanite">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moissanite</a><br />
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As a general guideline, even controlled processes result in differing quality products, <span style="color: lime;">therefore "good deals" should be very carefully questioned and examined! </span><br />
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The use of any of the following terms is legal. It shows compliance with the law about the proper disclosure of the nature of the product. Since I am not a lawyer, I do not take responsibility for proper description of the law, nor I can take the to research and discuss all the bylaws, not even dissect what products are regulated and what are not. The point is, that as long as a merchent honestly tells what it sells, it should be OK. <br />
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<span style="color: lime;">IF the buyer can properly interpret the disclosures! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"Diamond or other gemstone SIMULANT":</span> This is a term, that deserves a separate paragraph. Simulant means, that the stuff is intended to appear to the unsuspecting observer as something else. Quite often clear or colored glass or plastic is used to simulate gemstones, including diamonds. However synthetic or laboratory grown or man-made minerals can also serve as simulants ( of diamonds or other valuable gemstones ). I still have a nice blue plastic "gem" that was sold by an - otherwise reputable - seller as Swiss blue topaz. No need to mention, that the reputation of that seller has gone with the wind in my eyes. <br />
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More interestingly, often natural gemstones are used as simulants: In these cases - without proper disclosure - exhausting the concept of criminal activity! An example can be spinel, that is often sold as (more expensive) ruby or sapphire. Again, that is a crime. Tourmalines sold as emeralds, and even wilder examples can be listed here, since the average consumer is not a trained gemologist, for many, a superficial similarity in color along with the word of the seller is enough. Often only the grandchildren find out , that the family treasure, Granny's huge ruby ring is a piece of garnet, worth maybe $200 or less.<br />
<br />
<br />
Therefore a simulant has nothing to do with the simulated, chemical and physical properties are different, : the similarity is superficial, often the color is not even close!<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://pmgart.blogspot.com/2012/03/diamond-or-not.html">Read Part 1. here!</a></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://pmgart.blogspot.com/2012/03/diamond-or-not-part-3-sources-of-beauty.html">Read Part 3 here! </a></span></div>OK, it is getting late, TO BE CONTINUED!<br />
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</div>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-67690365755210066212012-03-15T01:44:00.001-04:002012-03-16T00:04:08.693-04:00Diamond or NotDiamonds have certain properties, that stand unmatched. This is not to say, that diamonds are better than any other natural or synthetic gemstone, it is only to point out the fact! Therefore when you are offered a "diamond alike" or "diamond simulant" or "diamond substitute" you are being lured into an area of drifting sand.<br />
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It is important that keep your objectives clear: There can be many reasons you do not want to buy a diamond, and just as many reasons you don't want any of the "substitutes". Consciously keeping your objectives in focus, head clear during the decision making process will make it sure, that you will be happy with your gemstone, whichever you choose.<br />
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Car buying is an experience, that most of us have to face quite often, so I will use examples from this area to help the reader relate. What would you think if the car salesman offered you a "Porche substitute", for example a Cadillac CTS because it has a 3.6 L engine, just like a Porsche 911? Wouldn't you get a spasmodic laughter if the salon offered Smarts as "Porsche simulants" just because they come in red?<br />
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Just to make it clear: I own a Smart and I am perfectly happy with it, although one day I may be able to get a Porsche, that is one of dreams. But I am content with my purchase, because I kept my focus and managed to call my car on its name.<br />
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In the following posts, I will compare some synthetic and natural gemstones, that can be great or bad choices as center stones or accents and often sold as "diamond substitutes".<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkWp-0gOzRLkmwYjC2uI8ccDg8Ek4sF4KV0FGZG1aPx-AGqhJ_RgHzwqn9xBgkVE_V47JkCDnuRNOwZis0Q3POWeQ9CSreD9P1-frW2YOAhaZVucuHrXQ3UvXjaREjYh-dH04juD54Wne/s1600/Smart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkWp-0gOzRLkmwYjC2uI8ccDg8Ek4sF4KV0FGZG1aPx-AGqhJ_RgHzwqn9xBgkVE_V47JkCDnuRNOwZis0Q3POWeQ9CSreD9P1-frW2YOAhaZVucuHrXQ3UvXjaREjYh-dH04juD54Wne/s320/Smart.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's not even red! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://pmgart.blogspot.com/2012/03/diamond-or-not-part-2-most-important.html">Read Part 2. here!</a> </div>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-87208074250023248232011-07-05T13:09:00.004-04:002012-05-29T13:19:14.501-04:00Customizable Unisex Ring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2>
I am pleased to announce, that this design is now available in affordable alternative metals: Stainless Steel and Cobalt Chromium.</h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB839NoyVNhl_wT9lBc2bGGwolX8-xH21ow-oeVmD4CYGGoHBrLNcauRyPk1uVnJAwloWkbFBCFVriPz6TM3QDXH7ksT1B6TLoj95lV2FhNnOC3e3tfsguCxFlR8qRyEhAMDQr2qrDLZUk/s1600/Bands+only+two+on+Plastic+table++table+UNL+environment+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="music note ring, music ring, music notes ring, music note rings, wedding band, wedding ring, custom wedding band, partner ring, symbol ring, message ring, musical pattern, musical notes, ring, band" border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB839NoyVNhl_wT9lBc2bGGwolX8-xH21ow-oeVmD4CYGGoHBrLNcauRyPk1uVnJAwloWkbFBCFVriPz6TM3QDXH7ksT1B6TLoj95lV2FhNnOC3e3tfsguCxFlR8qRyEhAMDQr2qrDLZUk/s320/Bands+only+two+on+Plastic+table++table+UNL+environment+copy.jpg" title="Custom Music Notes Rings made of Cobalt Chromium" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custom designed music note rings of cobalt chromium</td></tr>
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Originally I was commissioned to create a ring for a client that has sparked my creative impulses. The ring sounds simple enough, a concave 14k Palladium white gold band. My client wanted music notes wrapped around the band from a specific line of a song that has a very personal meaning to him.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_o0jqU5T8Y16Q57Vc3AyY5Iky1Q6NK0LJOzTPuX6Pt2rd0wU1XlMSEHIYXe-1uzyQ6W0UghPGC0-MEfam1vKGZac0HsgW3oS6NKoe2_-FUIjoe1tQG2RToMh5gt3UMEykvBWyqMpC-4_/s1600/Music+notes+ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="music note ring, music ring, music notes ring, music note rings, wedding band, wedding ring, custom wedding band, partner ring, symbol ring, message ring, musical pattern, musical notes, ring, band" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_o0jqU5T8Y16Q57Vc3AyY5Iky1Q6NK0LJOzTPuX6Pt2rd0wU1XlMSEHIYXe-1uzyQ6W0UghPGC0-MEfam1vKGZac0HsgW3oS6NKoe2_-FUIjoe1tQG2RToMh5gt3UMEykvBWyqMpC-4_/s320/Music+notes+ring.jpg" title="Music notes ring" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music notes ring. The music is laid out using a CAD software.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As I began working on the ring, I find myself thinking about all the other personalized patterns this ring could hold. From music notes, fingerprints and your handwritten inscription to anywhere else your imagination will flow.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPt0JxOrUS74qtpvgCGtUIeb1Pg8qNcotAHm9GUMXlqj2mBLx8wOOC5aMnutDE_4MOo1X4fLX1HvbsJkL5dFSbRAgATmYqxnplBUhXuFt59NCXd50_IuOEHzfYEfY3MHWMK2gt6vfUObo4/s1600/DSC_0334+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="music note ring, music ring, music notes ring, music note rings, wedding band, wedding ring, custom wedding band, partner ring, symbol ring, message ring, musical pattern, musical notes, ring, band" border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPt0JxOrUS74qtpvgCGtUIeb1Pg8qNcotAHm9GUMXlqj2mBLx8wOOC5aMnutDE_4MOo1X4fLX1HvbsJkL5dFSbRAgATmYqxnplBUhXuFt59NCXd50_IuOEHzfYEfY3MHWMK2gt6vfUObo4/s320/DSC_0334+copy.jpg" title="Music notes wedding band in 14K Palladium White gold , hand cut Florentine background" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">14k Palladium White Gold, with hand cut florentine pattern</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The ring as it is pictured here is a 10mm wide anticlastic band. The first picture is a CAD image that was used to lay out the music. The second picture shows the finished ring in 14k Palladium White Gold, with hand cut florentine pattern as background to the music.<br />
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Inquire or place your order on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/96206040/music-notes-ring-unisex-and-completely" target="_blank">Etsy</a> or on <a href="http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/3552047" target="_blank">ArtFire!</a> Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-26570256111430521792011-03-20T12:00:00.051-04:002011-03-20T13:04:32.047-04:00March’s Topic: "Best Childhood Years Memory"My Grandfather was a tacit man. He was a notary in the pre-war Hungary , then demoted by the Communist regime and served as a clerk in the city hall of Miskolc - he was lucky to find employment instead of deportation. All in all he was living an uneventful life when we "met". But inside his round, bald head there was another world, filled with distant , exotic places the latest advancements of science and technology and a talent and passion for woodcarving.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvpywPALty0rtaFKps8QIYyqsg6-i8wng7MSWh4Cxui_58lTol8Y51AtTNtMbHUeL_BUWEua5IgWd2eHke5If8jRKEsRGQXRQ5XJ-9QrEhJAXfwhw_XS8OXm_K8uN9_4aTdNf-dPqgyGp/s1600/DSC_0401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvpywPALty0rtaFKps8QIYyqsg6-i8wng7MSWh4Cxui_58lTol8Y51AtTNtMbHUeL_BUWEua5IgWd2eHke5If8jRKEsRGQXRQ5XJ-9QrEhJAXfwhw_XS8OXm_K8uN9_4aTdNf-dPqgyGp/s400/DSC_0401.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The only carving I have from my Grandfather, István Majoros. © Pal Gooz 2011 </i></span> </td></tr>
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He was the ideal companion for a child like me, who was living wild adventures in his head about exotic animals , treasure hunting and an unsatisfiable curiosity about how things worked. We both loved solitude and liked to share quiet hours, when we both - I believe - lived our own intense second life inside our heads.<br />
