Posted 9 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
I made this last year in class. I'd wear it, likely, if I didn't hate the rivets, which I tried hiding with an artificial ageing solution I brushed on, which obviously failed and further damaged the piece.
But, the near-final project was to create something riveted together. So I did.
I sketched several designs, picked one, and put it into metal, drilled in relief holes, cut it out, cut out a backing, cut the rivets, drilled more holes, put the little copper tubes in and pounded the rivets flat.
I burned the two pieces of metal separately, though. I also did the clasps/coils myself out of copper wire. There is no glue here. Just metal and leather.
The bear can mean many things. To me he is a symbol of emotional, physical, and spiritual healing as well as endurance through hard times. He is a fairly lonely creature, though, who is often misunderstood by people. He is typically gentle but can be pushed to display violence, although it is displayed only as long as needed.
Currently it resides over a bear tapestry hanging beside my bed.
I think the green tint makes this amulet more interesting. The outline of the bear is clearer.
Thank you for the kind compliment.
I agree, a nice creation:)
Thank you, Trey and Valentino.
I love especially the explanation what the bear means to you. The amulet is nice, too :)
Martika, thank you.
It looks great the way it is but if you hate the rivets, how about covering them with little upholstery tacks/nailheads (they come in many finishes including copper, I believe) or small turquoise cabochons in beset setting (we know you can solder)?
That they mar an otherwise nice surface, to me, is irrevocable. Dressing them up may be the best option, as you say, but I dunno how you all know I can solder.
Thanks for commenting and the ideas.
Dude, you took a metalsmithing class, it must have included soldering, right?
I think you hit on the correct solution, to incorporate the rivets into the design. Very nice work!
Davy, this class used nothing electronic. Even the cutting/grinding machine was a treadle (pump-pedal.) No soldering.
Katherine, thank you for the compliment.
In that case, you have another skill to learn and new projects to look forward to.