| Author | Content |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:18 PM Post #2833058
| UniQue Treasures Copper Art
Greetings Artisans!
My sister Connie and I have had the great honor of being commissioned by one of our DG members - Balvenie - to create a copper sculpture to hang in the moon gate of his arbor. Some of you may remember a thread a while back in the Garden Art Forum where he was making the moon gate for the arbor.
Balvenie has requested that we document what we are doing here in the forum so that others who may be interested in working with copper could see, step by step, how the sculpture comes together. If anyone has questions, Connie and I will be happy to answer them to the best of our ability.
The hardest part so far has been coming up with something to use for her head. We wanted her more substantial than the garden nymphs we've created so far. We've looked here and there... and a few other places, basically knowing what we wanted, but nothing was jumping out at us. Yesterday afternoon, we found just the right thing to use. It was originally an clear apple paperweight with bubbles in the glass. It had a cheapo leaf and stem on it. Those cheapo pieces came off fairly quickly. Though we liked the way the leaf was shaped, we decided to use something made of copper in a similar shape for her nose. We drilled a small hole into the top of the glass orb to hold a screw.
I have taken a whole lot of photos today and we've only completed the head so far. You will see how the head becomes the nymph. Some of the process shows her in not such a good "light". We'd already made the nose, mouth and eyes before I remembered I was supposed to be taking pictures.
You won't see ME in any of these photos, though I really was there ... I was behind the camera! :-)
First, I will post a photo of the arbor with the moon gate so that you can see where the sculpture will hang when she's completed. This photo belongs to Balvenie.
Janet
*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~*
Edited 10/27/2006 upon completion of the sculpture.
Penelope and the Ellusive Butterfly has been such a pleasure to create for Balvenie. We had a lot of fun and learned so many things along the way. Although Connie would most likely disagree with me on this, I think one of the most important things that I have learned is that Nothing is Impossible. It's just a matter of figuring out a way to accomplish your goals. The Sky is the Limit!
We'd like to thank Dave for providing us with a forum to discuss the sculpture as she was being created. Balvenie has provided us with this wonderful opportunity. And Connie and I took advantage of it. :-) Thank you Balvenie for suggesting that we record it here. For me, this made learning this copper art so much more fun and entertaining. We've loved having folks looking over our shoulders as we worked. Our audience was awesome! Thanks!
We hope if any of you have any interest in working with copper, that this thread will be helpful to you. Perhaps as an inspiration to try out new things. Perhaps to give you the confidence to let your creative mind fly free. Afterall, that's why we started the thread.
Sadly, to cover our butts and Dave's, I feel the need to say that unless you know what you are doing already with a torch, don't try this at home without first getting some training. Connie has had some experience in working with a torch in the past. No one here assumes any responsibility for anything you may try as a result of reading this thread.
This is an original work of art created by the artists, Connie and Janet, of UniQue Treasures. All photos and text in this thread are the property of UniQue Treasures and Dave's Garden.
Thank you for your time.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:19 PM Post #2833059
| Well, Doggoneit, I know I put the photo there... but it didn't show up. Here it is. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:22 PM Post #2833066
| We started with a piece of copper for her nose with a long enough piece attached to screw to the glass.
As I said before, we'd already come this far before I remembered to turn on the camera.
The eyes are chunky flourite beads.
In this photo, Connie is welding the piece for the top.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:24 PM Post #2833071
| We used a copper coaster for the top of her hat. We added stems for the beaded flowers. Connie cut the leaves and we welded those also. Then we cut the brim of her garden hat. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:24 PM Post #2833073
| Here is Connie, checking the hat to see where the screw hole needs to be. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:25 PM Post #2833074
| Connie is drilling the hole in the top of the hat. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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grampapa
Wheatfield, NY
(Zone 6a)
October 19, 2006
07:25 PM Post #2833077
| Janet, this is very exciting! The moon gate is beautiful and I just love copper. I can't wait to see.
gram |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:26 PM Post #2833079
| She's pleased with the way it looks so far. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:28 PM Post #2833085
| Thanks Gram!
OK, time to add some hair. made a "neck" from copper tubing and fitted it to the orb. Then we welded the hair on to the neck.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:34 PM Post #2833096
| Now it's time to "color" the hat. We don't want that orb to get hot and shatter on us.
