tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23472905524046619372023-11-15T23:18:43.969-08:00HollowbourneMandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-15124121953655135672021-07-10T01:44:00.000-07:002021-07-10T01:44:04.561-07:00<p> Its the Etsy summer market and I am taking part with @Ideas Birmingham. OK I dont live in Brum, but at the time it was the nearest group , they agreed to accept a Stokie and they a a friendly bunch. So Here is the market line up. I'm off to the shed to make a smiling cat......</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbw9zWBIg7LH02ws-9thMsNvXCU4gg758FwuFadIn4N0bUbsLRiBHkkJm2jvMr4nfwbegmmCIsgL1lqgamoGIEJj_dwqlg7z3k2vBQnx02OdPmkOt07_A-7tnVZTg0zMeUIEqqUie4086/s2048/summer+market+sheet+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbw9zWBIg7LH02ws-9thMsNvXCU4gg758FwuFadIn4N0bUbsLRiBHkkJm2jvMr4nfwbegmmCIsgL1lqgamoGIEJj_dwqlg7z3k2vBQnx02OdPmkOt07_A-7tnVZTg0zMeUIEqqUie4086/s320/summer+market+sheet+3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmy59LexRoQTzqmIF17Mt91JCzwtSTLJugq9arC4_0C2ICu2dzio_pc-dYPxeK62zxxBqn7NmxrbMePJOLvp0EiV55XnD3h1cEJSpjcllxsqhZgcn9PkA-qltmP3Xw3QmPlUC5O1VzCUy/s2048/summer+market+sheet+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmy59LexRoQTzqmIF17Mt91JCzwtSTLJugq9arC4_0C2ICu2dzio_pc-dYPxeK62zxxBqn7NmxrbMePJOLvp0EiV55XnD3h1cEJSpjcllxsqhZgcn9PkA-qltmP3Xw3QmPlUC5O1VzCUy/s320/summer+market+sheet+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKCGP_qynKE6B-e4BdEA6kBlAxieI1uEnR-UXm8BZPA4T3UDqf12w0Zfi3BKLoZLRQOO5fITVUuobrmiuOJsN4-DO8Hm2Qtj2dfSjWGc2WUUAtgIV0mMrMqX_zY0nMgJDCnDk_NWairYk/s2048/summer+market+sheet+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKCGP_qynKE6B-e4BdEA6kBlAxieI1uEnR-UXm8BZPA4T3UDqf12w0Zfi3BKLoZLRQOO5fITVUuobrmiuOJsN4-DO8Hm2Qtj2dfSjWGc2WUUAtgIV0mMrMqX_zY0nMgJDCnDk_NWairYk/s320/summer+market+sheet+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-89753147921848277302020-11-29T05:56:00.009-08:002020-11-29T06:20:09.880-08:00<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">Hi, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>I have made a couple of you tube videos which if you have found your way to this obscure corner of my world I thought you might like to see.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The first is a demonstration of me painting om the second layer of resist on an inch bird.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>It has already been through the etch once, so that the eye, beak and tail feathers stick up more than the rest. So in this video I am using a nail varnish pen to apply the next layer of resist to create the feathers.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5L9AE_daBZQR3963PSLhOhyphenhyphenRLaPMSn0sPGCnM8dyCpfyQz0Z3Dt4wQMRQ0q_hV2VbrlDJETXPLlYEBoBX3Tc536H8-X-truBtg8TmwRvxPCj1nn5wWiA34logji_74wEP1qRHaJEIl0P/s1700/inch+bird+brooch+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="1700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5L9AE_daBZQR3963PSLhOhyphenhyphenRLaPMSn0sPGCnM8dyCpfyQz0Z3Dt4wQMRQ0q_hV2VbrlDJETXPLlYEBoBX3Tc536H8-X-truBtg8TmwRvxPCj1nn5wWiA34logji_74wEP1qRHaJEIl0P/s320/inch+bird+brooch+4.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Click on the link below to watch on you tube</span><br /><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvM_lxgOcE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvM_lxgOcE</a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The second video is me cutting out a baby dragon, this one is 17 minutes long, I didn't realise it took me so long to cut them out! I did manage to cut the whole thing out without breaking a saw blade, but then it is copper and quite soft as it has just been annealed. The brass ones are a little harder and take longer to cut out.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6ks-BETfLI&t=33s </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq6453004q7L-Lh_TEkvZ1SRsOwdqfPDVpznGZEpYXDd2lsr25YwZrvNjN7rHt4Eqt7c7JZWITy4-WTZqQ44MDxQ6_2nHaDIZHmfLm6p9Cg9QRAwLTsrVkaN9KyjOWDJeUaA2exbZ5dlD/s1700/baby+dragon+brooch+two+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="1700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq6453004q7L-Lh_TEkvZ1SRsOwdqfPDVpznGZEpYXDd2lsr25YwZrvNjN7rHt4Eqt7c7JZWITy4-WTZqQ44MDxQ6_2nHaDIZHmfLm6p9Cg9QRAwLTsrVkaN9KyjOWDJeUaA2exbZ5dlD/s320/baby+dragon+brooch+two+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p>Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-80317088944159141532017-11-08T16:09:00.003-08:002017-11-09T00:20:46.821-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I have noticed a few people finding there way here recently I thought I'd do a quick pictorial how it is done sort of post.<br />
First, cut the designs of of sheet metal and hammer to shape.<br />
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Three brass pieces already worked on a bit, and a sheet of copper ready to be cut up.<br />
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All cut up, and roughly sanded to take off the sharp edges. The copper pieces are ready to be hammered.<br />
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After everything that needs to be is hammered out, the backs are coated with resist and signed. And the <span id="goog_2025780605"></span><span id="goog_2025780606"></span>first layer of nail varnish resist is applied. There is a cactus appearing at this point, in an here's one I started a week ago way....<br />
The pieces then go into the etch tank for 10 to 15 minutes or so to etch the first layer.<br />
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After the first dunking they are rinsed off and a second layer of resist is painted on, some of this is proper etching resist which is scratched to produce the pattern (the black stuff) . For others it is more nail varnish or in the case of foxes a mixture of the two. These all have to sit around drying before being etched again. The dog at the top and the badger in the middle will have a third layer of resist and visit to the etch so that the legs have more depth . The cactus only needed one bout of etching so here is it waiting for its next stage which is being cut out more neatly.<br />
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After the second etching, the pieces are rinsed and the resists wiped off with white spirit and nail varnish remover. This is why you rarely see me with nail varnish on, it wouldn't be there long before being stripped off when I am cleaning up my brooches. I've tried wearing gloves but I just get holes in them . The top 3 pieces have had a bit of a brushing with a brass brush, the others are waiting their turn. So after this photo, I file off all the edges as they can get a bit rough in the etch and sand the backs and edges. Next the pieces are polished.<br />
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Not the best of pictures, but it was late and very dark when I took this photo just before soldering the backs on. After this this get a good clean, the backs are brushed again , then they are lacquered ready for sale. <br />
The cats and foxes are or are about to be for sale on Etsy and Folksy, the badger still needs to be patinated before going on sale. The cactus has been soldered to its pot and is still in the shed waiting for a final clean up, brooch back application and a paint. At the rate I am managing to do anything at the moment it will be next week before that is for sale.<br />
So now you know how it is done , as they say on the tv. My apologies for the quality of the pictures, my workshop is set up for making stuff rather than taking perfectly lit pictures.....<br />
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<br />Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-75973152752698904662013-04-11T13:04:00.000-07:002013-04-11T13:04:34.090-07:00Workshop essentialsLast week I had to do some essential maintenance work on my workshop, or to be more precise the roof of my workshop. My workshop is in an extended shed, we bought one then found we had so much stuff between us we had to buy another for my own jewellery workshop area. Last year I had to get up on the roof and install a solid ridge . The problem with roofing felt on sheds is that it shrinks and gets brittle with age. This is exacerbated by our cat running around and sharpening its claws on the rough surface! Where the two sides on the roof join on the ridge there is a weak, unprotected area which got ripped last year , so we bought some guttering , turned it upside down , glued it in place with silicon adhesive then I glued two layers of roofing felt over the top , nailing and sealing the edges. Whilst I was up there, (and yes it was me not my husband, he claims to be too heavy to crawl around on roofs) I patched a few thin looking bits.<br />
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But this year his end of the shed was leaking again, and when I got up there, there was a huge patch of felt missing, blown off by the wind. So out came the left over roofing felt and felt mastic and I spent an afternoon scrabbling around on the roof, thinking what the hell am I doing up here, isn't this one of those jobs that you fondly believe will become somone elses when you first get married!<br />
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So I present my patched roof for your edification<br />
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No, it's not the neatest job in the world but the roof doesnt leak any more at the moment, so I'm quite pleased with it.<br />
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I also added a little essential internal modification........<br />
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Essential for Spot our cat that is, he likes to keep me company when I'm in the shed and recently he has developed the annoying habit of sitting on top of my fan heater and knocking it over all the time. So I put this shelf up in the corner under my bench . Its the warmest place in the shed, out of the draught from the door, a bit of foam to make it comfier and warmer and out of line with anything falling on him whilst I am sawing,filing etc. And when the fan heater is on in there I point it under the bench at my legs. And yes to the perfectionists among you it does slant a bit.......It was too dark under the bench to see what I was doing properly but Spot hasn't noticed and thats all that matters.<br />
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Now all I need to do is make some more jewellery!<br />
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So here is something I managed to make after doing these two maintenance works.<br />
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A spring chick brooch, somewhat neater than my building work!<br /><br />
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<br />Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-35100852239891935842012-12-15T15:52:00.000-08:002012-12-15T17:17:14.669-08:00Frankenrobot the mad scientist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #990000;"> Frankenrobot</span><span style="background-color: #990000;"></span></span></b></h4>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a dark and stormy night when Frankenrobot lurched out of the castle looking for a subject suitable for his lateast research. He clanked and screeched along the road, his rusting legs much in need of a good oil. What poor unfortunate creature was facing its doom tonight?</span></span></b></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The robot rolled his eyes, searching high and low for some living animal on which to work his evil experiment. It was getting much harder to find suitable material as his fell experiments had emptied the forest surrounding his lair, and Frankenrobot was obliged to roam long into the night. </span></b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any sensible creature was curled up as small as possible in the deepest burrow it could find in the hopes of avoiding unwanted attention.</span></b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even the last rat in the area was in hiding, hunkered down in a deep drain hole nervously chewing his tail. Luckily for the rat the robot's antenna were as ill maintained as the rest of his body the centre sensor was supposed to pick up on signs of warm life , but a chunk has rusted off the bottom which limited the robot's perception of depth.</span></span></b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">AAAAArrrrgggghhhh growled Frankenrobot, his rubbery lips quivering as he gave vent to his fury.</span></b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>He had reached the boundary of his domain, at the furthest point from his castle was the graveyard, where he buried his failures .</b> </span></span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYokG2tHL7daMd0vSZyAlUsfaO0XRf1LN5qET_zQFuj54QC5gOZQEFUOnvp5wXNzasPpYULMuNggNJuE9dkFsnhgJws-ZZbcmNVcBf4WcY8Yc1cMCW8YzFYytrFY0_PJhWu6eCO4UEBgE/s1600/graveyard+stoke+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYokG2tHL7daMd0vSZyAlUsfaO0XRf1LN5qET_zQFuj54QC5gOZQEFUOnvp5wXNzasPpYULMuNggNJuE9dkFsnhgJws-ZZbcmNVcBf4WcY8Yc1cMCW8YzFYytrFY0_PJhWu6eCO4UEBgE/s320/graveyard+stoke+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The sun was now making a vain attempt to lighten the sky and Frankenrobot knew he must return home soon, then suddenly he spotted his victim</span></b></span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__KrT-3DHTcD00yp-aU-NCgAzvt9Su0JoPDL13ZB6r79is2xSvuFO6gQo5tQCl8BztRlSCQFi_mGqhLJDQLVYnz4pk1unONnEE2IQEc_2eoNrcfOuDI80W1WjACPem1SHhcoXixlQdKll/s1600/bird+in+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__KrT-3DHTcD00yp-aU-NCgAzvt9Su0JoPDL13ZB6r79is2xSvuFO6gQo5tQCl8BztRlSCQFi_mGqhLJDQLVYnz4pk1unONnEE2IQEc_2eoNrcfOuDI80W1WjACPem1SHhcoXixlQdKll/s320/bird+in+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">silhouetted against the sky too intent on watching the dawn come up and preparing itself to welcome the new day with a song</b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">...................................</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry it was just that this robot looked like it needed a history, not very christmassy is it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></h4>
