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GEM SAFARI IN TANZANIA
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Several weeks ago I was talking to Lisa Elser who has written
interesting reports about the Gem Safari in Tanzania (google
them - check them out). I commented that, at 80, perhaps I was
"too old" to go on the Safari. I said the same thing to Hubert
Heldner, the trip leader. Both of them said words to the effect
that "you're never too old" - and went on to provide the
"evidence".
Lisa said that on her trip there was a woman in her 70's who
started out thinking that she would just sit around the swimming
pool, but who ended up doing the safari and taking faceting
lessons and loving it all. And, Hubert Heldner, who organizes
the Safari, told me about Janusz Meier, in his 80's, an
architect and lapidary enthusiast from Canada - he's the man in
the photo - finding facet rough - Hubert said " we had a lot of
fun".
Now, I see as a matter of fact, that you can enjoy the Safari at
any age - as long as you love finding good gem rough. This
picture - the lineup at the bus - gives you an idea of what the
typical group is like--from 17 to 70, all having a great time.
More on the Gem Safari |
You can find out more about the Safari by going to Hubert
Heldner's website - www.free-form.ch - and click your way there
to Safari information.
The next Safari is in January 2011. It's a good time to start
thinking about it. It's an incredible trip - incredible scenery
- interesting people - and hey - are you interested in gem
rough?
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Meeting Hubert Heldner
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 MEETING
HUBERT HELDNER - and spending some time with him is not the
least of it. Hubert is a faceter and teacher extraordinaire. For
any years he has taught faceting at his Free Form Artists
Institute in Montreux, Switzerland. Hubert is an exceptional
faceter himself - and an exceptional teacher. We met with Hubert
Heldner during the Tucson Show last February.
The next faceting classes, in Montreaux, are in September.
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To the right is an Aquamarine cut by Hubert -- see this and
other stones on his website.
More at the Free From Faceters website |
Franklin Faceters Frolic - the FFF3
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The third edition of the Franklin (North Caroline) Faceters
Frolic is now history - a good time, and an educational time was
had by all of the attendees. Special thanks and recognition to
Roy Kersey, Will Smith, and John Campbell for the hard (but Roy
quickly interjects, "enjoyable") work that went into organizing
FFF3 (they are already talking about FFF4!) and, of course, to
the speakers: Jon Rolfe, Marsh Howard, Mary Lou Kick, and Dalan
Hargrave.
Dalan Hargrave discussed Fantasy and Concave cutting - a
presentation accompanied by slides. Dalan is a master of
lapidary arts - and his work serves as an inspiration.
Fortunately he enjoys lecturing and luckily for all of us he
wants to impart his knowledge to other lapidary enthusiasts. Too
often, techniques in the lapidary arts are lost because they are
kept as secrets -- that isn't Dalan -- he's eager to impart his
knowledge. He's not just a master of it, he's a lover of it. His
instruction books will be out soon.
Dalan's complete talk is available on Ultra Tec's FACEBOOK Page.
It's an hour long, in four parts - he's an entertaining speaker.
A DVD containing a higher resolution copy of Dalan's and the
other talks, along with more coverage of FFF3 is coming soon
from the organizers.
See Dalan Hargave's Talk at FFF3 |
"I wish I would have had it when I started cutting"
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 These
were Dalan's words about the
Ultra Tec Fantasy Machine.
We are most pleased that he's excited about it.
Dalan was also good enough to send us an excerpt from his
upcoming New book on Concave and Fantasy Faceting. Its in the
ULTRA TEC on-line library, or you can download a copy by
clicking below.
Darlan Hargrave Article on Concave Faceting |
Join Us On FACEBOOK!
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Ultra Tec Faceting has a thriving little community on FACEBOOK.
Take a look at our page for interesting links and updates.
We welcome all our Ultra Tec cousins as FANS -- your, pictures, experiences, comments and suggestions are welcome.
Ultra Tec's FACEBOOK Page
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The Ultra Tec Team
