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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 1, 2024 11:52:14 GMT -5
Welcome to the February Challenge! It was Patty's liveoak's turn to choose and here is what she proposes. I think it's a great challenge! Should get our creative juices going. 
Remember, this is not a contest but a challenge to push the envelope and step outside our box.
Have fun!
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Post by susand24224 on Feb 1, 2024 20:19:52 GMT -5
Hmmm. I have no sheet metal scrap, and very limited sheet metal, with minimal tools to work it. But perhaps I can accomplish *something* (emphasis on "thing" and perhaps it will motivate me to enlarge my capabilities. I have a saw, but not one of those thingies where you put your sheet metal on top and cut into the grooves. I have core drills, but wait! I have shears! I'll think of something.
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 1, 2024 20:28:40 GMT -5
Hmmm. I have no sheet metal scrap, and very limited sheet metal, with minimal tools to work it. But perhaps I can accomplish *something* (emphasis on "thing" and perhaps it will motivate me to enlarge my capabilities. I have a saw, but not one of those thingies where you put your sheet metal on top and cut into the grooves. I have core drills, but wait! I have shears! I'll think of something. That's the spirit! |
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Post by liveoak on Feb 2, 2024 7:33:56 GMT -5
I can't wait to see what we all come up with ! Patty |
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,171
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Post by rockbrain on Feb 2, 2024 10:39:33 GMT -5
Hmmm. I have no sheet metal scrap, and very limited sheet metal, with minimal tools to work it. But perhaps I can accomplish *something* (emphasis on "thing" and perhaps it will motivate me to enlarge my capabilities. I have a saw, but not one of those thingies where you put your sheet metal on top and cut into the grooves. I have core drills, but wait! I have shears! I'll think of something. Susan, I have a sheet metal shop. I dump loads and loads of scraps of galvanized sheet metal. I also have a pretty good little stash of sheet copper scraps. If you want I can send you some. I use the copper scraps for earrings so I can't be as generous with that but can definitely spare enough that you could do a couple of projects as I still have a pretty large piece of a sheet. |
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Post by susand24224 on Feb 2, 2024 15:40:28 GMT -5
Hmmm. I have no sheet metal scrap, and very limited sheet metal, with minimal tools to work it. But perhaps I can accomplish *something* (emphasis on "thing" and perhaps it will motivate me to enlarge my capabilities. I have a saw, but not one of those thingies where you put your sheet metal on top and cut into the grooves. I have core drills, but wait! I have shears! I'll think of something. Susan, I have a sheet metal shop. I dump loads and loads of scraps of galvanized sheet metal. I also have a pretty good little stash of sheet copper scraps. If you want I can send you some. I use the copper scraps for earrings so I can't be as generous with that but can definitely spare enough that you could do a couple of projects as I still have a pretty large piece of a sheet. Gary, thanks so much for your kind offer! And having seen some of your copper creations, I fully understand what you are saying. liveoak sent me a message this morning saying she had already mailed me a box, along with suggestions for creating that "v" thing, so I will turn your offer down. But, please be assured, I appreciate it and will be happy to return the favor any time if I have material that you want/need. |
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Post by liveoak on Feb 4, 2024 7:54:52 GMT -5
rockbrain , how about a "mixed metal" piece with some of your galvanized sheet metal ?
Seriously, I've heard that you can get some nice colors with heat on steel (not galvanized). Could be worth experimenting with.
Patty
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Post by liveoak on Feb 18, 2024 11:19:28 GMT -5
OK, I guess someone has to get it started this month !
So I will admit, that Susan has me re-looking at my scrap bin, & there are all kinds of reusable stuff in there.  I stewed on these for quite a while. The inner sheet metal component was originally textured with my rolling mill & some screen wire, and they were already cut into the shape, with most of the holes drilled.
I can't for the life of me remember what they were originally for.
I also thought they were coated with some clear acrylic or something ? (obviously not)
I started out thinking a pendant, if I had thought earrings, I might have used smaller base wires, but I figured out how to lose them in the end, so all was well.
I was pleasantly surprised when I dunked them in the LOS and the center got an iridescent look to it, that no photo seems to show - you'll have to take my word for it. They look good enough that I thought I should sell them, but I decided I like them too much - they are MINE !  Anyway, here's my sheet/wire wrapped entry, I like having the challenge every month, helps keep me motivated.
This one and the scrap challenge really gave me a lot of ideas now.
Patty
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 18, 2024 11:31:30 GMT -5
Wow! Those are really, really nice! I would keep them, too. You clearly have that weaving down. |
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Post by liveoak on Feb 18, 2024 11:41:20 GMT -5
Thanks Tela It's funny, I'm feeling guilty to keep them - OTOH they are already on my ears !
So they would be used ........
Guess I have to figure out another pair.
Patty
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Post by susand24224 on Feb 18, 2024 19:03:51 GMT -5
liveoak Well, Patty, I don't know where to start, so I'll begin with a huge "W.O.W." on the earrings--another design I want to steal! And I'll give you a clue (not that you should sell them) but I test wear all jewelry before it is sold and once in a while I am *very* glad that I did. Of late, this excludes earrings since I don't feel a burning desire to re-pierce my ears. I have two partially made projects from your copper scrap, and but for lack of time of late would probably have a dozen. I am running into difficulties with both of them as to how to finish, one I have tried several approaches which produced hideous results. On the other I'm going to be forced to put holes in your little copper sun (bah humbug) I think, but it will work. Thank you again for the gift of scrap!
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Post by liveoak on Feb 18, 2024 19:38:58 GMT -5
Feel free to steal away - I was just improvising around a found component & hell, it worked - lucky me.
