Rock with "Rockhounding"

Clasp Tutorial

2008-07-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

The hook is a very simple and quick project to make. It takes about 10 min. to put together, and it is very attractive. It gives your necklaces and bracelets a beautiful finish.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

2-3mm sandblasted beads

3" 22 gauge 1/2 hard square wire

8" 21 gauge 1/2 hard 1/2 round wire

round pliars

flat pliars

crimpers

You do not have to use the thickness of wire that I did. You can use what ever you feel comfortable with, and the beads can be any small bead to fit your project. I used 14c gold filled wire , but that is my preferance.

Take your 3" wire. Mark the center and fold over to form a loop. Squeeze the loop together over the pliars. Cut you wire, so it will measure about 1".

Take yor 3mm beads and string them on your wire. With your round pliars make a very tiny loop, then take out your crimpers and squeeze the loop to flatten it out. Your bead will not slip through it.

Take your 8" of 1/2 round and start wrapping from the bottom up.
Wrap all the way to the beads. This way the beads will fit snug

against the wrap and there will be no room for movement. Because the clasp is so small I use the pliars to hold it while wrapping.

Once the wrapping is done you can then bend piece to form your hook. Very easy to make.

Untill next time

Peace be with you and have a wonderful day.

Spacers tutorial

2008-07-19T06:02:00.000-07:00

We all know the expense of gold and silver findings. After much trial and error,

I have found a way to make gold or silver spacers at a minimal cost. You do not

have to use the gauge of wire I used. Use whatever you feel comfortable with.

MATERIALS NEEDED

6" gold or siver wire(I used 14c, 22 gauge, 1/2 hard gold filled square .

15" 21 gauge 1/2 hard gold filled round.

Wire cutters

Round nose pliers.

Flat nosed pliers

First cut a 6" square gold or silver wire.
Cut a 14" 1/2 round.
Polishing the wire straightens it and also makes it stronger.
Take your 6" piece of wire and mark it in the center (1). Move over to one side about 3mm and wrap the wire around your round nosed pliers to form a loop. (2) This will be your first loop in your spacer. (3) Move pliers about 4mm to one side of your first loop and take the long end of wire and wrap around pliers. Do the same for other side. (4)
With these measurments your spacer will be approximatly 3/4". If you want a larger spacer, then adjust accordenly. You can make as many loops as you need. After you make the loops take the flat nosed pliers and squeeze the loops so they lie flat.

For the next step, take your claw nosed pliers and bend wire upwards along side of the loops. (5)

Try not to have too much of a space between loops and the beginning side of your spacer. (6) To do this use the tip of the pliers, for you do not want the frame to exceed your loops. Bend wire over your loops. Try to keep frame even. Same dimensions on both

sides.

Take the claw nosed pliers and make another (7) bend. This will be the start of your frame. Try to make your frame same size or height as your loops. (8) Bend your wire so now you will have 2 wires running across the
top

Repeat (8), so that now you will have
two wires on the top and the sides. (9)Now take your wire and bend both of them over the unfinished loop side. Including the loops you will have three wires. (10)

Take the 15" 21 gauge 1/2 round 1/2 hard, and you can now start wrapping. Wrap around pulling your wire very tight. If my loops are big enough, I like to put a couple of wraps through the loops. It helps to keep your clasp nice and tight. Keep wrapping till you get to the top of your side wrap. Cut off your two top extending wires. Cut them just a little shorter then your frame. When cutting the wire, cut on angle so the longer angled wire will fit against the other wires. It just makes for a neater wrap. Finish wrapping with 2 wraps in the loops. When I am done I usually take the flat nosed pliers and flatten the spacer.

Finished clasp.

I still need practice, but they are getting better. As the saying goes.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
My next tutorial will be on making a hook for necklaces or bracelets.

Until next time.

Peace be with you and have a wonderful day.

Canada Day

2008-07-05T06:41:00.000-07:00

141 years young. Winnipeg was bustling with activities in Osbourne Village, Assinboine Park and the Forks. The weather was very accommodating. The sun was smiling down on us and everyone smiled back. My sister and I went down to the Forks to take in a few of the activities.

The Forks is located at the junction of two major rivers. The Forks has witnessed many key events that have shaped the Canadian West. A traditional stopping place of First Nations. the Forks became a centre of exploration, trade, settlement and immigration. The Forks National Historic Site of Canada celebrates the dynamic spirit of human interaction that began here over 6,000 years ago.

