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Urge to Make a Sea Urchin Shell

2/22/2015

Since early January I have had a sea urchin shell in my head urging me to make it. But with the Paul & Bernadette commission, it had to wait. Not that that was a bad thing; it actually made me think how I would go about making it.

I have a large sea urchin shell that the shop elf picked up oh so many years ago when he lived in Florida but I found an assortment on eBay that I ordered for a reasonable price. This allowed me to study the shape and patterns where the spines attach.

I decided that the first one I make should be in copper and selected an 18g round I had. From there I raised and sunk the disk until I had a good domed shape. I then put it in the pitch so I could make the dimples where the spines went. After that I filled it with pitch and did the detail work on the outside and then I raised the edge over to make the underside. Lastly, yesterday I did a bronze patina.

I am now going to make another one based upon the weird shell which is in the bottom row, first column and another regular shell in silver. Stay tuned for more pictures as I finish them!

Mon, Feb 16, 2015

2/16/2015

I was at the AllCraft pop up sale hosted by the Metal Arts Society of Southern California (MASSC) yesterday. I certainly did not go looking for any more hammers, I was looking for small bench tools. And this is what I found, two of SAIGN CHARLESTEIN's beautiful hammers.

The first is a chasing hammer and the second is a massive deep sinking hammer. I only bought the chasing hammers.

Then, lastly are two tiny little Japanese hammers that I had to have to add to my growing collection of hammers as you can see the heads are only about 1" long and the handles, which are not shown in any detail, really do look like a chopstick!

Paul Meets Bernadette Commission

2/14/2015

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Back in December I was contacted by a Doug who had seen my link in the A Hundred for One project. Doug had, after finding my submission and a link to this website, wandered around here and saw many things that he liked. After a few emails we met for coffee and a bit of a trunk show. Doug then bought two of my items - The Pueblo Pot and the Braided Bracelet

And at the beginning of January, Doug contacted me again. This time he wanted to commission a memento box for his fiancee as a Valentine Day present, and could it be based upon a book that represents their finding each other and falling in love. The book is Paul Meets Bernadette and Doug has even been in contact with the author and bought some of the art work from her.

So, Doug sent me some pictures from the book. I sent back a picture of some tins I had that could be used as well as some ideas of how to put Paul and Bernadette on the tin. Once I got the go a head, I spent 3 weekends (in between two other trips I had scheduled but could not cancel) making the tin which include not only the chasing & repousse but coloring it and then lining it with green velvet. I delivered the tin last Wednesday and I thought Doug might actually cry. To say he was pleased would be an understatement. Here is what he sent me on Thursday:
"L,
Well, I want to thank you again for this extraordinary work. It does exceed my expectations and brings a tremendous heart to the object. Another way of sharing this feeling with you is that I will be very proud to give it to Judy and feel that it is a proper exaltation of our Love. That says a lot..."

This morning I took the process photos I took during the making of the tin and made a small movie (see below). I sent the movie to Doug and he wrote back:
".Judy was out shopping when I watched this.
I had no idea....broke down. Wow Wow Wow.
I'm sending this to Rosy Lamb as soon as I give the gift to J.
And to Peter, of course.
Heartfelt thanks!
d.
watched it again full screen and cried again.
Now, to show her the film, watch her "get it" and give her the box, or vice versa?
Hmmmmmm?"

My suggestion was to place the present (wrapped of course) on the table in front of her. And say that before she opens it, she has to watch another present… the movie. Then I would show it on the biggest computer (or TV screen) you can get it on. THEN have her open the present. You will get major points for it! Oh and have tissues ready too.

So, my readers, by the time you read this post Judy will have been given her present for Valentines Day.

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Burn Update

2/8/2015

it has now been a week. I have kept my finger slathered in neosporine and bandaged.

The blister did fill with fluid and on Tuesday it was very full and it looked like it would pop. Buy every day I would wash it, apply more antibiotic and reapply a bandage.

over the pat two days, it has started to itch and today, the blister is way down. I can see a darkness under the blister and I think that is where the dermis was burned the worst.

yup, here is a picture and it is now bandaged again.

When working with hot pitch...

2/1/2015

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BE VERY CAREFUL

Working with HOT pitch can be dangerous. It can burn you and I mean really badly. Here is what happened to me today.
I am working on another tin. A bit one, for a Valentine Day present. The tin is oval and tall (over 3") so to work on the sides, I have to sink it, one side down, into the pitch so I can work on one side that is facing upwards. Since the tin has to go in almost half way, the pitch has to be warm so you can push it in.

Well, the pitch was warm, too warm. My hand slipped and my left index finger went into the oozy, gooey, HOT pitch. OH did it hurt and pulling the pitch off, pulled the skin too.

This is my second industrial accident with Chasing & Repousse. The first was when I was learning to make tools and a hot tool I was forging touched my hand. But only two accidents in almost 5 years.. I think I am doing ok.

I have iced it well and slathered it in Neosporin and it is also bandaged well. The nerves are still screaming, I might have to apply some medicine from the inside; the liquid kind as well.

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Urge to Make a Sea Urchin Shell

Mon, Feb 16, 2015

Paul Meets Bernadette Commission

Burn Update

When working with hot pitch...

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