Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Solder Sculpting


I am participating in an art exchange.....any case...

These hands kind of look like deer antlers in the picture...but hands in person

I took a box I had on the shelf ...simple box that has a sheriffs badge stained lid.
(recycling thing)



Gathered some materials together to make a few alterations to the look.

Wire...for forming the hand and fingers

Paraphernalia to solder...





And began my task to make hands...like presenting a present..

Hands holding the box..


First add wire where the fingers go...




Turn the heat down on the iron and start to add solder...until you get the look you desire..fingers





Patina..in this case bronze...

Hands holding the little box...I put a little swirly element over the Deadwood part of the badge...

But I like the star...kind of a shining feature for an artist
Marshaling the students...our hero...the teaching artist...

So, I present to a teaching artist their treasure..a star...

I won't give away who I have in the exchange...but I hope they come to the post to see how it was made...

fun experience...Hope you joined in ...
it was Seth Apter...and he has received it now...:)

14 comments:

Bea said...

It's a beautiful piece of artwork and who ever is getting it is very lucky. :)Bea

papercracker said...

What a cool project! Thanks for sharing the steps - I have soldered a bit in the past but would never have thought it could be used this way. I'm sure the person you are exchanging with will love this!

Unknown said...

Absolutely gorgeous - I love it!

MrCachet said...

I have never soldered anything of any kind, and it looks like a pair of hands to me, Mary. Nice concept and I'm certain it will make a great 'gift'.

Curio said...

That is a beautiful piece of art. The funny thing is it involves hands and I am presently working on a project using skeletal hands...The synchronicity of this blogging community is incredible!Mar, you and I both seem to work with so many different mediums. It keeps things interesting doesn't it?

Anne said...

Hi, Mar! Super project! They look like hands to me! Wow! Fabulous presentation box! :-)

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Wow, you are so talented. Getting those hands out of wire and solder. Simply amazing, since my soldering attempts have never made anything that good.

Lori Saul said...

What a great piece- very expressive soldering- I've only done leaded windows - where it is pretty basic soldering - but this is gnarled and wonderful!

Mescrap said...

Absolutely Gorgeous !!

Just wonder what kind of Art Exchange you are in with ?

Mary said...

Oh wow Mar this is wonderful!!
Whoever receives it is will be lucky indeed!!

Flora said...

Mar this is so gorgeous, I love the texture!!!!
blessings,Flora

Sarah said...

What a lovely thing you have made Mary! I am impressed with your use of soldering-I have a soldering iron that I have had for years but do not really know how to use it! I have been working on my swap item this evening-nearly done!

Linda Vincent said...

You make such unique pieces of art Mar....this is fantastic!

Seth said...

Oh Mar! A million thanks for this. It exceeded my expectations of what I thought would be exchanged. As wonderful as this looks in these photos, it is even better in person. The hands are amazing... and just perfect for me given my current project. Thanks to for sharing how you made this. You are mega talented!!! Best, Seth