Saturday, March 13, 2010

Getting All Steamed Up


Welcome! Please click on any of the pictures. They will all enlarge.

Teapots have always been a favorite thing of mine to make. These teapots and burners are brass. They were gold plated when all the work was finished. I made the stands out of sterling silver and oxidized them black to appear to be wrought iron. The pots were fabricated from sheet and the burners were made from telescoping brass tubes and sheet stock. The knobs and handles are ebony.

One of the things that really bothered me about most miniature metal teapots was that the spouts didn't have a hole through them. That is understandable because most spouts are tapered and would be nearly impossible to bend into the right shape or cast with a hole through them. To solve that problem I decided to electroform the spouts over a tapered core of casting wax.

Electroforming is another process you probably don't want to hear about. It will suffice to say, that once I had built up enough metal on the wax, I was able to burn out the wax core and solder the spouts on the pots.

21 comments:

  1. Una verdadera maravilla!!!!!!!!
    Una explicacion y un trabajo perfecto, yo seria incapaz de hacerlo, enhorabuena!!!.
    besitos ascension

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  2. Oh, Catherine, they are so fine!!
    What an exceptional talent you have!
    Love 'em to bits!
    Glenda

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  3. The are truly incredible Catherine, and how amazing that they will really 'pour'!

    Can I have your permission please to post this pic on my blog with a link over to here? I know there are many more miniaturists who would appreciate knowing your creations.

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  4. Norma,

    Of course you can. Thank you for the thought and the nice compliment!

    I truely appreciate it when some one comments here. Thank you all for doing that and your kind remarks.

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  5. Oh by the way... The viscosity of water will not allow them to pour.

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  6. Catherine! These are spectacular! Gorgeous! I can't get over them!

    Jody

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  7. ...so...real water is "too thick", but the teapot is working anyway..!!
    They are beautiful, thank you for explaining, this is so far from "usual" miniature work!

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  8. Wow,hyour work is amazing!Miniregards,Sonia.

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  9. Unbelievable beautiful work! It's always a pleasure to see what exceptionally skilled artisans make in the mini form :)

    Ira

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  10. Bello! Es un trabajo perfecto. Gracias por la explicación

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  11. Catherine, I discovered your blog today via Norma - how wonderful! I love your metal creations, especially the stove. So beautiful and full of detail. I've often thought...hmmm if I could just solder I could make better chandeliers etc. Maybe I'll give it a try now that you've inspired me. I look forward to following more of your projects.
    Cynthia

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  12. Just perfect! You're so skilled, I'm envious ;)

    groetjes evelien

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  13. Oh. My. Lord. You are masterful!!!!

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  14. Outstanding work,your work is full of fantasy and absolut perfect.Jeannette

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  15. How exquisite! I have been collecting miniatures for a very long time and your mini metal work is wonderful. I have seen very little to compare. Welcome to Blogland ... and keep creating!

    Tabitha

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  16. Your teapots and stands are so perfect. You have taken miniature teapots a new level with your pouring spouts. I used to make mini porcelain tea pots and always tried to make pouring spouts too but it never worked for me.

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