I did this piece just to see if I could fold metal into a vase shape, with curves.  It is a vessel that I made for myself.  The circle is the day dial from a watch.  It is on a chain that I made from jump rings, to be worn as a necklace.  This piece wasn't made for the Three in a Series, even though it goes with the theme.

   I finished this altered book for the last project in my metals class.  The project had to be three items that were identical or related.  It was called Multiples or a Series.  This is one of three related items I made.
   I had started this book back while I was between my knee surgeries.  I used all kinds of paper for the pages and added lots of other "stuff".  It needed a cover so I used metals to make one.  The original book (before altering) was "The Stepford Wives".   The title was chosen as an ode to the changes for women in the 60's.
   I used copper, brass and silver wire for the metals.  I used etching to put the pattern on the metal. in a steampunkish style.  The clock is a working clock I got at a "Fill a bag with donated items and make an offer" sale (for Habitat for Humanity) back in the summer.  It was not working and I didn't know if it would, but I found the battery it needed.
   The title on the brass is "Time 4 a Fairy Tale".  The oval etching is of myself and 2 of my grandgirls in the hammock.   The circle at the bottom of the oval is a face from one of my mother's watches, totally not working :(  It stands for how time slips away when making up and telling a fairy tale to someone you love.

This is the finished ring.  I had a tail from a chipmunk that died in a trap (it was to release somewhere else). So, I named the ring "Piece of Tail"... It has been on display since the last post I made here.  Now, the class is over and I can get back to my blog and my 2D art. 

Raw from the casting process

This is what a ring looks like after it has been cast. The base is called a button and the sticks coming from the ring to the button are sprues. The ring is covered in small bumps caused by small bubbles in the investment.  Casting is an exciting event and well worth all the effort. The button and sprues are cut off the ring and then the ring is sanded.

Long time no POSTING...  I have been busy with a class in Metalsmithing.  This is the casting area we use to cast silver or bronze into our wax carved shapes.  It is not an easy task to get from an idea to an end piece.  It was harder to carve the wax than I anticipated.  I have carved wood and soap, but this was harder for me.  We finished our projects and now we are moving on to another type of metal work.  I will try an anticlastic piece. 

Once a week?

I decided to post another of my ATC Animals Exchange here on my blog.  All of my cards are on their way to their new owners.  I made an attempt at doing alot of different animals, originally I was gonna do all chickensl.  But, I cropped one too small and then decided to make a variety of animals.  I will be posting these on here.  It looks like once a week.  I have tried to post daily, but I couldn't get a really good streak of posts going.  I will be posting ATC and other art.  I hope I can get a piece of metal work done for here.

Back from the weekend..

  I made this while we were gone for the to my daughter's for the weekend and I thought it was posted back on August 23d for the WDE.  I chose the condor or vulture, because no one else did.  It is done in color pencils and a bit of ink.  I enjoyed our weekend and even had time to do some plein air painting, I didn't have time to finish that one.