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One of our favorite past time was to go to a magical place called Lillafüred, near Miskolc. The woods and the lake there were inexhaustible sources of entertainment, constantly feeding my adventure hungry mind , filled with Pirates, Indians, fairies, hidden treasures and long forgotten ruins of never existed castles. ( There is a real one there, but that is not ruins, so does not count ).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVgd3cdfltL1FMfJSmn5mEsW5c3BUPyCkZP8tQjNc__2u6j8UNLck3XasC88VBQdHZC80SrZwL1eAli3t04lZ2AhE2d-0xUXariy6vgih2IOm96vcz5D_p8uoehmcuNc2FOZ3EUIfsYAJ/s1600/Lillaf%25C3%25BCred_-_Palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVgd3cdfltL1FMfJSmn5mEsW5c3BUPyCkZP8tQjNc__2u6j8UNLck3XasC88VBQdHZC80SrZwL1eAli3t04lZ2AhE2d-0xUXariy6vgih2IOm96vcz5D_p8uoehmcuNc2FOZ3EUIfsYAJ/s400/Lillaf%25C3%25BCred_-_Palace.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Lillafüred : Palace, Hámori lake, and the surrounding forest</i></span></h1><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>© copyright <a class="external text" href="http://www.civertan.hu/" rel="nofollow">Civertan Grafikai Stúdió</a><a class="new" href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Civertan&action=edit&redlink=1" title="User:Civertan (a lap nem létezik)">Civertan</a></i></span> </td></tr>
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<b><span class="licensetpl_attr" style="font-size: larger;"></span></b>Sometimes we just walked the narrow paths between the woods , but from time to time, we took the small train that took us on scenic route to place called Ómassa ( meaning Old Smelter ).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuOodVdjx_Yh1IhM-S6ZTwFC6TumrAr8Ut5JZv5UXY3BXjVbYbLkVydrPEg-afX60WTshdvmZzoI45t-2Rtw1B4hH5h0Ewm40wMO8XOQeq3NctlkPAquWUrqDL94Jbp5gjzlQ6ZCgsyUJ/s1600/L%25C3%25A1ev_vonat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuOodVdjx_Yh1IhM-S6ZTwFC6TumrAr8Ut5JZv5UXY3BXjVbYbLkVydrPEg-afX60WTshdvmZzoI45t-2Rtw1B4hH5h0Ewm40wMO8XOQeq3NctlkPAquWUrqDL94Jbp5gjzlQ6ZCgsyUJ/s400/L%25C3%25A1ev_vonat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The train . (original: </i><span class="comment"><i>A <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%81EV">LÁEV</a> vonata Lillafüred állomáson by </i><a href="http://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Szerkeszt%C5%91:VT" title="Szerkesztő:VT"><i>VT )</i></a></span></span></b></span></td></tr>
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From there we would walk towards Újmassa ( New Smelter) to find the the ruins of the old blast furnace and forge that was built in 1813. ( Honestly , at that time I had no idea I would become a jeweler, melting metal in my own little furnace).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcl_nhMLyjLrrMe0SggOKFDMeUr7_c9MM6eE0r-Jo1CBg3UQBjrmAbvGZGvYXXNMuXnDCUg_Z2jh2-5CH2kKOgYdzDXzM0PQ0rI44eCXC-dlk3oFiT0gf0TeF6OdI6TXuK-u7NIgSgvEQ/s1600/Oskoho01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcl_nhMLyjLrrMe0SggOKFDMeUr7_c9MM6eE0r-Jo1CBg3UQBjrmAbvGZGvYXXNMuXnDCUg_Z2jh2-5CH2kKOgYdzDXzM0PQ0rI44eCXC-dlk3oFiT0gf0TeF6OdI6TXuK-u7NIgSgvEQ/s400/Oskoho01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Old Smelter at Újmassa <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oskoho01.jpg">(Az újmassai őskohó by Szalax )</a></i></b></td></tr>
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We would often go there with the the purpose that I would make drawings of the place, and we were equipped accordingly with sketchbooks and pencils and erasers. I loved drawing the old smelter. I have no idea why I was so attracted to that ruin. It may be that I always liked abandoned buildings which I could inhabit with the products of my fantasy. Additionally , the function and use of that smelter fascinated me beyond imagination. I wanted to understand how those people extracted iron from stone. Of course at that time - early 70ies - there was little explanation about the place. So I listened to the explanations that my Grandfather provided. Neither he, nor I were very well schooled in the chemistry and technology of iron smelting, of course, and his lectures always left gaps in my understanding. Maybe this was another reason I returned to the place so willingly every time. <br />
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Some days I had no motivation to do sketches and I went on expeditions to discover the building and the surrounding " jungle". In the surrounding forest people still produced charcoal and lime in the old fashioned way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B0g4fkD5CqnUitTXKqNzc_7oEI9cF7y6q4t_R1pVh_3bhXUXuT1gtMZHFL-retKPiqYn-LrfXwfLwsBNbNXQvQUy2v9S4y9fVXr5BDo3-usAsuQ7OzxiFxzLzSuzUpvsCAfl-GOcOR77/s1600/800px-Charcoal_pile_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B0g4fkD5CqnUitTXKqNzc_7oEI9cF7y6q4t_R1pVh_3bhXUXuT1gtMZHFL-retKPiqYn-LrfXwfLwsBNbNXQvQUy2v9S4y9fVXr5BDo3-usAsuQ7OzxiFxzLzSuzUpvsCAfl-GOcOR77/s400/800px-Charcoal_pile_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Charcoal pile (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charcoal_pile_05.jpg"> Public domain</a>) (This photo was taken by someone else, somewhere else)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table> On some other occasions, we just sat there, silently, side by side with my grandfather and was enjoying the almost supernatural beauty of the place. We would be sitting there for an hour or longer, speaking very little, that left enough time for our minds to wander wherever it was taken by our imagination. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv69pdyQfbOfeteLSwnnu7mbztCqpZFFs11BcGs2GctZrFCjhPpdZ33DIz2Gd_yYZVJhjOxj6wrVM10iUtdOlkF15RYbkaasoANYxWrNe2Bg8VCShuGy5pQj5WkDMa5BXiYtBPn092Pvi/s1600/%25C3%2593massa_l%25C3%25A9gifot%25C3%25B3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv69pdyQfbOfeteLSwnnu7mbztCqpZFFs11BcGs2GctZrFCjhPpdZ33DIz2Gd_yYZVJhjOxj6wrVM10iUtdOlkF15RYbkaasoANYxWrNe2Bg8VCShuGy5pQj5WkDMa5BXiYtBPn092Pvi/s400/%25C3%2593massa_l%25C3%25A9gifot%25C3%25B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>The Old Smelter at Újmassa </i></b></span></h1><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>© copyright <a class="external text" href="http://www.civertan.hu/" rel="nofollow">Civertan Grafikai Stúdió</a><a class="new" href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Civertan&action=edit&redlink=1" title="User:Civertan (a lap nem létezik)">Civertan</a></i></span></td></tr>
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Those were the times of peace and freedom.<br />
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<u><i>Please visit my friends' blogs, to read about their memories:</i></u><br />
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Andes Cruz: <a href="http://www.andescruz.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.andescruz.wordpress.com</a><br />
Kathleen Krucoff <a href="http://mysticalmythicalmetalwork.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a64d79;" target="_blank">http://mysticalmythicalmetalwork.wordpress.com/</a><br />
<div id="group_doc_203816562966580"><div class="mtm fbGroupDoc"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_4d8457ea33d772543777387"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Laura Flavin: <a href="http://modernbirdjewelry.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://modernbirdjewelry.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Wendy Kelly: <a href="http://www.wendykianakelly.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wendykianakelly.com/</a><br />
Stephanie Nocito Clark <a href="http://thethinkingsofacoldweathergirl.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://thethinkingsofacoldweathergirl.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Brad Severtson: <a href="http://hammeringoutaliving.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://hammeringoutaliving.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Andrea Bell: <a href="http://feathersfreesiasandfishingtackle.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://feathersfreesiasandfishingtackle.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Natsuko Hanks: <a href="http://jewelrybynatsuko.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://jewelrybynatsuko.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Shaun Young <a href="http://shaunyoung.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://shaunyoung.ca/</a><br />
Beth Cyr <a href="http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/</a></span><span class="text_exposed_hide"><span class="text_exposed_link"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4295236015095082104&postID=2657025611143052179"> </a></span></span></div></div></div>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-54418123695262553802011-02-12T17:32:00.002-05:002011-02-12T18:29:28.937-05:00Website Building Adventures of a Greenhorn Then came the moment of truth- some 4 years ago - when I could not avoid the confrontation with the monster called Internet: I needed a WEBSITE! <br />
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This series will tell what I learned ( hint: very little) during this time. It may be very useful for those who are similarly clueless in the jungle where bloodthirsty Domains ( Worldwildwebiscus domainicus var. comii, var. orgii etc.) and highly ranking Google officiers fight each other for survival every day. Don't even ask about the many other horrors of the place....yet.<br />
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I am a hardcore DIY guy. I go into every challenge headstrong and I am not afraid of learning new things in order to achieve my goals. But setting up a simple website makes me sweat, have nightmares and so far has defeated every one of my attempts. Maybe not this time!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheW1lqQtSM71qsHTNFEdkcSFHDfpaFlS4EqbZIkMsq9-R4kgKJ4Wh1QyTODdRRCF9dbgHauoSjyh6AQlR8rB2ia_mI_hkuswZ_uPGhelDUox-xNQMFncwYpjajZ4csdmyLbQCBqn8ADHV/s1600/WIX+editor+scrn+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheW1lqQtSM71qsHTNFEdkcSFHDfpaFlS4EqbZIkMsq9-R4kgKJ4Wh1QyTODdRRCF9dbgHauoSjyh6AQlR8rB2ia_mI_hkuswZ_uPGhelDUox-xNQMFncwYpjajZ4csdmyLbQCBqn8ADHV/s1600/WIX+editor+scrn+shot.jpg" /></a></div><em>It sure looks like a costruction site hard at work. If only I knew what I am doing...</em><br />
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How hard it can be to put up some information and pictures about my work , then sit back and allow Google to lead visitors to my site? At least how hard it could be for a person who - at his early twenties - learned programming in Basic and Pascal, simply because he refused to make things manually , when a computer could do the same thing more precisely and faster. Sure enough I spent more time learning the basics of computers and then the not so basics of programming, than I would have with doing the chores manually. <br />
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<em>Intermezzo: The first computer I encountered was a Commodore 64 ( </em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64"><em>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64</em></a><em> ) . This little thing featured a staggering amount of memory ( 64 kilobytes ; compare today's 2 gigabytes = about 3 million C64s , hehe)</em><br />
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But - I thought at that time, nearly 3 decades ago - that learning programing would be a lesson well worth in the future. Hehe, I had not the vision to see how quickly digital technology would grow over my head!<br />
