Silversmithing Class. Editor s Notes: Remember, if you don t send me news I can always make up some. Jerry Davis

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1 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 T H E I N F O R M E R INSIDE THIS ISSUE: EDITOR COM- MENTS AND CLASS 1 TECHNIQUES AND PREREQ- UISITES PREREQUI- SITES SILVERSMITH CLASS SILVERSMITH CLASS NEW MEM- BERS AND CLASS PRESIDENT S REPORT BEV S MIN- UTE BY MIN- UTE OFFICERS, AND CHAIR- PERSONS 2,4 2, ,11 12 Editor s Notes: Remember, if you don t send me news I can always make up some. Jerry Davis If you have a story or a news item please it to me at jde@txol.net. Send it in or as a Microsoft Word document attachment. Remember to get it to me by the 20th of the month. Many thanks to Bob and Helen Patterson for having the newsletter printed each month and delivering it to the club (Continued on page 3) Silversmithing Class By the time this newsletter is published, level 3 silversmithing class will have completed 5 weeks of projects. Assignments included building of all parts of bola tips including cone, sphere, and half sphere or ball for end of tips. The upper part of the bola which included inlay of three different stones of different colors into a silver design of students choice. A tie slide with a fastening tab was constructed and soldered to the back of piece before stones were epoxied in place. After stones were set in epoxy, the lapidary work of sanding the stones down to the bezel level was done and a final polish on the stones and silver was done. The next project taught concepts of chasing and embossing of metal. Gary chose to work with sheet silver and Jim Vick chose coin silver. Both used pitch as a backing to support the chasing and embossing. Once the chasing was done the pitch was burned off with a torch outside the studio. The burning pitch makes a very black smoke and a lot of flames as it burns. I discovered it is very easy to get burned while trying to hold a piece of silver with pliers and control the torch at the same time. Three hands would have been much safer. Next time we will use pliers with longer handles. The final project level 3 encouraged practice in sweat soldering different types of metals together into a design referred to as a bimetal project. (Continued on page 2)

2 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 Page 2 Silversmithing Class (Continued from page 1) Summary of techniques: A summary of techniques reinforced and practiced in level 3: Detailed soldering of spheres. Construction of metal spheres and cones. Mixing and application of paste flux. Mixing and application of custom liquid flux. Standard soldering techniques. Pinning work to fire brick for more accuracy. Selecting proper pallions for soldering joints. Use of White Out to protect joints. Precision filing and fitting of joints. Lapidary work to cut stones to an exact pattern and then polishing stones. Chasing and embossing tools and methods. Patination of metals. Use of metal disk cutter. Use of doming tools. Pick soldering. Sweat soldering. Cleaning and polishing metals in a tumbler. Setting stones. Prerequisites for silversmithing class I have been asked to clarify what prerequisites it takes to get into silversmithing. We do have prerequisites that have been suggested since the very establishment of silversmithing in our club. Our teachers are all volunteer workers; they and early class members set the prerequisites. We are after all a gem and mineral club not a silversmithing club What we do is to provide a way to enhance and complement the work of the gem and mineral club. A person starting out in silversmithing should have already obtained skills in lapidary and possibly in chain making because those skills are needed in some projects in silversmithing. One should know how to create cabochons and how to polish stones before considering silversmithing. Our teachers, that may spend as many as 5 days of their volunteer time for a class, want established club members that have some training in lapidary and are workers in the club. Silversmithing is only an avenue we use to teach members how to show off their polished stones. The purpose of silversmithing classes is to teach club members how to make jewelry out of cabochons, faceted stones, and free form stones that are produced in the lapidary room. Our goal and therefore our prerequisite is to teach members that are true and tested members that have skills in lapidary and possibly chainmaking, not just someone that drops in to pick up an inexpensive course in silversmithing and then disappear back to where they came from without contributing to the mission of the club. (Continued on page 4)

3 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 Page 3 Editor s comments (Continued from page 1) house. This Aug issue of The Informer focuses on the prerequisites for silversmithing, fees and teachers. What we need right now beyond costs and prerequisites are teachers that will volunteer to teach classes in several subject areas. I would like to see certificates being awarded in lapidary, chainmaking, bead making and rock tumbling. Certificates are presented to those that complete each level of silversmithing. Scattered throughout this issue will be photo examples of current projects relating to silversmithing classes. Don t be surprised if some of the pieces look like works of art. We strive to teach not to just build jewelry but in some cases to create work that can be framed and hung on the wall or given as gifts. Our club members have in the past produced several works of art in the form of crosses, ink drawings on picture rock, sand art, pet rocks, rock people, gem trees, and stone carvings. We have a lot of talent in this club and it shows up when we really put our hearts in it. Maybe when our summer days change to cooler days and vacations are over we can think more about classes, huh?. Jerry BIRTHDAYS James Mabe Aug 2 Irene Grant Aug 7 Ruth Sparks Aug 9 Charlie Harrison Aug 10 Betty Fowlkes Aug 17 Brad Burkett Aug 22 Jim Richardson Aug 25 Mike Thompson Aug 27 Lou Jane Davis Aug 29 Odell Walker Aug 31 ANNIVERSARIES ILLNESSES Gelene Stockton, Ernie Wright, Bobbie Owens (fell at work), Bill Gillis surgery Dolphin with peridot eye by Jerry Get well soon!

