I can’t seem to get back into the swing of things.
It’s o.k.
I am in the studio though so that’s good otherwise I might have to start worrying.
Since we last spoke I’ve sparked up the old slab saw and cut my first cabs on the CabKing.
The Lapidary machine is a lot faster than the JoolTool and I think I prefer it simply because it has more power and grit. The slab saw is amazing. I thought I would just be using it for cutting the slabs and keep my smaller saw for trimming them into cabochons, but in the flick of a switch the automated slab saw becomes a manual trim saw and it cuts like butter.
It’s magic.
It uses mineral oil which is a little messier, although not that much as to bother me at all really, and bonus point, I’ll definitely have the softest hands in town by the time I’m finished cutting all the rocks I bought 🙂
I am going to have to practice, a lot.
The JoolTool was easier because I could see the stone from above as I trimmed the edges, etc. You come in more at a slant to the wheels on the CabKing and I don’t think I’ve quite got the hang of it yet.
See how that bottom cab’s top right corner isn’t the same as the left hand corner? The oval one is good, that’s just the angle of the camera, but the bottom one may well have to go back to the sander.
Another thing is that I found it was easier to miss small scratches on the top of the cabs. I just couldn’t see properly. Again I’ll just have to watch out for that instead of getting so excited to see the end result.
I’m definitely going to keep the JoolTool. It’s extremely handy for taking just a fraction off the side of a cabochon that you’ve fit a bezel too tightly for and for polishing. The CabKing has a polishing pad on its side, but I like using the JoolTool for finishing and I feel it will be more convenient for using different pads with different compounds on them.
I did have to work through the fear factor of it all when I first started, but actually once I got going it was fine. I still have all my fingers and toes
😉
Here are some newbies.
I cut this Carnelian on the JoolTool
I’m off now to see what more damage I can do
😉
ttyl
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So fun to really get the hang of a fabulous tool! And one that lets you do so much, too. I especially adore that little bow-shaped turquoise number second to last. So graceful. (How cool to make your own cabs, it’d be like printing your own money!! Only better!!)
Thanks Keirsten. I was trying to go for simpler 🙂
Apologies from me too for not being around, I have been away in Namibia for a month, and my heart ached for you when I read your latest blogs and saw how you are struggling with the loss of your dad. But it will get better with time, you must just hang in there! You will always have these beautiful memories of your dad, and he certainly would not want you to be miserable for too long. It is good that you are keeping busy, your work is beautiful and perfect and I really envy the lovely stones you are able to cut with your machines. I do somehow miss the joy and spontaneity in your earlier work, but that will also come back in time. You are always in my thoughts. Cecilia
That’s so nice of you Cecilia. I’ve been thinking about you also. I knew you were on a trip and was wondering how it was going. I spent today in the studio with everything I touched going wrong. I know what it is, but I really didn’t expect it to be this bad.
I hope you had a great time. I’m going to pop over to your blog to catch up 🙂
Sorry to have to say, but I have actually decided not to write my blog anymore. It is too complicated to explain why not, but I am actually quite relieved not to have to worry about it anymore. Now I will have more time to read your blog and comment on it 🙂
i love reading your entries on tools that you buy and use! very helpful. i am still getting things bit by bit. your work is just so stunning and it looks like the new tool is ‘da bomb’!
I like your enamels very much. I’m always interested in what you post next on instagram. I have a small starter kit of enamel colours which I’ve used once or twice before and have been thinking of getting them out again. There’s this woman, also on instagram whose work is fantastic and I want to have a go at her technique. I doubt very much I’ll be able to do anything like her work, but I just want to give it a go.
https://www.instagram.com/kristinholeman/
Oh, and I love Moonpie 🙂