Latest Creations in Fine Silver & PMC

**ps_bond** · 07-08-2009, 10:51 AM

Ah, I see. I think. I *really* need to break open that pack and play - I'm tending to see things primarily in terms of the techniques and methods I already know, without enough extrapolation. It hadn't occurred to me that you'd drill the clay before firing, for example - because setting (for me) is the last thing I do before a final polish!

So are you firing with stones in place then? Do you undercut the setting to allow for the shrinkage?

**MuranoSilver** · 07-08-2009, 11:47 AM

Yes the stones are fired in place and apart from a small pilot hole for pushing the stone out (if needed) I rarely undercut

**bustagasket** · 07-08-2009, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by reikiangel

ooh Nic im so excited about coming on your course now .. i could just come and move in with you actually

and i am soooooo green!! What do you have to go and live all the way up there for Nic, i could so do with going on on of your courses

**cezerpringle** · 14-08-2009, 02:37 AM

Hi Nic, first post in cooksons forum but have been reading for some time...
Love the rings! What size stones are they?
Ceri

**MuranoSilver** · 14-08-2009, 08:15 AM

Pleased that you jumped in

They're 3mm stones
nic xx

**bustagasket** · 14-08-2009, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by bustagasket

and i am soooooo green!! What do you have to go and live all the way up there for Nic, i could so do with going on on of your courses

Guess whose going now? weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

**julie** · 14-08-2009, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by bustagasket

Guess whose going now? weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

i'm glad you going i couldn't keep my eyes open last night to hear the good news i was getting dizzy facebook / cooksons & back again

LOL i think a pmc course is just what you need su & with me to keep you company

**bustagasket** · 14-08-2009, 09:02 AM

I just hope i dont shake with excitement too much lol - and i really goota make the appointment to get my eyes checked now too, think i need to change me glasses lol

**The Dragon** · 16-08-2009, 06:36 PM

I'm just starting on a design for cufflinks using PMC. I was thinking of a chanel type set putting the stones in after firing with a torch as I'm worried about the shrinkage element. Do stones such as topaz and garnet fire ok and how on earth do you judge what size to make the setting? I had though of using sterling for the setting and soldering it to the PMC element to get around the problem.

Just can't quite get my head around it at the moment

Annie

**MuranoSilver** · 16-08-2009, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by The Dragon

I'm just starting on a design for cufflinks using PMC. I was thinking of a chanel type set putting the stones in after firing with a torch as I'm worried about the shrinkage element. Do stones such as topaz and garnet fire ok and how on earth do you judge what size to make the setting? I had though of using sterling for the setting and soldering it to the PMC element to get around the problem.

Just can't quite get my head around it at the moment

Annie

Annie I hope you don't mind me asking but are you an experienced metal clay user (as that's quite an advanced technique). Jeanette Landenwitche's book "Setting Stones in Metal Clay" covers it though.

Topaz don't fire and some garnet types fire at low temps e.g. the green garnet
but for both they should be done in a kiln as the temperature variance of torch firing would be likely to damage them.

The easiest way to do it is to get some Cz's and use those to practise the technique of Chanel setting PMC - they're a LOT more resilient and will let you set pre-firing

Nic x