<br />Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-15579528788965066512012-10-31T12:42:00.000-07:002012-10-31T12:42:26.202-07:00Just take one pumpkinAnd carve.....................<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuW7AXkAyNR9gTb52odT5yB5CBXPpibtXl1GohnbGWrZXYk7bZVqnRcOZV4jEtW-QE2LU1hrowDRgsSDvWeLa8TRYuUyJ6m94txCPGEEHOMM91xmQlW_Pd-Fhhj25y_d5cPRBQn4VZk_w/s1600/pumpkin+grin+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuW7AXkAyNR9gTb52odT5yB5CBXPpibtXl1GohnbGWrZXYk7bZVqnRcOZV4jEtW-QE2LU1hrowDRgsSDvWeLa8TRYuUyJ6m94txCPGEEHOMM91xmQlW_Pd-Fhhj25y_d5cPRBQn4VZk_w/s320/pumpkin+grin+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happy pumpkin</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBclD6_rrSPrh7HFhB0jedzfYsOKfw3RQBwknOjovT8x5By75eVPBGJWcMZgbFW6yWGrBSsrdMyFqeWnS4_4O8Zaa30cFwpreqpnT-bD5L03ws5uoNEIzho8e5nEU22e50j1Ql3DOQrdw/s1600/pumpkin2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBclD6_rrSPrh7HFhB0jedzfYsOKfw3RQBwknOjovT8x5By75eVPBGJWcMZgbFW6yWGrBSsrdMyFqeWnS4_4O8Zaa30cFwpreqpnT-bD5L03ws5uoNEIzho8e5nEU22e50j1Ql3DOQrdw/s320/pumpkin2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">angry pumpkin</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgroSqYwujVfV-GfmdEfolcplA4Xa-4Nr6-_KvCB6hyb0hE1w1uSdU_1cb5dj0Xzy9sfLCMkC618XbnFzhRFoqn7A0GkqpregWSC-D9IbhM5hA2q_V9UJxTfaGn5BJdPIU6Wd5xjfBxCZ/s1600/elfin+pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgroSqYwujVfV-GfmdEfolcplA4Xa-4Nr6-_KvCB6hyb0hE1w1uSdU_1cb5dj0Xzy9sfLCMkC618XbnFzhRFoqn7A0GkqpregWSC-D9IbhM5hA2q_V9UJxTfaGn5BJdPIU6Wd5xjfBxCZ/s320/elfin+pumpkin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wicked elf pumpkin</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuDbArVeHZo3dhwurWC1jMFRBjlXCX97ZtFlKezaEcAz_vlBSzPJehyoM3VfzKLx64A6_lk5drUfXzcOP1FHrnM-Cj6DMDLkVpZof-4vYdO4HBekJM_7jTR7FJjspHA5pKF8bVE5wlYNT/s1600/grinning+pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuDbArVeHZo3dhwurWC1jMFRBjlXCX97ZtFlKezaEcAz_vlBSzPJehyoM3VfzKLx64A6_lk5drUfXzcOP1FHrnM-Cj6DMDLkVpZof-4vYdO4HBekJM_7jTR7FJjspHA5pKF8bVE5wlYNT/s320/grinning+pumpkin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">scarecrow pumpkin</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUyfKX0PCru2NWh9w1FOb_L0ge_DvkAGGb0BB_ZEdkcpUzpuEymbBtmvuq3b6b3JwQwc0_dHPh4f3YPO5V-c1Jga-DXz913Mjb0HtWX-Fk675CBJmcQf-kIeprH0cdTY_LoachWN7lGhD/s1600/pumkin+and+rat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUyfKX0PCru2NWh9w1FOb_L0ge_DvkAGGb0BB_ZEdkcpUzpuEymbBtmvuq3b6b3JwQwc0_dHPh4f3YPO5V-c1Jga-DXz913Mjb0HtWX-Fk675CBJmcQf-kIeprH0cdTY_LoachWN7lGhD/s320/pumkin+and+rat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rat infested pumpkin</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUn53He0uI2OJ9phSbiL76rG1SrdH5RCoMLxQ4Kkd7ngf6_HKFnRgyuBLnikbBZQ58UDCmKDU4g7R9XDPrCCZ53OnmJo3jKoIaSMxAxdQmXbbjb9J4MN5f5-19Re6eRnmM4K7AK8VbsKRd/s1600/pumpkin+and+squewers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUn53He0uI2OJ9phSbiL76rG1SrdH5RCoMLxQ4Kkd7ngf6_HKFnRgyuBLnikbBZQ58UDCmKDU4g7R9XDPrCCZ53OnmJo3jKoIaSMxAxdQmXbbjb9J4MN5f5-19Re6eRnmM4K7AK8VbsKRd/s320/pumpkin+and+squewers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its a good idea not to drop your pumpkin</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-zAzSZS8MzkrSEA1CwVP2elMdDJq1l5V39kSRrTlYkhM0RLpiOgvicwi1KtjwpdI4yrcqmaUNK0I_L-S6TVdvcxQyx2O31cVvHFNIowUZZhxWnY0WXiRovuzSBqgI4YmXx-3U35s4Kux/s1600/pumkin+in+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-zAzSZS8MzkrSEA1CwVP2elMdDJq1l5V39kSRrTlYkhM0RLpiOgvicwi1KtjwpdI4yrcqmaUNK0I_L-S6TVdvcxQyx2O31cVvHFNIowUZZhxWnY0WXiRovuzSBqgI4YmXx-3U35s4Kux/s320/pumkin+in+snow.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gently decaying pumpkin several weeks later</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"> Happy Halloween</span>Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-26146756241779844602012-10-05T11:25:00.000-07:002012-10-05T11:25:31.046-07:00Enamel insect and flowersAnyone who saw my last post about my brass bird, may have wondered why it was sitting on a real branch. When I first started it it was going to be sitting in a nest made of wire, but having made its legs and feet I didn't want to hide them . The idea I had was to make a Victorian taxidermy style diorama , with metal creatures instead of stuffed ones.<br />
So what follows are the close ups of the piece of bark that the branch is mounted on with its accoutrements.......<br />
First I made an insect, this was intended to be flying in the air above
the bird, which is why the bird is looking up but finding a suitable
branch was impossible so it has ended up on the floor....of the piece that is. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWx3mhXn1i0uUfSclvK_96UHPGbu8OnaKdBvDV0_XkHndIq-S4Q3GuJ237nYrJ2Ezobl4_zmranKuM_mJsujCwYDvJNkWs5BVGiMk637bSVpejWMuBUFZr_ENZIQqBZFj9QAKPf91yKaeP/s1600/w+bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWx3mhXn1i0uUfSclvK_96UHPGbu8OnaKdBvDV0_XkHndIq-S4Q3GuJ237nYrJ2Ezobl4_zmranKuM_mJsujCwYDvJNkWs5BVGiMk637bSVpejWMuBUFZr_ENZIQqBZFj9QAKPf91yKaeP/s320/w+bug.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Is body is enamelled top and bottom with a brass band around its circumference to hide the join, the legs are copper with beads melted on to the ends for feet.<br />
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<img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpSxKTYYGeXi3hNELEDIV9SMtkARhvsOFvOLpyQu4G4F6kbEdjMDkOzq4hkwjQ-BGpKnOYUfjW8ySQ271bUlzWuMwgqHv-YQaWpxJBm-RAmn5Bn6YSe2dqHVhC4V4IEXri89f9ddnNMP_/s320/w+bug+2.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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I also made a copper worm which had a great dark wormy patina from heating, I'm so tempted to make some sort of a brooch with a whole bunch or these so they would emerge out of a pocket.....would anybody buy it though?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fllBzui3-_kXRyblO3KOQFkmUIB9U-KZu6a4gd-ev9FQhJd41o9S9VMDVoQRHXY_v8J11xuAiBjkxomRD-oArAnSpHhWpEhszBZnxtaf8UTSziIhn_inFIbpJUGjTlMKS50je0RgheaE/s1600/worm+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fllBzui3-_kXRyblO3KOQFkmUIB9U-KZu6a4gd-ev9FQhJd41o9S9VMDVoQRHXY_v8J11xuAiBjkxomRD-oArAnSpHhWpEhszBZnxtaf8UTSziIhn_inFIbpJUGjTlMKS50je0RgheaE/s320/worm+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I made some plants from copper which I enamelled<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibI98sQEe3kqFBSJCf2z-YO4z5ynk31iGkO25vrX1K8gkvwBKQTG7RwZFm-cIMc79o4OJDU7revZFGCPi8WdsvUMCnp2Z1NSsbgL_FPYcZlkQS8BWVqITQB-2ZfzIoT9dS-XC_MqIfN9zb/s1600/white+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibI98sQEe3kqFBSJCf2z-YO4z5ynk31iGkO25vrX1K8gkvwBKQTG7RwZFm-cIMc79o4OJDU7revZFGCPi8WdsvUMCnp2Z1NSsbgL_FPYcZlkQS8BWVqITQB-2ZfzIoT9dS-XC_MqIfN9zb/s320/white+flowers.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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and<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHb7gk5Nwp0Wos6oPJSuCiBCaPTD-CCA8Y1K4k7eCompgOdQYYb162qqDqW6kNQz7fY2t50gzf_KNY_lKW3Q5C_35q5WfMBhksCfoWRw_v0jk6tlP6jPF9hAHHIUza9U5v69rRWwAqJVi/s1600/w+daisys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHb7gk5Nwp0Wos6oPJSuCiBCaPTD-CCA8Y1K4k7eCompgOdQYYb162qqDqW6kNQz7fY2t50gzf_KNY_lKW3Q5C_35q5WfMBhksCfoWRw_v0jk6tlP6jPF9hAHHIUza9U5v69rRWwAqJVi/s320/w+daisys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I was particularly pleased with the way the leaves turned out, they are all enamelled on both sides, which in the case of the brass flowered daisy was probably a waste of time as you cant see the back, but working out how to make them was very instructive. I'm now trying to decide how to combine these flowers and leaves into a brooch.<br />
And here is the picture of the whole thing for those who have not seen it on my facebook page.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo8341IzRCBpkEregXqZq3Q-hm4PXR05p2GEddI6ack4Jc2GAfgs_fLyB_dcPz-IAV0BrwyZ4NGqSczaydq4xGAViQ2hvdCxHUr7HrY-kB8CnfnBNCg-ycPIhWCoN1wfubVmknP9PgTt6/s1600/whole+bird+thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo8341IzRCBpkEregXqZq3Q-hm4PXR05p2GEddI6ack4Jc2GAfgs_fLyB_dcPz-IAV0BrwyZ4NGqSczaydq4xGAViQ2hvdCxHUr7HrY-kB8CnfnBNCg-ycPIhWCoN1wfubVmknP9PgTt6/s320/whole+bird+thing.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
My apologies for the state of the photos they were taken late at night the day before I sent it off for the exhibition when I realised I had no pictures of the finished article. I really wanted to have it all under a glass dome but couldn't find anything suitable that was affordable. I found a couple of websites selling old oblong domes, plenty of stock but no prices, I hate that. If you have a shop why not put the price on things? It reminds me of the thing that posh antiques shops do, where the assumption is if you have to ask the price you cant afford it. My attitude is that if I have to ask the price I assume you don't want to sell it. <br />
This was great fun to make and I'm thinking about what creature to make next, I spent a very boring day at work today stapling bits of insurance policy documents together whilst daydreaming about dragons, but don't hold you breath it will be probably after Christmas before I get a chance to make another project like this.<br />Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-59018027214255922312012-09-07T15:28:00.000-07:002012-09-08T04:33:19.461-07:00Bird in a bush<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h3>
An adventure in metalsmithing </h3>
For the last few weeks I have been working on a much bigger project than usual, as much as anything to prove to myself that I haven't forgotten all the silversmithing I learned at college all those years ago.<br />
I started with a few doodles which became a plaster maquette made from polyfilla which was all I had to hand.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhoKBR8G4HrrZU1RDe6IhSQXP-zDLgw4ZNCgdeBIi0lagawzhXnW_SlG8XBpGy3dtRMJkZyfGjNJ31PlmdJGR_MZRFOJCWsZ6f_TLd0rzuuEY2GdwvbWxtAVriJe4uy4JzPDZa8XDTgp6/s1600/plaster+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhoKBR8G4HrrZU1RDe6IhSQXP-zDLgw4ZNCgdeBIi0lagawzhXnW_SlG8XBpGy3dtRMJkZyfGjNJ31PlmdJGR_MZRFOJCWsZ6f_TLd0rzuuEY2GdwvbWxtAVriJe4uy4JzPDZa8XDTgp6/s200/plaster+bird.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
This is the plaster bird without it's beak I had to cut it off as it was getting in the way when I was fitting the brass bottom bowl up against it to check for size.<br />
Having carved the bird I cut a circle out of brass and started hammering it to shape..............<br />
I dont have any proper stakes and had to nip out to B & Q for a substitute raising hammer as the one I bought years ago has disappeared.So armed with my small cross pein hammer and a variety of doming punches I began , here follows for those of you interested some photos of the results of the process of raising and forming follow in order. Click on the photos to see them larger.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPO1KTE7HbOX0TYxRzbBq5FcdLWQE0FiqYWIRrXNJbmk9hcZ6REfjHEPEuFNW3ng-GAzWZkTbX4qC-LBISi6VDhSSMDbHhdRVrgOqEwVQbgjH8eQCEmhHM-xTARIMAuaWbfm8NA21k_7Ny/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPO1KTE7HbOX0TYxRzbBq5FcdLWQE0FiqYWIRrXNJbmk9hcZ6REfjHEPEuFNW3ng-GAzWZkTbX4qC-LBISi6VDhSSMDbHhdRVrgOqEwVQbgjH8eQCEmhHM-xTARIMAuaWbfm8NA21k_7Ny/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" width="480
" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the basic raising for the underside of my bird.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PLWH0qbsDp2mOh87LZLOKwCPBQf92T86WKqBtIfG90M25F9v3b2mtACvNENdmrNNnOiZ8Ds-GZov_MSjzWcWniVg05e6Qbx9RgG47kMrXDcoy0GhYgWBvLW_G9KTPLgE66QIDmfolP-t/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PLWH0qbsDp2mOh87LZLOKwCPBQf92T86WKqBtIfG90M25F9v3b2mtACvNENdmrNNnOiZ8Ds-GZov_MSjzWcWniVg05e6Qbx9RgG47kMrXDcoy0GhYgWBvLW_G9KTPLgE66QIDmfolP-t/s320/Untitled-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then refining the shape, narrowing the base and making the bowl deeper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVASG6lqk1ytBANilC-lJCEfwKDPZb7TIxAQdoZ-J1nAdiD1a8Pg2-KOB8PUSJzEEv7CzRPeAr0BvW6itm1wCYwU0h-FFhuRbUNBiaYfTeTKpE5kVyFLw08k1qPfLAzABVc658lED0sfX/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120
" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVASG6lqk1ytBANilC-lJCEfwKDPZb7TIxAQdoZ-J1nAdiD1a8Pg2-KOB8PUSJzEEv7CzRPeAr0BvW6itm1wCYwU0h-FFhuRbUNBiaYfTeTKpE5kVyFLw08k1qPfLAzABVc658lED0sfX/s640/Untitled-3.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then I formed the neck and underneath of the tail, followed by a spot of planishing to smooth the finish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxFhFDeAtmBgCkrRrcPoXXYeibCvUwkfV0UBokYXfPrgOlqqmi-114p-TBRd2aa7-hq7OSzXwbimBtt85cmAhN6ZbddLY29e-WUPPe2JMuptIvUPvNYh9x5_zy2Z0IO2vzxcmu9JKBTP8/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxFhFDeAtmBgCkrRrcPoXXYeibCvUwkfV0UBokYXfPrgOlqqmi-114p-TBRd2aa7-hq7OSzXwbimBtt85cmAhN6ZbddLY29e-WUPPe2JMuptIvUPvNYh9x5_zy2Z0IO2vzxcmu9JKBTP8/s320/Untitled-4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top of the bird, basic forming done by hammering into a lead block, two flaps pulled round
to encircle the beak</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItDirG6uhv0oEoXaFkTvQMKaGUk25AAEjMRb0Ytc2AquQLhLlwarfylpXCbsZ7-3vmy-k4D6oJ9Vk23sQTc5BWomJg_zAFNvzvTV8dQ0VH3R9HbZMT7fQZlYvSrKPkOaKhxO2XQVRLS8z/s1600/Untitled-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItDirG6uhv0oEoXaFkTvQMKaGUk25AAEjMRb0Ytc2AquQLhLlwarfylpXCbsZ7-3vmy-k4D6oJ9Vk23sQTc5BWomJg_zAFNvzvTV8dQ0VH3R9HbZMT7fQZlYvSrKPkOaKhxO2XQVRLS8z/s320/Untitled-5.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two parts fitted together and feathery bits cut out</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmeKAunTIIQTIsWDwGGFDTw4Ln14b4nSXUR-89alFrvrh4DBfDY059daGjpzRIuNiWTrLB0VN7j8sDhhATufcSG9eMXwCdrMRAmfZSbP5Tnug97ZPaIe5nygtiuEqX_iolxMETE3adq55/s1600/Untitled-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmeKAunTIIQTIsWDwGGFDTw4Ln14b4nSXUR-89alFrvrh4DBfDY059daGjpzRIuNiWTrLB0VN7j8sDhhATufcSG9eMXwCdrMRAmfZSbP5Tnug97ZPaIe5nygtiuEqX_iolxMETE3adq55/s320/Untitled-6.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beak made from copper is inserted to try the fit and more feather shapes cut in the upper tail</td></tr>
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At this point my camera battery ran out, I couldn't find the battery charger and for some reason it didn't occur to me to use my other camera......so I'm afraid how I did the legs, eyes, ears,wings and extra bits of tail I will leave to your imagination. And, eh voila.... here is my little bird all assembled and standing on his wooden perch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXHPam89_r2VX-CYOf8gjcJ46GmbiishMLVdWZ5fmhwOyVyALILj2iMIDJqbK3w2PskNS5URBO51VenTQH4AkYjOM5HTJ4P2S2f8NmvCpRl48zuenN8nnLlE0a5_0amkbZtXZgwLNjmGi/s1600/finished+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXHPam89_r2VX-CYOf8gjcJ46GmbiishMLVdWZ5fmhwOyVyALILj2iMIDJqbK3w2PskNS5URBO51VenTQH4AkYjOM5HTJ4P2S2f8NmvCpRl48zuenN8nnLlE0a5_0amkbZtXZgwLNjmGi/s400/finished+bird.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I'm not sure what kind of a bird it is , a finch perhaps, I think they can have quite chunky beaks. <br />