It takes just the right amount of heat, flame, and God only knows what else to get those colors to appear. I took about 15 photos of her coloring it. I won't post them all and bore you, but will show the changes in the copper as she was torching it. Color would appear, then disappear. It's a very fine line that we haven't mastered yet. But from the photos, you can get the general idea.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:36 PM Post #2833106
| Here's the hat when the torching was finished. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:38 PM Post #2833112
| We welded the neck with hair and the nose piece to the hat. I know the hair doesn't look like much at this point. Though it was so tempting, we don't want to turn it loose until after we get her "clothed". 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:40 PM Post #2833118
| I've inclued this photo so you all can see our new welding rig. We've had a problem lately losing acetylene and oxygen. The rig we had before was second hand from a friend and worked, but it was ridiculous to lose the gases. This was an excellent investment for us.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:41 PM Post #2833122
| Connie puts the orb back into the head "mold". 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:42 PM Post #2833124
| Ummmm... where will her earrings go with no ears???
Connie gets busy forming the ears from copper wire. They get welded between the neck and the hair.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:43 PM Post #2833126
| Still working on the ears. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:44 PM Post #2833131
| I got busy making earrings and making the flowers for her hat. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:45 PM Post #2833133
| A closer shot of her hat with the flowers. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
07:46 PM Post #2833136
| The head... so far.
I did get her necklace made, but that will have to be shown when her clothes are on. I forgot to get a picture of the necklace.
To be continued...
Janet
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 19, 2006
07:55 PM Post #2833158
| The necklace. :)
She's coming along real nice. I'm pleased so far. I told Janet I might sneak back out to the shop and turn her hair loose. Yes Gram this is really exciting. The flowers on her hat look great Janet! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 19, 2006
07:58 PM Post #2833171
| (gasp)I need to color my hair ! |
balvenie
Marysville, WA
(Zone 7a)
 October 19, 2006
08:00 PM Post #2833178
| Wonderful Janet, the sequence is fascinating and I can't wait for the next episode. The creative juices are really flowing ! The copper, jewels and beads are outstanding.
Edited to say I really didn't know she wasn't dressed.My apologies.
This message was edited Oct 19, 2006 5:02 PM |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
08:04 PM Post #2833190
| ROFL I'm so glad you got a picture of that necklace.
I had to use the gamma correction on some of them to be able to see the orb and the details so it's not as bad as you think it is. :-) |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 19, 2006
08:05 PM Post #2833193
| WOW WOW WOW!!!! I love copper, i love the gate, and I love the sculpture so far. Need i say more? |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
08:10 PM Post #2833213
| Fortunately, Connie doesn't have any vehicles to tint tomorrow until after lunch, so I told her I'd be there at 6 am! HAHAHAHA
We're really pleased with the way she's coming along. I'm so glad you like what you are seeing. You are right. The creative juices are flowing. We've got all kinds of plans for this nymph. :-) You'l just have to wait and see. :-)
I'm doing my best to make sure you all have some fun watching, just as we are creating. :-) As soon as more photos are taken, I'll post more.
Thanks again Balvenie for putting your faith in us. I'm sure she will be showcased in your beautiful arbor and be something you'll be proud of for many years.
Janet
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pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 19, 2006
08:37 PM Post #2833298
| If I had a place to put one I would have a sculpture in my garden. Especially one done by you guys. But no place to put one and have it look good. |
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY
(Zone 6a)
October 19, 2006
08:56 PM Post #2833369
| LOVE the necklace
gram |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
09:06 PM Post #2833407
| Thanks Gram. I love those teardrop beads. I think it will look great on the nymph whenever she "gets dressed". Hopefully we can put some clothes on her tomorrow! |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 19, 2006
09:15 PM Post #2833432
| We can't wait!! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
09:22 PM Post #2833456
| A funny thing happened when I set the camera up on the tripod. Connie was welding something. I pushed the timer and then the shutter. Before the first photo was taken, Connie had finished and turned the torch off. She didn't know what I was doing. So the first photo was just the anvil sitting there with the nose piece. I told her that we needed to document each step of the process for this thread. She usually tells me, don't get me in the picture. Without the artist in the photo, it just isn't the same.
Janet |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 19, 2006
09:29 PM Post #2833492
| LOL |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 19, 2006
09:51 PM Post #2833571
| "Without the artist in the photo, it just isn't the same. "
Then YOU will be in some tomorrow! :'P
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maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 19, 2006
09:53 PM Post #2833579
| And you'd best not show up in the morning fresh from your free makeover at Merle Norman! |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 19, 2006
09:59 PM Post #2833590
| LOL. Hey, if a makeover is free, I'm all for it!! LOL. I would be there first thing so I would actually look good for a little while. |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 19, 2006
10:06 PM Post #2833608
| Bad thing is pepper, they usually only do half your face ! LOL just to show you what you COULD look like. So if you only see janet's profile tomorrow you'll know. LOL |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
10:10 PM Post #2833621
| I haven't worn makeup in years, so I sincerely doubt I'll be putting on any makeup at 6 AM. It's probably gonna be cool in the morning, if tonight's any indication. You will have some coffee ready, won't you?
