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Thread: West Dean College - stone setting and mounts making

  1. #11
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    It sounds like a really useful course and I've only ever seen good reviews of the West Dean courses. I love both those settings Wallace, so neat, and I've not seen a claw setting like that before with the cross-over. Lovely!
    Elaine at Mead Moon
    Mead Moon
    My Etsy shop

  2. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wallace View Post
    oh, it was amazing everyone. The info for the course gets taken down the day the course starts. So pretty efficient. I should have saved the pdf, rather than just print it off. Edit, added a link to the next course. Oh, just as a point of note: The mouth blow torches were interesting, I have never used them before and they do take a bit of getting used to. Not good for any asthmatics or if you have a chest infection. You have to take a lot of tools, although Penny does share hers with the group.
    Less efficient than you'd think - the link to the next course PDF is a 404
    I've only used the Flamefast torches at West Dean; they've got one that runs off a small aquarium pump as well.

    these pictures show the two of the three settings I undertook. A basic crown and a contemporary claw - 6mm CZ used.
    Both look extremely well executed. I'd love to see more stuff in print on mount making; there's not really all that much around, and they all seem to cover the same things. I think one of the best resources I've got on traditional mounts is Jewellery Manufacture and Repair - I think it's better than either Cogswell or Cheadle for traditional mount making.

    sorry for not replying sooner. The New Forest has so many trees especially where I was staying that the signal for the internet was patchy.
    The rooms at West Dean have pretty good WiFi - but if you had to come all the way over the the NF to get a signal, there may be a problem with your phone - that's a long way from West Dean

    Wish I'd thought, I could have subbed you a cup of tea on the way back!

  3. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by MeadMoon View Post
    It sounds like a really useful course and I've only ever seen good reviews of the West Dean courses.
    One of the worst courses I did was one on stone setting at West Dean... But I don't think that tutor is there any more.

  4. #14
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    Oh dear. Sorry to hear that Peter. When/if I can ever afford to do a course there, I'll be sure to check out all the reviews first
    Elaine at Mead Moon
    Mead Moon
    My Etsy shop

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by ps_bond View Post
    One of the worst courses I did was one on stone setting at West Dean... But I don't think that tutor is there any more.
    well, that is a good thing, I would have hated to come back saying it was totally pants! You have moved on to many things since then.

    Quote Originally Posted by ps_bond View Post
    Less efficient than you'd think - the link to the next course PDF is a 404
    I've only used the Flamefast torches at West Dean; they've got one that runs off a small aquarium pump as well.
    Both look extremely well executed. I'd love to see more stuff in print on mount making; there's not really all that much around, and they all seem to cover the same things. I think one of the best resources I've got on traditional mounts is Jewellery Manufacture and Repair - I think it's better than either Cogswell or Cheadle for traditional mount making.
    The rooms at West Dean have pretty good WiFi - but if you had to come all the way over the the NF to get a signal, there may be a problem with your phone - that's a long way from West Dean

    Wish I'd thought, I could have subbed you a cup of tea on the way back!
    Cuppa would have been fab! I stayed in Midhurst, just on the outskirts - Orange and trees never work unless there is some semblance of citrus to drink. EE is not everywhere!

    It was cheaper to stay further away, at £75 per night at the College, [petrol, additional tools!!!! and the cost of the course, I needed somewhere that really was more economical.
    Do you mean Alan Revere's book? If so, it is very helpful - very clear instructions and ideas.

    many thanks for the lovely compliments - it was hard work, but really worth it.

  6. #16
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    I've been twice. The first time I was on my own and stayed on site. The second time I was with Steve (OH) and we booked into a Travelodge but it wasn't the same, so we cut our losses and managed to get a room at West Dean for the rest of the course. I know it's expensive but I don't think you get the full experience unless you stay there.

  7. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by caroleallen View Post
    I've been twice. The first time I was on my own and stayed on site. The second time I was with Steve (OH) and we booked into a Travelodge but it wasn't the same, so we cut our losses and managed to get a room at West Dean for the rest of the course. I know it's expensive but I don't think you get the full experience unless you stay there.
    It was fine, some of the group stayed away or lived close enough -and I may have to pick a season when the sheep are not free roaming!

  8. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by caroleallen View Post
    I know it's expensive but I don't think you get the full experience unless you stay there.
    Too true. First course I did there I drove back & forth - that's a *long* day, especially as we weren't getting out of the workshop until 10pm.

    Quote Originally Posted by Wallace View Post
    Cuppa would have been fab! I stayed in Midhurst, just on the outskirts - Orange and trees never work unless there is some semblance of citrus to drink. EE is not everywhere!
    I was teasing about the location of the New Forest

    Do you mean Alan Revere's book? If so, it is very helpful - very clear instructions and ideas.
    Professional Jewelry (sic) Making? Not the one I meant, but it is very good - more focussed on proper goldsmithing techniques than mount making (although yes, there is some - particularly the last project in the book).

  9. #19
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    Aug 2009
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    Those settings look great Wallace, I'm glad you enjoyed the course.......I am currently in fair preparation mode, so I will post piccies of my settings (and stones, which will eventually be perfected and then set!!), next week......please remind me if I forget!!.......but here is a link to a cast image of the 'kind-of' setting I am referring to.....http://www.eurofindings.com/Product/...Claw-Round-Cut

  10. #20
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    [QUOTE=ps_bond;57323]


    I was teasing about the location of the New Forest


    I was wondering where the New Forest came into it too!

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