I really enjoyed the challenge of making this and am I have to admit quite pleased with the finished article. What do you think of my LBJ? (bird watching term for unidentified small plain bird)Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-52715307931802062222012-07-17T14:11:00.001-07:002012-07-17T14:19:54.374-07:00Redfern's Cottage Museum of Uttoxeter Life<span style="font-size: large;">Redfern's Cottage Museum of Uttoxeter Life</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR9JojMBp_3ef8WpE47NwynRzrNGuVa5Wk17hmLWA_jNy-zdEPVpEZ7vQugae9T_Ltl5tM3GKKfq-h97W8mNZ5olCup5Bd4MLlJN5P_TESRSzLi7cFC24JK_FY5qhAzdCkk0fK-g6mJkM/s1600/redferns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR9JojMBp_3ef8WpE47NwynRzrNGuVa5Wk17hmLWA_jNy-zdEPVpEZ7vQugae9T_Ltl5tM3GKKfq-h97W8mNZ5olCup5Bd4MLlJN5P_TESRSzLi7cFC24JK_FY5qhAzdCkk0fK-g6mJkM/s320/redferns.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the trustees from Redfern's museum, contacted me a while back and asked if I'd like to sell some of my work in their museum shop. It's taken me a while to get my act together but today at last they have taken delivery of a batch of assorted brooches.<br />
It is a tiny little museum run entirely by volunteers after the council decided they no longer could afford to run it. I had a quick guided tour and learned quite a lot about Uttoxeter that I didn't know <br />
prior to my visit to scout out the place. I dont think I've ever been into Uttoxeter town centre before,despite it only being only 18 miles away. Which is a shame as I found it to be a lovely little town with lots of old interesting buildings and shops. The Saturday I visited there was a small market and some live entertainment next to the war memorial in the market place.<br />
The museum itself features information about local famous people like Mary Howitt who wrote the well known and slightly chilling poem about the spider and the fly which starts<br />
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"Will you walk into my parlour? said the Spider to the Fly<br />
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So in honour of the museum I have made two new brooches, one a small mouse as they have a Redfern's mouse and the other is a half timbered type cottage brooch with smoke curling out of its chimney.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQQjp6RDnCIE9OYP2uwgAolPlb8dty98IAr_JN8aFUd_ICcrUQhhXxJpoZiRG4MtZLSW5eoNX5gbMnN4utrgEPOLVYyWFmnMMfNLALjTowt4tAVME1YDWs58znl0fJYA_2as9kYCNoDk1/s1600/mouse+brooch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQQjp6RDnCIE9OYP2uwgAolPlb8dty98IAr_JN8aFUd_ICcrUQhhXxJpoZiRG4MtZLSW5eoNX5gbMnN4utrgEPOLVYyWFmnMMfNLALjTowt4tAVME1YDWs58znl0fJYA_2as9kYCNoDk1/s320/mouse+brooch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have made another similar mouse to sell myself, available here<br />
<a href="http://www.hollowbourne.com/products/24/175/mouse_brooch/"> http://www.hollowbourne.com/products/24/175/mouse_brooch/</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U9HaaysaVSF0HBgyrmO7RfesOS8E6sbF7w6BgR05BI0ZtRjFfMAUYJdxcTlRD9Obe2uH4YKByLWgFBseY2LS3WoLxVMVwNE9VgZOXjy8w62RT-ti68Hj2Yj_IzvjuEBznjm6gutdvLrz/s1600/old+house+brooch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U9HaaysaVSF0HBgyrmO7RfesOS8E6sbF7w6BgR05BI0ZtRjFfMAUYJdxcTlRD9Obe2uH4YKByLWgFBseY2LS3WoLxVMVwNE9VgZOXjy8w62RT-ti68Hj2Yj_IzvjuEBznjm6gutdvLrz/s320/old+house+brooch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The house is a sort of reverse image of the part of the museum that is behind the red car in the photo, with an added window above the door, and an extra support beam for good luck....<br />
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If you live in Staffordshire or nearby, please give them a visit and spread the word to let more people know about this hidden gem .<br />
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Oh and the parking is cheap in Uttoxeter too, (behind the Co-op off Silver street) and there's a lot of lovely little shops and a butcher around the corner from the memorial selling very nice and cheap handmade sausages that I can recommend.<br />
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Here is a lionk to their website<br />
<a href="http://www.redfernscottage.org.uk/">http://www.redfernscottage.org.uk/</a><br />
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<br />Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-51027392936799496532012-05-23T13:53:00.000-07:002012-05-23T13:53:10.982-07:00My sister's wedding , and cake..............<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57beybOrMolWwGck-CLTWNVS5qc_d3XLsv03AWl_8L7mDyG5f3x88_tUDpowKFwz_pSc2Qk7Uv3qnuy4Sy9pkDsZLdT0Z2-wLiVwqi5JzWBYwutm3Rosnq5sUbkaAkApndSam3HoGqABH/s1600/pat+nd+alan+signing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57beybOrMolWwGck-CLTWNVS5qc_d3XLsv03AWl_8L7mDyG5f3x88_tUDpowKFwz_pSc2Qk7Uv3qnuy4Sy9pkDsZLdT0Z2-wLiVwqi5JzWBYwutm3Rosnq5sUbkaAkApndSam3HoGqABH/s320/pat+nd+alan+signing.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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My big sister got married yesterday it was a lovely day , the weather having turned at last it was a beautiful sunny day. The service at the registry office in Pershore was in a conservatory , a great setting and luckily at that point of the day not boiling hot yet.</div>
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My sister made her own wedding dress and did all the flowers and organising herself . As I've done a few cakes for family birthday dos she asked me to make her wedding cake, so there would be one thing that would be a surprise on the day. the consequence of which is that I've spent most of my days off for the last 2/3 weeks making cake rather than jewellery. I quite enjoy making and decorating cakes but dont like cake myself so never get to eat my creations. </div>
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This is the result of all my work................................<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMmfVTcJLYBbjXRNCVuzFzSc7ZpcQSOM4Ale8PjIy8tp1TSCj6HQ3yyd5b7mB3HuJmI0KTYSSFZ8uzvNKVeYD2FERbxPVgGxUS_AxOueQ618NEHGks8k9LsRpKuA45h9aGCeaL6tpdqDh/s1600/cake+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUe2eFQjPY1i980-j2xvsV8TOsID2Aq9m1etgFRlKyD8_OjERiARzxVwIS7hqTg7JuYsjq2maOeKUNsKHl7KY2DO79tA7FsBsw2wGA6c9fB6mvIMhrjsAtkACMarpjSnKbHDzfwrl7QKMc/s1600/cake+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUe2eFQjPY1i980-j2xvsV8TOsID2Aq9m1etgFRlKyD8_OjERiARzxVwIS7hqTg7JuYsjq2maOeKUNsKHl7KY2DO79tA7FsBsw2wGA6c9fB6mvIMhrjsAtkACMarpjSnKbHDzfwrl7QKMc/s320/cake+top.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A 3 layer fruit cake with fondant icing,The brief being a cake with a spring/summer pale green and yellow theme. All the flowers should have been pale yellow but faded overnight, perhaps because I used Asda colourant, the green leaves kept their colour perfectly, they were done with proper paste colours . I'll know not to use old food colouring next time. I was pleased with the fondant it was Tesco's own brand and rolled out beautifully, I bought some expensive sugar paste to make the flowers but it didn't smell/taste nice or have a nice texture, so I went back and bought more Tesco fondant and they worked out fine. I took it down to Worcester where the reception was, with a kebab stake driven through the layers to stop then moving but despite driving really carefully so as not to damage it but it slipped to one side of the box in transit and a few flowers were squashed. As a result of lots of reading online cake info and blogs I was prepared with spare flowers and icing to stick on to repair it.. Having made this I can fully appreciate why wedding cakes cost so much. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp4gUxulIaJgW7s_qdSXoyHxLPcykgUDBn7VBHp2i9I2L7B5-AQmVn_5X1anI01AfmgQVW4bsMdmaTMqKDNzA50p-RmHlOp0NikScewrcwbJG9ej-MzslmPlhLWAsB8w5I8h-FYmHh5aW/s1600/pat+alan+and+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp4gUxulIaJgW7s_qdSXoyHxLPcykgUDBn7VBHp2i9I2L7B5-AQmVn_5X1anI01AfmgQVW4bsMdmaTMqKDNzA50p-RmHlOp0NikScewrcwbJG9ej-MzslmPlhLWAsB8w5I8h-FYmHh5aW/s320/pat+alan+and+cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this is the happy couple cutting my cake. </div>
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Congratulations Pat and Alan , the new Mr and Mrs Carter.</div>
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</div>Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-35313585525305809182012-04-08T08:10:00.000-07:002012-04-08T08:10:08.345-07:00Birds, drawings and enamellingIt has been quite a while since my last post as I've been busy in my new, mind numbing and totaly un craft related job. Only having two days off a week restricts the time I can spend on my own work condsiderably.<br />
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I bought a kiln after christmas and at last I am getting round to playing with it. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJB8cbyZ5wHbmFWFTjKFEh_Jgn0YgjvDoFCCTs8D2P68wT-6rb7u-7JKTA90bUd8dtSp7WTf39vCAyq3ZLCSHvGLgtGa38XA_v4vPn1zxtPi7cona2AbCZ1SNY40vVDNTV9GxmSqZttfN/s320/paragon+kiln.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="231" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">paragon sc2 kiln</td></tr>
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I find with any new piece of equipment I spend a lot of time looking at it before I get up the nerve to use it.....The more expensive the item is the longer the contemplation time.</div>
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First I spent a period of time reading up all I could find on enamelling in the local library and on the internet, then I watched various enamellers demonstrating on U tube, then a few weeks later finally I got around to buying some enamels. </div>
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I think choosing what colours to buy is the hardest part as the information on the British web sites that sell enamel is very poor, colour samples are either non existant or very inconstistant , in the end I went to WG Ball as it is only a couple of miles from where I live and bought 6 basic colours. black ,white, grass green,yellow ,red and dark blue, and a clear flux.</div>
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Then I went back to the library and reborrowed the books as I'd forgotten what they said!</div>
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Testing time................................................</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWYeXLNBthoa9B6jKFDRN8HOGxVTLl1bKikc4w0VkmDnw8NM6Tlp4tX_QAmUZHOKdLG4p0vycEYrlTcrTgql-EE_KSl7zTq8Hv7g0fk45ymeyHfgb8HiFvoZfMOHJjCNUhX2edjYfeqHi/s1600/wg+ball+enamels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWYeXLNBthoa9B6jKFDRN8HOGxVTLl1bKikc4w0VkmDnw8NM6Tlp4tX_QAmUZHOKdLG4p0vycEYrlTcrTgql-EE_KSl7zTq8Hv7g0fk45ymeyHfgb8HiFvoZfMOHJjCNUhX2edjYfeqHi/s320/wg+ball+enamels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One half of the test piece has clear flux underneath, the other is just enamel. The base is a 1p piece.<br />
O.K tests are boring. <br />
The next question of course is "what of all the ideas floating around in my head to make first?"<br />
During the quiet bits at work I've been doodling birds <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze1QuVJ3fJO2V7DQSG2WbxJGujJohEOmovDkFrkyR4fgW3MEHvrCFtlpqS-WuCZ9yk2ecOJcBwTgH4uo8tO1S4MsYIjL6I2x9Vy84Eus77sN5H-R06GHmoQglWApL-ebUj28L_0eQ8OJc/s1600/bird+doodles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze1QuVJ3fJO2V7DQSG2WbxJGujJohEOmovDkFrkyR4fgW3MEHvrCFtlpqS-WuCZ9yk2ecOJcBwTgH4uo8tO1S4MsYIjL6I2x9Vy84Eus77sN5H-R06GHmoQglWApL-ebUj28L_0eQ8OJc/s320/bird+doodles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88ILLy4Dm9ZMMFEbuwh_lKU8cgiiGOzxkyrQEUnuODCZpzTd8UONDq-Ir2ThiXQi9tD-hrgaoKDkXhiQna4SKXGgBlRgugoX8lp_lRi95z3TauOdg-fejgHYkyzEXuwe2ZSrZLaWayRXI/s1600/bird+gruop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> which lead to some drawings................ </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ40n6HxQttsqllLHEGYHAHXxxRQIg1hJ2wFgmrmWzd1NnIuPIMZ45LRNLT60BQhbu4pLWEWgs6-XXow2rW3gSqzWnjlvbI1zG53q88iKPTpM3Dr8SNYKAICrQPwkBPdUKcEJSOR1q8aVv/s1600/2+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">..<img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ40n6HxQttsqllLHEGYHAHXxxRQIg1hJ2wFgmrmWzd1NnIuPIMZ45LRNLT60BQhbu4pLWEWgs6-XXow2rW3gSqzWnjlvbI1zG53q88iKPTpM3Dr8SNYKAICrQPwkBPdUKcEJSOR1q8aVv/s320/2+birds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tvtr37reEw6UYl-NmtnpdVNYBe1-l5Plvg6HLrWyZynseR0_Vt0devfsYptfUTFVe6xOOt1NKv-KzE4EmMXx5w0hn9GUjfutikyOe0UQrIDuppfx_eTaYyDDqhkFkrM0iC0LVzucLad6/s1600/bird+gruop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tvtr37reEw6UYl-NmtnpdVNYBe1-l5Plvg6HLrWyZynseR0_Vt0devfsYptfUTFVe6xOOt1NKv-KzE4EmMXx5w0hn9GUjfutikyOe0UQrIDuppfx_eTaYyDDqhkFkrM0iC0LVzucLad6/s320/bird+gruop.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZ8vHEQZZhraqSoVAXG2zGUIZWYLVZanrzFALePku3ewYDbl5yoYrqAb0M0rS4KSvk1f5MKEeCUq2fppTlE3gf6YayfYmNo1Kk8UyhCaQI_HurOmkbuCtNvly-n0Kvv6AOFdB3NrhJvck/s1600/eyelash+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZ8vHEQZZhraqSoVAXG2zGUIZWYLVZanrzFALePku3ewYDbl5yoYrqAb0M0rS4KSvk1f5MKEeCUq2fppTlE3gf6YayfYmNo1Kk8UyhCaQI_HurOmkbuCtNvly-n0Kvv6AOFdB3NrhJvck/s320/eyelash+bird.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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and finally </div>
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Ta Da!</div>
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to some finished? enamel bird pendants</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jhSDpVY5LN7JN2Ecqa11Aa4WPiiFoxXworhO4dYFggf9ZS9-l-4PlECgn2wRD6P_0kIsZZ6_AQLnEmSGZYPQN2OyDMtvh5D_In_CvDFV4ZAvVCe_Bn8hFBeHZ4Kx1L0kZedye6QS0QWZ/s1600/black+bird+pendant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jhSDpVY5LN7JN2Ecqa11Aa4WPiiFoxXworhO4dYFggf9ZS9-l-4PlECgn2wRD6P_0kIsZZ6_AQLnEmSGZYPQN2OyDMtvh5D_In_CvDFV4ZAvVCe_Bn8hFBeHZ4Kx1L0kZedye6QS0QWZ/s320/black+bird+pendant.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Black bird pendant </div>
