Screw loose

My controller came the other day and it was amazingly easy to install. (In case you ever need to do that. Okay, let's be realistic.... when you need to do it.) But when I turned it on another E code came up and of course it wasn't in the book. The old controller always came up with a 27-1 before the idle message appeared. I now know that was a software code. (It's amazing what you can find out from reading the manual..... most of the time.) But this was an E-1 (for Error.) Surely they didn't make a software code that began with E (but who knows!) But, the E-1 went away (just like the 27-1 did) and up popped the Idle. Did three firings and they all turned out great. Whew!!! I was sweating that one.

I did snitch a Phillips screwdriver from my husband's toolbox (hope he doesn't miss it) that made the job so much easier than the first time. And, I whipped off an email to Paragon to ask about that error code. I'll be sure to let you know what I find out.

The picture? That's my by-pass ring with the screw heads on it. (They're not a phillips head) There is a matching pair of earrings too.

It is! It is!

      Yesterday I was showing my husband my new ring.  (Which actually was a replacement for a ring I sold, right off my finger.)  He looked at it and said it looks like 100% silver.  I told him it was.  He said no, it's clay.  Arghhh!  If my own husband can't get his mind around the concept that metal clay work isn't clay, how is anyone else supposed to.  I think I've told him several times how the process works, but he keeps forgetting.  (I need to be more tolerant, I've got those senior moments too.)  Until it sinks in I'll just keep telling him..... it is!!!!

   

     

O.D. or I.D?

    Well, I haven't used my new flex-shaft yet, (forgot to order the stand with it.  Sent the hubby out to find one, but he came back with the shaft for the flex-shaft. )  

    But, I did try out the new jump ringer.  It is a really cool tool but it had me puzzled for a while.  I was looking at some jump rings I had purchased and I noticed that let's say, a 6 mm jump ring was equal to an 8 mm jump ring on the mandrel.  I guess I always thought that the dimensions referred to the outside diameter.  It was really confusing me, so I emailed a friend from South Carolina.  I figured that she would know the answer and sure enough she did.

   This is what I found out.  Regular jump rings are labeled according to their outside diameter.  Jump rings that are going to be used for chain maille are labeled according to their inside diameter.  So, now  I know that I have to use a mandrel 2 sizes smaller than what I think I need.  (It's just my mind being stubborn and blocked about the whole thing.  Kind of like it is when it comes to the metric system...... I have lots of beads that are not the size I thought they were.)  

   So, when I make jump rings, I need to go two sizes smaller.  When I make metal clay rings, I need to make them two sizes bigger to allow for the shrinkage.  (I almost forgot that today when I started on a ring for my daughter-in-law's birthday.  Luckily I caught it in time.)

   Darn those long vacations, they make me stupid!

Snapeeze

     There have been discussions on my forums in the past about jump rings.  Via Murano makes a sterling silver jump ring called the "Snapeeze".  It comes in a 6 mm size and an 8 mm size.  It is called "Snapeeze" because it makes a snapping sound when you wiggle it back and forth which means that it is closed.  These jump rings are pretty expensive, which is what precipitated the discussion.  All jump rings will click when wiggled back and forth, which signifies that they are closed.  And most of them are much, much cheaper than the "Snapeeze".  Now it depends on what the jump ring is being used for as to whether I use the "Snapeeze" or not.  At first I used them for everything, but in these economic times I have cut back.  I do use them for something heavy and definitely for bracelets.  All the charms on my educational bracelet are attached with the "Snapeeze" jump rings and I have not lost any of them.  In fact, I've had to take a few off  and could not find the seam; that's how well they close up.  

    Sorry I haven't written anything lately, but I've been on vacation in Sunny (and warm Florida).  It sure beats the cold in Pa.    I'll try to write more now.  

   But, if you want a good sturdy jump ring, go to www.viamurano.com.  I