Brass Celtic Brooch

Some shots of my work bench and some work in progress. I should be ashamed of the "cluttered" workbench but the more workbenches I see the better I feel about mine. The brass brooch is about 2.5 inches in diameter with a pin arrangement on the back that allows it to be worn as a slide. The process is a ferric Chloride etch of about 2 hours. The image is transferred using the transparency method. A reverse image is copied on a transparency using a photocopier (jet printer will not do) and the piece is laid on a hot iron with the transparency on top. With some light burnishing, the image transfers to the metal which gives you a good start. Then, the image is touched up, the back is covered with tape and the piece is hung face down in a vibrating container of ferric chloride ( from Radio Shack). Two hours later, after a few checks, the piece is removed, brushed with a soft brass brush and sprinkled with baking soda to neutralize the acid. It's then ready for finishing and pin fabrication. Then...ready for a new home with a loving customer.

Holly Arts & Craft Festival, 2007

This is our setup at the Holly Arts & Craft Festival in Pinehurst this year. What a neat place. The town had a distinct village feel to it. As a matter of fact I think they call it a village. This was our first time at this venue and we did pretty well. Lots of interesting people. We were set up on the back street from the main drag but had lots of traffic anyway. Hopefully if the show is still there (hearing rumors of major changes)next year we can get up on the main drag. Lots of beautiful things in a nice setting. That's Sarah on the right with a customer.

The Beggar's Bowl

“Now there are different ways by which the ego can be crushed. Among the yogis, even today, there is a custom that when the chela comes to the guru his first lesson is to take the beggars bowl and go from house to house, bringing that which he gathers to the other chelas sitting there. The youngest chela brings the food that he has begged to the others, and he does not even beg for himself. In his heart he is already a monk who has taken up the bowl for others, for those who are meditating and learning the truth. Although the beggar's bowl is in his hand he may perhaps be greater than a king, for he is with out greed; he is crushing his ego; he is not thinking about what people will say when they see that he has taken up the beggar's bowl. “ -Hazrat Inayat Khan, 1882-1927.

Some of my latest work..Beggars' Bowls

These are hand raised copper vessels and enameled. Approximately 3" by 6". Some are fold formed then raised.

81 Year old vet still grading for the NCDOT

 

81 year old Mr. Bradshaw still going strong with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He is shown here during the recent Veterans day celebration honoring the local district veterans in Greensboro.

Celtic Knotwork Bracelet
This is a detail of one of my new fabricated pieces. Etched design on Nugold with Sterling silver hardware. Various sizes, depending on the combination of links.