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With the black bird, the beak seemed to go matt with handling over the next week so I refired it then the centre of the eye went matt.............I think I might try firing it again to see what happens. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafBA7cOQ5emtGVrWjRI5N3YLoD0XjaDCXiU1qIa49dSMCRqFE_HAWgW-NN-Vmx1WdfMILJNbecphrYEtBq5krPKNM8RrtiQ_7cDK4pTQtki9j4J9d5D4FzIIb4MmhF_jmjewY4zsh5nO1/s1600/green+and+yellow+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafBA7cOQ5emtGVrWjRI5N3YLoD0XjaDCXiU1qIa49dSMCRqFE_HAWgW-NN-Vmx1WdfMILJNbecphrYEtBq5krPKNM8RrtiQ_7cDK4pTQtki9j4J9d5D4FzIIb4MmhF_jmjewY4zsh5nO1/s320/green+and+yellow+bird.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Green and yellow bird.pendant</div>
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These are both enamelled on very thick copper (1.5mm) so I have not counter enamelled the backs, The colours are all applied over a clear flux base. I'm quite pleased with these, I like the speckly nature of the enamel colours, and the bulginess of the bead eyes. I left the feet off as I thought they would be more comfotable to wear without.</div>
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At the moment I am subjecting them to wearing tests to try and ascertain their durability before putting thetm up for sale, any feedback would be appreciated.</div>Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-33165940817760042642011-12-25T04:18:00.000-08:002011-12-25T04:18:20.230-08:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwR3YjneOumKJ9j90W26-cQif89IOwiZAYcxEALQUTVqnoKqIgRKw3wM7cgr7qwaGCTjG7swKQQqEimX1LK3_gEl5waWatCl2SWG34IXTgYQZK1EKc6bjeKPdnHltT5O6X11ICdcuvECi/s1600/cat+card+4+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwR3YjneOumKJ9j90W26-cQif89IOwiZAYcxEALQUTVqnoKqIgRKw3wM7cgr7qwaGCTjG7swKQQqEimX1LK3_gEl5waWatCl2SWG34IXTgYQZK1EKc6bjeKPdnHltT5O6X11ICdcuvECi/s320/cat+card+4+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year.........................Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-87597436692581919552011-11-24T14:17:00.001-08:002011-11-24T17:10:14.219-08:00Online Christmas Craft Fair or Chistmas Craft FestThis week there is a world wide online Chritmas craft fair taking place at<br />
<a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/page/craftfest-home">http://creative-connections.ning.com/page/craftfest-home</a><br />
I'm taking part along with lots of other craftspeople and this blog is to show some of the range of diverse designers and craftspeople who will be taking part.<br />
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Even if you are reading this after this weekend you can still check out these peoples work if you follow the links.<br />
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So in no particular order...................................<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/kokokelli-craftfest-stall">Kokokelli</a></span></b><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/H3jbqChwG2RVYvHZO8Y8vZpDI5D4TwRhtcWe8VVwTHzLsHZhIFxm0VmbkhDhTfSWhXHJQcuztGGGtBEyO9qlplokaiqKMyZJ/BlackRetro2.JPG?width=737&height=552" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://api.ning.com/files/H3jbqChwG2RVYvHZO8Y8vZpDI5D4TwRhtcWe8VVwTHzLsHZhIFxm0VmbkhDhTfSWhXHJQcuztGGGtBEyO9qlplokaiqKMyZJ/BlackRetro2.JPG?width=737&height=552" width="320" /></a></div>
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http://www.kokokelli.co.uk<br />
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<a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/the-velveteen-cat-craftfest-stall-1"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> The Velveteen Cat</span></b></a><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/d*xplAzx7k2fqPU-TvgJLNHdCCXNswtx-XG12RVSAFHxiiYurHuhROjgXLlAyUshUcFpP-e6zQiKB4T0Vwb3W-yDA5uJFuex/P9211880.JPG?width=450&height=600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">kants Crio<img border="0" height="320" src="http://api.ning.com/files/d*xplAzx7k2fqPU-TvgJLNHdCCXNswtx-XG12RVSAFHxiiYurHuhROjgXLlAyUshUcFpP-e6zQiKB4T0Vwb3W-yDA5uJFuex/P9211880.JPG?width=450&height=600" width="240" /></a></div>
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http://www.folksy.com/shops/TheVelveteenCat<br />
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<a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/sciartimages-craftfest-stall"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sci Art Images </span></b></a><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/IqDLyS8LDoPseubNJzB9RhFNbNBudMPzoaAj4qX*iZc-ifmgZo6UK2F-1rcmYYEA6qERfTlNWS3T-eVHQ1eLpNio8Au2w5Cq/1316.jpg?width=495&height=297" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://api.ning.com/files/IqDLyS8LDoPseubNJzB9RhFNbNBudMPzoaAj4qX*iZc-ifmgZo6UK2F-1rcmYYEA6qERfTlNWS3T-eVHQ1eLpNio8Au2w5Cq/1316.jpg?width=495&height=297" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/christmas-craftfest-nofkantscurios"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Nofkants Curios</span></b></a><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/U4ny-AAPOUQSpI0C-zxf4RUK9hDdSMpSb1zgjXrwAcyhtlZ8P5iXGstTZ5crucxXwHq-f9EYiWp2*v-HOOIKp01XnmOYia-6/Flower_ACEO_51.jpg?width=495&height=495" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://api.ning.com/files/U4ny-AAPOUQSpI0C-zxf4RUK9hDdSMpSb1zgjXrwAcyhtlZ8P5iXGstTZ5crucxXwHq-f9EYiWp2*v-HOOIKp01XnmOYia-6/Flower_ACEO_51.jpg?width=495&height=495" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
http://www.folksy.com/shops/NOfkantsCurios<br />
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<a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/lorraine-dowdle-christmas-craftfest-stall"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Lorraine Dowdle</span></b></a><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/sq*ATfqL*9fxUzoYt5uIkyDf*rrsI4BKrp1wJhImadPlbpki0pZUSeowLcrh4xtKfu6TD-XpYxTfnaZJKvXpxpwYG8CUJjpB/IMGA7036FB.jpg?width=737&height=552" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://api.ning.com/files/sq*ATfqL*9fxUzoYt5uIkyDf*rrsI4BKrp1wJhImadPlbpki0pZUSeowLcrh4xtKfu6TD-XpYxTfnaZJKvXpxpwYG8CUJjpB/IMGA7036FB.jpg?width=737&height=552" width="320" /></a></div>
http://www.lorrainedowdlecreations.com/category_64/LDC-Beads-to-own.htm<br />
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<a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/craftfest-stall-3"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Wildflower designs </span></b></a><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/kS4D8bceVI3kdRxaMgibtIyD9CrRT3O-oImaaTuDzK484tDDagGgInWDaL*VUlgo6sDJ*-5AIlVDOQZTYWlVF1HJXFLnO37X/IMG_0699.jpg?width=450&height=600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://api.ning.com/files/kS4D8bceVI3kdRxaMgibtIyD9CrRT3O-oImaaTuDzK484tDDagGgInWDaL*VUlgo6sDJ*-5AIlVDOQZTYWlVF1HJXFLnO37X/IMG_0699.jpg?width=450&height=600" width="240" /></a></div>
http://felt.co.nz/shop/wildflower<br />
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<a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/mysticmoon-craftfest-album"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Mystic Moon </span></b></a><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/O3FnATjGGF4isTn3rKuygbGlXV3n1rg97o-TlB-9JHNblobw-THdS1JRCoql7gGPyZCea*WIxABfesA10M4q8U-q6ikNtPP6/BraceletIChingandDreamCharm.jpg?width=338&height=600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://api.ning.com/files/O3FnATjGGF4isTn3rKuygbGlXV3n1rg97o-TlB-9JHNblobw-THdS1JRCoql7gGPyZCea*WIxABfesA10M4q8U-q6ikNtPP6/BraceletIChingandDreamCharm.jpg?width=338&height=600" width="180" /></a></div>
https://marketplace.asos.com/seller/mysticmoon/collection<br />
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<a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/craftfest-stall-kims-colourway"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Kims Colourway </span></b></a><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/BqAAQv9A2RQTs75t6rG9RAwDva6WwSLq8KI5RXNFQGTq798tTxqGIsCBfeopibUDsgg9Z7jAm0pyFrL34AuNfSZ3ZQnYOQgJ/SDC14827.jpg?width=737&height=526" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://api.ning.com/files/BqAAQv9A2RQTs75t6rG9RAwDva6WwSLq8KI5RXNFQGTq798tTxqGIsCBfeopibUDsgg9Z7jAm0pyFrL34AuNfSZ3ZQnYOQgJ/SDC14827.jpg?width=737&height=526" width="320" /></a></div>
https://www.facebook.com/kimscolourway<br />
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<a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/buggalugbubbles-craftfest-stall"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Buggalug Bubbles </span></b></a><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/H-**3MYx9Fylo7pCLVYJxm8uQTDhlkYSfbSbBaiHK5emOZnGWTd0oaUBnxYd99pvvFqLthOE6mN7ox*10RDv*DOg3G9ndn6F/soap.jpg?width=509&height=480" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://api.ning.com/files/H-**3MYx9Fylo7pCLVYJxm8uQTDhlkYSfbSbBaiHK5emOZnGWTd0oaUBnxYd99pvvFqLthOE6mN7ox*10RDv*DOg3G9ndn6F/soap.jpg?width=509&height=480" width="320" /></a></div>
http://www.folksy.com/shops/BuggalugBubbles<br />
<br />
<a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/waterlily-designs-craftfest-stall"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Waterlily Designs </span></b></a><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/c84O8S2jSAZpC6uWvciE4UuN7FoJ-zXOgXV6fkZqpJl3ENV1FuycYIFg2a3H2p6-jsb619spzymZNyczThdsp0pUCvlep*lN/XmasCardSantaXmasCar.JPG?width=737&height=552" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://api.ning.com/files/c84O8S2jSAZpC6uWvciE4UuN7FoJ-zXOgXV6fkZqpJl3ENV1FuycYIFg2a3H2p6-jsb619spzymZNyczThdsp0pUCvlep*lN/XmasCardSantaXmasCar.JPG?width=737&height=552" width="320" /></a></div>
http://www.waterlilycards.co.uk<br />
<br />
<a href="http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/karenza-paperie-craftfest-stall"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Karenza Paperie </span></b></a><br />
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/qh2feD-r73Raonp69TGjzo26tvRVql998xVdf5SbKj6XOiDd-ckUSVSH6glGEn5exlXEBzt0ijumSgQS-ha8ta0MtSqbkeXV/KARPACK1.jpg?width=723&height=533" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://api.ning.com/files/qh2feD-r73Raonp69TGjzo26tvRVql998xVdf5SbKj6XOiDd-ckUSVSH6glGEn5exlXEBzt0ijumSgQS-ha8ta0MtSqbkeXV/KARPACK1.jpg?width=723&height=533" width="320" /></a></div>
http://www.karenzapaperie.co.uk<br />
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<br />Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-7087201584051135722011-09-27T05:53:00.000-07:002011-09-27T06:21:47.238-07:00long legged birds...brooch to muser<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTi7E1ccLJRrQdp6J06Dwaw1ke-xzcalxQRTL7mjqrTszzM_3qOIqVReZ7jNgZCYU5ZF3Hq4clHmmGxOaLBwT-ZiS2qUhbFqVdv12aeY69TvbPPM8oWp0mjO7AyYs9nMi5N7Ts5G4OcUS/s1600/pink+leg+bird+brooch1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTi7E1ccLJRrQdp6J06Dwaw1ke-xzcalxQRTL7mjqrTszzM_3qOIqVReZ7jNgZCYU5ZF3Hq4clHmmGxOaLBwT-ZiS2qUhbFqVdv12aeY69TvbPPM8oWp0mjO7AyYs9nMi5N7Ts5G4OcUS/s200/pink+leg+bird+brooch1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657023599414727090" /></a> From my long legged bird brooch...................<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> comes this multicoloured muser plushie, courtesy of Kathryn Muse from Metro Atlanta USA. This is the wonderful thing about online selling you make contacts with people all around the world that you will never meet but your lives cross for a brief time. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjb96HgSjABGSMPb6O9bYN7fMRHyRuTj-vLn0R01bW26OKmTBblRKOiyw62x6usC2OlLX6Q1_DLxmpF3biduFGCN9C4m_VnrZWC6fEZSgCxbpPQmLw0GOfgC3vOEPZEk-7ZAoLX23gLnBx/s1600/il_570xN_273882863.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjb96HgSjABGSMPb6O9bYN7fMRHyRuTj-vLn0R01bW26OKmTBblRKOiyw62x6usC2OlLX6Q1_DLxmpF3biduFGCN9C4m_VnrZWC6fEZSgCxbpPQmLw0GOfgC3vOEPZEk-7ZAoLX23gLnBx/s200/il_570xN_273882863.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657023243991664770" /></a><br />She is a member of Etsy's "Ugly cute" team who inspired by another member has started making plushies to go on sale in her shop based on other members creations.So far she has done a Ninja juice box,a fairy, a day of the dead head,some one eyed monster things,a wriggly octopus,and a turtle. And now one of my birdys.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here is the link to her shop, please go visit<br />http://www.etsy.com/shop/kathrynmuse<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kathrynmuse"></a><br /><br />it works if you copy and paste, sorry havn't worked out how to get a link to work yet!Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-32207758360423725122011-09-17T03:38:00.000-07:002011-09-19T04:48:26.478-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijarTt8xGtfdPeNIIXna6arRqH7-I339n9ycXvDfLHTQs1IJlaNb4Q7qBJNJjhawe0Vr23ekKkk0SrZlWHzx2zi5QOCBNeBG9HCHQ5Fmpykq8rEw1BLLAQTcpAm_InmvaAaG_cNlWYiyX/s1600/CRAFTFEST%252Be-flyer.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijarTt8xGtfdPeNIIXna6arRqH7-I339n9ycXvDfLHTQs1IJlaNb4Q7qBJNJjhawe0Vr23ekKkk0SrZlWHzx2zi5QOCBNeBG9HCHQ5Fmpykq8rEw1BLLAQTcpAm_InmvaAaG_cNlWYiyX/s200/CRAFTFEST%252Be-flyer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653276873557027538" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />http://creative-connections.ning.com/photo/albums/hollowbourne-craftfest-stall<br /><br />I had a "stall" at the creative crafts fair this weekend which provides another link to my shop.<br />I cannot get the link to work at the moment(my link works if you copy and paste and you can get to the others from there) but there were lots of other sellers there with beaded jewellery, pottery,papercrafts, fabric crafts etc. I didn't sell anything but its all extra publicity.<br /> <br /><b><big>BUY EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS!?</b></big><br /><br />So I am posting some pictures of my workshop and works in the making to show that my brooches are hand made by me from metal rather than bought in items. I do buy the brooch catches to keep the price down as I prefer a brooch to have a safty catch, and they would take ages to make...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kSyWstEiO4MPRyd89EzA6lOTsw3XCg2czw_aH994OzMNV24Ku-uVJaq42HA6YK-Hodsadn-B7-AA05aZ1UlZbhA1QvIQLYgLs-MAZAOfS_4v0MVWnCrXMAjOLN6tkoCFKaobqk2wDIz4/s1600/shed+entrance.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kSyWstEiO4MPRyd89EzA6lOTsw3XCg2czw_aH994OzMNV24Ku-uVJaq42HA6YK-Hodsadn-B7-AA05aZ1UlZbhA1QvIQLYgLs-MAZAOfS_4v0MVWnCrXMAjOLN6tkoCFKaobqk2wDIz4/s200/shed+entrance.