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maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 19, 2006
10:12 PM Post #2833630
| Yep just push the on button then wake me up when it's ready. :) Cream and sugar. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2006
10:15 PM Post #2833645
| Will do. I'll call you in the morning.
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UTDaughter
Beaumont, TX
October 20, 2006
12:09 AM Post #2833933
| Mom, that's too weird. Connie, you need to color your hair. :) When's my appointment? |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 20, 2006
12:21 AM Post #2833945
| Jennifer? I'm glad you showed up. (Jennifer is my Daughter!) Welcome to Dave's Garden!
So other than weird, what do ya think? :-)
Mom |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 20, 2006
12:26 AM Post #2833957
| December the 11th And I colored it tonight. :'P |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 20, 2006
12:55 AM Post #2833987
| I thought it was February 31st. |
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY
(Zone 6a)
October 20, 2006
07:41 AM Post #2834254
| If they only makeover 1/2 your face, keep that side to the camera LOL...glad you guys are having fun with this. wish I could work with my sis like that. love her a lot...but (you know). anyway, what a team! |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 20, 2006
07:56 AM Post #2834281
| So interesting! I love to watch. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
October 20, 2006
09:08 AM Post #2834425
| What a great idea to document the process and it is looking fantastic. What makes it even more fun is that I was in on the discussion thread when Balvenie had the arbor in Garden Design I believe it was.
I can't wait for the next steps.
Pauline |
GD_Rankin
San Antonio, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 20, 2006
09:15 AM Post #2834453
| Heck yeah!!! This is great . . . the progressive serise makes it all the more fun for everyone :) keep'em come'n ;) :D |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 20, 2006
09:37 AM Post #2834517
| Will do folks. I'm glad you all are enjoying the process. It's fun sharing it with you folks.
I'm on my way to Connie's even as I type. I sure hope she has some coffee!!! More photos this evening!
Janet
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 20, 2006
07:24 PM Post #2836311
| We got quite a bit done on the sculpture today. Took lots of photos. I just got home and need to make some dinner before I post the photos though.
As Arnold would say, "I'll be baaaaaaaaack!"
Janet |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 20, 2006
11:46 PM Post #2836853
| I apologize for making you folks wait. I've been editing Photos and Making some Collages all evening. I don't have them in order yet to make it easy to post them here.
It's been a very long day for me. I had to get a new battery for my truck after I left Connie's house. Then make some dinner. My eyeballs are weary now and it's bathtime for this gal.
I will post tomorrow with the photos.
Janet
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:02 PM Post #2837787
| Photos from yesterday...
We started out by making a sand bag from a canvas pouch and sandblasting sand. The reason for the sandbag was so that we could hammer the copper without "buggering up" the pretty side on the anvil. Connie is a researcher and found this tidbit of info on the internet.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:03 PM Post #2837790
| Next, we discussed what kind of clothing she would wear. We decided on a "garden style" dress. Connie got busy drawing out the pattern and cutting it out. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:04 PM Post #2837792
| This is kind of like playing with paper dolls. :-)
Here is the finished pattern.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:07 PM Post #2837798
| Thus far, in our copper projects, Connie has done all of the drawings and cutting of the copper. I don't have a very steady hand when it comes to drawing straight lines. Today, she told ME to draw the pattern onto the copper. I was a bit nervous, but then I realized using the poster board paper we did, that the drawing around it was pretty easy.
Here I am drawing out the pattern onto the copper... WITH A SHARPIE! Yikes! Lord, give me a steady hand!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:08 PM Post #2837802
| Whew! Not bad! Connie takes up the tin snips and begins to cut out the dress from the copper. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:09 PM Post #2837805
| Viola! We've got a copper dress to work with. I love the curves in that dress. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:10 PM Post #2837807
| We've learned that when you cut out the copper with the tin snips, don't close the snips completely to prevent "burrs" along the edge.
Connie is sanding off the sharpest edges.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:12 PM Post #2837812
| Now that we don't have to worry about slicing our fingers to the bone, we can begin to give this gal some shape.
Connie uses the new sandbag and begins hammering. The copper curls as she hammers so there's a lot of flipping it over and smoothing it back down. She's trying to curve some "cleavage".