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For the first few years I was doing OK. No internet at that time, at least not in Hungary. There were a few guys messing with bulletin boards (do not even ask what they were- I read this word in magazines). But really no internet - no problem.<br />
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I wrote a few smaller applications for fun or for making life easier where a lot of calculation had to be done. At that time I killed computer viruses with my bare hands. (that spread on floppy disks - remember those? )We were in the DOS era and I had free acces to the pityfully small amount of system data: so when I saw funny text appearing, I just deleted those things. <br />
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Then Windows came, but I still had much of the hardware and software under control. If I needed a new controller, I purchased one and installed. <br />
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Internet exlpoded into my life and I took the new terms like pills: web, browser, e-mail. <br />
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My computers escaped my control - I don't even know how to give myself full administrator rights to my Windows 7. The firewalls and virus scanners have complete control over my my life. When they say things like this: "Warning! A program is trying to access the internet ! Do you want to allow cegerata.exe to acces the internet ", I am speechless. Mostly for the reason I have not a clue of what I am opening my virtual doors to.<br />
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Sure, I still can unplug and plug in most of the hardware - <em><strong>if </strong></em>I can figure out what I should buy . The latter part is the real challange these days. I am not trying to say that my mental capabilities have significantly decreased, rather my priorities changed. That is OK, I guess.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvMf0V_phdL46l5IiC5txsSptiBcvZTc5tlsOgAFD8J-wLOjPZeEikO4WH7SRggP7DBPAxJOlSvp0ppCztIhIkztUmewKhGQIeXyxEXWtfeKnO3bzrFuatpQ_DtrUISgDo7TIyhkQFJ66/s1600/website+screenshot.jpg" /></div><em>I think , at this moment, that </em><a href="http://palgooz.com/"><em>my website</em></a><em> will look something like this. Unless I change my mind. Or scew up big time. Or something.</em><br />
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To be continued at a date that I will determine flexibly...=) Love and Peace to AllPal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-8343068587626524542010-12-30T21:24:00.001-05:002010-12-30T21:26:29.132-05:00How it is made: A custom wedding ring for an old engagement ring. Part 3.The last part.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgCDMDCGLRGq9YygFfSRe_HF4dbKrUb_hJZYh9nIXPHORL2ahhKqc74sbY7zCUjm2_KUHgI-KgSvnsi7ViOF2gfMuzPrOXwFXOg01sKQq_-7JH1PPc4MEMkVioyHy0NMNkr8Ct8cSuSYK/s1600/Ring+guard+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgCDMDCGLRGq9YygFfSRe_HF4dbKrUb_hJZYh9nIXPHORL2ahhKqc74sbY7zCUjm2_KUHgI-KgSvnsi7ViOF2gfMuzPrOXwFXOg01sKQq_-7JH1PPc4MEMkVioyHy0NMNkr8Ct8cSuSYK/s400/Ring+guard+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The benchpin is probably the most ingenious and usable tool in a jewelry studio. I discover a new use for it everyday. This time I realized that I can use it to hold the freshly attached sprue upside down, squeezed into the benchpin's slot and work on the other end, until the wax at the ring shank completely solidifies. The shank affixed to the sprue, then can be united with the head. After smoothing the welding area , I removed the little bridge between the two shanks, that helped me to prevent breaking the delicate wax structure.. Holding the wax against a light source, allows me to judge the thickness and evenness of the whole contraption, last time before casting, and make some last minute adjustments if needed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL89N3ayqcIpvb9QXyx5QOsXlEf5Cmn4bqp9yDfb2640kt2LD4Jqbwjl8aTnpcGs55o4tdEX-1PwJGiHQ7msL0Yt1d3X-KmeyGMOLR7SfiNusDATFoorFLBgYG3PAf3gvPGidVfyqVJZg/s1600/Ring+guard+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL89N3ayqcIpvb9QXyx5QOsXlEf5Cmn4bqp9yDfb2640kt2LD4Jqbwjl8aTnpcGs55o4tdEX-1PwJGiHQ7msL0Yt1d3X-KmeyGMOLR7SfiNusDATFoorFLBgYG3PAf3gvPGidVfyqVJZg/s400/Ring+guard+6.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The wax model is then completed with sprues, that will allow the molten metal fill the mold. The models are attached to a rubber base and the whole "tree' is embedded into a plaster like material, called investment. The investment is placed into a furnace to make the plaster hard and melt the encased wax out of it; hence the name of "lost wax casting" . The wax leaves a cavity system inside the hardened investment and provides a mold for the molten metal. After about 8 hours of firing , all residues of the wax are burned out of the mold and it is ready for casting. After casting the rings, the investment material is removed (white stuff on the picture ) and the the result becomes visible. This is the moment of truth. This is the moment, when it turns out whether or not the work of many hours is resulted in a good casting, or have to be started over. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxrWr3N0EOwQLIV_Pg3BogTXJucT1xhG5USOSVFn1vMZ8MyC7H2n5lLSN-ZqK4tzeBhSI6ENf4CthxQ0zuVz9Cjnxrx1h90dyy0RNoKmgpEizEX9rZJ0NrkX3Q3tU7JnPWcdWpzLzNh7K/s1600/Ring+guard+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxrWr3N0EOwQLIV_Pg3BogTXJucT1xhG5USOSVFn1vMZ8MyC7H2n5lLSN-ZqK4tzeBhSI6ENf4CthxQ0zuVz9Cjnxrx1h90dyy0RNoKmgpEizEX9rZJ0NrkX3Q3tU7JnPWcdWpzLzNh7K/s400/Ring+guard+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
The rest of the process is only briefly summarized here: After the castings were cut off the tree, the engagement ring was fitted and soldered to the guard/wedding ring. The surfaces were filed and sanded and polished until they took on the desired final finish. Then I set the raw diamond cubes and made some final touch up on the surfaces. The ring is finished and ready to be shipped. In this setting , the weak parts of the old ring are fortified and the diamond is protected from the majority of blows, that are also the most dangerous : the sideways hits. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKQ-qWGP-GWhxb9_oAD4EcO7RCkV_ak2a_hrjOMtM5GUpiau2yqMe3J28oASoCnSn4xWUzmu5VD9i-AdYkvcMGk5XVCc460TW5cjvaaljmQu9BSNQN9Ep6M7g7KMqwMZfRe6UYpjVweFs/s1600/DSC_0333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKQ-qWGP-GWhxb9_oAD4EcO7RCkV_ak2a_hrjOMtM5GUpiau2yqMe3J28oASoCnSn4xWUzmu5VD9i-AdYkvcMGk5XVCc460TW5cjvaaljmQu9BSNQN9Ep6M7g7KMqwMZfRe6UYpjVweFs/s400/DSC_0333.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The finished wedding suit. I used a similar process for the groom's wedding band.Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-90260911532288903942010-12-29T20:14:00.002-05:002010-12-30T21:33:04.171-05:00How it is made: A custom wedding ring for an old engagement ring. Part 2.<div class="photo-desc insitu-trigger" id="description_div5204693235"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used the lost wax casting process to create the ring guard/wedding ring for the bride.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOV1P3lNm28dvv3f_amk1cedGDy1jodgidjt2tviQ42ELQhy3yO99nvgVB_GRtzd4fGSc-iJEM0JTFnjPI7gSqI5-L8uFzYQrJwiufKSOCeISXEr9W3RmSrUxMsGxh2vXcC4EKRjI93eI/s400/Ring+guard+1.jpg" width="400" /></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1293590222628826"><br />
</div><div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1293590222628826">First I choose a wax blank, in this case a Matt's purple for no particular reason other than, that I had this piece that was the perfect thickness. </div><div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1293590222628821">Next I marked every possible dimensions of the design on the blank, using dividers and scrapers, carbide pencils, knives... whatever. Since some of the marks will be carved away, I either redraw them as I proceed or extend the markings onto areas, that will not be last . This is most important for the crucial dimensions that determine the symmetry, centers and borders, that will be pretty hard to establish again when the simple geometry of the blank will transform into the more complex geometry of the design.</div><div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1293590222628830">For rough shaping I used a handpiece extension, that allows me to position and hold the cylindrical bit in fixed angle ( 90 degrees in this case).</div><div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1293590222628833">End of the roughing up, onto the more delicate free hand shaping.</div><div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1293590222628833"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwg77f2BURiQKFNahQ86WbR7uuUb5AfNr5HZUZfXxDl12O_nuWCMVtz9gHaY5cH0OU6YL0GyeG-Q2RLyqc-UlzxMNpR35Be9dZcQK8jg1QKESUv9kwvBY0ouwytVGMxXnpamgYGdhAr_w/s1600/Ring+guard+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwg77f2BURiQKFNahQ86WbR7uuUb5AfNr5HZUZfXxDl12O_nuWCMVtz9gHaY5cH0OU6YL0GyeG-Q2RLyqc-UlzxMNpR35Be9dZcQK8jg1QKESUv9kwvBY0ouwytVGMxXnpamgYGdhAr_w/s400/Ring+guard+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I carefully traced the measurements and outlines of the design and fitted the green top part , that I previously carved, to the forming shank.<br />
Then , using a jewelers saw, I cut out the tapered profile shape.</div><div class="photo-desc insitu-trigger" id="description_div5204693235"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgMsbKoeIqmpxgYzyqdb3pU-XN4oKLOSY_q_9AuYoks1JppAkt6YdXLv91tjis2zvn_Osgci0ulray4xphUYvzMxKMRSgcLLPsGGaU2H0DrtzwcREWrj7SEY1q0tNTr16kY2y4InWELWK/s1600/Ring+guard+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgMsbKoeIqmpxgYzyqdb3pU-XN4oKLOSY_q_9AuYoks1JppAkt6YdXLv91tjis2zvn_Osgci0ulray4xphUYvzMxKMRSgcLLPsGGaU2H0DrtzwcREWrj7SEY1q0tNTr16kY2y4InWELWK/s400/Ring+guard+3.jpg" width="353" /></a></div>More sawing: to remove the middle part of the shank and shape the tiny columns that will support the top part.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEg_AS772ySfPt6m1dWNhbI1RAYvaeXKxRNbqw52hNLrpJjUKhsK9i3EzjUdox8V9u5PaQwJ6e4Sdmyk7X6k893T8psUrWUILgba2G2neI4MyqzZu1dY6L0cRbgH-jgWg3CUdcnNCk5HOQ/s1600/Ring+guard+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEg_AS772ySfPt6m1dWNhbI1RAYvaeXKxRNbqw52hNLrpJjUKhsK9i3EzjUdox8V9u5PaQwJ6e4Sdmyk7X6k893T8psUrWUILgba2G2neI4MyqzZu1dY6L0cRbgH-jgWg3CUdcnNCk5HOQ/s400/Ring+guard+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Using jeweler's saw, blades, files and abrasive papers drill bits and whoknowswhat I shaped the shank and fitted it to the top part. Then I smoothed the surface to a decent finish . Here are my favorite abrasives: 3M microfinish films, an old shirt and nylon stockings. The interesting thing is the sudden color change of the model, no miracle, here is what happened: I finished it and the casting went wrong. Although not very often, this kind of things happen . So I had to remake the model. At some point I decided, that I would continue the process explanation using the new model, that I made from a green colored wax blank.<br />