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653282465704562690" /></a><br />welcome to the entrance of my shed, it is impossible to work outside without our cat Spot joining in... <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoopeU7FbjtNupYvEoB10PUZK-ynlJJ1Oxbcxyu42Jcuqpd9DV3MgmPeHrFbDy_wPiryg_LQATtCF_kAQWzUltubmLmgk1HGUoNsMrs_OV_dHhT3iMTnVKSpTBdKfMCxKZ9QZhmlX0Va-/s1600/workshop.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoopeU7FbjtNupYvEoB10PUZK-ynlJJ1Oxbcxyu42Jcuqpd9DV3MgmPeHrFbDy_wPiryg_LQATtCF_kAQWzUltubmLmgk1HGUoNsMrs_OV_dHhT3iMTnVKSpTBdKfMCxKZ9QZhmlX0Va-/s200/workshop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653283288457362690" /></a>This is my bench, relatively tidy here, I'm not the tidyest of people when working.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6W7xX76z4GQGuyF5Uu2QoFHyh6UHY0m5EGiEYDUv_pmuRcmwLA7IvmnOpKiASIzlRN_W5psZ5LZHdxhB0ke8KqH_yT50FbIsnGdg13j3zMOEWiP0pEYYrjug8rrsGu2AY0matFtN7cM05/s1600/spot+on+workbench.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6W7xX76z4GQGuyF5Uu2QoFHyh6UHY0m5EGiEYDUv_pmuRcmwLA7IvmnOpKiASIzlRN_W5psZ5LZHdxhB0ke8KqH_yT50FbIsnGdg13j3zMOEWiP0pEYYrjug8rrsGu2AY0matFtN7cM05/s200/spot+on+workbench.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653284196047270226" /></a><br />Spot likes to sit in the middle of things,the green box is there to stop him curling up in my polishing area which he will do given half a chance, I suspect jewellers rouge probably ins't good for cats. The crock pot behind is what I use to warm my sulphuric acid, I use it as a double boiler so there is just a small beaker in a large pot of water, then I can use the water as an initial rinse. I do not have running water in my shed yet. So any thing that needs washing either has to be taken in the house or has water poured over it in to a drain outside.....<br /><br /><b>So this is how I make my work</b><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGhVlsu_tDoZJi40iKu96pl9ZjaIykYXONqGxM-acO0v9Ha-SZ0LEMtuytnaMoh716uC-oe7uTKiSZUzHC5R-eItmFDN5UJpwpjLxFvXw0pKDoH7rMQ2bjRYn3wIodvQTIhnTcMzYVbTh/s1600/start.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGhVlsu_tDoZJi40iKu96pl9ZjaIykYXONqGxM-acO0v9Ha-SZ0LEMtuytnaMoh716uC-oe7uTKiSZUzHC5R-eItmFDN5UJpwpjLxFvXw0pKDoH7rMQ2bjRYn3wIodvQTIhnTcMzYVbTh/s200/start.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653287678009837138" /></a> The first picture is arranging the patterns for what I am making on the brass, this was a special order for someone last year. I dont like to waste too much metal.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul_49m-IYMh_fLdnqTUgSaE7K84FMZceTQtPZscLdsdYyUDVbqY4Gt-ZXzzY8a5QLmr2vvFhd-ge9NUPFSuruLdzpCTthu-xuwiFnIjPzUHmwBg3K18FNLzvAT3ylEzShq02H1F53F0bC/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul_49m-IYMh_fLdnqTUgSaE7K84FMZceTQtPZscLdsdYyUDVbqY4Gt-ZXzzY8a5QLmr2vvFhd-ge9NUPFSuruLdzpCTthu-xuwiFnIjPzUHmwBg3K18FNLzvAT3ylEzShq02H1F53F0bC/s200/2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653287893130124034" /></a> Next they need to drawn round....Not a precise science, variations creep in at this point<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSt7TEwWUA3idcp-WXjL9S3n2au1PKbZ8UpTpkDjj4bsdTReK1vFkU1p5lfrRbwdd0tsWQbeAa2oArjtMo3wUxqUVDUI_bkPbKY-g1vN7bIYcuotKD8x-2oRIiiacpFdoG3RlCG14IBJq/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSt7TEwWUA3idcp-WXjL9S3n2au1PKbZ8UpTpkDjj4bsdTReK1vFkU1p5lfrRbwdd0tsWQbeAa2oArjtMo3wUxqUVDUI_bkPbKY-g1vN7bIYcuotKD8x-2oRIiiacpFdoG3RlCG14IBJq/s200/3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653288046345286018" /></a> Then I saw them out by hand<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAO18lS_BT8hUS_nqBpHsmY3e3uF_AgJ6aLn1rl8JrHApm0jJ4jpO0zqjUtmymAeGurhppdsTKlR_XpEyo2wJ-m0DOAxv2-Qm710uFgD2ti2dzV0Ys73uSXsCghXsNgtadV2qMQ5w7W_KD/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAO18lS_BT8hUS_nqBpHsmY3e3uF_AgJ6aLn1rl8JrHApm0jJ4jpO0zqjUtmymAeGurhppdsTKlR_XpEyo2wJ-m0DOAxv2-Qm710uFgD2ti2dzV0Ys73uSXsCghXsNgtadV2qMQ5w7W_KD/s200/4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653288184676555586" /></a> File off any sharp edges<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjqYHvJe3xsBTzaZvsST5OvR48mdOysUJ7wumD9CtBX4p5xe33xW8nGf8cdgcoUU4Wj7Itg0O7FYdX_boTGa6I954XI84AnXQ14f0mOJ4Y2BH_W2EQCIP4Xgh3lqwgl81SHOhiiWIRFuS/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjqYHvJe3xsBTzaZvsST5OvR48mdOysUJ7wumD9CtBX4p5xe33xW8nGf8cdgcoUU4Wj7Itg0O7FYdX_boTGa6I954XI84AnXQ14f0mOJ4Y2BH_W2EQCIP4Xgh3lqwgl81SHOhiiWIRFuS/s200/5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653288604366565218" /></a> If the brooch is flat then I paint on the resist as it takes a while to dry , If its cold I use a wine warming plate which we used to use when we made wine years ago.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwy31NuH_gb8Yf2XEyGOiWO-MS21mhkSPg2tA8_KdrWg0yvf5kGy8ovobnNdXxLwIwTjAZ2JMW6Noj93Qg3To5nE9i4d0AS5hcJzIVnvMPqvbBPLF6DO48Bgtf1M2WZplIPfZNkeT4L2KA/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwy31NuH_gb8Yf2XEyGOiWO-MS21mhkSPg2tA8_KdrWg0yvf5kGy8ovobnNdXxLwIwTjAZ2JMW6Noj93Qg3To5nE9i4d0AS5hcJzIVnvMPqvbBPLF6DO48Bgtf1M2WZplIPfZNkeT4L2KA/s200/6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653288717338915810" /></a> In this batch the customer wanted the chicken to be domed slightly so this is me hammering it on a round doming stake<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvZjg8MTdI2tsHgKf7QG7v3AT1AHq9PH7u2tkCyvKYT85AKsQrgQYPGLJXX5owtcyPKc5y3aUs8-KoqF0ri-JYaxDhprwf6LVIG8Lw8T3jA8RQBzMKbsPDATGrf6FIcJ82fLVwPJ0Pq2o/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvZjg8MTdI2tsHgKf7QG7v3AT1AHq9PH7u2tkCyvKYT85AKsQrgQYPGLJXX5owtcyPKc5y3aUs8-KoqF0ri-JYaxDhprwf6LVIG8Lw8T3jA8RQBzMKbsPDATGrf6FIcJ82fLVwPJ0Pq2o/s200/7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653288850726529762" /></a> Then flattening the comb and tail feathers<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvP5xJ_kpjSAD2X8-fwsKWIfo_Q5wEMqVFAFyznnao_wrpuezP2ByVXI2iRcChyphenhyphenIAnbdAx3NUclpYVV_LlqVar-LQJDIGt6MBx7YAy4hz_FJDH1nkSqGDcFA51RiliZdbB8ku1Ifr86az/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvP5xJ_kpjSAD2X8-fwsKWIfo_Q5wEMqVFAFyznnao_wrpuezP2ByVXI2iRcChyphenhyphenIAnbdAx3NUclpYVV_LlqVar-LQJDIGt6MBx7YAy4hz_FJDH1nkSqGDcFA51RiliZdbB8ku1Ifr86az/s200/8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653288957959639906" /></a>The finished hammered chicken, at this point I would give it a bit of a sand to even the surface up a bit.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3FGk_Jwq3gOchbs71NxCGHix_1Y-SPI-XUSAatP-PLtstJVZeupVviGNxjk02aIpHUBJPpy0ciVvWGsmD5CF1fClrEfXJI_v01uc-aFhMvuUH0c0qjLD8yClQMlVDWQ8P_Q5VfaA5Aiw/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 106px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3FGk_Jwq3gOchbs71NxCGHix_1Y-SPI-XUSAatP-PLtstJVZeupVviGNxjk02aIpHUBJPpy0ciVvWGsmD5CF1fClrEfXJI_v01uc-aFhMvuUH0c0qjLD8yClQMlVDWQ8P_Q5VfaA5Aiw/s200/9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653289081977624290" /></a> The flat ones are dry now and I have signed the backs,some are signed M. Honeybourne some M.Hollowell, most these days end up with Hollowbourne on them. The numbers are a date system , I have stopped doing this as people thought it was an edition number.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGD742AYzfyjSnSC1u0_lo3EAYZSddj1apLL2w4iHxcgsKal23b2DkniqT1anoRoXYHyhIjfkVeB_7m87dD0gOCHeq7S4h_Jo7-aUuhJN0IF-rQFbvfDlePpo5oQpHIH4Uj_Bim-eeaX1/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGD742AYzfyjSnSC1u0_lo3EAYZSddj1apLL2w4iHxcgsKal23b2DkniqT1anoRoXYHyhIjfkVeB_7m87dD0gOCHeq7S4h_Jo7-aUuhJN0IF-rQFbvfDlePpo5oQpHIH4Uj_Bim-eeaX1/s200/10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653289204888541570" /></a> Then the surface design I want unetched is drawn on with permanent marker or a nail varnish pen.Or painted on with resist.Then they are dropped in the etch, I have a wonderful contraption my dad made to slop the etch back and forth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL9RrLhEjDb3D6RJCn_q_kzRRLfKw87oKA2K6yT1w7sJ2D-MA2L7sfCQrfAsPjSuFpdWQLiXjFKZtIrs-Y9YG-B1a9SgzCfU2GTd-NMNklZQ-TCTFP1fua-IzPFgpMQQQJhIBUD1eKLKr/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL9RrLhEjDb3D6RJCn_q_kzRRLfKw87oKA2K6yT1w7sJ2D-MA2L7sfCQrfAsPjSuFpdWQLiXjFKZtIrs-Y9YG-B1a9SgzCfU2GTd-NMNklZQ-TCTFP1fua-IzPFgpMQQQJhIBUD1eKLKr/s200/11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653289340634546162" /></a> This fox has been in the etch once then recoated in resist to he can be etched again to give depth. At this point he could have a fur pattern scratched into the resist. This one is plain.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A bit of a gap here, when I got absorbed in what I was doing and forget to take photos, what is missing is , cleaning all the resist and etchant off the etched pieces. Filing the edges again as they can get roughed up in the etch, sanding the surfaces if necessary. Then polishing on a mop (or two). Soldering on the brooch catch. Cleaning flux remains off , a final hand polish, a degease clean and lacquering....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSKhyphenhyphen93kI5UXr_TsoXUXZoW29LoeMXl3oBr1wGJeOJBMEAjTA2ljVpaHAGPe4y5_0wZF98BYJXNBFfsXB2S-PNix_pDxCrG9SZ0m8tFHKAyjG_38FLDuPZC5a60k9hoZJCyaWgKgfON-o/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSKhyphenhyphen93kI5UXr_TsoXUXZoW29LoeMXl3oBr1wGJeOJBMEAjTA2ljVpaHAGPe4y5_0wZF98BYJXNBFfsXB2S-PNix_pDxCrG9SZ0m8tFHKAyjG_38FLDuPZC5a60k9hoZJCyaWgKgfON-o/s200/12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653289461892453282" /></a>And hese are the finished articles....<br /><br /><br /><br />Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions etcMandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-1842659465313134622011-08-15T08:25:00.000-07:002011-08-18T09:38:27.382-07:00cat face inspirationLots of spare time on my hands the last week or so,so I've been messing about with a new copy of Corel Photo Paint....
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1baMx6PIuIEdv40lreVztN7y58fzkW_C-Ccno1VjdQLrnU8SLwJtb8vO7HMIb19N-pouefE4DxUME1fKtHSh1x8TYZvOxrFZtrSraKsLlu5VDcgiNEEK7kpCWahx_fNiiuFj9HXvXZyg/s1600/animal.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641114267305743890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1baMx6PIuIEdv40lreVztN7y58fzkW_C-Ccno1VjdQLrnU8SLwJtb8vO7HMIb19N-pouefE4DxUME1fKtHSh1x8TYZvOxrFZtrSraKsLlu5VDcgiNEEK7kpCWahx_fNiiuFj9HXvXZyg/s200/animal.jpg" /></a>
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<br />This is the starting point, my entry for the Folksy Maker Faire competition, not sure why it is so fuzzy.
<br />Anyway taking a section of I did this lot of messing about.....
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<br />You can see the pictures much better if you click on them.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSvonF4OVPKKAiZUsCXpDAc43dYDGC0boncRY2rVMA1C-bZ-hmhneL6ndrcfhnTCI9nlmNPwxFKWQjMrtQh22N_Og0NGpXBLTzCGNVzePeoE9bnDzNiAKSylPM3IT3-FX42PPbvSfTY-X/s1600/cat+face+alchemy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641121186583922642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSvonF4OVPKKAiZUsCXpDAc43dYDGC0boncRY2rVMA1C-bZ-hmhneL6ndrcfhnTCI9nlmNPwxFKWQjMrtQh22N_Og0NGpXBLTzCGNVzePeoE9bnDzNiAKSylPM3IT3-FX42PPbvSfTY-X/s200/cat+face+alchemy.jpg" /></a> I love the colours in this, it looks like a silver cat which has been oxidised in coloured rain.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpHqO6E2y8vxfrZ2q5rE7jeN7qPS7ARscMU-BXY43xaDayte8Az27MvszFZRXDISFPODiwxqz6p16ma_s22qP2JdZRAlksgck05cWhcP4NFvTwhFtbtCgauF4QDVl4AbtAMmEW2XDMqcU/s1600/cat+face+cubist.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641121478442228066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpHqO6E2y8vxfrZ2q5rE7jeN7qPS7ARscMU-BXY43xaDayte8Az27MvszFZRXDISFPODiwxqz6p16ma_s22qP2JdZRAlksgck05cWhcP4NFvTwhFtbtCgauF4QDVl4AbtAMmEW2XDMqcU/s200/cat+face+cubist.jpg" /></a> This one reminds my of myriads of fires, lovely warm colours
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDcetUH6hHQHgMBTtumakRl3Wl1R_rdnkfyOLnW62hEFd9xffqrpq9av792F1HAZqxbtGz6bSQH2Vw9eC7_qYYsUEC8j7EwgfFGEzRrJNPHIYCL5I1GBcfl4CMraFEKGhyphenhyphen_Cx1zvUW4AR/s1600/cat+face+scraperboard.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641122122128249394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDcetUH6hHQHgMBTtumakRl3Wl1R_rdnkfyOLnW62hEFd9xffqrpq9av792F1HAZqxbtGz6bSQH2Vw9eC7_qYYsUEC8j7EwgfFGEzRrJNPHIYCL5I1GBcfl4CMraFEKGhyphenhyphen_Cx1zvUW4AR/s200/cat+face+scraperboard.jpg" /></a> This just makes me think I wish I had the patience to do scraperboard, but its a bit naff in reality(scraperboard that is)... sorry to anyone reading this that does scraperboard, it just reminds me of those kits you got when young.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOUS-uA5aldJhZda2v_uh8xo-uRTAybrUIJG6YdjcJ6QqSmn5bYE53QOhkTwvWI4oWnIgswELwo3Of9sHvUxSB247E04gfI8QSN0lLyTo9Cs43_Qv-juozCjX_Y_U81kzTAZaNjqTe0A1/s1600/cat+face+scraperboard2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641122583752043042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOUS-uA5aldJhZda2v_uh8xo-uRTAybrUIJG6YdjcJ6QqSmn5bYE53QOhkTwvWI4oWnIgswELwo3Of9sHvUxSB247E04gfI8QSN0lLyTo9Cs43_Qv-juozCjX_Y_U81kzTAZaNjqTe0A1/s200/cat+face+scraperboard2.jpg" /></a> This one should sound like "TING", or perhaps just rustle like some christmas tinsel.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EGxhu_uiU7q2hxSV07LsAJuI6Xx1UbIRyLH73kYDoVkHh-DtF4qxJjNvW43EaabH6o2ufWsmTfbel7rONj_9FkRaJ2dRuX7ERCZFsomz04MZz7HenfPdbIERu15LJmZYFK3QKovrF1SF/s1600/cat+face+pen+and+ink.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641112006558567410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EGxhu_uiU7q2hxSV07LsAJuI6Xx1UbIRyLH73kYDoVkHh-DtF4qxJjNvW43EaabH6o2ufWsmTfbel7rONj_9FkRaJ2dRuX7ERCZFsomz04MZz7HenfPdbIERu15LJmZYFK3QKovrF1SF/s200/cat+face+pen+and+ink.jpg" /></a> I really like this , I have always liked black and white etchings and this reminds me of one.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFeQS6Mscnd_D_7la1DB7rMPHfSNq2BYFno1ZlB3aL6JMym2B_rViSmDho-aU7-u6O8U_bBq8pfoZRY2G1jFFXCIJUEpaAr_uc8NJmrJBlrwvjYiC_iOseAlyEgkO3FA-k_7W-bZToJX2/s1600/cat+face+sponge.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641122935917342930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFeQS6Mscnd_D_7la1DB7rMPHfSNq2BYFno1ZlB3aL6JMym2B_rViSmDho-aU7-u6O8U_bBq8pfoZRY2G1jFFXCIJUEpaAr_uc8NJmrJBlrwvjYiC_iOseAlyEgkO3FA-k_7W-bZToJX2/s200/cat+face+sponge.jpg" /></a> Ok this one screams "bath soap" at me, is this because I know subconsciously that the pattern a a sponge one? No, I think its the coloured background, sort of old soap colour.It's sort of old lady bathroomy, brass taps faded purple towels. It also reminds me of the view through a bathroom window.
