1/3 right; 2/3 wrong

[Tela]

Today the weather was marvelous!! Totally like Springtime. So, I went to the Botanical Gardens and had a nice day with the daughters. But, the whole time my mind was on this project.

I got home and started right away. I took an inch of 18g and balled it up and carefully fused it to some 20g r. All 7 went fine, remarkably. Then in my excitement, I put the stone in upside down and didn't notice till I was done. And, I found out that I didn't cut my wires long enough.

So, what I have is a nice wrap with fused silver and no bail with the balls being off because they were supposed to on the opposite side. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

There's a ton of silver here. This is a big cab and I even used some pattern wire. Think I'll sit on this awhile until I have run out of ideas for a bail. There is a tight loop in the pattern wire at the top that will fit an 18g wire. That's all I have to go on. Any ideas??

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[Tela]

This is vexing me to no end. When I saw that my bail wires were too short, I just cut them off in frustration--- should NOT have done that!!! Bad move. I have virtually nothing to work with now. I took it apart, turned the stone around and thought to fuse some more wire to the short lengths, but having problems with that. I have learned the virtues of annealing, though. This has been one big learning process and a pita! I sincerely doubt that I can save this.

Biggest lesson: I need a third hand. Oh, and don't cut wires when you are frustrated.

(about 70 degrees yesterday and 30 today not counting the wind chill- don't like the weather; wait a day.)

[glenda]

Tela!

I have my thinking cap on for you!

[christine]

How frustrating and with such beautiful wire. Since you cut the bailing wires can you fit a smaller stone into the frame? A third hand is on my tool wish list. I will keep thinking.

[Renate]

Too bad it went pearshaped
My first idea was also to use it with a smaller stone. Preferably pear-shaped ;D.

Or: do you have a pendant bead of a similar size? You wouldn't need a bail then, but could use the bezel as a frame.

Or: shape this bezel into a shape like a greek vase, and make a similar counterpart upside down, with a bail, and connect both pieces. Or maybe not...

[Tela]

Well, ladies cue the violin music and sound the taps..... This piece is officially dead. I could do nothing with it. I tried many things yesterday- hence my absence- and nothing really worked. I got it in right way round and even had some pattern wire to work with afterwards, but dispite being annealed, it broke. That was the last straw. Chalk this one up to a learning experience. I did save the 20g wire with 7 balls fused to it, though.

Thanks everyone ;D