Blacksmithing..

Spiral "flower" on rebar 

Ok, can't stand the snails in my garden,
but this one doesn't eat the veggies.

Cat tail made from pipe and metal rod.

I just finished my Art Metal class last Monday.  Brooks Collier is a patient and knowledgeable teacher and I cannot wait until the fall semester to continue with metals classes. There is something so exciting about turning metal to a pliable red in a forge, bending, hammering and shaping it. Sharing a few photos of some of the practice pieces from class.

My Recent Adventures in Metal

I have been taking welding classes through Placer School for Adults and enjoying it very much.  Just signed up for my third class~!

During the first class I made a few fun objects including this paleo-volcanic yard art from scraps, a dino accent for my heat stove and a spiffy amoeba napkin holder.

During the second class (that tonight is the last of six classes) I was required to design a project and then create it.  I chose a music stand.. I needed one and it seemed like it would be fun to make. Enter the learning curve .


 

finished but not "finished"

Still in two pieces

I used a piece of sheet metal that was in our shop at work for the top. Using a plasma torch I cut out the dragon fly design and with a bender gave it the lip for the music to sit on.

The base was made from four steel rods heated in the forge and twisted, the legs and top that would hold the sheet metal were also done in the forge by heating and bending.  Thanks to a great deal of help from  Brooks Collier the blacksmith teacher. 
The base was then welded onto the top.  I need LOTS of welding practice. I burned though and had to fill where it was attached.  Ok, fixable…



With Blue Patina



There were many places where the heat shield had come off and it was suggested I patina it.  Wonderful… however the instructions on the bottle are woefully lacking.  I cleaned the piece with isopropyl alcohol and used the spray bottle to apply.. did not like how it went on so went with the other suggested method and used a sponge.  Looked great until I found that it did not adhere to a variety of spots.  I cleaned it up in those spots and tried again.. however it had been in the sun and dried spotty.. crap… I have done all I can to make it look right and it is ok.. has a rather antique look (haha)  but will clear coat it and call this a learning experience.  I still am happy with my little music stand (my ukulele and I will have some sweet moments with it, of that I am sure) I am also grateful for all the lessons it has given me..  most of all patience and to slow down!

 And in ending this post I must say, I really like metal.. am amazed by how it can be manipulated and made into a thing of function and beauty,  I really really love fiber.Looking forward to finding ways of combining the two!