<br />Just smell that lavender..........
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphXyXIVYWO0aDNoWjD4AfMk_88oTwqZ1imzO7RRbUmwFj_lO801-WwVtDgIqd9tQX1Nl8PNh-fl_bI2zVqX1Tgr8B9pM0qB2STMeQ358hmEC65i_CtC-DzShK6XKmlch5Gcvu3xZrEUdD/s1600/cat+face+tile.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641123344597295170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphXyXIVYWO0aDNoWjD4AfMk_88oTwqZ1imzO7RRbUmwFj_lO801-WwVtDgIqd9tQX1Nl8PNh-fl_bI2zVqX1Tgr8B9pM0qB2STMeQ358hmEC65i_CtC-DzShK6XKmlch5Gcvu3xZrEUdD/s200/cat+face+tile.jpg" /></a> Now this one is supposed to be tiles, I blanked out the background as I didn't like the grid effect,close up it is a bit reminiscent of a roman mosaic, but the colours are too metallic.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucAbZY6uh5SUVh4tErxKYNSMj5EIcxUcXWQkYwqwtfaW9axrFSZVdtoBAUcDGrss2Kq_N0d4Pg7Vj_92VCtlI8z8ZK5mXGliw-nprDsGac4b77gK_OWCl6MZEOL77JpEBroYxJ4HiTbte/s1600/cat+face+whirlpool.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641123604699350306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucAbZY6uh5SUVh4tErxKYNSMj5EIcxUcXWQkYwqwtfaW9axrFSZVdtoBAUcDGrss2Kq_N0d4Pg7Vj_92VCtlI8z8ZK5mXGliw-nprDsGac4b77gK_OWCl6MZEOL77JpEBroYxJ4HiTbte/s200/cat+face+whirlpool.jpg" /></a>This one is here because I liked the swirly fur pattern a bit like the swirls on my curly dog brooch. Its a reminder to self to try for this effect in real metal.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXwzpK8BFbJQ4CzNlLkU6I88paIGlC1kroMOEcVr6kgpzHs-j2zITJyf60ihjPvkTfNP82VpAX9iJFKTYummGyi-9ec1D0gvDj-RZzRCEwhGyBedJCX7a0uA09KzDEOX64nnH8eQ3dIuD/s1600/cat+face+zig+zag.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641123881977512226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXwzpK8BFbJQ4CzNlLkU6I88paIGlC1kroMOEcVr6kgpzHs-j2zITJyf60ihjPvkTfNP82VpAX9iJFKTYummGyi-9ec1D0gvDj-RZzRCEwhGyBedJCX7a0uA09KzDEOX64nnH8eQ3dIuD/s200/cat+face+zig+zag.jpg" /></a> This one is also about the fur pattern, the trouble is it would take longer to draw....but the zig zags are nice.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDZ724VU0JrnrCJRk5jRBDnPquIfqSbj1VNJP_ljemRyP9UcsbiMLlx-VUcixO7jbBOaTwO06AM5FxDPLeNFZ78CeynyfIUufRa-bnGcyGlLg5H8vNDuNA0_Tlfr9dxKJ1Ah8npoc0Bwe/s1600/cat+face+pinch.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641126679964084258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDZ724VU0JrnrCJRk5jRBDnPquIfqSbj1VNJP_ljemRyP9UcsbiMLlx-VUcixO7jbBOaTwO06AM5FxDPLeNFZ78CeynyfIUufRa-bnGcyGlLg5H8vNDuNA0_Tlfr9dxKJ1Ah8npoc0Bwe/s200/cat+face+pinch.jpg" /></a> This one made me laugh out loud, jackrabbit cat?
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIdwCJ1OrIDXAOsePpGKAW04wQY-qeQOwnCjDDcGspkYUOIz2jY1gVVS9oaMgWfAb8KzIktVUQ2SFN4LblfRSjDnuX5OcAqIRktgEomK2x-ZW0BWRBEJva6oLCdKMgUB7oFk1gYrFfI0j/s1600/cat+face+sphere.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641124403888810018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIdwCJ1OrIDXAOsePpGKAW04wQY-qeQOwnCjDDcGspkYUOIz2jY1gVVS9oaMgWfAb8KzIktVUQ2SFN4LblfRSjDnuX5OcAqIRktgEomK2x-ZW0BWRBEJva6oLCdKMgUB7oFk1gYrFfI0j/s200/cat+face+sphere.jpg" /></a>And finally this one was just cute, like those fish eye lense cat photos you see. Asking to be used as the basis for a brooch, or maybe a pendant even? The ears are quite rounded with no sharp bits unlike a lot of the brooches. Watch for more variations on this theme....
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyV3m6ctW3qsFgQftNzaW-4Ew3q2iEyrZowo_N5pDQcWLa-KV5zaiCc1ahFaZh_pu4kYqO78P-Y4LsXSRl94zVdNiwzTAfOt5Xou00K9eiWlsHwGRUbbGqbRG6GtVAv0h0GQPF3VhbvZYF/s1600/cat+face+brooch+blog.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641144616745137026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyV3m6ctW3qsFgQftNzaW-4Ew3q2iEyrZowo_N5pDQcWLa-KV5zaiCc1ahFaZh_pu4kYqO78P-Y4LsXSRl94zVdNiwzTAfOt5Xou00K9eiWlsHwGRUbbGqbRG6GtVAv0h0GQPF3VhbvZYF/s200/cat+face+brooch+blog.jpg" /></a>This was the final product, inspired by this messing around,it was hell to photograph as it is so reflective,I kept getting shots with my hands and clouds etc in them . If it sells I'll do another with ears more like the sphere effect one above. The ears were smaller in this as it was "designed" in the shed the next day with out the above picture in front of me. I think I prefer the ears above, he does look a bit sad though.
<br />I've also done a jolly pig-dog in this stylee.
<br />Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-2601642084550502222011-06-28T10:46:00.000-07:002011-06-28T11:02:00.980-07:00DaisysEverywhere you go at the moment there are wild daisys growing down the side of major roads. They are probably there every year but this year I'm doing more driving about and seeing them everywhere. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4sDDlpMHO6uTdsa87vbM1lP6YjDLZVzOpNe7TTdt606MdtsASveHo6Aubsk3IYP53TmqmEN2m-HHl4y3_XNfgwm1ceVSj6MAII4FWIb3sc-gVzaXN63N8i9JObxeijYnTmqZQAMFVpDJ/s1600/real+daisys.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4sDDlpMHO6uTdsa87vbM1lP6YjDLZVzOpNe7TTdt606MdtsASveHo6Aubsk3IYP53TmqmEN2m-HHl4y3_XNfgwm1ceVSj6MAII4FWIb3sc-gVzaXN63N8i9JObxeijYnTmqZQAMFVpDJ/s200/real+daisys.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623330226756933730" /></a><br /><br />These I picked down by the river in the centre of Stoke on Trent. They have been in a vase in full sun in my kitchen for a fortnight now and are only just showing signs of age. I picked some roots up in the hopes that they will grow in my garden, They seem to have rooted , so fingers crossed.<br />So I made these new daisy inspired flower brooches.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPdL4LqoUWQ_0jzqqxE_JrGKQXrLKmQrjFrTdaFu0e1IgJAY66GJCjyjCXkG-Mm2wOjmXQQ726CDPy1j69TRq7_WC-aWdeAexMVgexNXXWL8P7hOMJI7wtl8hrUQtlZ_jIEKgMxy7j3vr/s1600/flower+pin+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPdL4LqoUWQ_0jzqqxE_JrGKQXrLKmQrjFrTdaFu0e1IgJAY66GJCjyjCXkG-Mm2wOjmXQQ726CDPy1j69TRq7_WC-aWdeAexMVgexNXXWL8P7hOMJI7wtl8hrUQtlZ_jIEKgMxy7j3vr/s200/flower+pin+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623330604947844098" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR4Oq94OqPFp6gnb6EeH0BHOiTO6S8DoPsCXkZhIU68LmTkA5zRK1_ceyaS4DOIw9lVzTPLOAzaiLdMCvwH4ai-T3gtfK21DnWwXX7uK1lO0ZPziS_42BP3wTlgsEEicyRz9Wm1fEhw9p/s1600/flowerbrooch1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR4Oq94OqPFp6gnb6EeH0BHOiTO6S8DoPsCXkZhIU68LmTkA5zRK1_ceyaS4DOIw9lVzTPLOAzaiLdMCvwH4ai-T3gtfK21DnWwXX7uK1lO0ZPziS_42BP3wTlgsEEicyRz9Wm1fEhw9p/s200/flowerbrooch1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623330937525588066" /></a><br /><br />Yes the petals curl the other way on my brooches, this is because I think they look a little sad with their petals folded back.Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-23789447584334977112011-05-18T05:31:00.000-07:002011-05-18T06:29:24.080-07:00Robots.........<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoQLDxNei60OsVltEX9LNYKFyZSalNGv5QqhuMEbQ6Tz_fsgazUb9WGzcSj6WTjYl6epzVTsjvYvaZsK8qicwA_RB58_fzCNo-flqu2JHn2JM8Is3qyaw1raerGHHcypDb7XM4ou6zn4g/s1600/tin+shaped+robot9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoQLDxNei60OsVltEX9LNYKFyZSalNGv5QqhuMEbQ6Tz_fsgazUb9WGzcSj6WTjYl6epzVTsjvYvaZsK8qicwA_RB58_fzCNo-flqu2JHn2JM8Is3qyaw1raerGHHcypDb7XM4ou6zn4g/s200/tin+shaped+robot9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608035998405495714" /></a> I had a robot week last week,"real" work was very quiet and I've got a new torch to play with.I had to buy it because my old one has gone missing in the house somewhere after my husband borrowed it to use as a gas lighter for my big soldering torch.(whilst taking off a radiator). So here is the result............<br />He's not very big,about a couple of inches tall or maybe 6 cms, made from brass sheet, brass rod,copper wire and a couple of beads.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5If8giu73etLTVxXLFCl66GhktGd4iwBPG_8NixMCZzxtXgfES0AcZs_B_nzoaZIlh9JupMwLQwl_Kteo_QeY9EVaHnWjTUflkLEpVIjJAdI8xEPhRCku349_woblZYVMgaIKQzp2U2kr/s1600/tin+shaped+robot3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5If8giu73etLTVxXLFCl66GhktGd4iwBPG_8NixMCZzxtXgfES0AcZs_B_nzoaZIlh9JupMwLQwl_Kteo_QeY9EVaHnWjTUflkLEpVIjJAdI8xEPhRCku349_woblZYVMgaIKQzp2U2kr/s200/tin+shaped+robot3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608034319589108530" /></a>he'll stand on his own two feet as long as you dont put his arms at a daft angle.....The arms articulate (wonderful long word to use when I could just say move) because they are attached via bolts to the main body. His shoulders are made from electrical connectors.Does the use of an existing part make him steampunk?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGMJeK_v5A0hrZcK5R2qdmFY2VZ0UR0MpB_KwYV-tKAOsj6Cdx7Wk4jDFJBiBWPOmAS59RGGpfqQn3Ffd1vNiZLVXgr_JsIr6aZc5_jhO16m1qj2l0oTi8tO6VVwW-iRK76PDS4k8TQux/s1600/tin+shaped+robot1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGMJeK_v5A0hrZcK5R2qdmFY2VZ0UR0MpB_KwYV-tKAOsj6Cdx7Wk4jDFJBiBWPOmAS59RGGpfqQn3Ffd1vNiZLVXgr_JsIr6aZc5_jhO16m1qj2l0oTi8tO6VVwW-iRK76PDS4k8TQux/s200/tin+shaped+robot1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608036500025498290" /></a><br />This is the front view<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tM6ugUhLC6newH0AxFT3_o5fbV8fUwF_LA6qBWMvMuZW61ChS52ksm9PA-ErsfHTdiV486OfXUgx86qm4ikfU6grlOAMaZty6NdpY21L83qXVVhcTvPbk3ie9MaZf5PynqTcOZBfCL7H/s1600/tin+shaped+robot4+jpg.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tM6ugUhLC6newH0AxFT3_o5fbV8fUwF_LA6qBWMvMuZW61ChS52ksm9PA-ErsfHTdiV486OfXUgx86qm4ikfU6grlOAMaZty6NdpY21L83qXVVhcTvPbk3ie9MaZf5PynqTcOZBfCL7H/s200/tin+shaped+robot4+jpg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608041617809455346" /></a>and this is the back, you could view him the other way around if you want, <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />the legs swivel.................................................and the head comes off <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfebDH44Y8gHX0Zy-MdHm41TOG9UZQepPspzyq84GSF1SlererWsRuZZfdn6FsNKgBhwy8xXObTtshbm5J3t_xDTb42SxV6bZHvDe9UWel2wBNLrNMFFiqWTFuacwdRg-naf1g-US9-77K/s1600/tin+shaped+robot5+jpg.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfebDH44Y8gHX0Zy-MdHm41TOG9UZQepPspzyq84GSF1SlererWsRuZZfdn6FsNKgBhwy8xXObTtshbm5J3t_xDTb42SxV6bZHvDe9UWel2wBNLrNMFFiqWTFuacwdRg-naf1g-US9-77K/s200/tin+shaped+robot5+jpg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608042758993235522" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KC9MZ8qNUFr9j5ic-ZgHNVjYItXn6WgfaOm1loSrnNrbTzB0Ntf7gTCJ9g_R-Q7K9MogfbaWP1LJ-cZZUelSWDk5iCRgCQp-lswjDe0S-DWRvJmr6zelYLTYAtefQVckRBE4az0HlF14/s1600/tin+shaped+robot7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KC9MZ8qNUFr9j5ic-ZgHNVjYItXn6WgfaOm1loSrnNrbTzB0Ntf7gTCJ9g_R-Q7K9MogfbaWP1LJ-cZZUelSWDk5iCRgCQp-lswjDe0S-DWRvJmr6zelYLTYAtefQVckRBE4az0HlF14/s200/tin+shaped+robot7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608042880137158370" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJVOAAs8TKZlVFvjxpoL49SChURPuHVBE9kCVuJv9F2dB9JHYQlZMGUa326wt6f9WbkCCkbHlGR41F-GMmn2JaIpvggGqY7jqJU7VsyuhdunxTtH8eDhYB9OCASboMYilWIJXCG_6z4kr/s1600/tin+shaped+robot6+jpg.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJVOAAs8TKZlVFvjxpoL49SChURPuHVBE9kCVuJv9F2dB9JHYQlZMGUa326wt6f9WbkCCkbHlGR41F-GMmn2JaIpvggGqY7jqJU7VsyuhdunxTtH8eDhYB9OCASboMYilWIJXCG_6z4kr/s200/tin+shaped+robot6+jpg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608042998508036818" /></a><br />The question (or questions)now is of course would anybody want to buy him?<br />How much for?<br />Where would be the best place to list him (apart from my own shop of course)Etsy,Folksy,Dawanda or all 3 and see what happens?Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-90349973645699437092011-04-11T09:36:00.000-07:002011-04-11T10:40:34.931-07:00whiskers up or down?I came across a really cute video of a kitten sucking its paw the other day,and as I'd got a stinking horrible cold and cough and couldn't face going into the shed to do some work I decided to do some drawing/painting inspired by the cute kitten instead. I thought as well I would share some of the drawings enroute to a final painting............<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-2ixZNj45iFXZZ4YV6fv8YLzmlPtfWMj88Fl_PufqlL9NyQMVdil1fJsxOLBKJBO99_7xrnE_ukCefEaO8xzGbe5XVJjuZQb_bxNhO2_x0P_50L5q2G1ptaMU6dqZR2OPygTeLOG7OPu/s1600/catdrawing+paw+in+mouth.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-2ixZNj45iFXZZ4YV6fv8YLzmlPtfWMj88Fl_PufqlL9NyQMVdil1fJsxOLBKJBO99_7xrnE_ukCefEaO8xzGbe5XVJjuZQb_bxNhO2_x0P_50L5q2G1ptaMU6dqZR2OPygTeLOG7OPu/s200/catdrawing+paw+in+mouth.