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To be continued>>>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-50208625761632684962010-12-27T20:29:00.003-05:002010-12-30T21:33:25.187-05:00How it is made: A custom wedding ring for an old engagement ring. Part 1.This series is to offer you a sneak peak to the behind the scenes events that lead to the creation of a custom piece of jewelry.<br />
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This story starts with an engagement: the young man proposed to her lady with his grandmother's ring. The ring is a diamond solitaire, from the early 19's , made by the famous Jabel company. The ring shows the impact of time , but held up nicely during the nearly 100 years, undoubtedly due to extremely high quality and the die pressing fabrication process that Jabel developed. Nonetheless, the metal is thinned and weakened, as well as the diamond has a large number of chips and abrasions. It would not have been prudent to just make a simple band to fit this ring, because the old diamond solitaire was at a point , where it could easily snap , or the diamond may break without warning at any time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YErBeHDZN0E9LWIMP4QOFACBUDIJkRSHfgHr1tDBie158WGeHGU7lnkYGmr2j0Dx7Gg33NDlhcVC2fuqmmJ0FvHrh9WwKSktH9YIx7Eo4iaEbkpslR06rGeGFnByBisAI2GquWL2mtFW/s1600/started.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YErBeHDZN0E9LWIMP4QOFACBUDIJkRSHfgHr1tDBie158WGeHGU7lnkYGmr2j0Dx7Gg33NDlhcVC2fuqmmJ0FvHrh9WwKSktH9YIx7Eo4iaEbkpslR06rGeGFnByBisAI2GquWL2mtFW/s400/started.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In situations like this , we usually suggest a complete overhaul of the ring and the diamond: The thin parts - in this case the head and the bottom of the shank would need to be re-built or fortified and the prongs re-tipped. The diamond would have to be re-cut - if possible - or replaced. The customers did not want to alter the original ring, which can be easily understood given the sentimental value of the original ring. Re-cutting this size of diamond would have probably resulted in a very small stone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Therefore I proposed a design, where the engagement ring would be built around with the wedding ring , similar to a ring guard, but of course more organically united. They also wanted me to create the grooms band in a manner that they would be different, but refer to each other at the same time. To make matters a bit more complicated the lady also bought an engagement ring for her fiance from me . This ring featured a raw diamond crystal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAcb4UXQWcWMIDJBhhTxhitMM8Hwnn7tO-VAUinQc8K4SrCBrSKfdCHqpNhjx-DY6bSsOv-nUPwDf8mHXPl9cg29Vc65M8ZmP819zKLxCf4L0TiTaAM9QQu6c8x7Hyaivqlh5swa7unym/s1600/sheherezade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAcb4UXQWcWMIDJBhhTxhitMM8Hwnn7tO-VAUinQc8K4SrCBrSKfdCHqpNhjx-DY6bSsOv-nUPwDf8mHXPl9cg29Vc65M8ZmP819zKLxCf4L0TiTaAM9QQu6c8x7Hyaivqlh5swa7unym/s400/sheherezade.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We agreed that the common reference would be the use of raw diamond crystals in both wedding rings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the next parts I will show how these ideas were turned into a beautiful wedding suit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-7976443426296180202010-06-14T17:09:00.001-04:002010-06-14T17:23:23.042-04:00Kaleidoscope: Thomasin Durgin a.k.a. Metalriot stretching the boundaries Thomasin Durgin's latest installations dealing with the current oil disaster in the Mexican gulf raised the old questions in me : Where is the border between art and jewelry, or is there any? Is art in general functional? Is jewelry in particular functional? What if a piece of art is manifested as a piece of jewelry? Can it be functional without being wearable? As I was writing this post, I discovered the<a href="http://metalriot.blogspot.com/2010/06/is-jewelry-functional.html"> latest entry of Thomasin's blog</a> where she is asking similar questions. This is not only interesting, but it also shows how extremely well she communicates every aspects of her thoughts to the viewer.<br />
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In short, I think (art)jewelry and art in general is functional: They always carry a message. Jewelry in particular can be used to make this message particularly significant and personal. After all you could put that thing inside your personal space, making a very intimate connection. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman;">But then sometimes an artist have such an important message, that overrides the wearability requirement and uses the (possible) attachment of the object to the body as an additional layer of meaning.</span><br />
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Well, without any further blahbla, here it is through examples from Metalriot:<br />
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The first one would be a perfectly wearable ring with a pleasing look, if it was not for the "spill" ! I personally would love to wear it and feel frustrated that I don't even have a chance. Do I need to explain any further ( I will be happy to, just leave a comment)? Did you know that the epoxy used for the ring is entirely made of mineral oil?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEyJk2MFnjE5MH0Y8qm75c_17vqKQ_pVZQ30O4dUuFwS9-j8TeCGcbQ6Nox1knSNwKADJ4TfMHrG9c4x3iyBLeZ1DKZ7-5DeZZQq41nxdizIPeveW7CTPGCUtVlOjbHcsFpt5ldrp22lj/s1600/4662930883_0f00d92080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEyJk2MFnjE5MH0Y8qm75c_17vqKQ_pVZQ30O4dUuFwS9-j8TeCGcbQ6Nox1knSNwKADJ4TfMHrG9c4x3iyBLeZ1DKZ7-5DeZZQq41nxdizIPeveW7CTPGCUtVlOjbHcsFpt5ldrp22lj/s400/4662930883_0f00d92080.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metalriot/4662930883/">© <span style="margin-top: 0px;">Metalriot</span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> Ring a Day 151/365</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can wear this one, or even create one for yourself as a powerful demonstration of your commitment to save our planet, important natural resources (we live in a plastic world, that is made from oil!) and future generations of Homo "sapiens" . I think this is the one that perfectly fits the category ( Oh , I hate categories) of conceptual jewelry -(<a href="http://crafthaus.ning.com/forum/topics/what-the-hell-is-conceptual">What the hell is THAT?</a>).</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU3UsFUoeByj1XfZVeWX7Kk_182VirYp0Sov8ZhkL0ZQbRbH9k9AHGPiREfXm37V_X-eH_Yd7kcy65-8gZn-9szMtpRIJTNos6cZGCbGLrfV4-41TY-icZ456lvArAVR_0jQQiB8PzQy3/s1600/4691894622_bfa1a95a1e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU3UsFUoeByj1XfZVeWX7Kk_182VirYp0Sov8ZhkL0ZQbRbH9k9AHGPiREfXm37V_X-eH_Yd7kcy65-8gZn-9szMtpRIJTNos6cZGCbGLrfV4-41TY-icZ456lvArAVR_0jQQiB8PzQy3/s320/4691894622_bfa1a95a1e_b.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><h1 id="title_div4691894622" property="dc:title" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metalriot/4691894622/">© <span style="margin-top: 0px;">Metalriot</span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> Use no oil - Ring a Day 155/365 </span></h1><h1 id="title_div4691894622" property="dc:title" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another conceptual piece , that can be wearable - IMHO not as much as to convey your identification with the cause, but as a reminder, how deeply we depend on oil and how far behind we are with the technology to use it wisely. I think every CEO, shareholder and owner of every drilling Co, refinery and automobile factory should carry one 24/7.</span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiv29qtBuT5o6BIdCGo9AGVbmqvJjnc_1DCbglTKRIGJVf7DigQvBPLpuhyphenhyphen_hNmG3H1u8Z9ntp4-reg-pRA8cp-yYOxWEnUgDjkqiahWUmFJan_ovwWAHPzuWQUShaLJ-y8irEG1J4P8m/s1600/4660831855_2ecd6b1f81_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiv29qtBuT5o6BIdCGo9AGVbmqvJjnc_1DCbglTKRIGJVf7DigQvBPLpuhyphenhyphen_hNmG3H1u8Z9ntp4-reg-pRA8cp-yYOxWEnUgDjkqiahWUmFJan_ovwWAHPzuWQUShaLJ-y8irEG1J4P8m/s400/4660831855_2ecd6b1f81_b.jpg" width="237" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metalriot/4660831855/">© <span style="margin-top: 0px;">Metalriot </span></a></span>Ring a Day 150/365</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><h1 id="title_div4691894622" property="dc:title"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">NO, no </span>, <span style="font-size: large;">nope</span>! <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">She is not crazy and she is more than capable of making quite beautiful and perfectly wearable items:) Visit her <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metalriot/">Flickr</a> or <a href="http://metalriot.blogspot.com/">her blog</a> to see more after these :</span></span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDspoXP8GN5f-JA0XnwsdVnzw6HV3y1BTS1PbPTkGC5xqcbeV25QBycUBOWKDcl7qE-56yn9w5jQgr-wGoIkzPbfjkMXiNBaytx_PqMC02PThgcpswTNMgU3hOGYB7KaLEjuazflt1R7r/s1600/4167445334_c37871b139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDspoXP8GN5f-JA0XnwsdVnzw6HV3y1BTS1PbPTkGC5xqcbeV25QBycUBOWKDcl7qE-56yn9w5jQgr-wGoIkzPbfjkMXiNBaytx_PqMC02PThgcpswTNMgU3hOGYB7KaLEjuazflt1R7r/s320/4167445334_c37871b139.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metalriot/4167445334/in/set-72157611459352413/">© <span style="margin-top: 0px;">Metalriot </span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tintype necklace</span></span></div><h1 id="title_div4691894622" property="dc:title"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="margin-top: 0px;"> </span></span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0aGOfLePbmF0mRSruN0I0zlBzHIFGMDiSHpNoNnP1mmQgD3pAiEujLarKTB7sSg2d5HNvrA6ElvWk25zHUkBdR14n4UexRxn5TyqS7kOi_NbnB7LpttF2d0gqiL-QRQPbwf8jzDB_B8n/s1600/4431041056_d9eb16de20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0aGOfLePbmF0mRSruN0I0zlBzHIFGMDiSHpNoNnP1mmQgD3pAiEujLarKTB7sSg2d5HNvrA6ElvWk25zHUkBdR14n4UexRxn5TyqS7kOi_NbnB7LpttF2d0gqiL-QRQPbwf8jzDB_B8n/s320/4431041056_d9eb16de20.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/metalriot/4431041056/in/set-72157611459352413/">© <span style="margin-top: 0px;">Metalriot</span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="margin-top: 0px;"> </span></span></div><h1 id="title_div4691894622" property="dc:title"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></h1><h1 id="title_div4691894622" property="dc:title"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-75174706828908670172010-06-03T00:15:00.002-04:002010-06-03T02:24:56.430-04:00The Walk<span style="font-size: large;">Today <span style="font-size: small;">we had a walk</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Downtown,...</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAN7vgWcF2cxua6biyOOZWiC7EINZkhgp1YSNRyq0Bh3KTZ8UaiHvehuSxKLzTV58RLzTX1veI5MFn762-MuOl-jObrjFrd1ex579whsO4PmbOvWBN2Dv_lp0xfWQ9Y4V0wj9WhO_Z-OX/s1600/3522421151_082debe988_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAN7vgWcF2cxua6biyOOZWiC7EINZkhgp1YSNRyq0Bh3KTZ8UaiHvehuSxKLzTV58RLzTX1veI5MFn762-MuOl-jObrjFrd1ex579whsO4PmbOvWBN2Dv_lp0xfWQ9Y4V0wj9WhO_Z-OX/s320/3522421151_082debe988_b.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>©<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_99429351"> </a><a href="http://wwwthewesternfront.blogspot.com/"><span style="margin-top: 0px;"></span>Marc Osborn/The Western Fron</a>t. All rights reserved. Originally published on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28342828@N07/3522421151/">Flickr</a></span>.<br />
