I thought I would share what people are searching this site for. I am glad people come to me for these things and I hope I have helped them find their answers... 

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Amputation:
Friday I cut off the cracked suckers. There 4 that had to come off. Then there were the two that were gone and so in all I had to clean up 7 suckers.
There was an eight sucker but it had a minor crack so I left it to just be filled in with solder from the back.

The patient was resting comfortable but the surgeon was a bit nervous. 

Transplantation:
Today I started the  cutting out of the replacement suckers.  

1st sucker and largest:
the first  replacement sucker melted while soldering - luckily it had not been soldered in so into the scap bin it went.  At this point was a ready to just give up but figured that even if I ruined the piece I would learn something so I pressed on.  I went back to the sheet with all the replacements I had made and started to cut out the second. I was having problems filing it to fit so  cheated on and pushed it in through the back. I have a bit of clean up to do but it is soldered in. 

2nd sucker
this one had that minor crack so I filled it from the back with solder (yeah I cheated again) 

3rd sucker
I cut this one out and started a better filing job constantly going between the hole in the tentacle and the bevel on the replacement.  This is where those riffler files come in handy... I eventually got an ok fit. I just finished soldering it in - so I am learning and making progress. This one took 45 min to accomplish but it looks pretty good.

4th sucker being cut out now. 

Back to work. Pictures of the various steps to follow later when we are all done and the patient is in recovery. 

After much looking at calendars and things that can't be rescheduled, I now have 2 more classes scheduled. 

Metal Panel on Leather Snap Cuff
The student will chase and repousse a koi fish and flowers on a metal sheet under the tutelage of Laurie Kern. Laurie will lead the students in starting their fish panel on Saturday July 26. The piece is to be finished by the student at home or during Thursday night silver workshop.  Diane will lead the students on cutting out the panel, drilling the holes and then riveting the metal panel to a leather cuff (which can also be textured) and finally adding snaps on Saturday, August 30.  **Chasing & Repousse experience is required as it will not be taught.***

Instructors: Laurie Kern and Diane Hall 
Location: Palomar Gem & Mineral Club Shop
Date & Times: July 26, and August 30, 2014, 10-4 with 1 hr. lunch break.
Cost: 
$100 for club members, 
$125 for non members (includes 1 year single membership). 
NOTE: $25 non-refundable deposit required to reserve your spot in the class.
Material Kit: About $15 - $20 which will include metal (copper) leather, rivets, snaps. The exact price will be know at the first class.  Students are expected to bring their own pitch bowl, support ring and tools unless other arrangements have been made with me.
Class Size: 6 students

To sign up for this class contact me or go to the Palomar Gem & Mineral Club page. 

Chasing and Repousse – Beginner Class
Using a hammer and special tools, learn how to change a flat piece of copper into a piece of art that has volume and detail. Over 4 afternoons you will learn the basic techniques of Chasing & Repousse’ while creating your first peice along with many demonstrations. In this workshop, everything is supplied; you just have to show up with an inquisitive mind!
Instructors: Laurie Kern and Diane Hall 
Location: Palomar Gem & Mineral Club Shop
Date & Times: October 4, November 1, 9, & 23 (4 Saturdays = 15 hrs.) NO LUNCH BREAKS so bring a snack.
Cost: 
$200 for club members
$225 for non-members ( includes 1 yr. Single membership). 
NOTE: $50 non-refundable deposit required to reserve your spot in the class.
Class Size: 6 students

To sign up for this class contact me or go to the Palomar Gem & Mineral Club page. 

I started the actual work on my Octopus challenge piece the week before the Palomar show and was able to make some progress on the repousse. 

Last weekend I finished the repousse including the forming of basic shape of the suckers. I then went to the garage and removed the silver (8" x 3.5" x 18 g ) and when I got it out I noticed to tiny little whitish dot in the pitch. 

"What the frack is that??" 

Oh, just some completely cracked suckers (the inverted domes)  - that's what.

Then when I looked closer at the silver, not only had two completely separated but 5 others were cracked... 

I was devastated.
I wanted to cry and I though it had been going so well.
I then panicked. How was I going to fix this??

After a long talk with my husband I put out a call for help and several suggestions were made.  Liza Nechamkin Glaser finally sent me an long email explaining how to fix it and even included some sketches of how to do it. 

Now I am preparing some practice suckers - that I will intentionally crack and then repair so not only do I know what to do, but actually have done it several time. This will allow me to get my fears out of the way and when it comes to doing the real repairs, I will do an amazing job!

It will take me a few more weekend to get to that point.  Once it is all done, I will write a long post on how it was done.

And so, in the interim, worked on the design for my advanced beginner students.  That class will be held in late July and August.

PLUS I finished a pair of earrings.  The main drop is fused and reticulated silver which I dapped and added a micro tube to hold  the ear wire, so they can swing back and forth.

Demonstrating at the Palomar show