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:12 PM Post #2837815
| She's got Cleavage! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:13 PM Post #2837817
| The flow of her dress suggested some hips, so Connie hammers that area to bring it out. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:14 PM Post #2837818
| She's got hips!!! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:16 PM Post #2837824
| Connie heats the copper up a bit to make it more maleable. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:16 PM Post #2837826
| Connie hammers and hammers until she's satisfied with the curves. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:17 PM Post #2837827
| I've been snapping photos for a while and poor Connie's arm must have been aching at this point. I tell her I'll hammer the bottom of the dress. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:18 PM Post #2837830
| Here is the finished hammered dress. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:20 PM Post #2837839
| Next, we discuss how the back of her dress should look. We decide to make a bodice to fit the front of the dress.
Connie draws out the pattern and asks me to cut it out! GASP!!!!! This is my first time to actually cut the copper. It wasn't easy to cut, but I think it turned out pretty dern good for my first time.
Lots of hammering on the bodice back.
This message was edited Oct 21, 2006 10:46 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:22 PM Post #2837843
| Connie is her own worst nit-picking enemy. She hammers and checks. Hammers and checks. Hammers and checks.
This message was edited Oct 21, 2006 10:47 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:24 PM Post #2837846
| and rolls the edges of the copper with a pair of pliers until she's satisfied that it will fit perfectly into the front. Everything has to touch in order for the solder to catch the two halves. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:26 PM Post #2837852
| Looking pretty good. We have to be sure to include room for the neck stem also. We get it up there and don't just love the way her "collar" looks, so Connie begins to cut some ric rac in the collar. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:30 PM Post #2837860
| We plan on using beads for her arms. So we have to solder a wire to the back of the bodice so that I'll have something to attach the beads to. The smaller the copper is, the more fragile it is. It's no fun when your wires break off. We aren't taking any chances with this.
Once the wire is in place, Connie tacks the back and front together. As I'm watching her through the viewfinder, I see the copper bending a bit from the heat. Suddenly I realize she has no one to hold the pieces down. YIKES! She only has two hands! One for the welder, one for the solder. I scoot my butt over there and using a pair of pliers, hold down the two pieces so she can get finished.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:32 PM Post #2837864
| We put her together and here she is. Not bad... so far. We're pleased. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:34 PM Post #2837868
| Connie starts torching the dress to add some color. You can see the colors appearing... and disappearing. There finally comes a point where you say... I think we better stop! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:34 PM Post #2837871
| And this is where we stopped flaming. Here's the torched dress. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:37 PM Post #2837877
| We figured this would be a good time to turn loose of her hair. I'm unwinding the braided wires. And yes, that first picture is a tribute to Jim Hartley. He used to work for our Dad many years ago and always had his tongue hanging out when he was working. Can't believe Connie caught me with my tongue hanging out. HAHAHAHA
This message was edited Oct 21, 2006 10:37 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:37 PM Post #2837880
| She's got HAIR!!! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:39 PM Post #2837885
| Both Connie and I have naturally curly hair. You will notice that both of us have to control our hair.
While this hair looks good, neither of us just loved it. So we styled it a bit. :-)
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:39 PM Post #2837890
| I wire wrap the beads to hold her arms into place. Here are her shoulders. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:40 PM Post #2837891
| She's got arms! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
12:41 PM Post #2837896
| We've worked hard and we're starving. Time for some lunch!
Until next time...
Janet and Connie
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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southernOhio
Proctorville, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 21, 2006
02:11 PM Post #2838064
| Awesome, Thank you so much for the blow by blow! I am loving your sculpture so much. |
GD_Rankin
San Antonio, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 21, 2006
03:02 PM Post #2838182
| Woooo hoooo . . . she's come'n right along :D Cool deal :) |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 21, 2006
04:55 PM Post #2838419
| balvenie, We need to have some measurements before we get too far along. What are the dimensions of the opening on the gate and how far is it from the top of the opening to the place where she will hang in the rafters ?
Connie and Janet |
balvenie
Marysville, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 21, 2006
06:45 PM Post #2838612
| From the underside of the ridge to the top of the 3" wide collar tie the distance is 24", then another 82" to the ground. Width side ways from post to post is 50". Should that interfere with walking through the gate she can hang from the arbor rafters in back of the gate, in front of the big glazed pot. Don't know if that helps, I've never been one for accuracy. (But as beautiful as she is I might have to keep her inside where I can adore her all the time)lol
edited to mention placement would be in the triangle hanging to a point which still allows ingress and egress without bumping her.