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594366655814058962" /></a><br />this was the first , which after a bit of fiddling about changed to<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlinkg-nnZs1ouxaWTbJUiM5OmohwcMUT5GNTEIvyiwpc8AD_ln50KldQsPpx0DZ6f2DbItVq3d6qwfjtgKuxjcHVRoCt_0K8Gt1E9VMhFj7U-XfzUN-iktsQYIYGVoQUlCHq_C7C_1KgT/s1600/catdrawing+paw+in+mouth3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 110px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlinkg-nnZs1ouxaWTbJUiM5OmohwcMUT5GNTEIvyiwpc8AD_ln50KldQsPpx0DZ6f2DbItVq3d6qwfjtgKuxjcHVRoCt_0K8Gt1E9VMhFj7U-XfzUN-iktsQYIYGVoQUlCHq_C7C_1KgT/s200/catdrawing+paw+in+mouth3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594367213137373314" /></a><br />but I thought this smacked too much of cuteness, I dont really like the idea of cats in nappies, a bit too disney for me , so<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWAMycw3U3v0MoXIznmHv90b5bS_v9YgTiCf6JM4k2YKrWh778BOaXdCs8YnkZQuADOgQUS8Fv_GlsyxctULr0ClZIpL_ZvNZw-fjcYVVQo-VPEVo45_akGkWAPwhCgoeagM1JcFIA814/s1600/catdrawing+paw+in+mouth2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWAMycw3U3v0MoXIznmHv90b5bS_v9YgTiCf6JM4k2YKrWh778BOaXdCs8YnkZQuADOgQUS8Fv_GlsyxctULr0ClZIpL_ZvNZw-fjcYVVQo-VPEVo45_akGkWAPwhCgoeagM1JcFIA814/s200/catdrawing+paw+in+mouth2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594366904195903010" /></a><br />this was the final drawinng that became the unfinished painting that is here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fShC6DIHRnmkWbXshP4CMSZ2Qlv49qh6GXZLyPKKZSOpGOE7180xg6BfmFttGCuGXSouq-oC-w2ePbfLT6TMkudxLzPeKws38Kd3y-9EuNPPACaRUwWl_FHRLUz1nfMtSREw6w20uTYC/s1600/thumb+cat2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 346px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fShC6DIHRnmkWbXshP4CMSZ2Qlv49qh6GXZLyPKKZSOpGOE7180xg6BfmFttGCuGXSouq-oC-w2ePbfLT6TMkudxLzPeKws38Kd3y-9EuNPPACaRUwWl_FHRLUz1nfMtSREw6w20uTYC/s200/thumb+cat2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594369436058509170" /></a><br />It wasnt until I'd finished that I thought it bares a cetain resemblance to the Puss in Boots of Shrek fame, this was accidental, I was wondering what colour to paint him when I thought why not ginger its a nice sunny warm colour as it was a nice sunny warm day. He does look a bit like he's wearing the orange version of the cartoonists swag/robber jumper....<br />What I cant decide is what to do with the whiskers,if you go to my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Hollowbourne/111510052210161?closeTheater=1 you will find two versions of this, one whiskers up one down. In one he looks happy like he's just thoughtfully biting his nails. In the other he looks like he's been caught in the act of doing something he shouldn't have. Its amazing how a different direction can make one simple painting have two meanings . So what does anyone think? Guilty or content?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmdL3rkFZL5gJzrTqfSLTtXC46ztoaO-459_po3XapnmlnrLaZrYrpIqFXN2iTrkBSb2JU0Sv67UokReEaq_x2pm0TTdzSeg8iwg9ZDRh-wvGyNaJdNXPJeMPY2YRVP9347EEW0n8wr_W/s1600/catdrawing+paw+in+mouth5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmdL3rkFZL5gJzrTqfSLTtXC46ztoaO-459_po3XapnmlnrLaZrYrpIqFXN2iTrkBSb2JU0Sv67UokReEaq_x2pm0TTdzSeg8iwg9ZDRh-wvGyNaJdNXPJeMPY2YRVP9347EEW0n8wr_W/s200/catdrawing+paw+in+mouth5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594380165389518642" /></a> here are a couple of other variations<br />on a theme....one of these will be my<br />new cat booch, I'm not sure which yet.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh673MWUFjdvKXxm20gUTd9699kkY1Tr0sAOiEygN07D68N0ZFpf189dlRy4aIdnLFtWzR4xkG227A4Gx-cuw9-fwiX1CF7E15SqMzG6J-5JcewHKsqO2q_vwiKA2cl7yklrZnjXMAhts2Z/s1600/catdrawing+paw+in+mouth4.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh673MWUFjdvKXxm20gUTd9699kkY1Tr0sAOiEygN07D68N0ZFpf189dlRy4aIdnLFtWzR4xkG227A4Gx-cuw9-fwiX1CF7E15SqMzG6J-5JcewHKsqO2q_vwiKA2cl7yklrZnjXMAhts2Z/s200/catdrawing+paw+in+mouth4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594378472317046306" /></a>Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-30199828812438906282011-01-17T12:05:00.000-08:002011-01-17T12:17:56.579-08:00ACEO cat and bird paintings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3NPU2_kM9CCDoyffQUVa5zQfdGCYr1xhBV53m7C0U2b7ORVjgx3ylIMh9yLtgLGFJU6n1ZXLXEnnZlwLASyfY8GX1wHFtdXvPLtQJvEwEccT7C9u8flSpRVKbSVJ8oE3Zcd64wp8ThJ1/s1600/3+blue+bird+aseo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3NPU2_kM9CCDoyffQUVa5zQfdGCYr1xhBV53m7C0U2b7ORVjgx3ylIMh9yLtgLGFJU6n1ZXLXEnnZlwLASyfY8GX1wHFtdXvPLtQJvEwEccT7C9u8flSpRVKbSVJ8oE3Zcd64wp8ThJ1/s200/3+blue+bird+aseo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563249568497559282" /></a><br />Quick blog to say that I've been doing a bit of painting for a change.<br />Smoe of the good people at Folksy have been doing ACEOs and as I have a few small paintings in my notebooks I thought I would list a few and see what people think.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG69bihCnghCMKXthJ60gN_gxNMuLj0THCOR1sDAXijNblC0sZXLHlkztWXZYJcazYsBiZP8aNqqINS2YPNCBkGLO7dIPoPncEdKyLFzsM-0Ldint0u-fEbYdYIVCMXvQNdE-Xj3b4IJB/s1600/orange+cat+aseo+500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG69bihCnghCMKXthJ60gN_gxNMuLj0THCOR1sDAXijNblC0sZXLHlkztWXZYJcazYsBiZP8aNqqINS2YPNCBkGLO7dIPoPncEdKyLFzsM-0Ldint0u-fEbYdYIVCMXvQNdE-Xj3b4IJB/s200/orange+cat+aseo+500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563249742161337410" /></a><br />I've googled myself out of curiosity a couple of times lately and come across "links" that mention my fierce cat painting that is on Dawanda, one site seemed to be sugesting you could download the artwork free, luckily it didnt work,or I would have been somewhat annoyed. The other ended up at a blank page with one of those "you may have got a virus, click here to check messages" ie click here so we can give you a virus! I hope nobody uses these pictures for nefarious ends.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQAsC3ytJ4zHIoJN-yswZuvtExW5LVocgCV0heFUFa0aSTeEd4g2hdjoVu2mblRUXdh7H0YxALirzSVPPoQ49s9WGgvHu-90Z_tX6uQkGHPmpBkNlcX5Bh_AbuGsHGDkbccNEpT6a8eEr/s1600/small+green+bird+aseo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQAsC3ytJ4zHIoJN-yswZuvtExW5LVocgCV0heFUFa0aSTeEd4g2hdjoVu2mblRUXdh7H0YxALirzSVPPoQ49s9WGgvHu-90Z_tX6uQkGHPmpBkNlcX5Bh_AbuGsHGDkbccNEpT6a8eEr/s200/small+green+bird+aseo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563251290232705186" /></a><br />Is it worth while trying to sell these?Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-36165975011448882812010-12-06T15:30:00.001-08:002010-12-06T15:46:04.131-08:00cat inspiration<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJCu-WPtev5Z3YkAAb7qpgF-mVXzPrsjTXT8XNqSDkSwtUNDGWpyGM9IoHjKxfP1vfZn4gC4VrKw0cmpdtQexQ2-i9KDdfveJUEfZweHK39YPe-iRGwlhnzx5iKimV0k6KxnaRMSfBNmb/s1600/zip+chair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJCu-WPtev5Z3YkAAb7qpgF-mVXzPrsjTXT8XNqSDkSwtUNDGWpyGM9IoHjKxfP1vfZn4gC4VrKw0cmpdtQexQ2-i9KDdfveJUEfZweHK39YPe-iRGwlhnzx5iKimV0k6KxnaRMSfBNmb/s200/zip+chair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547716995694841266" /></a>Is there such a thing as reverse inspiration? My cat Zip was wanting to keep an eye on the weather without going outside this week, and was sitting on this chair when I realised it was the perfect pose for one of my cat brooches....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBX44KIijELEaGL7PBHbkF41a3uXN6pZ23qLP9su0vzsXic9Ny2pSmKHVR0QIEZjtxRiqIWT8F33pcSZ3eOpm4auhzg4CoctvC3-I2sT8rg-zDFZQH4vCOFkV-5CWVSL7D6MoXLuL0nrB/s1600/zip+brooch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBX44KIijELEaGL7PBHbkF41a3uXN6pZ23qLP9su0vzsXic9Ny2pSmKHVR0QIEZjtxRiqIWT8F33pcSZ3eOpm4auhzg4CoctvC3-I2sT8rg-zDFZQH4vCOFkV-5CWVSL7D6MoXLuL0nrB/s200/zip+brooch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547717263952621058" /></a>And for once he didn't move whilst I went upstairs for the camera to take this.<br />Which I think show very well where the idea for this brooch came from originaly.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRWBC19k6r-PplzMq9Mb1GytstcxKu8bRHDHrFjZ3vkjFWBm0M6phE5yy9VKBspaiT8mvtwplsLQJ4YaH3orDBy7uAhJhQhbKWI7wGl7N7PLRcwNYd-4BObQtpNFrEdjxn2HMSxCmakN3/s1600/pocket+cat3+scarf500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRWBC19k6r-PplzMq9Mb1GytstcxKu8bRHDHrFjZ3vkjFWBm0M6phE5yy9VKBspaiT8mvtwplsLQJ4YaH3orDBy7uAhJhQhbKWI7wGl7N7PLRcwNYd-4BObQtpNFrEdjxn2HMSxCmakN3/s200/pocket+cat3+scarf500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547717937391409554" /></a><br />I'm not really sure which cat looks the most ungainly.Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-54919490866235814962010-12-01T06:11:00.000-08:002010-12-01T06:26:34.381-08:00Perhaps some cats like snow.........."there's something under here"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRC272kK04rZyv4JsXgAcpSk3oDCY8Dpvuf0qisNG2LJn4egLJ8cbxkr_fbmmU1kvlnqcZv671CPWC1n8wTgHIx134tn7UXTLwBWK1mcXa6dYlgwnRGkntYeRP36XbSweEKpP4IoWXDhU/s1600/spot+tail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRC272kK04rZyv4JsXgAcpSk3oDCY8Dpvuf0qisNG2LJn4egLJ8cbxkr_fbmmU1kvlnqcZv671CPWC1n8wTgHIx134tn7UXTLwBWK1mcXa6dYlgwnRGkntYeRP36XbSweEKpP4IoWXDhU/s200/spot+tail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545719807990811474" /></a><br /><br />"maybe if I just roll around a bit...."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwejFLibVfvZHpCxMsssGAOffzG-Zw4KC8P4IK8GxOtEXfSM4bADATErkIcvIXYfR9EB8yHIXmMewsnWgpi-CHqDVAVQQp1RCV4vaqiW1IwP9sfClF44TMnRaas6d3MGE7LzsmEIwNjVW/s1600/spot+side.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwejFLibVfvZHpCxMsssGAOffzG-Zw4KC8P4IK8GxOtEXfSM4bADATErkIcvIXYfR9EB8yHIXmMewsnWgpi-CHqDVAVQQp1RCV4vaqiW1IwP9sfClF44TMnRaas6d3MGE7LzsmEIwNjVW/s200/spot+side.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545716715233437298" /></a><br />"I'll manage to catch it!"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jzWz0dDtNXBR5yGmVBVYPivtdGMdnHKPRVxGExkxNspzfKKHaQQpsAp-FZASG7OUb3Vz5oTf7GjkQYRAoqU9onf1RJNLqjWTn3lFMIP2EE8MFHU287SwTsSd2gfJ0p88_aM1JR3IufNi/s1600/spot+back.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jzWz0dDtNXBR5yGmVBVYPivtdGMdnHKPRVxGExkxNspzfKKHaQQpsAp-FZASG7OUb3Vz5oTf7GjkQYRAoqU9onf1RJNLqjWTn3lFMIP2EE8MFHU287SwTsSd2gfJ0p88_aM1JR3IufNi/s200/spot+back.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545716704886827298" /></a><br />"blimy this is deeper than I thought"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEhcQlHHYYBJwEOdfqNg1fjzzxAY0RPWj_-zWwYx9-UAbgzDX5e2ZOIt8Vb_LVlqfccVABTUuJi_tTyulnZQD5RgJFbukXqrdwGmc4VRN4_gxL7jpAoM55-ZqZxAeORuACALj-R9NvAIn/s1600/spot+deep.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEhcQlHHYYBJwEOdfqNg1fjzzxAY0RPWj_-zWwYx9-UAbgzDX5e2ZOIt8Vb_LVlqfccVABTUuJi_tTyulnZQD5RgJFbukXqrdwGmc4VRN4_gxL7jpAoM55-ZqZxAeORuACALj-R9NvAIn/s200/spot+deep.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545716692674972018" /></a><br />"ok this isn't fun anymore can I come in now?"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46knHuzpZVTTHSm3gw7cvJBubLA_nQiuIrMNGKpVzLyF9o0cOTRzDPN0lESdIU3fxHlc2iIziBeOJEZ4yZWm5ntmLoF4Chws88JZSG9Vdq4Dg1aFdbg5WenXZjoNs2KXVof69GeY-QKtO/s1600/spot+angry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46knHuzpZVTTHSm3gw7cvJBubLA_nQiuIrMNGKpVzLyF9o0cOTRzDPN0lESdIU3fxHlc2iIziBeOJEZ4yZWm5ntmLoF4Chws88JZSG9Vdq4Dg1aFdbg5WenXZjoNs2KXVof69GeY-QKtO/s200/spot+angry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545716687808053906" /></a>I dont think this cat has ever been out in snow before, our other cats have refused point blank to go outside never mind running round like an idiot as Spot is doing here.Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-58027713863777775922010-11-17T14:15:00.000-08:002010-11-17T15:18:26.506-08:00New shop opened..................<strong>http://www.hollowbourne.com</strong>/<strong></strong><br />My own shop is open at last, everything (ok nearly everything ) all under one roof so to speak........I have been working on this for the last 3 weeks, listing that many things at once can be very boring.I have also had to contend with the fact that my computer decided it didn't want to cut and paste anymore in the middle of it all, computers are such temperamental things. I'm sure there are lots of things that need tweeking so if anyone finds any obvious faux pas let me know please.<br />I decided to make it including delivery as the delivery thingy was driving me nuts, especially the foreign bit. So for now anyone from outside the U.K. will need to email me and I'll do it as a special listing. <br /><strong><br />Otherwise its been a dog and bird week</strong>............<br />I visited a lovely artistic lady in my day job capacity to sell her a boiler, she had a very cute dog that insisted on sitting on my lap at every opportunity,as a result of which<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2VNMhd-JHFp5OmK-GzxeEPzwbas-sCXJG8E2TCogIs8g9fsT79SZoKjdaNisOgIBz4oXwKTkMbVv4McJAU3lOslis8J-QVwTeOyEtPnnFEYBup85ScPOIU0NnuM4WQa16apRARkCyOLv/s1600/hassal+st+dog+on+scarf+500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2VNMhd-JHFp5OmK-GzxeEPzwbas-sCXJG8E2TCogIs8g9fsT79SZoKjdaNisOgIBz4oXwKTkMbVv4McJAU3lOslis8J-QVwTeOyEtPnnFEYBup85ScPOIU0NnuM4WQa16apRARkCyOLv/s200/hassal+st+dog+on+scarf+500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540655822087640706" /></a><br />this little chap was born .Dont ask me what sort of dog it was I havn't a clue, it was too big for sitting on my lap though ,I know that much. Oh and if you are interested I did sell the boiler ...