The events started at 1 p.m. in the Forks, which included children's performers, buskers and live local bands. Aboriginal dancing at the White Buffalo Spiritual Society Tribal Village. We started off by joining the Forks Quest. Anybody could join. We were given a map and a word puzzle sheet. Unless you already knew the history on the Forks, you had to follow the map and search for the answers for the word puzzle. The heritage hunt was a good way to start off the day.

We watched the aboriginal dancing, which was most enjoyable. The dancers were in full dress, and what a magnificent sight. They put on a show to be remembered.

Local bands were playing in the afternoon, so

we did get to watch three of the many bands.

We have so much talent right here in Winnipeg. One band I cannot remember, but the other two were..Angry Dragon. The Angry Dragon is an all girl band, right from Winnipeg. They started the band in 2007.

The other band we listened to was Thrive from Anola, Manitoba. Anola is 24 Km. east of Winnipeg. The band started in 2004 under the name of Mistaken.

We left the Forks around 7:30. Both worn and tired. I did want to see the fireworks, but after our very tiring, but fun day, I just couldn't drag myself out of the house. The fireworks started at 11:00 p.m. I heard they were very good, with a great ending of white and red fireworks, which is our flags color. I didn't see them, but I did hear them. Sigh.... Maybe next year.

Until next time.

Peace be with you and have a wonderful day.

Agate

2008-06-25T11:19:00.000-07:00

Most agates occurs as nodules in volcanic rock or ancient lava, where they represent cavities originally produced by the disengagement of volitiles in the molten mass which were then filled wholly or partially, by siliceous matter deposited in regular layers upon the walls. When cut transversely, the agate shows a succession of parallel lines, giving it a banded appearance. Such stones are called banded agate, riband agate and striped agate. Many agates are hollow, since deposition has not gone far enough to fill the cavity, and in such cases the last deposit commonly consists of quartz, often amethyst, having the apices of the crystals directed towards the free space so as to form a crystal-lined cavity or geode.

AGATE BELIEFS

In many traditions agate is believed to cure the sting of scorpions
and the bites of snakes. Sooth the mind. Prevent contagions. Still thunder and lightening and

promote eloquence

USES IN INDUSTRY

Agate is used to make jewelry, knives, inkstands, marbles and seals.Because of its hardness, and its ability to resist acid, agate is used to make mortars and pestles to crush and mix chemicals. Also because of the high polish of agate it has been used for centuries for leather burnishing tools.

Until next time.

Peace be with you and have a wonderful day.

Fun With Plants

2008-06-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

One snap and time is frozen in an image that is a lifelong keepsake.
I am an amature photographer, but regardless of how much, or how little I know
about photography I am always looking for something to snap at. Some of the pictures are taken from my flower beds and around my local area.

Other Pictures are taken in my travels.

I find that taking pictures is calming and very relaxing. The thrill and anticipation

of photography for me is seeing the end result.

Begonia

Dahlia

Interesting root system

Pansies

Pansies and Violas

Violas

Peanut Plant

Bee Balm

Another one bites the dust. Since the racoon had

deceided to relocate, my plants are going to pot. Two hours after the pic. was taken, the flowers

disappeared. Oh well, such is life.

Until next time.

Peace be with you and have a wonderful day.

Fun With Animals

2008-06-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

CANADA GOOSE

The pictures of the Canada geese were taken at Granville Park in Vancouver, B.C.

The black head and neck distinquish the Canada Goose from all except the Barnacle Goose. There are seven subspecies of this bird of varyng sizes and plumage details, but all are recognized as Canada Geese. This particular species is 30-40" long, with a wing span of 50-71". The male weights between 7-14 lbs. and can become very aggressive when defending territory. The female is slightly smaller, weighing 5.5-12 lbs. The Canada Goose is a migratory bird with the wintering range being most of the united states.

BLACK SQUIRREL

Pictures taken in Calgary, Alberta

For years, the grey squirrel was predominant driving its red cousin into the remotest corners of the country.
Now the mutant black squirrel has arrived and is playing havoc through parks and woodlands.
The testosterone-charged black is fitter, faster and more fiercely competitive than both the greys and red. The mutant blacks are leaving the grey squirrel population in fear.
The black squirrel is the result of a single mutation in the DNA of greys, giving them higher levels of the pigment melanin in their fur.
Sex selection is also boosting their numbers because female greys appear to prefer the blacks as mates

PIGEONS
Taken on the balcony of the Tropicana Motor Inn in Vancouver, B.C.