This message was edited Oct 21, 2006 3:50 PM |
balvenie
Marysville, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 21, 2006
06:54 PM Post #2838630
| See what happens when I try to shingle in a straight line ! Maybe I should use a ruler instead of a french curve to make my straight lines. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
07:50 PM Post #2838747
| Oh Man! I love that! I think I saw the shape of the state of Texas in there somewhere! I do believe she will fit right in with your decor beautifully! I'm sure Connie will be along in a while to comment on the dimensions (that's HER department). I'm not a carpenter and don't even play one on the internet! :-)
Janet |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 21, 2006
08:08 PM Post #2838794
| She'll be a little over two feet tall by the time her feet dangle down so I believe her height will be just fine viewing wise. I was worried we might have made her too tall to see all of her thru the "window" of the gate. Width wise is not a problem... but in the back might be better for her to hang so you wouldn't have to excuse yourself to pass by her.
I'm not a carpenter either so still unclear on the distance from where you want her head to end up being and have enough chain to reach up to the hook where it hangs from. We want enough play on the hanger chain that you can adjust up or down so tell me how far it is from the hook she will hang from in the ceiling, to where you'd want the top of her head to be shown in that opening ...remembering that her body is 2 feet tall. Then we'll make it at least that long and add a few extra inches for you to play with.
Connie
This message was edited Oct 21, 2006 7:11 PM |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 21, 2006
09:20 PM Post #2838933
| You guys are amazing! I love your work, I love the metal, I love it all! I have wanted to do yard sculpture for so long and you guys are doing it!
Let me know if I can dmail you or ask questions on this thread about how you got started, etc. I am in awe, you guys are "da man"!!!
April |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
09:58 PM Post #2839018
| Thanks Folks for your encouragement and enthusiasm. We've had a lot of fun creating the sculpture. It's nice knowing that our efforts are appreciated by other artisans. I sent a link to this thread to our family and friends that I thought might also enjoy the creation. They've all had wonderful things to say as well.
(Sadly, in this day and age, I feel it necessary to be politically correct here and cover our butts.)
April, neither Connie nor I have had any formal training or schooling in coppersmithing. We've just had to go by Connie's previous experiences in making her backyard critters. Connie would be the first to admit (I'm sure) that they were really crude compared to what we've come up with in the past few months. They are adorable, and you can definitely tell what they are. But they are sorely lacking in the details that you all are witnessing with this sculpture. Connie has always been a "doer" with an imagination as big as Texas, and is willing to try things to make happen whatever detail we are trying to achieve at each point in the process. And I'm eager and willing to learn. :-) I'm sure if you posted questions, either here or in Dmail, we'd be happy to give you an answer. It may not be "technically correct", as far as a coppersmith would answer. But we'll give it our best shot.
Connie is very patient and explains things so that it's easy to follow directions before the next step is begun. We discuss each phase and how it will affect the overall "goal". This helps me to be able to post the progress here with some shred of sounding like we know what we are doing. :-)
It's been fun capturing each step of the process and bringing that to you all. We've been talking about trying to make some type of education videos for doing different things. {We've come this far. We might as well. :-) } The editing is the hard (read time consuming) part for me, but well worth it, not to have to go through 250 photos to find the thumbnail that goes with each new post as I'm writing it out. That's one reason I didn't get anything posted last night. I spent more than 3 hours going through the photos and cropping and pasting into the collages, by step.
Our goal from the very beginning has been to create something that is beautiful, enduring, and totally unique, made from quality materials that will definitely be a conversation piece. We are totally confident that we will accomplish our goal, even if only in our eyes.
We WILL love it, or it won't get shipped. Period! :-) The fun we have along the way makes it more like play, instead of "work".
Janet (and Connie)
|
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 21, 2006
10:02 PM Post #2839025
| I started a few years ago when my X was an Air conditioning service man and had a welding torch in the back of his truck along with a supply of copper and brass fittings and tubing.
The torch wasn't the kind he used (it was called a B tank where the gas is already mixed somehow) and didn't get as hot (took longer for things to get hot enough to solder) but good enough for me to start with. I knew the difference when I borrowed his one time. Waaaay better than the one he gave me to use.
I bought a big sheet of copper 3' X 8'(at the time it was reasonable) but I hadn't cut much off it and stored in a roll behind my shop and it was stolen! So back to the tubing and fittings I could sneak out of the back of his truck . I made do. Made things for just me and my garden.
My customers (in my real business) and even the UPS man who saw them loved them and some even asked me to make them something which I was thrilled to do. After my divorce, there went the endless supply of copper and my torch.
Fast forward 5 years...recently, a real nice fella and good friend who's also an A C man gave me his old torch and the tanks when he got himself a new one because he knew I loved doing it. This one was the real thing ...Oxygen/Acetelyne. I was thrilled! I picked his brain on how not to blow myself up and got over the fear and fired it up.
So here we are. Janet has encouraged me to embellish things and add much more detail. We compliment each other with our different skills and have a blast doing it. It's a whole lot easier when there is someone there to help hold parts while I solder and be honest about how it looks.