<br />Dog no 2 is altogether fiercer <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExHU6EYTDx7cMvLjyr4VgoDnziYOEPgKsVz2ezqlngVn228can_KJOjBFVpGUhttyuLJx3nyQXsHV15mQJwiY8cEy3lasoGhrMcHLA8khpYySEZXCLvgv49aI6pZ2lyDTd5WVgCEMjVpw/s1600/fat+pocket+dog+scarf+500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExHU6EYTDx7cMvLjyr4VgoDnziYOEPgKsVz2ezqlngVn228can_KJOjBFVpGUhttyuLJx3nyQXsHV15mQJwiY8cEy3lasoGhrMcHLA8khpYySEZXCLvgv49aI6pZ2lyDTd5WVgCEMjVpw/s200/fat+pocket+dog+scarf+500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540657793667710338" /></a><br /><br />I think he's a guard dog , guarding your pocket, yes one leg is longer than the other. I didn't notice until I was choosing the photos for the listing.It isn't so obvious in real life. This is one of those pieces which is impossible to photograph as there are reflections from everywhere....<br />In addition to the 2 dog brooches, I made 3 little bird brooches.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIez-hmdioAs_t59A33T_bAlHSixJ-GyxCdiPEbf4TS1Gr9rLzSoZG4CJxcuSFSi2jnWHruCV7mwIJShU4V6yat_qUMZYvpvCewlYulEJmPMxE62GzPFkoh29chtewPrLAj9exO8UkfgMY/s1600/3+birds.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIez-hmdioAs_t59A33T_bAlHSixJ-GyxCdiPEbf4TS1Gr9rLzSoZG4CJxcuSFSi2jnWHruCV7mwIJShU4V6yat_qUMZYvpvCewlYulEJmPMxE62GzPFkoh29chtewPrLAj9exO8UkfgMY/s200/3+birds.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540658663766532594" /></a><br /><br />I had some small bits of brass to use in between larger pieces, birds are good for using that sort of space up,the original idea was to make a robin, but I decided I liked them better plain in he end.<br />A couple of christmas trees are waiting to be photographed tomorrow if the weather is a bit better.........more about them next week,<br />That's it for now, I must find out how to do a proper link for my shop but its a bit late at night for that now .Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-56132640468181252722010-10-19T15:59:00.000-07:002010-10-19T17:38:25.510-07:00Hearts and FlowersJewellery with a message, hearts and flowers; symbols of love and affection.<br />Anyone who knows me is aware that I am not a particularly soppy person, so I was suprised at how many different items I have made this year with a romantic theme in mind.<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsj_YFWDYrzKey_rHdWRtwcG1JDzmR1rKFozDAsUTek0QxhnPVKfidXtiGSwaSAxqaaDlCg8gGvJAePZCdui2zXfnNgzmpkt8H4U0aABKf8m9q4v9Wl7u0c10iCuXnLtruTTOXa8Rnz7W/s1600/heart+brooch+om+blue.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsj_YFWDYrzKey_rHdWRtwcG1JDzmR1rKFozDAsUTek0QxhnPVKfidXtiGSwaSAxqaaDlCg8gGvJAePZCdui2zXfnNgzmpkt8H4U0aABKf8m9q4v9Wl7u0c10iCuXnLtruTTOXa8Rnz7W/s200/heart+brooch+om+blue.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529898306706409650" /></a><br />I made this early in the year in the hopes that it might go for Valentines day.along with these......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUpbBymm3RB-puLvYGFqN5gb9gc06BX8JkTFW2hOiFKfxufpF7-QTpkjNZAryB6v7Wop3I2bF6qhNxP9YSusxV1VUCMSM_9W7w-Yzs0Ev1WcczyIws7oCbARh1SnoGcbYeB-_mmwyVhkO/s1600/hearts+and+pearl.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUpbBymm3RB-puLvYGFqN5gb9gc06BX8JkTFW2hOiFKfxufpF7-QTpkjNZAryB6v7Wop3I2bF6qhNxP9YSusxV1VUCMSM_9W7w-Yzs0Ev1WcczyIws7oCbARh1SnoGcbYeB-_mmwyVhkO/s200/hearts+and+pearl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529898837616014674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QVQmbtjTKhwp4yFkP8-YB0-fE12KIfQ-HavHW4uEJCEzQJNuw7zdbzfP5hTQxbZzVyXPrI5UpvqQWaC0c2_jlXXn-am6GkxfcogtPzo0g1yJ6ARus-wCGbQ9R-MdWiU6ggTOqJrVzLZS/s1600/hearts+and+red+bead.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QVQmbtjTKhwp4yFkP8-YB0-fE12KIfQ-HavHW4uEJCEzQJNuw7zdbzfP5hTQxbZzVyXPrI5UpvqQWaC0c2_jlXXn-am6GkxfcogtPzo0g1yJ6ARus-wCGbQ9R-MdWiU6ggTOqJrVzLZS/s200/hearts+and+red+bead.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529899014096140946" /></a><br />The brooch went to someone in the summer, it was bought by a man, I hope the recipient of this,(I was going to say his girlfriend but I suppose it could have been for a mother or boyfriend ) liked it. The flying kisses reminded me of a flock of birds especially in this picture where you can just see the reflection of the sky in the heart and the blue wooly background is like the night sky, with the birds flying home into the sunset at the end of the day. The earrings I still have, maybe they dont fit well with the rest of my work so no one notices them.<br />My next foray into the realms of lurve was the cat with a heart.......... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4ND9dTgZpFHAD8gbkCLm5ivwZJer1BxWLBnJOvIVgXLqEEAMx5M1oVtgYDxvmPjT3A05xOYtpH45sSjEKlyZe56K5CaDGHeWmFcEvb0KW2pzVMeKB-HNSi6pQL6-FEcGBqu-W3ON3feq/s1600/fat+cat+with+heart+.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4ND9dTgZpFHAD8gbkCLm5ivwZJer1BxWLBnJOvIVgXLqEEAMx5M1oVtgYDxvmPjT3A05xOYtpH45sSjEKlyZe56K5CaDGHeWmFcEvb0KW2pzVMeKB-HNSi6pQL6-FEcGBqu-W3ON3feq/s200/fat+cat+with+heart+.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529902502354664754" /></a><br />This cute kitty lying on his back is just begging for affection, he has a little pink copper heart. He looks very happy, perhaps he's high on catnip! My cats look at bit like this after a teaspoon or two of fresh cat mint.I suspect he's just inviting you to tickle his tummy so he can grab your hand with all four paws and pretend he's caught a pigeon....Too cynical?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhDktV4Ccv8FLeE8uZDkLh1g6lyUkV3R4vkWXNj256Dg1l6XklNH_AsHsGioIJpPnBqD8eoiWXATXL_hi1D_ihraS9B5ols_o_J23ro8nSLeRzmlVUTFeWIEcmpRMxmzATDo-iX2_fesS/s1600/romantic+robot+on+window+F.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhDktV4Ccv8FLeE8uZDkLh1g6lyUkV3R4vkWXNj256Dg1l6XklNH_AsHsGioIJpPnBqD8eoiWXATXL_hi1D_ihraS9B5ols_o_J23ro8nSLeRzmlVUTFeWIEcmpRMxmzATDo-iX2_fesS/s200/romantic+robot+on+window+F.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529905048595957554" /></a> So next I was doodling a new robot, thinking to do one from the side for a change and I was looking for a reason for him to be sideways on, presenting a flower seemed to be a nice idea. Thinking on it again now , maybe I should have made the flower from a watch cog wheel, perhaps next time after this one has sold. In case you are wondering he is standing on the windowledge of the shed that I work in, just about visible behind him is a clock I started making 20 years ago,(o.k. clock case) and standing on top of that the clock I use to time my etchings.And yes those are cobwebs......... <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-95uky6c1WQnb3bDdzfAg0OYrQarjiskd_Lw2vUhrq1hosSxl4Va_Nf3ZOp14q9oLMqkHk8sTtMybI9Nkpfs0362189ibwTu4w3eqxGpMWqkt0ou9RFDBQRQpDy_5kmJcSedLMuXP0cx/s1600/flower+cat+on+close+up+500+px.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-95uky6c1WQnb3bDdzfAg0OYrQarjiskd_Lw2vUhrq1hosSxl4Va_Nf3ZOp14q9oLMqkHk8sTtMybI9Nkpfs0362189ibwTu4w3eqxGpMWqkt0ou9RFDBQRQpDy_5kmJcSedLMuXP0cx/s200/flower+cat+on+close+up+500+px.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529909296774122290" /></a> This handsome fellow came next, a new cat again with a flower in his paw. This is the second flower as I melted the first beyond redemption. He looks very pleased with himself. I feel he has just stolen this flower from someones's garden, I dont think cats would have the patience to grow their own flowers, (if they could) but his heart is in the right place. He means well, he just wants to make his owner happy, so that they will tickle him behind the ears and open a nice smelly can of whiskas for him. He knows that that smile would melt the hardest of hearts.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZznQR-mgU-wg16H_Qxls6y_NbP_UxAsVZjyGeOZlYyiSaylJiSZkcyfJUQAUaKvxOobwTZzf0DKAUFomkHsqfxxeYMSAfPkdWLWU-3PzxCqo6BtPoF1BCXgmjz_67TWNTnARUV6FOfaPf/s1600/robot+with+tv+heart+scarf.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZznQR-mgU-wg16H_Qxls6y_NbP_UxAsVZjyGeOZlYyiSaylJiSZkcyfJUQAUaKvxOobwTZzf0DKAUFomkHsqfxxeYMSAfPkdWLWU-3PzxCqo6BtPoF1BCXgmjz_67TWNTnARUV6FOfaPf/s200/robot+with+tv+heart+scarf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529912942377276514" /></a>Lastly a new robot who shows off its heart to prove its humanity..... a Wizard of Oz tin man type robot. Its little copper heart is encapulated in clear resin like a tv screen, it's trying to show the world it has feelings too. Maybe it needs the heart becuse it has no mouth. I say it but I think it looks more like a she, as the body is a bit dress shaped. You dont seem to get too many tales about female robots, is it because mechanical things are usualy seen as the domain of males? I'm sure someonee will prove me wrong. There's the one in the old silent movie, Metropolis, and one in that Robots animated film that ran the boarding house. Them aside female robots seem to be weird japanese fantasy items and I'm not going there in this blog...You could read a lot of different things into this image, none of them intended. It was/is intended as a geek present, nothing more or less.<br />And it has been the springboard for this blog. I just want someone to love him/her/it.<br />Let me know what you think.Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2347290552404661937.post-8916339497361678372010-10-06T13:28:00.000-07:002010-10-06T13:56:52.283-07:00random ramblings and assorted jewelleryI find I have some new followers and thought I just ought to say welcome.<br />I am a bit neglectful of my blog as there never seem to be enough hours of the day to do everything I want to do for my jewellery and do a "real " job too.<br />Perhaps it is the perfectionist in me that wont normally post anything until I've agonised over it for a while.<br />So I'm glad someone likes what I've done so far.<br />This week I've made a few new items and remade some one old favorite and one that sold quite quickly.<br />The small friendly dragon has sold already so I've done a slightly different version, facing the other way and with different wings.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2WZvouFxtZWVp34gkuAWwn_kzLICSbpDmtb5heDnmGeJVIl-Lv532zg1PVmyT0PMX_e6LgZ6Zp_jizX7pGgXdDUVwp_wupJ2klM3yOFtL2YXUTLQiMI8PFEXDQ87hEtv2ZIbpD0hnrtD/s1600/small+dragon+2+on+scarf+500+pxs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2WZvouFxtZWVp34gkuAWwn_kzLICSbpDmtb5heDnmGeJVIl-Lv532zg1PVmyT0PMX_e6LgZ6Zp_jizX7pGgXdDUVwp_wupJ2klM3yOFtL2YXUTLQiMI8PFEXDQ87hEtv2ZIbpD0hnrtD/s200/small+dragon+2+on+scarf+500+pxs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525034037685647234" /></a><br />I've also made a flat cat............<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJINqKN1QavUrowoq3MQaGaH38gtn68mW1acZ6Mc0wzBqEY6fuejgf8XbLNJP99zKl4JgtLsGCJpkkw9b3Le02hoa9RWkR5k8gQ-WV1eIdtkb58ZzepBFL_0mM45or-cCvJMV-pGXNv0C/s1600/flat+cat+scarf500+px.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJINqKN1QavUrowoq3MQaGaH38gtn68mW1acZ6Mc0wzBqEY6fuejgf8XbLNJP99zKl4JgtLsGCJpkkw9b3Le02hoa9RWkR5k8gQ-WV1eIdtkb58ZzepBFL_0mM45or-cCvJMV-pGXNv0C/s200/flat+cat+scarf500+px.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525034570333248962" /></a><br />I started making these in about 1986, I used to call them Splat cats, but daren't anymore since a certain pottery had started making mugs etc with splat cats on them. I just wish I had some proof it was my idea first!<br />What else...oh yes I was in a military mood on sunday and made these........<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpf4xhIGfaAwGE6WGb4aP6Xe2s5RRk56aC4EoBZgQ2WStPGmPqwUPX0VdshFy8PmbYrOzqbwhP0aL8jH3mu1ZdJ0kNiWmYmdH80QOBYZTbxwlM2uRKEGKt2UNmT52XB5_ME3sULnTQaqH/s1600/2+stars.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpf4xhIGfaAwGE6WGb4aP6Xe2s5RRk56aC4EoBZgQ2WStPGmPqwUPX0VdshFy8PmbYrOzqbwhP0aL8jH3mu1ZdJ0kNiWmYmdH80QOBYZTbxwlM2uRKEGKt2UNmT52XB5_ME3sULnTQaqH/s200/2+stars.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525036192664556354" /></a><br />not perhaps my normal fare but I like them, they remind me of the sort of thing the Queen gives out.<br />and lastly and best of all I have been a featured on the Folksy "featured seller" slot this week which has given me lots more views and more importantly a few new sales so thank you to whoever chooses the front pages.<br />As a consequence of which I have started listing some of my "olde" collection hitherto unseen on Folksy, just to gauge reactions. And one of the cheaper ones has sold after a couple of days, interestingly it has been on etsy since july and only been viewed 10 times. I cant decide whether to list another on there or not.<br />The other items I did this week are being saved for the next blog, which I have in the course of writing this decided will be about romance..watch this space.Mandy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04018889266045982346noreply@blogger.com2