What We're Making

[FIREd]

I don't know if paintings qualify here but I've done some that include framing. The process:

1) Buy masonite piece and cut to sizes.
2) Gesso both sides. I like to leave it rough i.e. no sanding
3) Go out in the field (like to a winery here) and paint the scene. I use Duo Aqua water soluble oils.
4) Cut boards to size to create backing
5) Glue boards and maybe paint sides or leave bare if you like that

Here are 2 hanging in the bathroom, a small and intimate space . Both were done around Kenwood California with views of Kunde Winery.

The second photo shows the sides and some of the brush work.

Beautiful painting of a beautiful place!

I am working on a birthday card for my sister. She is turning 40 this year. I decided to make an illuminated manuscript. I am done with the illumination, and I am getting ready to write the text in copperplate script.

 

[Steelart99]

You should watch the episode of "Avater, the Last Airbender" about Sakka's meteor sword. Good episode.

Hmmmmm .... that's a new one on me. I'll have to chase it down to watch. Sounds like something my 13yo nephew might enjoy.

 

[Lsbcal]

Beautiful painting of a beautiful place!

I am working on a birthday card for my sister. She is turning 40 this year. I decided to make an illuminated manuscript. I am done with the illumination, and I am getting ready to write the text in copperplate script.

That is going to turn out beautifully. One needs a lot of dexterity and steadiness and patience to do that work.

 

[splitwdw]

Beautiful painting of a beautiful place!

I am working on a birthday card for my sister. She is turning 40 this year. I decided to make an illuminated manuscript. I am done with the illumination, and I am getting ready to write the text in copperplate script.

That is beautiful. How long does something like that take to do?

 

[FIREd]

It took me 2 full days. First draw the image on vellum paper, then transfer it to a nice paper, retrace the image with permanent ink, gild, and paint. I cut corners a little bit by using gold ink rather than applying gold leaf for the gilding process.

 

[splitwdw]

It took me 2 full days. First draw the image on vellum paper, then transfer it to a nice paper, retrace the image with permanent ink, gild, and paint. I cut corners a little bit by using gold ink rather than applying gold leaf for the gilding process.

Holy Cow, I hope she saves the card. I make cards with copper foil embossed pieces. I was surprised to find out that some people throw them out and some people display them year round.
I can't imagine applying gold leaf to that piece. I use gold foil (little thicker than leaf) for some of my enameled pieces and it's hard to position.

 

[FIREd]

Holy Cow, I hope she saves the card. I make cards with copper foil embossed pieces. I was surprised to find out that some people throw them out and some people display them year round.
I can't imagine applying gold leaf to that piece. I use gold foil (little thicker than leaf) for some of my enameled pieces and it's hard to position.

Yes, I hope she saves the card too! She is an artist so I think that she will appreciate the work I put into it. Applying gold leaf is the traditional way to gild illuminations and I may try it at some point. But based on videos I have seen on the subject, it seems pretty challenging.

 

[Steevo]

I have been making jewelry (primarily earrings) from recycled metals for the last year or so.
It started innocently when I was about to toss some scrap copper into a metal scrap bucket in my shop, and instead put it on the workbench and started cutting, hammering, filing, and ended up with a pair of simple earrings for DW.

I kept rummaging around and finding small amounts of copper, brass and bronze, and kept making stuff. I ended up with enough to take to a local artisans collective and working out a deal to put a rack full of them in the store.

Now my visits to garage sales, second hand stores, etc. are a quest for good materials for making jewelry from.
I have used old light fixtures, brass door plates, copper buckets, old plumbing, etc., even some bronze bushings I removed from a tractor I was rebuilding, and mixed in some cases with old metal beads from old necklaces and bracelets found at garage sales.

More pictures are here:

https://sdwike.smugmug.com/Other/Recycled-Jewelry/n-cPfnTv/

It doesn't pay much, but seems to be self-funding at this point.

 

[davemartin88]

These ear rings are beautiful, thanks for sharing.

 

[Lsbcal]

Nice jewelry Steevo. I like the ones that incorporate the brass (or copper?) with green tints.

 

[splitwdw]

Steevo, Nice jewelry. What are you using to color your metal? Liver of sulfur? Alcohol ink? Patina solution? Do you have a rolling mill?