I've gotten much better at my welds too now that I have a real torch.
:'p Janet you ol' nit picker.
This message was edited Oct 21, 2006 9:40 PM |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
10:30 PM Post #2839125
| Connie,
Thank you for your patience with me, throuhgout my life. (With the exception of high school when I couldn't stand you! Yes, you're forgiven for being the "Perfect" one in Daddy's eyes.)
Thank you for sharing this awesome opportunity. We do so much together and have so much fun, no matter what we are doing. I appreciate you each and every day. You are an inspiration to the creative side of me that screams to be let loose. We do compliment each other ... very well, I must say.
I hope Mom and Auntie are watching this thread. I know she and Auntie are very proud of our work. I'm sure Daddy would be also. He would have just loved this gal we're making. Working with you has been such a priviledge.
Tomorrow... I hope you got the measurement business figured out so I can finish the beaded chains!!!!
Thank you!
Janet
This message was edited Oct 21, 2006 8:56 PM |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 21, 2006
10:43 PM Post #2839154
| Well you won't get any complaints from me, the information that both of you provided is wonderful and most all of what I wanted to know- just a few more little questions when you get to it, no rush-
Do you cut any metal w/ a torch? and pardon my complete ignorance, are welding and soldering the same thing?
You guys are really amazing! Thank you for sharing the information and the process. |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 21, 2006
10:52 PM Post #2839182
| Yes sort of. There is also soldering with the iron like an electric soldering iron. The sticks of solder I use are silver solder. That's what my friend said I should use for copper to copper. If we want to weld something to brass the I have to use flux which is sort of an acid that helps the different metals to adhere better. Still using the same silver solder.
There's also different percentages of this silver solder. epending on what it's used for evidently. Mines not the expensive stuff. We don't need it to hold water. He said we could also weld other metals but I haven't tried anything else yet. Not aluminum tho. He said it is just like the big set up the real welders use only miniature.
There are other kinds of welding. Using electricity or a generator but that is for big thick stuff. As for cutting, he says I can cut with this torch but it takes a different tip on the torch. A whole bunch of little bitty holes for the fire to come out of the end. I saw one while looking around at accessories but haven't done that yet and don't have the cutting tip. The tips are 25 bucks. I know this because I stepped on the first one accidently. LOL
This message was edited Oct 21, 2006 9:58 PM |
BamaBelle
Headland, AL
(Zone 8a)
October 21, 2006
11:03 PM Post #2839215
| OMG! Taht is stunning! The problem with dong the welding wihtout overhating the orb reminded me of what we used to do when I was a jewelry designer and we had delicate stones that we idn't wnt to break as we size da ring or repaired a prong. We would take boric acid and make a paste with it. Then we would cover the delicate stone with the paste. FOr some reason it would protect the stone and keep the metal from conducting the heat to the stone. I realize it is a bit late on this piece, but maybe for future projects, you can play with it ans see if it works for you. |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 21, 2006
11:06 PM Post #2839228
|
You are most welcome. This is just way too much fun.
Yes we know how long the chain needs to be now.
I am refraining form sneaking back out there tonight. I will wait for you to get here tomorrow. I can't do my part till you do yours.
|
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 21, 2006
11:09 PM Post #2839234
| Oh bama belle! That is a nice tidbit of information ! Thanks! One of my biggest deals is when to weld what so not to undo what was already done and breaking glass beads. I think there may still be a use for this on the project definitely for future reference. Great! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
11:11 PM Post #2839241
| Thanks Bama!
We appreciate the advice, for sure. We have had to worry about the head, and the beads, etc. And have taken things back apart, just for that reason, as we work. Your advice is well tucked away in Connie's brain (and mine) now, I'm sure! :-)
Today, we were galivanting (meaning we were shopping at Goodwill - our other passion). Everywhere I looked, I saw "heads". We picked up several pieces that will make excellent heads. It's a good thing too. Connie and I decided toay that we BOTH need one of these in our yards. So we're going to make them together, as a Christmas present to US! Boy! Are we cheap? or what? HAHAHAHA
Janet
|
TxTurqoize
San Antonio, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
11:28 PM Post #2839323
| wow...what a cool thread...thanks for letting peek over ya'lls shoulders.. :)
Melanie |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2006
11:48 PM Post #2839360
| You're welcome Melanie. We're proud to have all of you looking over our shoulders. :-)
We both try to keep just that in mind as we are working. I don't want to forget to thank Dave's Garden for giving us a place to share this. The folks over on Garden Talk really encouraged us to start making more things.