But I can't imagine not having the ability to wear earrings, as they are my go to daily jewelry wear.
So I think you should re-think that !
I'm sure you'll figure out something that works - and no worries, scraps are meant to be changed to re-work into new projects- it's their nature
I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Patty
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Post by susand24224 on Feb 23, 2024 17:20:28 GMT -5
Okay, in a remarkable display of bravery, I am posting what is not completed. I have no reputation to ruin, so a few introductory notes. Wrap: The cab really isn't. Rather, it is an interesting semi-cab with pieces that sort of glued themselves together at random, without my interference, coupled with pieces that broke off at all inopportune moments while I was trying to make a cab. Then. . .THEN. . .I paired them with the cutest little sun that came in the scrap that liveoak Patty kindly sent me. The cute little sun is now living elsewhere, thanks to my Main Coon Cat from H*ll, but it's not under the rug, the stove, the dishwasher or the refrigerator. It will show up some day. So there was another cute little sun, but it hadn't been cut out yet so I started doing that, including removing one of the rays. Back to the semi-cab: I had no idea what I was going to do with thing, but I knew I didn't want to encircle the little piece on the bottom right. And I still haven't decided how to do the back; so it's not done, nor is a bail (I might add several jump rings). Probably I will do nothing because this piece should never be worn--it's just too fragile. Next is the flower-to-be which requires stamens and pistils and a lot of reshaping, but I like it. The cute little chalcedony in the center (which forms a vase) was sent to me by pebblesky , and is deep enough to hold the pistils. What fun! This "wrap" is the most seat of the pants thing I have ever done--at no time did I have a clue of what I needed to do next.    So--I've decided to add a photo that shows the bottom right "blob" more clearly since it is what made the wrap so difficult:  |
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Post by pebblesky on Feb 23, 2024 18:12:16 GMT -5
That yellow little finger is "Indonesian Tube Agate". I was also thinking of using some of them to hold a small cluster of dried flowers, so it is interesting when you refer to it as vase!
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Post by susand24224 on Feb 23, 2024 19:12:38 GMT -5
That yellow little finger is "Indonesian Tube Agate". I was also thinking of using some of them to hold a small cluster of dried flowers, so it is interesting when you refer to it as vase! Thanks for the information! Yes, they are perfect for that. I have some very small (1 mm) lapis beads which should look very nice in racines. And thank you again for the thought-provoking collection you sent me. |
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Post by liveoak on Feb 24, 2024 10:35:05 GMT -5
Wow, Susan - That's AMAZING ! I love how you constantly re-define the meaning of "art jewelry", wearable or not  I also think it's great that you liberated one of the suns from its sheet metal captivity - I would never have thought of it that way!
I'm not sure what to say about the wrapped stone - It's certainly a unique take on that, but I can't help myself from thinking it looks like an amoeba oozing its way out of a cage  I am going to reserve judgement on the flower, as it has excellent potential, but I agree that it still needs work.
You really need to have a talk with your cat, though - "Bad Kitty, BAD" !
Patty
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Post by susand24224 on Feb 24, 2024 13:35:03 GMT -5
Wow, Susan - That's AMAZING ! I love how you constantly re-define the meaning of "art jewelry", wearable or not I also think it's great that you liberated one of the suns from its sheet metal captivity - I would never have thought of it that way! I'm not sure what to say about the wrapped stone - It's certainly a unique take on that, but I can't help myself from thinking it looks like an amoeba oozing its way out of a cage I am going to reserve judgement on the flower, as it has excellent potential, but I agree that it still needs work. You really need to have a talk with your cat, though - "Bad Kitty, BAD" ! Patty
Patty, I don't like the wrap either. But I'm happy to have gotten a secure wrap on that mess and as a practical matter it's too fragile to be of much use no matter how ugly or how pretty it was (leaning strongly into the ugly). But I've got to tell you, you've ruined me! I have now purchased one of those things with the grooves so one can create curls, the right type of hammer to do it, have drug out the thingy that you punch out circles with, and have been staring longingly at the rolling mills (it will probably happen) and am trying to figure out how to create folds with the toothpaste things. I've watched videos on fold-forming, etc. and bought cold connections (I already had the punches). So, long story short, the ugly duckling of a wrap/liberated sun has reminded me of a whole world that I loved and I am enjoying it! So your challenge was a resounding (although a bit expensive) success! |
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Post by liveoak on Feb 24, 2024 13:49:30 GMT -5
Now that brings a smile to my face Susan- encouraging tool use is a good thing ! I'm sitting on the edge of my seat to see your new designs. TIP- Toothpaste corrugator thingy only works with thin copper, no matter what anyone says. 30 gauge is a place to start.
But I never actually said I didn't like your interesting wrap, just that it looked like it was trying to escape 
Patty
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Post by liveoak on Feb 24, 2024 14:02:46 GMT -5
So over lunch, Tom suggested that you haven't spent enough $ yet, you really need to get Mr Brain's book on Foldforming.
If you like to create unusual shapes from sheet metal- this is the book for you
BTW- Tom is my enabler - he's always suggesting ways for me to spend $ on tools, although I haven't figured out why he never suggested an ultrasonic cleaner !
Patty
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 25, 2024 14:45:11 GMT -5
I love reading your descriptions. Remember, I'm not laughing at you; I'm laughing with you. LOL!
I took a long hard look at your piece. I can see the determination in it. BUt, I also appreciate the thought that went into it. I think it's nice and with a little tweaking it would be even better.
I love the nose gay vase. If I were you, I would make it the cutest pin.
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