Friday, September 9, 2011

Signing Your Work



Please click on photos for a close up.
I have been busy with other (bigger) work for several days. I am trying to get a piece finished and shipped. So I haven't gotten much miniature work finished.

I thought I would share this because it is a nice way to sign a room box or a dollhouse. I think all projects should be signed, even if it will be virtually invisible on your work, in some inconspicuous place.

I have tried many different ways to transfer a design to a sheet of metal I want to cut out. My favorite way (especially if it is a intricate design) is to draw it on a piece of contact paper first. Which is great because you just peel off the back and stick it onto the metal. Once you have your design cut out, you can either soak off the paper or burn it off with a torch.

I still need to polish the plaque but it is very hard to photograph once there is a mirror finish on it.

Yes, I cut it out of sterling silver. All you need to do this is a drill, small drill bits, jewelers saw , sand paper and polish.

28 comments:

  1. Wow. I would be lucky if I could cut that out of paper. Amazing work! And great idea for signing.

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  2. I wish I could cut as pretty as you did, Catherine:) You are absolutely right about signing our own works how small they could be.:)

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  3. This is so beautiful, I love it!!
    Sylvia

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  4. Wouah ! What a lovely idea and what a wonderful job you did (as usual ...) !

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  5. I think I need more than the tools to do that :), your hands I guess :), great work.
    Yes, I`m thinking I will sign at least my houses.
    Mona

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  6. Ho lala , c'est trop beau !seulement avec une perceuse !!!

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  7. Perfecto!!!! muy buene idea!!! Besos.

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  8. You never cease to amaze me Catherine, this isn't just a brilliant idea but perfectly executed as well. And I agree with you about signing work, no matter how imperfect.

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  9. This is gorgeous and a novel way to sign work too. :o)))

    You stated and I quote 'All you need to do this is a drill, small drill bits, jewelers saw, sand paper and polish'. NO, not quite, you also need masses of talent Catherine and you have it in spades! :o))))

    I hope your eyes are settling down and healing well.

    Michelle xxx

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  10. What a beautiful work of patience and skill!
    Hugs

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  11. It really does look beautiful. =)

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  12. This is really wonderful and I would love to have it!!! But to do it by myself would be amateurish against your work. Like I always say: Don't meddle with things you don't understand.Hugs,Jeannette

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  13. Thanks Everyone for all your kind comments.

    If you would like to try this you could always use K&S 22 gauge brass.You can get that in model train shops, also online.

    If you are not comfortable drawing your own lettering, then there are a bunch of letter forms to choose from right on your computer.

    Just print your words (in heavy print) on computer contact paper and draw a box under the letters so that all your letters have a contact point (no matter how tiny) to the rectangular box.

    You should have three teeth from your saw blade in contact with the edge of your chosen metal gauge. That is how you figure out what size saw blade to use in any gauge metal.

    It is good to keep your saw blade lubricated for easy cutting. I use casting wax for that but bees wax would be just as good. Always make sure your saw blade is straight up and down. Think of it like a needle in a sewing machine, that never tilts while it is moving. You won't break as many saw blades if you master that.

    Knotty By Nature...
    I never could have cut this out of paper either! lol

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  14. Jennette... Good heavens!!!!!!!!!! You have more then your share of hand skill, waaaaay more. This would be nothing for you to do, I promise!

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  15. Soon I shall learn not to be surprised about what you can do....your talent is certainly amazing!! Talent and imagination, what a FABULOUS gift to have!!

    Linda x

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  16. Lazy me I etch my name into anodized aluminum name plates on the laser cutter.

    I am not fond of using a jewelers saw because I don't use it often enough to become comfortable with it. Therefore I have not become a master of it. Self defeating attitude! This from a woman who often tells others of course it is uncomfortable to use tools when you first get started with them and it will be that way until your muscle to brain memory for the tasks fully develops.

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  17. You did a magnificent job and are very brave to do it. Your sign is fantastic.

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  18. Absolutely wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!


    Hugs,
    Karin

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  19. hmmm, lovely, and hmmm yes; always sign your work :-)

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  20. Catherine, Your sign came out so wonderful! I hope you share with us the larger piece you are working on!! It would be great to see no doubt!

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  21. Catherine, it's beautiful! It's a work of art all on it's own! :)

    I have yet to figure out how to sign my work. lol ;)

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  22. Catherine, you make it sound so easy, but it cannot be. You're just so very competent. It's a beautiful piece of work! It's perfect, that's what it is.

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  23. Wow,I wouldn't even know how to start. I cannot use a jeweller saw for my life sake. It's beautiful and you are so talented It also reminds me that I never sign my works...very silly of me.
    Have a nice day/evening, Rosanna

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  24. Love using the jeweler's saw, and love working in silver, although of course I do not have nearly as much experience as you with working in metal. It is a lovely idea to cut out your name in silver, what will you be using it for?
    I admit I still often forget to sign my pieces. But I finished I piece yesterday and did remember to sign it, hurray!

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  25. I really don't know what I will do with it Josje. I will used it on something eventually.

    I am looking forward to seeing the piece you have just finished.

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  26. WOW! Beautiful! You are so talented.

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