 

[NW-Bound]

I am practicing my copperplate script using a dip pen.

I am working on a birthday card for my sister. She is turning 40 this year. I decided to make an illuminated manuscript. I am done with the illumination, and I am getting ready to write the text in copperplate script.

Wow! Do surgeons have hands this steady?

 

[Steevo]

Steevo, Nice jewelry. What are you using to color your metal? Liver of sulfur? Alcohol ink? Patina solution? Do you have a rolling mill?

All of the above, plus ammonia fumes, vinegar & salt, heat oxidation, etc.

No, I wish I did have a rolling mill, but haven't seen one I can afford.

 

[Ronstar]

Steevo - awesome jewelry- Especially considering they come from scraps.


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

 

[spncity]

I have been making jewelry (primarily earrings) from recycled metals

Wow - talk about a power recycler!

 

[FIREd]

Wow! Do surgeons have hands this steady?

I sure hope so!

 

[splitwdw]

All of the above, plus ammonia fumes, vinegar & salt, heat oxidation, etc.

No, I wish I did have a rolling mill, but haven't seen one I can afford.

My girlfriend uses her used kitty litter to patina her copper and brass jewelry.
Do you do any enameling? I do torch fired and kiln enameling.

I bought a cheap rolling mill. I was hesitant to buy it but I use it for thinning metal or texturing and it's worked fine. If I made my own sheet or wire I'd probably buy a Durston. I think I paid more for my Foredom flexshaft than I paid for the rolling mill. The rolling mill was a group student buy from either Otto Frei or Contenti and about $120.

 

[Moemg]

Steevo , I love those earrings . Have you considered Etsy ?

 

[Accidental Retiree]

Steevo , I love those earrings . Have you considered Etsy ?

+1


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

 

[Steevo]

My girlfriend uses her used kitty litter to patina her copper and brass jewelry.
Do you do any enameling? I do torch fired and kiln enameling.

I bought a cheap rolling mill. I was hesitant to buy it but I use it for thinning metal or texturing and it's worked fine. If I made my own sheet or wire I'd probably buy a Durston. I think I paid more for my Foredom flexshaft than I paid for the rolling mill. The rolling mill was a group student buy from either Otto Frei or Contenti and about $120.

$120 would be semi-affordable, but the retail prices are much more than that!
I haven't done any enameling yet.

Steevo , I love those earrings . Have you considered Etsy ?

No, I never make the same thing twice, so online sales would be a nightmare.


And thank you to everyone for the nice comments. If you ever find yourself in Idaho Falls, ID, stop into The Collective in the old downtown and buy as many as you like!

 

[Steevo]

Wow - talk about a power recycler!

You'd be surprised at some of the recycled materials I have used.
Everything from 50 caliber machine gun brass cartridges to copper plates from old transformers, to sink and toilet plumbing.

 

[splitwdw]

$120 would be semi-affordable, but the retail prices are much more than that!
I haven't done any enameling yet.



No, I never make the same thing twice, so online sales would be a nightmare.


And thank you to everyone for the nice comments. If you ever find yourself in Idaho Falls, ID, stop into The Collective in the old downtown and buy as many as you like!

Not true regarding rolling mill price, Otto Frei has an economy rolling mill with gear reduction (which you really need) for $175. I believe the one at Contenti is around the same price.
If you ever want to get into torch fired enameling, pm me and I can let you know the cheap way to do it.
As far as selling on Etsy, you sell as "one off" and never make or sell the same thing again.

 

[davemartin88]

Here's a screen door I'm nearly finished with for our house. The door is an inexpensive pine door from Lowes, I then made the lower panel from cherry and carved the picture on the CNC. Took about 15 hours to carve. Finish is mainly shellac and a bit of stain to bring out some details. I'm happy with how the cherry and pine look together, wasn't sure I was going to be okay with it.

 

[Philliefan33]

Here's a screen door I'm nearly finished with for our house. The door is an inexpensive pine door from Lowes, I then made the lower panel from cherry and carved the picture on the CNC. Took about 15 hours to carve. Finish is mainly shellac and a bit of stain to bring out some details. I'm happy with how the cherry and pine look together, wasn't sure I was going to be okay with it.

Very nice! If you lived close to me I would be hiring you to do something like that for our vacation home.

 

[Ronstar]

Great looking door, Dave!


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum