Week 8- "Approaching" the end...

Much needed fun time at Franklin's Annual Pumpkin Fest!

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We've turned the 8 week corner and are quickly approaching the end of the road.  It is amazing what we have learned. It's amazing to see the progress of everyone in the class.  It is magical.

There was a time in my life when I never thought I could pavé set, bead set, hand build a basket setting...Well, I can.  I truly appreciate the teaching method that Blaine uses at New Approach School for Jewelers.  I never found a book, video or school out there that can teach like Blaine is able to do in this program.  You will learn, improve, refine, advance, push, excel in an extremely short amount of time.  It's been an amazing experience and I am anxious to put my skills to work. 

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Week 8

We tackled finishing up baguette setting and began setting an emerald cut shape.  Setting a baguette takes a lot of time and patience.  Then comes the emerald cut...Persnickety little bugger.  It takes several little adjustments.  Repeated.  And then repeated.  I love the look of a well cut emerald cut gem and have learned that tapered baguettes are still used in contemporary jewelry these days.  

We learned a few different ways to finish off the prongs for the emerald cut.  The trapezoid end, the claw prong and the split claw prong.  All had a different appeal.  I personally like the trapezoid in the style of ring we were using.  A ring style with rounds on the side, I might use the split prong or the single claw prong.  They add a certain elegance.

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Prong styles for Emerald Cuts: Top left (clockwise) small trapezoid, larger trapezoid, claw prong (single) and split claw prong.

Emerald cut setting with baguette sides.

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We spent the remainder of the week on a box clasp repair/rebuild and bracelet hinge.  While it felt frustrating to spend so much time on these two elements, it was very valuable teaching.  Being able to look at something and break it down critically to it's basic structure is extremely important in repairs and fabrication.  We are becoming "littleland" engineers. 

The hinge and box clasp repair/reconstruction lessons complete.

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With a little free time in the clasp/hinge instruction, I finally finished my bead set-hand fabricated basket head earring side project.  I had fun doing these and hope to have them for sale in my Etsy shop for the holidays!

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New Earrings!! Blue Topaz bead set at top with Peridot rounds in hand fabricated basket settings.