Janet
|
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 22, 2006
06:54 AM Post #2839569
| Thank you, thank you! You guys are really amazing. I am going to share this w/ everybody I know.
I thought I want to be Martha Stewart when I grew up but had to let go of that dream; didn't want to go to the slammer! Now I know what I REALLY want to be when I grow up- finally, I knew if I waited long enough I'd figure it out! (Only taken me 50 years!) I want to be you guys!
Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions, to give us a bit of a bio and to share the work that you are doing- it's so much fun! |
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY
(Zone 6a)
October 22, 2006
10:39 AM Post #2839846
| So fascinating to see the whole process. It is really great of the 2 of you to share, not just the creation process, but a bit of your relationship, too. And she is stunning! Can't wait to see her in her new home. and I'm guessing balvenie will come up with a super name for her?
I'm used to seeing craft projects and thinking 'oh, that's really nice, I can do that'. I'm pretty artistic and there are lots of things I CAN do, but this is NOT one of them. I am so impressed. ditto on balvenie's great wood-working, by the way.
gram ~a girl~ |
SoCal
Huntington Beach, CA
(Zone 10a)
October 22, 2006
11:46 AM Post #2840033
| I have been enjoying this whole process also and just love the 'Garden Girl'. How nice for Balvenie to be able to enjoy this beautiful piece of artwork in his garden.
I'm like gram above...I can do many things, but nothing like you both are accomplishing with metal. I have been working on 2 small projects of my own right now and taking pictures as I go. I don't have enough time to finish these projects in a timely manor, so will have to post the project when they are finished. Hopefully soon. lol
You both are amazing...applause for you >>> |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 22, 2006
08:23 PM Post #2841195
| Taking a bow! HAHAHAHA
Thanks Gram and SoCal! We both appreciate your compliments. We've definitely had a great time and learned a whole heckuva lot on this project. Each thing we do we must really think out loud on so we both know what to expect with the results we intend to get. When the copper gets hot, there is always a possibility that something will become undone. This whole project is trial and error. So far, there have only been a few errors. Nothing we weren't able to overcome though. We WILL perservere!
I just got home from Connie's a little while ago. I haven't had time to download the photos yet. I will most likely do that tomorrow. I've had glasses on most of the day and I need to let my eyes rest before I begin editing them.
So this evening, I will share something that happened recently concerning the sculpture.
The other day Connie and I went looking for some chain to hang the sculpture from. We went to Home Depot and headed to Hardware. There were many chains - from waybigo to small cheap wouldn't last a month type chains. The problem was that none of them were PRETTY ENOUGH. Each of us had a vision in our minds of what we wanted the chains to look like and NONE of those were THE CHAIN!
Since we weren't far... we headed to the Goodwill on that side of town. (Connie and I can ALWAYS come up with a REASON to go to Goodwill!) We found all kinds of goodies. I was at the checkout paying for my stuff when I looked over at Connie, she was standing by the jewelry counter looking at a chain. Though I couldn't really see much of the chain, I could tell by the look in her eyes that chain wasn't THE CHAIN either.
Then it hit me. SHAZAM!!!! Wire wrap our own chain and make it look however we wanted it to! Sounds easy enough, doesn't it? (shaking head here side to side) Unh Unh. Now that the chain is almost completed, I'm thinking to myself, "What WERE you thinking?!?!?!?!"
Making Chain is what we worked on for most of today. Connie also made her feet, hands and shoes. And while they were pretty beads, I didn't just LOVE the way the beads on her ARMS looked, so I changed those and both of us LOVE them now!!!
We stopped by Quizno's and ate some lunch. The Philly Cheesesteak is to die for! I went into the restroom to wash my hands while Connie placed the order. I came back outside and took her by the arm and showed her the poster on the wall in the restroom. There was a lady with "mules" on that were adorable. We both looked at each other and ... there was THE LOOK!!! and ooooooooooooooooh!!!!!! We'd already made "thongs" for her feet. Connie added heels to the thongs when we got back to the shop and they are just too cute!!!
After we ate we went to Goodwill, (since it was just around the corner!) Sundays are 50 cent days for certain color tags on the clothes. Neither of us NEEDS any clothes, but that's a really good reason to go. Don't you think????
We found a rolltop storage container that is a really nice piece of furniture. We went around to the back of the store to pick it up. There on the ground, not far from Connie's truck, was a HUGE piece of styrofoam and a big padded roll thingy that had velcro on it. I thought, that would be excellent for packing material for the sculpture. Especially the paded thing, to go around her head! When Connie saw me walking over to get it, she thought I'd intended the styrofoam for her mosaic lizards that she's going to make on her columns (a whole 'nother story, on a whole 'nother thread). We were heading out from behind the store when we found MORE big styrofoam.