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Today I <span style="font-size: large;">remember..</span>.<br />
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my <span style="font-size: large;">Wife</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">I</span>, <span style="font-size: large;">together</span>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nMW6eLxtXYekWtnlrrLk8bi_gE8pi3RUuesmGB882e2SgPpgKc7w3oC29Qlnmkf7KJMZRZOkFNtUv-6aXKF1s0dCyO3PceJ882wjr62QzHoiYTbFKRrZkkI5cvIS9dBjzhL_mhJQitSF/s1600/3523216414_a4361503ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nMW6eLxtXYekWtnlrrLk8bi_gE8pi3RUuesmGB882e2SgPpgKc7w3oC29Qlnmkf7KJMZRZOkFNtUv-6aXKF1s0dCyO3PceJ882wjr62QzHoiYTbFKRrZkkI5cvIS9dBjzhL_mhJQitSF/s320/3523216414_a4361503ed.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ©<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_99429351"> </a><a href="http://wwwthewesternfront.blogspot.com/"><span style="margin-top: 0px;"></span>Marc Osborn/The Western Fron</a>t. All rights reserved. Originally published on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28342828@N07/3523216414/in/set-72157617911897361/">Flickr</a></span>.<br />
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History is <span style="font-size: large;">real</span> in this<span style="font-size: x-small;"> town</span>...<br />
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.................................. times of<span style="font-size: large;"> struggle</span>, hopeless<span style="font-size: x-small;"> days</span> of darkness,...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_edXUWXlSUsb2ZkT-HZT2Mt1yjy537-9VrVFwg38TxDsNeSz-QB7N5JwT9ZCNEuorOxUq6m88GsLrn1RgH3K2kDebjuMlWzrzKhSi5_iqkizeaAluGMcsomTK9JIbwFLWKWQuW2jBOGe/s1600/650992280_4a6da3043f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_edXUWXlSUsb2ZkT-HZT2Mt1yjy537-9VrVFwg38TxDsNeSz-QB7N5JwT9ZCNEuorOxUq6m88GsLrn1RgH3K2kDebjuMlWzrzKhSi5_iqkizeaAluGMcsomTK9JIbwFLWKWQuW2jBOGe/s320/650992280_4a6da3043f.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">© </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo was originally published <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_99429372"> </a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lazyapple/650992280/in/pool-charleston_sc/">by lazyapple</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">of</span> romantic <span style="font-size: large;">alleys</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">salty</span> wharfs.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">.................. ........................ ... restart</span> from scratch <span style="font-size: x-small;">over</span> and <span style="font-size: xx-small;">over</span>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmH6ZX8C1TMLQVLUYZxV_vJdRDbay7t7yt_oNVpHHnr2LwMub4wGtrj8wCgJ3f1r12-WZFGdZvphuh3optpU0lLNkH2nvdzQDPVPwZg07SgrpYcY-oyF4Z7p445XvUlVeEVYopTdWr6Uu/s1600/4650780394_82c5c75687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmH6ZX8C1TMLQVLUYZxV_vJdRDbay7t7yt_oNVpHHnr2LwMub4wGtrj8wCgJ3f1r12-WZFGdZvphuh3optpU0lLNkH2nvdzQDPVPwZg07SgrpYcY-oyF4Z7p445XvUlVeEVYopTdWr6Uu/s320/4650780394_82c5c75687.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">© <a href="http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/melissa-breeland.html">Melissa Breeland</a>. All rights reserved. Originally published on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/melissabreeland/4650780394/in/pool-charleston_sc">Flickr</a></span>.<br />
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It was a <span style="font-size: large;">steamy</span> day... <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Failure</span> walks <span style="font-size: large;">hand by hand</span>.... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15jRswfQ2eXeAXuFKLUSvXNNG843AsqjVoaxYkoBJiBj1IqQoDqemaFt1dmifxIx4gAPH_HZx4kpCAyJs54k5F0pm8O8pRcjaIM4agommXMaZZGVTj73TNfssevuS-KSvhW_TshyYprGv/s1600/3522422473_323178c0bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15jRswfQ2eXeAXuFKLUSvXNNG843AsqjVoaxYkoBJiBj1IqQoDqemaFt1dmifxIx4gAPH_HZx4kpCAyJs54k5F0pm8O8pRcjaIM4agommXMaZZGVTj73TNfssevuS-KSvhW_TshyYprGv/s320/3522422473_323178c0bc.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">©<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_99429351"> </a><a href="http://wwwthewesternfront.blogspot.com/"><span style="margin-top: 0px;"></span>Marc Osborn/The Western Fron</a>t. All rights reserved. Originally published on<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_99429415"> </a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28342828@N07/3522422473/in/photostream/">Flickr</a>.</span><br />
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and<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">we</span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">were</span> sweating <span style="font-size: x-small;">a little</span>...<br />
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while <span style="font-size: x-large;">wandering </span>...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdnC6XNfCUBYuGMCYNoFR_5KX99OHu1edN5lLff9C52wnZWd0TEomI7zuHHjOt139XDCRhpN8_2aZM7XJmLA-dh_47UByFlCVYEsJdYhfhOWkJCYu4V-BVhsHMNiIwN_HS496Cuks28IS/s1600/4099596622_89c08023b5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdnC6XNfCUBYuGMCYNoFR_5KX99OHu1edN5lLff9C52wnZWd0TEomI7zuHHjOt139XDCRhpN8_2aZM7XJmLA-dh_47UByFlCVYEsJdYhfhOWkJCYu4V-BVhsHMNiIwN_HS496Cuks28IS/s320/4099596622_89c08023b5_b.jpg" /></a></div> ©<a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/8x7/"> Joe Nienstedt</a>. All rights reserved. Originally published on<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_99429415"> </a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8x7/4099596622/">Flickr</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
.................................................................................with<span style="font-size: large;"> success</span> on the alleys of <span style="font-size: x-large;">creation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">from</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> gallery</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to</span> gallery...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDnnuN3xvYDMyGB1IdChOVeMhMkPbGz0CXE-Y9VqBIu9qv4bmRMn0BkininixDdIyhEtwUddy32TacaJF2VCOkHgrOhX7GTQa14cRH-G9km2vJJkU6HYMJu_Fjh2tt1vpWpFnIhgFhCan/s1600/4558971537_09ee761c29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDnnuN3xvYDMyGB1IdChOVeMhMkPbGz0CXE-Y9VqBIu9qv4bmRMn0BkininixDdIyhEtwUddy32TacaJF2VCOkHgrOhX7GTQa14cRH-G9km2vJJkU6HYMJu_Fjh2tt1vpWpFnIhgFhCan/s320/4558971537_09ee761c29.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">©<a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/jcshelto/"><span class="RealName"><span class="fn n"><span class="given-name"> Julian</span> Shelton</span></span></a>. All rights reserved. Originally published on<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_99429451"> </a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcshelto/4558971537/in/pool-charleston_sc">Flickr</a>.</span><br />
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stuffed with works of amazing <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">talent</span></b>...<br />
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I <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>refuse</b></i></span> to<span style="font-size: large;"> cast </span>the chelae of the<span style="font-size: large;"> blue crab.</span>..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSN2n87FlDytGsfP7C8qfo2Ivb5RYfqZUPaKYxRjKMbN629gd_7DRHpEpIuOlz085q2dhI0k4eCPQHY3Dx95KtkgKWbYnw4YYNcq0bQdQOeElTjInmQY4kEL8PL9YUgynlq0Rk_ls0b59/s1600/p1935028215_3160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSN2n87FlDytGsfP7C8qfo2Ivb5RYfqZUPaKYxRjKMbN629gd_7DRHpEpIuOlz085q2dhI0k4eCPQHY3Dx95KtkgKWbYnw4YYNcq0bQdQOeElTjInmQY4kEL8PL9YUgynlq0Rk_ls0b59/s320/p1935028215_3160.jpg" /></a></div><br />
(and <span style="font-size: large;">some</span> <i><b>horrid</b></i> <span style="font-size: large;">mishaps</span> as well). <br />
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........................ in <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>gold</b></span> and set a f..king huge <span style="font-size: large;">diamond</span> between the<span style="font-size: large;"> pincers</span>...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgg0RqZwsAc6bOMcUkbHJUVOyhn4epZcD6ztZbK7swC9krOdn6G74R9EEqkqUmDeltpOjlbj0mnhRMicq-CqEO1uN7v4HRhG3TG4rSNyZ6xlHXoXnrFAfVk8b_pl9UeNtexhqX7xmNwR1/s1600/4643015995_b70840eda4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgg0RqZwsAc6bOMcUkbHJUVOyhn4epZcD6ztZbK7swC9krOdn6G74R9EEqkqUmDeltpOjlbj0mnhRMicq-CqEO1uN7v4HRhG3TG4rSNyZ6xlHXoXnrFAfVk8b_pl9UeNtexhqX7xmNwR1/s320/4643015995_b70840eda4.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> © <a href="http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/melissa-breeland.html">Melissa Breeland</a>. All rights reserved. Originally published on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/melissabreeland/4643015995/in/pool-charleston_sc">Flickr</a></span>.<br />
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or sell<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> cheap <i>copies</i></span></b> of M. Good's <span style="font-size: large;">work</span>...<br />
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to <span style="font-size: large;">make</span> a<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> living</span></b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8QNSKqC9m_ERyGkCDTKe0yKe66QqExp4Vx8EWEM9EXr2T5qfcbhyphenhyphen655QiFkjBcIWqd7-PEKXhSo9wbhZ-FCppxlwcwoKdpKR3rZXTh7ANbmu645qjCUeCuzY_blmDSD1wLQpXt2lHfy8/s1600/4508761286_b674b91ec5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8QNSKqC9m_ERyGkCDTKe0yKe66QqExp4Vx8EWEM9EXr2T5qfcbhyphenhyphen655QiFkjBcIWqd7-PEKXhSo9wbhZ-FCppxlwcwoKdpKR3rZXTh7ANbmu645qjCUeCuzY_blmDSD1wLQpXt2lHfy8/s320/4508761286_b674b91ec5.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">©<a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/8x7/"> Joe Nienstedt</a>. All rights reserved. Originally published on<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_99429415"> </a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8x7/4099596622/">Flickr</a>.</span><br />
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The <i><span style="font-size: x-large;">mint</span></i> <i><span style="font-size: large;">chocolate</span></i> <b><i>cake</i></b> was <span style="font-size: x-large;">delicious</span>...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">t</span><span style="font-size: large;">o</span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">d</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">a</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">y</span>.Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-26384257149248831592010-05-28T17:30:00.078-04:002010-05-29T02:51:26.750-04:00Bedtime Stories for the Artlover: Touching a Ruby by Scott Schreiber, Two Claws Jewelry<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/3017747310/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="photo sharing"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/3017747310/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="photo sharing"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/3017747310/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="photo sharing"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/3017747310/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="photo sharing"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/3017747310/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="photo sharing"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/3017747310/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="photo sharing"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/3017747310/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="photo sharing"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/3017747310/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="photo sharing"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/3017747310/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="photo sharing"></a><br />
