My Plan to Sleep with a College Guy

Okay then...the College Guy has some pretty talented family members. They paint and sew and do stained glass and calligraphy -- you name it. ( One grandma painted extremely well -- we have a couple of her oils.) We had always heard that his grandfather had been a jeweler but didn't know many details. When the College Guy was a kid his grandfather lived far away and worked for the federal government and later when he lived closer it was because he was retired. Turns out his grandfather worked as an inspector in the jewelry/metals line -- a weights and measures kind of thing. Sorry I can't be more specific -- I'm guessing he looked into whether composition -- 18k and sterling silver stamps etc, were legit.

When his uncle found out the College Guy was taking a jewelry course he was pretty thrilled (last family member of his mom's generation -- he's well into his 80's) and gave him what information he had. Grandpa had been a jeweler in Manchester before coming to Canada after WWI. The College Guy now has his grandpa's old blowpipe, as well as some of his hand-drawn designs which leads to the next photo. Using one of the designs, the College Guy carved a wax mold in order to make a casting mold for multiple links for a bracelet:

He really needs a garage/workshop. That will be the first order of business when we get there for good. Then he needs a web-site.

How great is that! a family tradition.

I think it's great that he could use one of his Grandpa's designs. That's a wonderful story.

I was going to post

"Oooooooooh"

and

"Ahhhhhhhhh"

after the first few pictures, but then I got to this one and it deserves both!

I cannot WAIT to see the results of the stone setting.

Cool bit of family history there and what a thrill it must have been to get the blowpipe and designs and to be able to impart a sense of continuity to his uncle. I just love the idea of that connection and that he was thrilled, too.

Been trying to find a photo of a blow pipe -- basically it's brass tube with a silver mouthpiece. It was held in the mouth while soldering so a jeweler could blow on his torch flame to make it hotter. These days there's an oxygen feed to the torch itself.

Thanks for checking in, ladies. I'm looking forward to seeing the stone setting too. He's working on a pendant that's going to be really nice. I'm pointedly hinting that I have a birthday coming up. Will he take the hint? Stay tuned.

Hey! Some nice stuff here!

Compliments to the artisan designer.

These are wonderfully simple in their imaginative design. Too good for babys!

Ha. I love these, Tai. Good fun!



Frog face baby spoons -- (forged) the silver one is safe for feeding. The bronze one might make a nice First Christmas ornament. [/quote]

oh well... this just does it for me TC.... LOVE THAT

"Chased" silver pendant. First the College Guy had to make the chasing tools. (They're like tiny chisels.)

Cabochons bezel-set on curved silver pendant.

Terrific..

I took these photos using indirect light and a little digital Canon -- no special lenses or anything. Feel free to critique my photography. Bear in mind I still have to stop myself from putting my eye up to the camera

Hi osso!

I'm wearing one or the other these days -- purely for (ahem) advertising purposes, of course. I think I'm going to keep the stone set one, though.

I really like cabuchons....
also like the combo of a kind of delicacy with density of, uh, indentations on the first piece

I am working up some good sized envy over how much fun College Guy must be having making all these beautiful things. Not that he hasn't worked hard to get this good at it... really fabulous.

He is working hard -- seven days a week usually (and only 5 weeks to go to year end!) He's started tube setting as well -- garnets. I'll have to try and get some photos. The computer is cooperative today so I wanted to get these 2 posted.

The college guy's first non-school-sponsored street/festival sale on Canada Day:

It was a beautiful day -- sunny and breezy and he made some sales (including the etruscan chain!)

Also these (since I haven't posted them already):


And this:

Ha! I'd recognize that chair anywhere.

Good on the College Guy!

I love seeing this stuff. Though it really makes me want to make some myself. I have a friend who makes similar sorts of jewelry, so talented, and really gorgeous.

What is the second one? A ring against a random (?) Or is the (glass?) thing part of the jewelry?