The students were all paying attention, (a far cry from the
old days when I taught high school), as I wrapped a piece of tape around the
girdle of the stone. I then showed them how to mark the locations of the wraps
and talked about the look of the finished product.
Earlier I had told them of how the Gulf Coast Gem and
Mineral Society had taught me so much and how this class was a small way of
passing knowledge forward. It’s something that everyone should do. I shared a
story of how we had attended an art show at which another wire wrapper and
lapidary artist, had refused to tell Renita what gauge wire he used. He said it
was a trade secret, (If he hadn’t been such a jerk I would have shared my
knowledge of how to finish the back of his rough cabochons).
Everyone worked quietly, and so I told stories of the
mentors I had studied under in the club. I told of how Jerrod Simpson had
taught us how to grind cabochons and how Dick Cline had taught us so many aspects
of preforming and finishing pieces of stone. Another member Mark had taught us
about his love of agates and petrified wood, and had shown us his extensive collection.
The next step was to cut the wire, and then to twist the
pieces of the frame, giving the wire facets that sparkle in the light, (you can
buy wire already twisted but why)? I smiled as they let out sounds of delight which
usually happens at this stage of the class.
Most of the students were working on standard cabochons, but
Sue had brought a beautiful and difficult piece shaped somewhat like a kidney. Renita
worked with her and everyone’s work progressed nicely. Renita and I walked
around and checked each student’s work trying to stave off any mistakes, (we
know the mistakes as we have made them all ourselves).
The next steps were to bind the frame with individual wire
wraps, before wrapping the frame around the stone. These steps are so critical
for a finished beautiful pendant. Russ, the club president, and Mark, the shop
foreman, both shared some of their stories of rocks and friends and time with
the club.
After capturing the stone, the last step was to finish the
top and Renita stepped in to show them the steps in making a rosette wire flower.
I walked around and watched as each student put their own signature finish to
their pendant. It was fun to see how they all differed in their approach. Too
often our students will be afraid to show their individuality but not this
group!
The class went over the allotted time, but no one seemed to
mind. The last step was to take an image of each student’s pendant, and the
smiles on everyone’s faces! The smiles are what its all about. It was another
fun morning at the rock shop, and most important, we had met new members and
made new friends. Clear skies
Good job teach!!
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