<b style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc;">Bed Time Stories</b> <i>is a regular feature on my blog. I select and publish exceptional pieces of art with interesting stories that tie each piece into a strong context with society, history, people and provide insight into the inner workings of the artist's mind. I hope that it will provide an understanding of art in a plain language, that is so sadly missing from many collections and publications. If you got one that you would like to share, please<a href="mailto:pmgart@pmgart.com"> send me a message</a>!</i><br />
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This is an old one. It's got stuck in my mind for the past two years or so, and today I understood why (sorry Scott, it took so long, I am also over that innocent age) : We are pushing the button ( or more correctly keep pushing it even if that does not make sense), touching the button, even looking at the button, but do we see it? Do we care what we are missing while we want our instant coffee with instant love?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/3017747310/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/3017747310_0f4afe57fe.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/3017747310/">Touching a Ruby</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/two_claws_jewelry/">Two Claws Jewelry</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">© </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/2rosesjewelry/"><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"></span></a><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/two_claws_jewelry/">Two Claws Jewelry</a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> All rights reserved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> In case you were wondering, this one surely passes for puclic art, provoactive art or guerilla art and a good one at that IMHO, even if it is not the spit-in-your-face kind. So here it goes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> "</span>This Crossing button is right outside my house. I made a custom-fit brass bezel to fit over the original one and set a cabochon Madagascar Ruby in it. It gives me pleasure every time I see little kids trying, without success, to get their moms to look at the pretty red button. It just tickles me that people don't know they're banging away at a genuine ruby! I get a lot of foot traffic at this corner and believe me, adults just don't even glance at it....teen girls, sometimes....but many little kids (it's at eye-level for them) really scrutinize it. It always has amused me that people of all ages don't push these buttons just once....(which is all you have to do) They'll push it as many times as they can 10, 30, 50 times, until the walk sign changes.<br />
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As far as the fitting goes....I took the measurement of the existing button and turned the cap/bezel exactly so that it was just shy of an extremely close fit. I also turned the seat for the ruby and tightened it by spinning it and pressing a vaseline covered burnisher against the edge of the bezel. Then I heated it up to just under red heat, ran out to the corner like a crazy man (at 3 AM....) and shoved it on with my fingers protected with welding gloves. It worked great and stuck fast. Then I had to rub it out with a little tripoli cloth to remove a little heat scale. The original button spun around freely, so this means that torque will be ineffective if someone wants it.....they'll have to pry it off. If that's the case...they're welcome to it."<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Scott Schreiber is a great jewelry artist, a top notch goldsmith, a cat-fan with an encyclopedic knowledge about jewelry making, odd tools and insects. Please visit <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/">his Flickr</a> album to feast your eyes! </span><br />
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</div>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-5159597439391345622010-05-27T19:39:00.003-04:002010-05-27T20:05:15.141-04:00Technorati submission - a new experience<span class="status"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">I wrote this blog entry because Technorati , a blog directory , needed to verify that I am the author of this blog (see below). I will never get old and bored, since I am learning something completely new and totally irrelevant ( at least to my work) everyday. I wonder where we would be if our ancestors needed to be so self sufficient and well versed in every discipline of their time. I used to admire great polyhistors since they knew "everything" : math, sciences, theology, art and whatnot. Today, however we are swamped with minuscule duties to manage every day, it is a miracle that some of us still can create! </span></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAyrESOkGBSf6LNa1epZOclWohWRQw-54LT-CPFzYnE2bUuZLdV6X1aHyC3eZd6EYB9OvnfVjDTs8UJ1dZvMw3w3psNfU98bfQrDJ5OTwICaQnC-q1eP1SZ0zspdoFF7RXEqkMe9r5r-E/s1600/Finished+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAyrESOkGBSf6LNa1epZOclWohWRQw-54LT-CPFzYnE2bUuZLdV6X1aHyC3eZd6EYB9OvnfVjDTs8UJ1dZvMw3w3psNfU98bfQrDJ5OTwICaQnC-q1eP1SZ0zspdoFF7RXEqkMe9r5r-E/s400/Finished+1.jpg" width="367" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmgart/sets/72157623904532531/">See more pics here </a></div><br />
<span class="status"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Since I swore, that I would never publish a blog without a picture, here is one of my latest work, a custom ring for a beautiful concave brilliant TM sapphire cut by award winning gem artist <a href="http://concavegems.com/">Richard Homer</a>.</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="status"><b>May 27, 2010.</b> Technorati will need to verify that you are an author of the blog by looking for a unique code. Please put the following short code******* within a new blog post and publish it. Once it is published, use the "Verify Claim Token" button to tell Technorati your blog is ready for verification. </span><br />
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</div>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-3297168329512329352010-05-26T02:16:00.004-04:002010-05-26T02:25:17.658-04:00Your ultimate guide to buying and pricing handmade jewelry. Part 2.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2-axEAsP0S7NPM0S-Wgvxa6CAmp_QQYWRz9t2rcVuiBGmV770q4N1Bnoh9GAOaOSvkDoSO0cDozIiHMtiiET2SmZBfnt-zrlGZ8uycTn1p4RFktMgxbKIxEfZkM_ev4OXOPXHSmGYXef/s1600/model+ring+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2-axEAsP0S7NPM0S-Wgvxa6CAmp_QQYWRz9t2rcVuiBGmV770q4N1Bnoh9GAOaOSvkDoSO0cDozIiHMtiiET2SmZBfnt-zrlGZ8uycTn1p4RFktMgxbKIxEfZkM_ev4OXOPXHSmGYXef/s400/model+ring+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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This entry is going to put the basic definitions in <a href="http://pmgart.blogspot.com/2009/02/your-ultimate-guide-to-pricing-handmade.html">Part 1</a> to use as we continue to explore the intricacies of jewelry valuation.<br />
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Let's make four identical rings (see picture above): one from fine silver, one from fine ( or pure) gold (24K), one from 14K gold and one from pure platinum. Although the rings have identical geometry, their weight will be very different due to the difference in the density of the four metals. (The following table contains simplifications to make it easier to follow). Every ring has a volume of 0.576 cc.<br />
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The silver (Density:10.5 gr/cc) ring will weight : 6.1 gr or <span style="color: #6aa84f;">3.92</span> dwt<br />
The 24K (Density:19.3 gr/cc) ring will weight : 11.1 gr or <span style="color: #6aa84f;">7.13</span> dwt<br />
The 14K (Density:12.9 gr/cc) ring will weight : 7.4 gr or <span style="color: red;">4.76 </span>dwt<br />
The Platinum (Density:21.4 gr/cc) ring will weight : 12.3 gr or <span style="color: #6aa84f;">7.91</span> dwt<br />
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Here comes the tricky question: What is the weighth of the precious metal in each of the above rings. You could say - Hey, it ain't tricky, we just calculated that !<br />
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Or did we?<br />
The silver ring is pure silver, and it will have <span style="color: #6aa84f;">3.92</span> dwt of silver content<br />
The 24K ring is pure gold, consequently it will have <span style="color: #6aa84f;">7.13</span> dwt of gold content<br />
The 14K ring contains only 58.33% (by weighth) gold, consequently it will have <span style="color: red;">2.77</span> dwt gold content<br />
The Plat ring is pure platinum, consequently it will have <span style="color: #6aa84f;">7.91</span> dwt plat. content<br />
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Only one task left for today, and that is to calculate how much money we need to spend on the precious<br />
metals market if we want to make these rings.<br />
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Note: this is only one part of the <span style="color: #9fc5e8;">PRODUCTION COSTS</span><span style="color: #ffd966;"> as you will see next time when we dig even deeper into the dark realities of life!</span><br />
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At the moment of writing this, the NY spot stands at (remember 1 TO=20 dwt): <br />
Gold : $1202.20/TO<br />
Silver : $17.97/TO<br />
Plat : $1523.00/TO<br />
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From here it is just easy math:<br />
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The silver ring will cost <span style="color: #6aa84f;">$ 3.52</span><br />
The 24K ring will cost <span style="color: #6aa84f;">$ 428.58</span><br />
The 14K ring will cost <span style="color: red;">$ 166.50</span><br />
The Plat ring will cost <span style="color: #6aa84f;">$ 602.35</span><br />
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One more interesting thing: If we could go back in time and purchased the metals fo rthis project in 2005, we could get away with the following costs:<br />
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The silver ring $ 1.39<br />
The 24K $ 149.00<br />
The 14K $ 57.89<br />
