Thursday, June 3, 2010

Getting There Little By Little


I have gotten the rest of my order from Bill Helmer (IGMA Fellow). It is three beautiful Elephant Ivory bowls. The source is legal and obtained from old pieces. The bad news is it cannot be shipped to other countries from the USA. However his Wooly Mammoth Ivory pieces can be. Mammoth Ivory is much harder to get he tells me and I like it as much if not more.

The big bowl I hope to use for a fruit arrangement. I thought the tiny bowls would be good accessory pieces on dark furniture. Those little bowls are close to being egg shell thin.

Finally I found a teapot on Ebay that would be nice with the china I bought twenty years ago. So in celebration, I cast eight place settings of the Chrysnbon flatware in 14 Karat gold. Which is a better match then silver for my china anyway. Those are two of the Chrysnbon 14K gold teaspoons in the photo.

19 comments:

  1. I love your teacups! They look so delicate. Bill does some excellent turnings! I am lucky enough to own two pieces of his too. Your silverware is stunning!!
    Where do you buy your copper for your metalwork? I need to buy some....Thanks

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  2. ..casting teaspoons in 18 carat gold....as one does every day...lol!!!
    With each new post you amaze me more & more!
    The teapot looks wonderful and I adore the little cups & scaucers also.

    I agree with Lorraine....WOW!!!!

    Linda x

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  3. Patty,

    I bought several gauges of copper many years ago. I don't remember where I got them. I don't use much of it in my full size metal work and as you know not much is needed for any miniature project.
    My source for gold and silver is Hauser Miller. I can order casting shot, sheet or tubes. In wire or tube I can order almost any shape of gauge. Round, half round or square.
    Phone: (800) 462-7447 - Fax: (800) 535-3829 - E-Mail: support@hauserandmiller.com
    I am not sure if they sell copper but I am sure if you call them they will direct you to a source for some. Be prepared to tell them what gauge you want to order in either sheet or wire and how much.
    I have been thinking about writing tutoral about how to get etched images on copper. I was very excited when I figured out a new way. You can reall have almost anything you want and it is safe. Unlike doing the same with silver or gold.

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  4. I love these mini's, everything is just divine! I LOVE the cups and saucers, do you know who makes them?

    Michelle xxx

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  5. Michelle

    On the back of the china is painted J E Y. I wish I could tell you more. As I said... I bought them 20 years ago(at a show in Chicago)the person that made them may not even be making miniatures anymore. :-( I wish I could find her myself. I would LOVE to have more of her work. The handles are so fine on the cups and I like the shape of them too.

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  6. Wonderful items you have there, I love the bowls and the teacups are fabulous! As is the statue :)

    Ira

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  7. Beautiful pieces, Catherine. Don't you just love Bill's work? I just rec's several mammoth ivory things in the mail mayself and I am always blown away when I see them in real life. I envy you your 18k gold casting. Many, many years ago I "dabbled" in lost wax casting. Quite a challenge. Awesome work!

    Tabitha

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  8. That beautiful pieces! A very good buy. A hug. Estefanía.

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  9. Thanks Tabitha! I am afraid they had to be 14K not 18K. Eighteen would be much too soft for those little tines on the forks. I had to cast the metal very hot...well... hotter than what I normally would, just to be sure the tines on the forks filled.

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  10. Your skills are amazing Catherine - 14c gold cutlery, wow! I would love to see your tutorial on etching copper. Oh, and thanks for your suggestion re the old gate. Must get around to commenting on my own blog, oops. I have lots of ideas of things I'd like to make but the old gate sounds good.

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  11. ¡Fantastico!son una verdadera preciosidad

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  12. The teacups and teaspoons are exquisite.
    Geneviève

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  13. It's all so delicate - lovely work!

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  14. Wow! Your work is amazing! Where did you find the beautiful little horsewoman and the painting too? So elegant! Your "goldware" is exquisite!

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  15. Daydreamer,

    I bought the Olszewski miniature 'Hunt and Hounds'on Ebay. Then I when I found the painting on Etsy I knew I had to have it! They seem to have been made for each other.

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  16. Thank you everyone, for all your kind words.

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  17. Oh, I love the china and silver or should I say gold ware! I get distracted by the shiny things. :)

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