Pigeons are characterised by their stout bodies, short necks, small heads and thick plumage. All pigeons have soft swellings (ceres) at the base of the nostrils, regurgitated from the crops of the parents, and have specialized bills through which they can suck water steadily. Their main diet is nuts and seeds.

PHINX LARVA

Picture taken on a scorching hot sidewalk in Calgary.

There is not much difference between the tomato and tobacco hornworm sphinx. Both species are pests in vegetable gardens.
This particular sphinx hornworm is the tobacco hornworm. The tobacco hornworm is more common in gardens.

Many of the tobacco hornworms overwinter as pupae in the soil in the vicinity of previously infested gardens, emerging in late May or June.

Female moths lay large pearl-colored eggs on the upper surface of leaves. The young caterpillars hatch and feed on the plant for a month or more. They have big appetites and consume large amounts of leaves as they grow older and larger. After feeding they wander away from the plant and pupate in the soil. In the Southern areas of the region, a second generation frequently occurs with caterpillars present in late July and August and during warm summers.

SEAGULLS

Taken in the wee hours of the morning in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The larger species of Gulls are resourceful and highly-intelligent birds.
Many species of Gulls have learned to co-exist successfully with humans and have thrived in human habitats.
HONEY BEES

Honey bees are distinguished by the production and storage of honey, and the construction of nest out of wax.
Honey bees represent only a small fraction of the approximately 20,000 known species of bees.

Rabbits

The rabbits are coming back. For awhile we did not have many rabbits coming around. We had an unexpected visitor hanging out. It was a racoon that used to frequent our rooftop. As long as the coon was around, the rabbits stayed away. The coon is gone and the rabbits will play. My neighbour plays music when she is working outside. The constant noise of the radio got too annoying for the coon. He deceided to seek a quieter lounging area.

Until next time

Peace be with you and have a wonderful day.

Jasper

2008-06-10T06:17:00.000-07:00

Jasper is a versatile mineral with a hardness of 6.5-7 on the mohs scale. Because of the hardness of jasper, you can bring the rock to a high shine.

Jasper is found world wide and there are many colors found in this rock. Some of the colors are grey/white, different shades of blue, purple, brown, red, pink, green and yellow. Jasper contains organic material and mineral oxides which produces the many beautiful patterns seen in this rock.

There are many types of jasper . Jasper is an opaque and fine grained variety of chalcedony. Patterns can come from the formation process, and flow patterns in the sediment and volcanic ash, that was saturated with silica to form jasper. Therefore producing bands and swirls in the rock. Jasper is a form of chalcedony and is composed primarily of silicon dioxide.

Picture jasper is a complex mixture of different impurities that form the wonderful scenic patterns

Because of the versatility of jasper, it is used for vases, seals, ornamentation, and jewelry. Years ago when snuff boxes were in use, they made fancy snuff boxes out of jasper.

http://www.djsgemstones.com/

Healing Powers Of Jasper

Yellow Jasper... Is for stomach, liver, intestines and spleen area.

Light colored Jasper...Are best for healing.

Green Jasper...Respiratory, heart and chakra, general tissue regeneration
Mineral assimilation and general healing.

Darker Colors...Are more grounding and used for protection.

Picture Jasper... Aid for successful businesses.

Dalmatian Jasper... Aids memory retention and development of psychic memory.

Fancy Jasper... Used for depression.

Poppy Jasper... For happiness and contentment.

Until next time.

Peace be with you and have a wonderful day.

Rock with Rockhounding

2008-03-07T16:38:00.000-08:00

Many of you may not be familiar with the word
"ROCKHOUNDING". Everyone in the course of their lives have done some rockhounding. We, as kids, and even now as an adult, and now our children rockhound. How many times have you picked up a pebble or rock because the color was so pretty, or because the rock had a peculiar look. How many times have pebbles that have been picked at the beach or rocks from your own back yard, some how found their rightful place, on a dresser, in the wash or on the mantel piece. What delightful little treasures mother earth has provided us with. Rocks and minerals are just 2 of them. All for the picking. All these wonderful little eye catchers have their own story to tell.

Since we are in the jewelry business and we gather our own rocks to make our jewelry. We have picked at the quarry in

http://www.sourisrockshop.com/.

Some of the rocks we managed to pick are---

Jasper

Quartz

Petrified Wood

Dendritic Shale

Epidote
Agate

http://sln.fi.edu/fellows/payton/rocks/expert/scoria.htm

Until next time.

Peace be with you and have a wonderful day.