The Plat $ 340.00<br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: black;">See you next time!</span></span>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-25526762867703088022010-05-23T04:57:00.004-04:002010-05-23T05:19:16.401-04:00CAD to finishHere are some photos of custom designs I made with the help of CAD and the finished pieces side by side. CAD is very useful in designing jewelry as well as presenting the design to the customer. The pieces are then created by the most appropriate and cost efficient method: sometimes the CAD files are sent to a company to produce a wax model on a rapid prototyping machine or on a CNC mill. Alternatively I can hand carve a model from wax . In either case the model is used in the lost wax casting process to produce a metal object that is then finished by hand. In some cases when it is economically feasible and technically possible I fabricate the piece directly from sheet metal and other basic components according to the blue print made in the CAD software.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy19BbbD6ToB7XGNLoF4fR1hP2gU0amuGNUHje37DEWPk3LJg5VPG_DdkvUgSAd2Tbst7VdCvC_UqppZFPAsuO1Hep5IlX0FAh5tu1QfTB33YPbDWRv7t3tCLji25YJrweotczdxQMjup_/s1600/Rubelite+torusring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy19BbbD6ToB7XGNLoF4fR1hP2gU0amuGNUHje37DEWPk3LJg5VPG_DdkvUgSAd2Tbst7VdCvC_UqppZFPAsuO1Hep5IlX0FAh5tu1QfTB33YPbDWRv7t3tCLji25YJrweotczdxQMjup_/s400/Rubelite+torusring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">© </span><span style="font-size: x-small; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://pmgart.com/">Pal Gooz</a> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">All rights reserved. </span> <br />
Wedding ring : Rubelite tourmaline Torusring TM by <a href="http://www.lehrerdesigns.com/">Glenn Lehrer , Lehrer Designs Inc</a>. . Diamonds <br />
Designed in CAD, hand carved, cast in platinum 950 and 18K YG<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsZOB-uahsQ5cJJgFlIYVHQZHViBhAymP8IHLtVLvFpsbpPRoWEx13pOsxzRAgS3HtGgZjoh6PZU9sUzTzpMU8QsaCJwI7fJVAzLPc8stf3r8rUDu-gtChxy4vL5UxLrq2A30e4QUJUdl/s1600/Wedding+band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsZOB-uahsQ5cJJgFlIYVHQZHViBhAymP8IHLtVLvFpsbpPRoWEx13pOsxzRAgS3HtGgZjoh6PZU9sUzTzpMU8QsaCJwI7fJVAzLPc8stf3r8rUDu-gtChxy4vL5UxLrq2A30e4QUJUdl/s400/Wedding+band.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">© </span><span style="font-size: x-small; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://pmgart.com/">Pal Gooz</a> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">All rights reserved. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Euroshank wedding band: canary diamond.<br />
Designed in CAD, handcarved, cast in PD 950 <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFA904I2VWa07jEtMtm9x6v5D8Igp-VgSYeBeEGUbfixkVfMGvJeG0rxWleaDjlSP5_R4SDR9W5gyBB6PrQzpmkddJJjbFoVUg5beV8kEUQr6Kqudn9EqRw15ck2WBhC7TZxQfTVZpf-3/s1600/PD+sapphire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFA904I2VWa07jEtMtm9x6v5D8Igp-VgSYeBeEGUbfixkVfMGvJeG0rxWleaDjlSP5_R4SDR9W5gyBB6PrQzpmkddJJjbFoVUg5beV8kEUQr6Kqudn9EqRw15ck2WBhC7TZxQfTVZpf-3/s400/PD+sapphire.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">© </span><span style="font-size: x-small; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://pmgart.com/">Pal Gooz</a> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">All rights reserved. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Palladium ring, natural light yellow sapphire, Oval Concave Brilliant TM cut by Richard Homer of<a href="http://www.concavegems.com/"> concavegems</a> .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Designed in CAD, rapid prototyped, cast in PD950<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmz7ogUvO5L82HURmTsOcKoZqN0k2Qgj4s8YHH6hPvVzHHVx3iHh2J2YWv8gCNcuF34FUbL_LaLbbPVR0Hv2ARfYxZRXP_04sztsGBFVp4vKn7beU5Ol9Cz__Oc5O3XqfAFi7XtDZ-CUr/s1600/Ice+Queen+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmz7ogUvO5L82HURmTsOcKoZqN0k2Qgj4s8YHH6hPvVzHHVx3iHh2J2YWv8gCNcuF34FUbL_LaLbbPVR0Hv2ARfYxZRXP_04sztsGBFVp4vKn7beU5Ol9Cz__Oc5O3XqfAFi7XtDZ-CUr/s400/Ice+Queen+2+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">© </span><span style="font-size: x-small; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://pmgart.com/">Pal Gooz</a> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">All rights reserved.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Engagement ring, Aquamarine Square Cushion Concave Apex TM cut by Richard Homer of<a href="http://www.concavegems.com/"> concavegems</a> , diamonds</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Designed in CAD, hand fabricated from palladium 950 and 18K royal yellow gold</span><br />
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</span>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-86660284647970244582010-05-21T14:06:00.149-04:002010-05-29T01:48:34.829-04:00Bedtime stories for the Artlover (Part 1): Secret in the Forest Box by 2Roses<b style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc;">Bed Time Stories</b> <i>will be a regular feature on my blog. I will select and publish exceptional pieces of art with interesting stories that tie each piece into a strong context with society, history, people and provide insight into inner workings of the artists mind. I hope that it will provide an understanding of art in a plain language, that is so sadly missing from many collections and publications. If you got one that you would like to share, please<a href="mailto:pmgart@pmgart.com"> send me a message</a>!</i><br />
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So here it about an <span style="color: #93c47d;">old house</span>, <span style="color: #b6d7a8;">two ferocious artists</span> and an <span style="color: #b6d7a8;">urban gang</span> by <a href="http://www.2roses.com/">2Roses jewelry</a> :<br />
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<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeSZgxySRWEITQ7ZT6oWDU4PHVAXlFMdgepKdkLJTAm10zLOFEDhSLaqVq0DDEX2NxOmuOy7Pdr1oy0IN-yRjd6eGQeL_GnNXs7uo983xzxo8FiVUvGZZipcFIRF-dh5IvWh5XpG5hM2c/s1600/4623783075_9007ff0806_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeSZgxySRWEITQ7ZT6oWDU4PHVAXlFMdgepKdkLJTAm10zLOFEDhSLaqVq0DDEX2NxOmuOy7Pdr1oy0IN-yRjd6eGQeL_GnNXs7uo983xzxo8FiVUvGZZipcFIRF-dh5IvWh5XpG5hM2c/s400/4623783075_9007ff0806_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/2rosesjewelry/4623783075/">Secret in the Forest Box</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/2rosesjewelry/">2Roses Jewelry</a>. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Media: Plum boughs, Honduran mahogany. Lined with California redwood. The box also features a secret compartment.Size: 9.5”L x 4”W x 6”H.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>© </span><span style="font-size: x-small; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/2rosesjewelry/">2Roses Jewelry</a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> All rights reserved. </span><br />
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" Lots of things came together to make this box. The plum wood was harvested from a tree on our property. As I was trimming the tree, the red color of the bark was just too pretty to trash.<br />
The mahogany was salvaged from a historical Southern California home slated for demolition due to urban renewal. The home was built in 1895 by a wealthy industrialist and featured many luxuries and technological advancements for the time, including the first alarm system installed in a home. The home was featured in the first issue of Architectural Digest in 1920.<br />
The curator of the local Historical Society obtained permission from the City Council for 2Roses to reclaim the wood just hours before the entire house was bulldozed. We received that permission in a phone call at 10:30 pm. The bulldozers were scheduled to start the teardown at 7 am the next morning. <br />
By the time we got our tools together and rushed to the house, two gangs of thieves were already at work striping the copper plumbing out of the walls. Things got pretty confrontive when we showed up. The thieves were from different local hispanic gangs and they had already worked out a truce to strip the house. They saw us a rival gang trying to intrude on their turf and they were ready to throw down to defend it.<br />
We eventually convinced them that we were from the historical society and really didn't care about the copper pipes, that we were after the woodwork. The gangbangers thought this was hilarious that the "blancos" would come out in the middle of the night to steal old wood. They actually ended up helping us a bit. "<br />
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About <span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/2rosesjewelry/">2Roses Jewelry</a> :</span><br />
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"2 Roses is artistic collaboration between jewelry designers Corliss Rose, and John Rose. The studio is driven by the principles of exploration and experimentation. 2 Roses have made their mark on American Art Jewelry with a individualistic style that has combined a dizzying array of highly unorthodox materials and techniques ranging from the medieval to the space-age."</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_jTtLPmo_nMH6hi8HDuGnnFhk3qN1vkDEwM9mw8jdRq8hDFekzqrPMF8uOkhGZv9jjjncDYLE96O1enYWUHWUw0ohzstGQl0dp95NxR1Ys9jnaCosG51_FGxTS-pFtCAcQDVSGGve49Y/s1600/3011526915_8b1e32a1a2_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_jTtLPmo_nMH6hi8HDuGnnFhk3qN1vkDEwM9mw8jdRq8hDFekzqrPMF8uOkhGZv9jjjncDYLE96O1enYWUHWUw0ohzstGQl0dp95NxR1Ys9jnaCosG51_FGxTS-pFtCAcQDVSGGve49Y/s400/3011526915_8b1e32a1a2_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;">" 2Roses world-class inventory management system ensures our Just-In-Time manufacturing process meets global demand for stuff. "</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>© </span><span style="font-size: x-small; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/2rosesjewelry/">2Roses Jewelry</a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> All rights reserved. </span><br />
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</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">Corliss and John are truly eclectic, imaginative and very creative people buzzing with life and humor. Their art simply cannot fit any box as they are ready to play with anything that crosses their path. </div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"></div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">The following is a little sample, randomly selected from their extensive body of work.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF8eX4yb4TIiCvAlRXBegPFt1xw663VKiudn0_R7HfIbPSuBbMNsy979HUdOXm8sDXQE0OC33neU-69foahRD-uDNT2p2-KYjfKeQsYL1jnDP5qtzcUsB4bZd2ihvIiY_v05ARxUxcp1M/s1600/2Roses+sample+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF8eX4yb4TIiCvAlRXBegPFt1xw663VKiudn0_R7HfIbPSuBbMNsy979HUdOXm8sDXQE0OC33neU-69foahRD-uDNT2p2-KYjfKeQsYL1jnDP5qtzcUsB4bZd2ihvIiY_v05ARxUxcp1M/s400/2Roses+sample+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>© </span><span style="font-size: x-small; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/2rosesjewelry/">2Roses Jewelry</a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> All rights reserved. </span></div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVG_JIOLUuNRZ7M8xnZ-BL2ZcU2yjR0D504va13ICC-gpYs_Fs8u7PxEQUMAUJJ4DrDewk-FzM58JccFVK2iL2lVGCg6IP_3Blqb-UmOxhYOx5UWEQ83b5mRJabVfYugsQfND_j5kk_dc/s1600/2Roses+sample+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVG_JIOLUuNRZ7M8xnZ-BL2ZcU2yjR0D504va13ICC-gpYs_Fs8u7PxEQUMAUJJ4DrDewk-FzM58JccFVK2iL2lVGCg6IP_3Blqb-UmOxhYOx5UWEQ83b5mRJabVfYugsQfND_j5kk_dc/s400/2Roses+sample+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>© </span><span style="font-size: x-small; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/2rosesjewelry/">2Roses Jewelry</a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> All rights reserved. </span></div>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-53053822803151142042009-02-19T00:17:00.015-05:002010-05-26T00:09:48.063-04:00Your ultimate guide to buying and pricing handmade jewelry. Part 1.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-KRjuiZ3eIjUYrv4RmUVCJ5_4IbkO4mLswS5ZONaG4hZhhTOTMCbT6-gmvofuJTQYYFFs4C3h2Bm5xFQ9J3VULm5_xfd01QxhpzHogp1eJmfL-fWdvJJ-Ufz2biE9S5O-l-fguQqfYCN/s1600-h/DSC_0288+crop+adjusted+450+pix.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307175490351885634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-KRjuiZ3eIjUYrv4RmUVCJ5_4IbkO4mLswS5ZONaG4hZhhTOTMCbT6-gmvofuJTQYYFFs4C3h2Bm5xFQ9J3VULm5_xfd01QxhpzHogp1eJmfL-fWdvJJ-Ufz2biE9S5O-l-fguQqfYCN/s400/DSC_0288+crop+adjusted+450+pix.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
