Saturday, May 21, 2011

Metal Problem Solved

Sunday... May 22, 2011
I would have gotten more finished today if I hadn't gotten a major sinus headache. At least the splash guard is soldered on now. It won't take long to finish it.


Please double click on photos.

Saturday May 21, 2011
Now that the galvanized steel "look" has been resolved using the gilders paste. I thought I would tackle the next problem.

Today I think I solved the issue with raised ring lines in the sheet metal. They are actually formed into the sheet now. It looks much better than trying to solder rings on them. So I decided to start making a watering can. Isn't that a great ruler? It has holes in it so your measurement marks are always exactly right.
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29 comments:

  1. Linda CarswellMay 21, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    You are certainly on a roll Catherine....two problems down!!!
    This is going to be fantastic!!! Quick!....back to work, I want to see more photos....please!
    Linda x

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  2. PlushpussycatMay 21, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Wow! Watching your process is fascinating! Can't wait to see the follow-ups! Great ruler too! :-)

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  3. dalesdreamsMay 21, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Wow, that is going to be fabulous!

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  4. CaseyminiMay 21, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Looking good Catherine. Where did you get the great ruler? I am in need of accuracy!

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  5. CatherineMay 21, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    I have had that ruler since I was a student in art school. I bet you could find it at Rio Grand though. I forgot where I bought mine. Sorry. :-(

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  6. Karin CorbinMay 21, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    OK looks good but 'xactly how did you roll the rings in there?

    Are trying to confuse us with the mystery objects? I know all the metal working objects stuff by what the heck is that rod with the incised lines and is that the nose of a miniature pig in the upper right corner or a broken pencil point?

    Piece of brass on top of a steel block...have not seen that before, interesting way to soften the surface or is that what it is there for?

    I need to clone your brain onto my hard drive, do you mind?

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  7. Karin CorbinMay 21, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    do a search on incra ruler.

    You can buy them at woodworking stores such as Rockler and Woodcraft.

    The ruler is made by "Incra"... Named for incremental divisions of measurement. Incra makes customized fences for tablesaws and routers that have toothed sections that will lock into 1/32" divisions or metric divisions. The rulers were a later product development of theirs and it has turned out to be their most popular product.

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  8. Linda CarswellMay 21, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    ....can you image a meeting of the great minds....Karin & Catherine....?

    (I would like to see that!!!)

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  9. CatherineMay 21, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Karin...Those are all the tools I am using to make the watering can.

    A steel surface plate, Dapping block, jewelers ring mandrel, solder snips, and a chasing tool I made this morning out of steel to burnish with and a rawhide hammer.

    I didn't roll print the rings in the tin. I hand cut grooves into a sheet of heavy brass and burnished the tin into the lines.

    Took forever because the brass had to be cut perfectly. I think when it comes time to cut round ones for the flower buckets I will etch them in and let ferric chloride do the work for me on the brass. LOL

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  10. CatherineMay 21, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Oh...I need the dapping block to form the splash guard for the top of the watering can.

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  11. CatherineMay 21, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    Linda...There are a lot of things I would love to learn from Karin. :-)

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  12. Garden of MiniaturesMay 21, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    OK, don't understand anything from the conversation between you and Karin.I'm only a poor little flower-maker. But I see that the watering can will be perfect.So I can give you my address :-) !Hugs,Jeannette

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  13. TerriMay 21, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    You have worked out the coloring really well. I am eager to see the watering can when you are done. It is going to be fab! And yes, that is a really fantastic ruler!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  14. Tabitha CorsicaMay 21, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    Brilliant...as usual. And I,too, do not understand one bit of the "techno-speak" but I am very impressed by it, nonetheless.. :-)

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  15. Marie-LaureMay 22, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    One more great setting-up is on its way.
    (Just one question : is there one thing you are not able to do ??? ;-))

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  16. ElgaMay 22, 2011 at 2:33 AM

    I think it is going to look wonderful, can't wait to see the watering can!!!! Isn't it nice when one find solutions for problems, I love it when things fall in place!!!!!

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  17. rosannaMay 22, 2011 at 2:39 AM

    Catherine and Karin, you two can come from Mars for me but how much I love your works!I adore looking at great artisans while working, writing in this case, makes me feel humble and proud a the same time. I'm truly eager to see the watering can finished, I already know that I will shed a tear on it. Have a brilliant day, Rosanna

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  18. FloraMay 22, 2011 at 2:42 AM

    Your work is always so enlightening that the pictures of simple tools exude charm ...
    They could be "still life" miniature :-)
    Have a nice day,
    Flora

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  19. marliesMay 22, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    The metal looks great! I do know what you mean, but the rings will not work if you make the vase from the previous post, which is tapered. (I do not know if it is the wright word?) Can you do rings in any form? Round too? I hope you know what I mean........!
    It will be a beautiful watering can! Can not wait to see more!
    * marlies

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  20. KC-DesignMay 22, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    Catherine, you are my genius!!!
    This watering can will be perfect, if it is finished!

    Karin

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  21. CatherineMay 22, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Marlies, I drew the pattern for the French Flower buckets. So not to worry.

    Karin, I worked on the watering can today. It will be finished.

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  22. marliesMay 22, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    Looks very good with the splash guard! Your work is great! Sorry about you're headache, hope you're feeling better soon.

    So you can make the rings go in a bow too? Sorry if I ask to much? I have to try and find out if it will go in paper as well.
    But it will look best in metal!
    * marlies

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  23. CatherineMay 22, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Marlies... I don't understand your question. Are you translating your comments in Babel Fish or some other program?

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  24. AnnekeMay 23, 2011 at 2:24 AM

    Catherine, this is amazing! I admire your metalworking skills so much! I know you're a metalsmith but still it's amazing you can make such delicate metal mini's! I know this wateringcan will be amazing when finished, I can hardly wait to see it!

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  25. Alessandra Collar LipmanMay 23, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Really nice work!

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  26. PattyMay 24, 2011 at 12:31 AM

    Catherine!!! This watering can is going to be a treasure and one that everyone is going to want!!! LOL.....what you will start!!! I love that you are using so many jewelers tools for making the minis. I have a friend who used to make the most amazing fabricated rings and pendants and tell her she should start making miniatures!! She is already collecting miniature things when she is at Estate sales which is what she is doing for a living at the moment. I love everything that you make! They always have the most perfect shapes!

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  27. Sandi QuanceMay 24, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    Catherine,
    You continue to amaze me!!!! What more can I say......other than what are you making next?

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  28. Karin CorbinMay 27, 2011 at 3:05 AM

    I see Catherine, thanks for the explanation of the piece of brass. Takes great hand skills to cut perfect lines. I will probably use a router for the grooves if I give it a go.

    Different workshops, different tools, different skills, different backgrounds, same love of miniatures.

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  29. ElfoJune 29, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    me encanto, todo esta muy bonito!!

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