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Crafts/Questions Answered by Expert Thomas
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Thank You. | 3/28/2011 |
| Q: Thomas, Please forgive me for having to thank you in this window which I know is intended for ... A: Arthur, this is fine. I have to reply so the machine does not believe there is a question hanging. ... | |
| Feedback Link. (?) | 3/28/2011 |
| Q: I have not found a link at/on this site which will allow me to rate your response to my question ... A: Arthur, right at the bottom of your answer are two boxes shown in the attached image. Click one ... | |
| Mother-of-pearl inlay blanks. | 3/27/2011 |
| Q: I am a hobbiest wood worker and am teaching myself how to inlay MOP in my work. Recently I bought ... A: Arthur, mother-of-pearl is relatively easy to polish. First you need to remove the deep scratches ... | |
| polish mother of pearl shell | 8/10/2010 |
| Q: I have some mother of pearl shells, how do I get rid of the black rind and make it shine like the ... A: The sand paper is needed to remove the rough stuff and get to a surface smooth enough to polish. ... | |
| epoxy and jewelry | 5/21/2010 |
| Q: I am a gemologist, and now make jewelry for several websites. With a college degree in chemistry ... A: Lloyd. I am snowed with questions having left a couple for tonight. Yours is first. Frankly, I am ... | |
| Cleaning mother-of-pearl beads | 8/12/2009 |
| Q: I have a double strand of mother-of-pearl beads that have lost their shine. Is there some way to ... A: Janet, I appreciate the question. I also appreciate nice mother-of-pearl and many of the ... | |
| mother of pearl shells | 8/30/2008 |
| Q: I am a novice at this type of craft. I have recently returned home from a wonderful vaction on Cape ... A: Charlene, I am back. Technically, mother-of-pearl is a certain type of shell created by an oyster ... | |
| wax carving for jewelry | 8/8/2008 |
| Q: I am a hobbyist. Trying to work wax for jewelry for casting. Mostly ring work right now. My ... A: Ken, actually I cannot tell you rpm for the tools. I use a flexshaft and foot petal and guessing rpm ... | |
| wax carving for jewelry | 8/7/2008 |
| Q: I am a hobbyist. Trying to work wax for jewelry for casting. Mostly ring work right now. My ... A: Ken. I will try to give you a nudge in the right direction working with wax. Wax is generally hand ... | |
| Lapping of mother of pearl | 9/28/2007 |
| Q: I ahve nice watch with mother of pearl dial. I have observed that the mother of pearl is not well ... A: I returned to home late last evening and could not answer your question until this morning. I ... | |
| ring castign | 7/20/2007 |
| Q: I have a question for you concerning ring casting. I have carved the ring in question in wax. I now ... A: Wes, I do not have a ready name of a caster to recommend. Some depends on the metal you want to use ... | |
| wax carving | 5/29/2007 |
| Q: i have recently taken up jewellery making as a hobby and my first project is a ring for my girl ... A: Andy, I will answer this one tomorrow night. My connection is going in and out for some reason. ... | |
| glue removal | 10/23/2005 |
| Q: I recently purchased a letter opener that has a sterling silver handle and mother-of-pearl blade. It ... A: Janette, you must have nice letter opener! I would want to clean it up, too and remove unsightly ... | |
| jewelry wax carving | 7/8/2005 |
| Q: I am a goldsmith. I do most of my work by fabrication. I also do casting in gold and platinum for ... A: Note: Follow-Up is below original answer. Wayne, I am glad to receive you question. You can also ... | |
| Novice | 11/8/2004 |
| Q: I purchased an old brass mirror at a thrift shop over the weekend and was hoping to create a ... A: I will give a website showing some of the available patination chemicals available. You might check ... | |
| where to buy settings | 5/14/2003 |
| Q: My sister asked me to join her craft show business as I do many different crafts from painting to ... A: : ) Jewelry is jewelry is jewelry but that means literally countless designs and approaches, from ... | |
Answers by Expert:
Thomas
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
A lot of hobbyist are out there looking for answers, lapidary, jewelry making craft, etc. I can answer to many topics in those areas. I do not generally deal with costume jewelry but can give some advice regarding such. Note that I do not string pearls(or other bead work) or do twisted wire work jewelry. I can give info on gemstones and jewelry making tools and techniques.
Experience
Experience: Over 25 years as a professional jeweler, working at the bench with the everyday problems of everyday people, plus good knnowledge on the do`s and dont`t, what to expect, what is unexpected, how to get beyond the simple into a rewarding hobby.
Clients: Owned and operated a "trade shop" servicing designers, retail jewelers, etc, and owned and operated a school for jewelers now gone by the wayside due to certain personal and economic conditions). I produced fine jewelry for one national opal company. Also lectured, demonstrated, and taught at the request of clubs, societies,etc.
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