4 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 Page 4 Prerequisites continued (Continued from page 2) Other prerequisites: Certificates of completion of a previous level of silversmithing are required prior to entering the next level. Tools and metal are furnished for only the first two levels. Students making it to level 3 are required to furnish their own tool box equipment and whatever they need to complete the assignments. Equipment such as polishing machines, vices, etc. is available in the shop. Fees are charged to maintain the shop equipment. When a student signs up for a class and pays the fee they become eligible to use the shop equipment for a reasonable time to complete their assigned work. As fuel prices go up, metal prices will go up and so will class fees. schedules and decide when they have enough serious qualified folks lined up for a class. The number of projects has usually been 5 projects to each level progressing in difficulty as students move upward through the different levels. At this time the number of levels being offered is 5. As students have gone through different levels some have been asked to turn around and volunteer to teach different levels. Some have been willing to teach and others have not. Our teachers have been Jerry Davis, Jim Owens, Norma Ann Harrison, and Judy Steele. Jerry does not have time to teach all the classes and may ask others to help out with the instruction. Suggestions for new members: Get involved with the activities of the club. Become a worker! Show an interest in helping others in the club. Bring some rocks, cut a few slabs, polish a few cabochons, write an article for the newsletter, take some pictures, work in the spring show and then sign up for silversmithing. Background of silversmithing classes: Silversmithing classes were started in by a group of club members that were interested in setting up guidelines for classes and helping with classes. From that interest came many donations of equipment, such as a huge table, chairs, chalk board, lights, shop vices, Dremel tools, cabinet, benches, and the list goes on and on. Through discussions and meeting of the minds we came up with guidelines and rules to be guided by. Since that time, Jerry has been coordinating the classes and writing curriculum for the classes and presenting certificates of completion as students progressed. It was decided that classes would meet from 3 to 5 class days or meetings as fits the teacher s schedule. Remember these teachers are volunteers and will set their own About fees: (addendum by club president Gary Hudson) The $15 club membership fee is to help pay the bills, (water, electricity, insurance, etc.), upkeep of the building, lapidary equipment and supplies. Silversmithing is an extra activity that has its own fee because only a small percentage of the membership utilizes this activity. We would have to raise the membership fee to pay the expenses for silversmithing activities. It has been decided that those utilizing this activity would pay a fee to keep it self-supporting and not put an additional burden on the rest of the members.

5 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 Page 5 Inlay work requires precision soldering and lapidary skills work by Gary Hudson

6 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 Page 6 Jim Vick works on a sand dollar pendant from a silver coin in which he later will set a peridot cabochon. work by Jim Vick Peridot Olivine on basalt en.wikipedia/org/wiki/peridot

7 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 Page 7 Celebrating new members Photo by Gary Hudson Inks Lake We have 6 new members, which brings our membership to 98 members, including life members. Steven Norman, born 12/21/1979, 113 Nolan Street, Tye, TX (325) crash.inburne@yahoo.com. Robert Hollowell, born 6/27/1955 and Linda Hollowell, born 10/26/1957, PO Box 206, Hawley, TX (325) Linda's cell (325) linewalk@juno.com. Their hobbies are collecting, reading, and crafts, including jewlery making. They say learning to do new things is always fun. Talents: Making things! Ethan Russell, born October 11th, 784 Sunset. Cell: (325) silvettann@aol.com. He says he's too young to have hobbies, but he is a talented petrified wood finder. Tricia Harvey, born 4/21/1952, Hwy 277, Tuscola, TX (325) Cell: tricia421@msn.com. Her hobbies are astronomy, reading and learning things and she likes to travel. Talents: Audiologist, music (flute and piano), sign language, typing and organizing. Judy Abernathy, born June 10th. Her anniversary is 8/23. 4 Surrey Square, Abilene, TX (325) Cell: (325) jqabernathy@yahoo.com. Her hobbies are owls, chili peppers and, of course, rocks. She dislikes work. She wants to retire and says it will never happen! Silversmithing class continued...

8 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 Page 8 Upcoming Shows AUGUST 2008: 1-3--PRESCOTT, ARIZONA: Show and sale; Prescott Gem & Mineral Club; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Activity Center, 3700 Willow Creek Rd.; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; adults $2, children 12 and under free with paid adult; dealers, fine jewelry, beading components, mineral specimens, tools, lapidary equipment and rough, door prizes; contact Larry Jackson, P.O. Box 3923, Chino Valley, AZ 86323, (928) ; lpjack65@cableone.net; Web site: JASPER, TEXAS: 14th annual show; Pine Country Gem & Mineral Society; VFW Bldg., FM 2799 and FM 1747, 7 miles west of Jasper; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5; adults $2, students and children free; rocks, fossils, minerals, gemstones, jewels; contact Lonnie Stalsby, (409) ; rducote@cmaacess.com ARLINGTON, TEXAS: Show, "Nature's Kaleidoscope"; Arlington Gem & Mineral Club; Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $6, children $3; jewelry, beads, gems, minerals, fossils, rock food table, demonstrations, Kids' Korner, silent auction, door prizes; contact Karen Cessna(817) ; cessnak@ont.com; Web site: SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO: 25th annual show; Grant County Rolling Stones Society; Silver City Recreation Center, 11th St. and Gold St.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5, Mon. 10-4; free admission; more than 50 dealers, free daily field trips, Silent Auction, Wheel of Fortune, Rolling Sphere Fountain raffle; contact Judy Allen, 16 McKinley St., Silver Spring, NM 88061, (575) ; show08@stockmanfamily.net September FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS: Show, "2008 Fall Festival of Gems and Minerals"; Pleasant Oaks Gem & Mineral Club; EMGI Bldg., Brookhaven College, 3939 Valley View Ln.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $5, students $1, children 6 and under free; hourly door prizes, Grand Prize Sun., kids' mine, Scouting activites; contact Don Shurtz, (972) ; don.shurtz@gmail.com; Web site:

9 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 Page 9 From the Front Desk President Gary Hudson that means it is dry. I hope everyone had a good Fourth of July. Elaine and I had a wonderful time with all our kids and grandkids. We fired up the grill and turned on the water sprinkler for the young uns to play in. That well water sure cooled them off. There is no pressure tank on my pump just turn it on and get cool (they said it was cold!) water straight from the ground. As soon as it got dark, the fireworks started. Thank goodness there weren t many mosquitoes this year! Of course I always reflect on the reason behind this holiday and thank the Lord for giving us the men and women in our armed forces that protect us and keep us a free nation. We ve been taking short trips to Hords Creek Lake between Coleman and Winters. It is really a pretty place to camp. Lots of live oak trees for shade, paved campsite parking, and a clean lake. There haven t been many people camping there this year. I suppose the fuel prices are keeping them at home. It sure makes for a peaceful place to go. All my grandkids are riding the ski-board and all but one rides the kneeboard. Their ages are from 5 to 12 years old. The youngest tried the kneeboard unsuccessfully. The rope pulled her over the front of it and she forgot to turn loose for a couple of seconds. That was all of that she wanted that trip! We re headed back this weekend for more fun on the water. I haven t had time to go looking for treasure the past month. Things like work, silversmith class, and lake trips have taken up all my time. You know that four letter word work keeps getting in my way. I thought retirement was supposed to be a time for rest and relaxation. Well it s time to go for now. See you at the Meeting. Gary The Shop Report Foreman - Tim Walker WE HAVE SAW OIL FOR SALE IF ANYONE NEEDS SOME. IT IS CANOPUS 13. BRING YOUR OWN CONTAINER AND $10 PER GALLON. New members be sure to read rules posted on the shop wall. Youngsters are not allowed in shop without supervision. No food or drink is allowed in shop because of our problems with fire ants and other insects.

10 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 THE INFORMER Page 10 MINUTE BY MINUTE BY BEV Minutes of CTGMS meeting of Monday, July 7, 2008 President Gary Hudson called the meeting to order. 29 members and two guests were in attendance. After the opening prayer and pledge of allegiance, minutes of the June meeting were read and approved. The Treasurer s report was accepted as read. Old Business: Carlos advised that he bought a used vacuum for $ After clearing a blockage in the machine, he tested the vacuum and says it works great. Calvin Donaghey took care of filing the IRS 990 form on line. New Business: Carlos talked to a Ms. Porterfield whose father, Mr. Balsam, had a rock shop in Boerne, The Alamo Rock Shop. She d like to donate a faceting table to the clubhouse. The table is in Breckenridge. Carlos will supply the telephone number for Ms. Porterfield to the volunteer who will pick up the table. During the meeting, one of our former members, Mark Kennedy, dropped in. He had purchased a faceting machine at a garage sale and donated it to the club. Once the machine was unloaded Mark left before we could thank him. We will let him know how much we appreciate his generosity, and how nicely it coincides with Ms. Porterfield s gift! Two guests were present at the meeting. Mr. Warner Earnest introduced himself. Amalia Mullen introduced her goddaughter from Indiana, but I didn t get her name! Some of our new members were present. Judy Abernathy, and Linda and Bob Hollowell introduced themselves. Linda s father had a rock shop in El Paso. Judy s hobbies include owls, chili peppers, and, of course, rocks. Also under new business, Carlos said we need more Roundup for the yard. Bob Patterson volunteered to bring out a sprayer he has on the back of a little mule. He has a lot of spray that he will donate for the club s use. Jerry Davis said there are spiders infesting the silversmithing room. We need to do something to protect our members. Jim Owens volunteered to take care of the spiders. Don Brenholtz gave a brief talk about doing inlay using epoxy and crushed rock. He brought several slabs cut into the shape of the state of Texas for people to take home and work on. He cut them out with a file saw blade. The Texas-shaped rocks disappeared quickly. Hopefully the club members will bring in the projects they make so we can see what they ve done. Bob Patterson told us a little about Red Wilson. He lived in New Mexico and he made the marbles and cabochons that are in our traveling display. Mr. Wilson passed on some time ago. Bob has made copies of a pamphlet that Red wrote setting forth directions on making marbles and other lapidary tricks. Bob made 10 copies and if more people would like copies he can make more. Sallie made a plea for club members to please tumble rocks for our rock show next year. We use these at the ticket table and at the kids

11 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 THE INFORMER Page 11 MINUTE BY MINUTE BY BEV Minutes of CTGMS meeting of Monday, July 7, 2008, continued Wheel of Fortune. We re running low on prizes. If anyone has an idea for other cute give-aways appropriate for children, we would welcome your ideas. Certificates and Awards: Our resident athlete Jim Vick went to the Bowling US Open being held in Albuquerque. Over 66,000 athletes participated this year. Jim says the bowling is over and he expects to win some money; he s just not sure how much. Congratulations Jim! Committee Reports were as follows: Maintenance Chair Charlie Lightfoot relayed through Sallie that we might need another clean up workday soon. Bob said he would try to get out this week to spray and Carlos volunteered to help him. Silversmithing Chair Jerry Davis has a Level III class in progress. Two members are participating, Jim Vick and Gary Hudson. They will have a show and tell at the clubhouse once their projects are finished. Classes are being held at Jerry s studio at Rising Star. Level IV and V classes may be held in the fall. The fee for classes is $50. Bob Patterson has indicated he is willing to teach a tumbling class. Several people have signed up indicating interest so we should hear more soon about a class schedule soon. Shop Foreman Tim Walker wanted to remind club members of some of the safety rules of the workshop. New members, please read the rules posted in the shop area. Remember to turn machines and water lines off after use. Wear goggles and please watch your children when they are in the shop area. Illnesses: Lou David Allen s granddaughter Sierra is doing as well as can be expected. He says she still needs our prayers. Bobbie Owens took a fall at work recently. She wasn t seriously injured but has missed some work. She ll be checking in with her doctor soon to see when she can go back to work. Bill Gilles is having surgery Tuesday, July 8 th. Amalia Mullen, Errol Rutledge and Linda Hollowell will provide refreshments for the meeting in July. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Secretary, Beverly Vargo

12 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 AUG 2008 THE INFORMER Page 12 C T G M S PO Box 7343 Abilene, TX Editor: Jerry Davis jde@txol.net We are on the web: CLUB OFFICERS FOR 2008 GEMSTONE OF THE MONTH PERIDOT Peridot, copper and sterling silver by Jerry MISSION STATEMENT MISSION STATEMENT The Central Texas Gem and Mineral Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of rocks, minerals and fossils. We offer field trips and provide educational opportunities and instruction to members in a variety of areas related to the Lapidary Arts and Jewelry making. We also award a scholarship to a student enrolled at a local college in a field closely related to geology. We provide educational displays related to this hobby at shows of a similar interest. - Jerry President.. Gary Hudson Past President. Calvin Donaghey Vice President. Dave Vargo Secretary Beverly Vargo Treasurer - Errol Rutledge Corresp Sec... Joyce Talley Editor Jerry Davis Committees/Chairpersons Show.. Sallie Lightfoot Field Trips Tony & Judy Steele Classes Charlie Lightfoot Nominating. James Grant Programs.. Dave Vargo Shop - - Tim Walker Club House and Grounds..Charlie Lightfoot Dealers for show. Tony & Judy Steele Budget Errol Rutledge Scholarship JoAn Wilks Show Demonstrations. Jerry Davis Silversmithing Classes - Jerry Davis Peridot is one of the few gemstones that comes in only one color. The depth of the green depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure, and varies from yellow green to olive to brownish green. Olivine is a very abundant mineral, but gem quality peridot is rather rare. Peridot crystals have been collected from some Pallasite meteorites. wiki/peridot A R T I C L E S F O R T H E N E X T M O N T H S N E W S L E T T E R M U S T B E S U B M I T T E D B Y T H E 2 0 T H O F T H E M O N T H.