<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Another Cosmic Folklore</title>
	<atom:link href="http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs</link>
	<description>Haikus, Squirrels, and Coyotes :o)</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:37:24 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1</generator>
	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>Andamooka on the Brain</title>
		<link>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/03/10/andamooka-on-the-brain/</link>
		<comments>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/03/10/andamooka-on-the-brain/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:30:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Johnson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[My work]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/?p=284</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have a new batch of Andamooka in the kiln.  I have been playing around with temperature settings, and with running gem grade Andamooka through it.  Gem grade is much denser, and tends to explode in heat, but I am trying to find that perfect time and temperature for fully carbonizing the sugar, without burning out the carbon or damaging the stones.  For the record 400F for two hours doesn’t carbonize the sugar.  Last night’s batch was run at 500F for two hours soak.  That is with the ramped temperature speed and sand/ charcoal mix.  I am anxious to take a look, but they need to cool slowly.  I will post pictures when they come out.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/03/10/andamooka-on-the-brain/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>We Won First Place</title>
		<link>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/03/01/we-won-first-place/</link>
		<comments>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/03/01/we-won-first-place/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:11:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Johnson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[philanthropies]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/?p=281</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Our design entered into the "Bras for a Cause" charity contest won first place in overall design and we raised $4,500 for breast cancer.  Thank you all for taking the time to vote at $1 a vote.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/03/01/we-won-first-place/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>An Experiment in the Treatment of Andamooka Ranbow Matrix Opals</title>
		<link>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/22/an-experiment-in-the-treatment-of-andamooka-ranbow-matrix-opals/</link>
		<comments>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/22/an-experiment-in-the-treatment-of-andamooka-ranbow-matrix-opals/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:41:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Johnson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Experiments]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Resources]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Techniques]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/?p=276</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Andamooka variety of rainbow matrix is know in the bush as cement.  It is an opalescent play of fire within a matrix of dull gray and tan limestone, and it needs a carbon imbedded into the stone to bring out the brilliant plays in color.  The carbon gives a dark back ground to the limestone that contrasts with the colors of the fire within the stone. 
Typically the stones are soaked in a sugar mix, and then burned with either sulfuric acid or a charcoal bonfire.  But both of these traditional treatments are not beneficial for the small studio.  The sulfuric treatment means the storage and handling of dangerous carcinogenic acid that can seriously burn the skin from just the fumes, while leaving the surface dehydrated worse than a typical heat burn.  And, the bonfire method is taking a risk of exploding stone due to thermal shock.  And, for the small studio to lose stones that have money and time invested in them is a big risk. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/22/an-experiment-in-the-treatment-of-andamooka-ranbow-matrix-opals/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Time is Upon Us&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/09/the-time-is-upon-us/</link>
		<comments>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/09/the-time-is-upon-us/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:37:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Johnson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[philanthropies]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/?p=272</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Come on metalsmith buddies, lapidaries, craftsmen, jewelry lovers, and friends, help out a great cause.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/09/the-time-is-upon-us/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bra for a Cause</title>
		<link>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/05/bra-for-a-cause/</link>
		<comments>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/05/bra-for-a-cause/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:42:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Johnson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/?p=265</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here are a few pictures of the finished bra designs for the “Bra’s for Breast Cancer Fund Raiser.”  I didn’t get a chance to make a more professional photograph of these before Lora took it to Tuscaloosa’s Druid City Hospital’s annual Bra’s for a Cause fund raiser, but these show off Lora’s beautiful contribution to [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/05/bra-for-a-cause/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bras, Breasts, &#38; Piercing Clouds</title>
		<link>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/02/bras-breasts-piercing-clouds/</link>
		<comments>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/02/bras-breasts-piercing-clouds/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:55:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Johnson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Musings]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[My work]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[philanthropies]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/?p=237</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This year, Lora and I opted for Tuscaloosa’s Druid City Hospital’s annual Bra’s for a Cause fund raiser.  We’ve had so many people close to us fighting cancer and especially breast cancer, we wanted to do our part to help.  And, while we had a lot of fun on facebook with this, posting these pictures and letting friends give me a ribbing about making a bra, we’ve also tried to spread the word to make people aware of how devastating this disease is to women, their families, and friends. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/02/bras-breasts-piercing-clouds/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>An Approach to Teaching Metalsmithing</title>
		<link>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/01/an-approach-to-teaching-metalsmithing/</link>
		<comments>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/01/an-approach-to-teaching-metalsmithing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:21:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Johnson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Classes]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Techniques]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/?p=229</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I’ve made some blog posts before concerning teaching and my struggles between teaching a technique, teaching a project, and teaching some very narrow “follow the leader” step by step project.  I’m not going to say what I’ve come up with is better, or even entirely original, but it works for me and my students.   I’ve broken down several techniques that I get asked about quite often, and I approach the subject from a very bare bones, tribal way of beginning into the world of metalsmithing.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/02/01/an-approach-to-teaching-metalsmithing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Lora&#8217;s Gift</title>
		<link>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/01/09/loras-gift/</link>
		<comments>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/01/09/loras-gift/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:41:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Johnson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Aesthetics]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Musings]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[My work]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/?p=225</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This was a Christmas present for my girlfriend, Lora.  She handles so much of the business part of what I do.  I am at home at the workbench, sketching, cutting stones, and working the metal; but, when it comes to selling my work, I am just not comfortable standing behind a counter fielding questions.  It [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/01/09/loras-gift/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>One that Binds them All (or Combines)</title>
		<link>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/01/07/one-that-binds-them-all-or-combines/</link>
		<comments>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/01/07/one-that-binds-them-all-or-combines/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:09:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Johnson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Aesthetics]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Musings]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[My work]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/?p=211</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I do ramble on a bit.  I apologize :o)  I totally enjoyed working with this patron, and the report is that the husband loved it.  He has spent a bit of time looking at it on his finger like a girl with a new engagement band, and that makes my heart sing.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2010/01/07/one-that-binds-them-all-or-combines/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Gift</title>
		<link>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2009/12/22/the-gift/</link>
		<comments>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2009/12/22/the-gift/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:21:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Johnson</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Musings]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[My work]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/?p=207</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I don’t propose to know the true needs and wants of every individual, but I believe that there is a deeper want within us that drives this consumer based nation. We think that if we get this or that thing we will fill that wanting. That device or thing-a-ma-bob will really be neat, or my life would be so much better with this gadget or that. Commercials play into it, and we fall for it time and time again. As a youth we see some toy that promises to fulfill hours of fun and excitement, but the more the thing does the more things there are to break or just become mildly amusing. Then off to the back of the closet, thrown away, or quickly disposed of.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://cosmicfolklore.ganoksin.com/blogs/2009/12/22/the-gift/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
