So...still no kiln. It is supposed to be shipped sometime this week. In the meantime, I have been giving my torch a workout. Do you know what those are???
They're beads!! Still in love with the bracelets I made (you can see them here) , I decided to try and make a bead...from copper tubing.
Oh my goodness...these are A LOT OF WORK! Cut the tubing, sand the ends of the tubing PERFECTLY FLAT...roll out the clay, texture the clay, cut the clay to fit, add the clay to the tube (VERY GENTLY I might add)...let dry....sand...touch up the clay where I sanded too much...dry....fire the clay and hope like heck it works... pickle. Cut teeny tiny discs...sand the edges of the discs so that you do not cut your finger (I did cut my finger)....find the center and drill a hole....solder the discs to the ends of the tube....PICKLE...tumble...add liver of sulfur patina...buff...tumble.
Phew..
These are not nearly as large as they appear either. Only 3/4" in length.
I only made two of these, as I was not sure it would work...but it did! MUST. MAKE. MORE. This is going to be a FANTABULOUS bracelet when it grows up with some siblings (once I make them of course).
How was your week????
Thanks a million for stopping by today!!!
xo
Patti
SELL ME ONE!!!!! Omg. You are so creative.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to see the finished product!
ReplyDeleteIs that a bamboo pattern on the PMC?!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of work for these little beads!!! But they are SO cool! I cannot wait to see this bracelet!
Wow! These are fabulous! I wouldn't have thought of using a disk on the ends of the tubing. I would have just let them be large hole beads!!! I also wouldn't have thought of putting PMC around tubes either!! I just love them and admire you for all the work you did on them. Hope you're kiln arrives soon!
ReplyDeleteHello you incredibly awesome woman you! Thank you for sending nice messageyness and sorry to be late responding xx I'm back in one piece and just wanted to say how much I love your latest designs with the metal wraps and contrast - they're gorgeous! The WORK that's gone into these - and the rest of your work (your hammered bangle? WOW!) is incredible. I'm in awe as always - sending you hugs from Shroo:)xx
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you do with these!
ReplyDeleteway cool! :-)
ReplyDeletethose are beautiful Patti! I would love to play with these beads :)
ReplyDeleteI have never seen anything like this! I love the design and I can see all the hours and effort and talent that you put into making them. Once again, a design that is completely your own! I can see these not only as beads in a bracelet, but hanging as a pendant on a chain perpendicular or horizontal. AWEsome!
ReplyDelete