I have decided to write about buying and pricing handcrafted jewelry! Let me first assure you that there is nothing specific about pricing handmade jewelry or any other handmade crafts. So the title is misleading, but I stick with it nonetheless! I choose it intentionally to point out misconceptions associated with jewelry purchase. It is not intended to be a tutorial, nor it is intended to be full guide! However it will be a long series of blogposts, because I want make my point using a lot of examples, detailed description of work processes and critical analysis of my and other jewelers' pieces.<br />
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So what does the word misconception mean? According to Wikipedia: "A misconception happens when a person believes in a concept which is objectively false."<br />
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What kind of misconception many people have when buying jewelry? First and foremost is that they are buying precious metals and stones. The sad truth is hidden in the first sentence of this paragraph. When buying jewelry, people buying man created objects that are often made from precious metals and gemstones. So what is the difference? The difference is the the same as in buying 2000 pounds of steel, aluminum, plastic, glass and textile versus buying an automobile.<br />
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Before we plunge in the details I will summarize the most common measurements used the jewelry industry. This will help you tremendously later.<br />
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Density: Density is defined as an objects mass per unit volume. <br />
Specific weight is defined as an objects weight per unit volume.<br />
For detailed physics lessons the reader referred to other web sites and manuals.<br />
In the future I will use density, acknowledging that specific weight may be more appropriate.<br />
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We need this definition to understand a few basic ideas about jewelry prices. The following example will show you the practical application of this definition:<br />
You want to make a ring in platinum, 14K gold, 18K gold and sterling silver and would like to know how much metal you need to make this ring. If you say, well in my experience 3 grams of 18K gold is enough, therefore I will buy 3 grams of each of the other metals, then you are already screwed up on several fronts. Your 3 grams of platinum will not be nearly enough to make the ring, while you will have bought too much silver and generated a lot of scrap, that you will have to recycle.<br />
How is this? Since the density of platinum is much higher than that of silver, equal weight of them will give you a longer silver wire, than platinum wire.Exactly how much longer? If you need 3 grams of sterling silver to make a ring, then you will need 6.21 grams of platinum, 4.38 g of 18K gold, 3.75 g of 14K gold to make that ring. <br />
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Now I will show you this information translated into materials costs. Today's spot (market or cash price. This is the current price in the physical market for immediate delivery of gold) prices for gold: ~$941/troy ounce, silver ~$13.07/troy ounce, platinum ~$1047/troy ounce. <br />
Hey wait a minute! You were talking about 3 grams of silver, now you are giving me the prices on WHAT ounce! Troy ounce. This is the traditional weight unit used by precious metal markets. Is it confusing? Yes, but if we would like to understand the Chinese, we gotta speak Chinese, right?<br />
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So allow me to continue. The market price of gold is given for "pure" gold. As we mostly make jewelry from gold alloys, we need to translate these prices into karat gold prices. Gold is alloyed mostly with copper,zink and silver, but their prices are negligible in this case, so don't bother. <br />
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Definition: karat: means how many parts (by weighth) of gold you have in the alloy if by tradition we say that fine gold contains 24 parts of gold in 24 parts of the metal (5 grams of 24K gold contains 5 grams of gold). For example 14 K contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of other metals. It means that the gold content of 14 K alloy is 100*14/24% or 58.33333.%. 18 K gold has 100*18/24 or 75% of gold in it.<br />
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That's it for today, I gotta do some work now. We will continue soon. Hey, why dont you sign up for updates?Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-73298646229541000142009-02-01T21:33:00.001-05:002009-02-01T21:33:04.309-05:00Etsy Front Page 1/27/09 deelind<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28488923@N05/3232895801/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3232895801_91c1b8ca8d.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28488923@N05/3232895801/">Etsy Front Page 1/27/09 deelind</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/28488923@N05/">Etsy Front Pagers</a>.</span></div><p>Dear <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5298017">Deelind</a> did it again!</p>Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-3585920942306815192009-01-14T01:15:00.003-05:002009-01-14T02:08:02.906-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">My artists statement - explained, but not finished.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCn7Ui0r8VUx6DiHn7s-AOmZGzKMO_8GzCMEbXaZMkgPTb-hzYqcn81glZPjCe7fBjGdofI_4WbRpBb-2bMl5hdfKKJGEV7Psm-rk2WEeHd6zT54aTKYTR0pDzPfTmfj0xXMltSJQ5Ejaa/s1600-h/3111982135_fc470c656f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCn7Ui0r8VUx6DiHn7s-AOmZGzKMO_8GzCMEbXaZMkgPTb-hzYqcn81glZPjCe7fBjGdofI_4WbRpBb-2bMl5hdfKKJGEV7Psm-rk2WEeHd6zT54aTKYTR0pDzPfTmfj0xXMltSJQ5Ejaa/s320/3111982135_fc470c656f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291042276746154034" /></a><br />I am currently trying to define myself as jewelry artist. I have been (mostly intuitively) making pieces that show - maybe too much - diversity. I keep telling myself: this no good, because people will have a hard time to identify you. But maybe that is exactly what it is, and more. I have been studying little cells and tiny molecules - all part of the great wonder life - for a long time. And one thing always amuses me: how is it possible, when everything in the universe is governed by strict physical and chemical laws, the manifestations and movements of matter and life are ever so varied. Let's see it through an example. The branching of trees (blood vessels, bronchy, kidneys, glands...) are governed by apparently strict rules and a few very simple (haha) fundamental mechanisms. Do not worry, I am not going to elaborate on these, at least not now. The result are however strikingly varied: from tree to tree, from my vasculature to yours. More than that the results are really amazingly random. Oh yes, we sometimes clearly see ( tree) and other times may not have a clue (kidneys)about the orchestrating force behind these fractal structures, but the result is always different, individual, unrepeatable. <br />In conclusion, I believe that trough my jewelry i would like to create a synthesis and deeper understanding of of this duality of the universe.<br /><br />As one example I post this photo that I took of one of my latest creations. The shank of the ring is very regular, geometric. It's cross section is a section of a circle. The shank is split along the lines of two exponential curves. The surface is mirror finished. Two gold nuggets made by melting some scrap gold ( resulting in forms that would be excruciatingly difficult if not impossible to define by any functions currently known to humankind)are of randomly different sizes. They therefore can be fit between the shanks in different positions, one sticking out slightly more than the other. A (green)diamond (a geometric shape!) is set in each of the gold blobs. Note, that none of them are perfectly centered, because the highest point of the blobs are not centered as well. This way the irregularity of the gold nuggets resulted in a creations that is impossible to recreate if we follow the simple rules: make a ring shank from a low dome wire 10 mm wide,2 mm high. Split the shanks along the lines that are defined by x=a*y2(squared)+b. Form two blobs by melting some gold and solder the between the shanks. Set a diamond into each on the highest point of the gold blobs. Finish.<br /><br />The picture is interesting because the reflection on the ring is that of a sculptured tree, forged iron. Circle is complete, next.Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295236015095082104.post-10433413537150984092009-01-05T12:05:00.002-05:002009-01-05T12:25:48.166-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfodx60N8-oUgjAU-83UP4SBv8J5pq1RcbGDUsk42FDmAvpg6kEiRk5T8rmqU01pkLGvGJSx5wradAqg0FYlV2NG48JW1V2_joHOYuLvWDoUI29KL91dIk7TjpOqIV6xaMF5D4-jLv5Yx/s1600-h/3135324573_473d7ff03b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfodx60N8-oUgjAU-83UP4SBv8J5pq1RcbGDUsk42FDmAvpg6kEiRk5T8rmqU01pkLGvGJSx5wradAqg0FYlV2NG48JW1V2_joHOYuLvWDoUI29KL91dIk7TjpOqIV6xaMF5D4-jLv5Yx/s320/3135324573_473d7ff03b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287858608467806994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKvy5M9M-pMFEj2W9tYs7kuf94D33q2QVRdfjh5fHpv4RYkdOfYWD_s3TgdAQTT9itWHBpcluTT14Thj9Api3jn1dslrBf9Vp1P_3BfXJaDyA1GqVqV8Jj54idDvpm-kxxjfuHM2ey_W0/s1600-h/3134842606_54b8c1f20c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKvy5M9M-pMFEj2W9tYs7kuf94D33q2QVRdfjh5fHpv4RYkdOfYWD_s3TgdAQTT9itWHBpcluTT14Thj9Api3jn1dslrBf9Vp1P_3BfXJaDyA1GqVqV8Jj54idDvpm-kxxjfuHM2ey_W0/s320/3134842606_54b8c1f20c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287858609187728258" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hey We have made the front page on Etsy!<br />Thank you <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5298017">Deelind</a>, and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5560363">Gulinoartware</a>.Pal Goozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673978760236608474noreply@blogger.com3