Now the point in my telling you all this is to say ... God has a way of putting us in the very place that we need to be, at just the right times in our lives. Sometimes things happen that aren't what we "plan". We should always remember that everything in life that happens, happens for a reason. We don't always know what the reason is. But God does because HE'S got the Master Plan! :-)
The sculpture coming along very nicely. Everything we've set out to do SO FAR has been accomplished. We're hoping tomorrow to be able to put some of the finishing touches on her. That is, provided we don't think of something else in the meantime! (waybigo grin)
Thanks again everyone for sharing this grand adventure with us.
Janet (and Connie)
ps I think I am going to add a few "d's" here because with this new keyboard on the laptop, that stinkin' d doesn't always show up. But I'm still elighted because I now have sound again! YEAH!!!!
These "d's" can be used whenever you don't see one in my posts. 8^}
d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 22, 2006
08:45 PM Post #2841256
| I can hardly wait! Not only are you excellent artists but you are very entertaining teachers, storytellers, etc! |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 22, 2006
09:23 PM Post #2841392
| I agree april!! You guys are doing a great job!! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 22, 2006
09:23 PM Post #2841393
| Well thanks April!
Our Daddy was a most excellent story teller. Our Mom is too. I suppose Connie and I got the "gift of gab" from both of them. They sure liked to visit with folks... and we do too!! We can almost **always** find something to talk about, no matter who we come across.
Connie and I have made a list of what needs to be done and what needs to be photographed as we do it. We're checking off the list one by one. That helps us to REMEMBER to turn the camera on.
It's fun and exciting that we are all learning together. I told Connie that we need to be making educational videos and selling them on eBay. Between us we can do just about anything we set our minds to ... or at least, have fun trying! HAHAHAHA Neither of us has a clue where to begin.
We've talked about setiing up a website. I've even begun the intro on that. But we don't have a clue about getting them into production, etc. When this project is over, we have 2 more nymphs to make before we can really think about the video stuff again. If any of you have any ideas about that, please dMail one of us.
oooohhh (brainstorm here with no clue how to go about it) Wouldn't it be cool to have a site that was interactive to learn this kind of stuff?
Janet
ps I'm posting a photo here of her with her arms. That was the last photo (besides the sandwich!) that I posted a yesterday. This way, she's pictured throughout the thread.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 22, 2006
09:25 PM Post #2841400
| Looking good!!! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 22, 2006
09:34 PM Post #2841429
| Those are YESTERDAY'S arms. I'll post the new ones tomorrow!
Janet |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 22, 2006
10:35 PM Post #2841622
| Connie just wrote to me in an email and said type COPPER GARDEN NYMPH in to Google. The first 2 links are our threads. I feel like we've made HEADLINE NEWS!
I'm flabbergasted! HAHAHAHAHA
Just wanted to share that special honor with you folks that have come this far on the thread.
Janet |
lizh
N.C. Mts., NC
(Zone 6b)
October 22, 2006
10:36 PM Post #2841625
| This is fascinating, just watching you two working together. I love your "My Lady"
balvenie, please give us a link so we can see where you put her. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 22, 2006
10:41 PM Post #2841644
| Thanks Lizh!
Janet |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 22, 2006
10:48 PM Post #2841665
| I clicked on the IMAGES of Google and tried the search. None of the photos are showing up. :-(
Anyone have any suggestions to get them to show up in the searches?
Janet |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 22, 2006
10:48 PM Post #2841666
| Thanks for the nice things you all have had to say about the project so far. We did get quite a bit done today. We're getting real close now.
SoCal I hope you do post those projects when you finish. I'd love to see them.
Grampapa...(gram), Daddy was the major influence in how we came to be capable of so many things. He could fix just about anything. Like McGuyver. :) Even over the telephone long distance. I had an attic fan when I first bought this house and no Air conditioning so when it quit working I called Daddy. He'd ask the symptoms and have me make the noise it was making. He'd say..."do it again" and after the second time of hearing me make the noise he says "hmmm...sounds like the fan belt jumped off" . I'd go look and sure enough that's what it was! Then he'd tell me what to do to fix it.
In my memories, I see Mom and Daddy working on so many projects together. He'd take some old beat up thing apart and remodel then Mom would do the sewing or upholstering. They were a great team !
There are so many things I'd like to try. Picking brains of willing people who know more about what I want to accomplish helps. And now with the internet it's nice to be able to research things and see how things work with pictures! I get to have the whole worlds brain to pick!
Janet you could have at least shown a foot tonight !
My capital's "d", "e" and "c" don't work either on this keyboard unless I remember to use caps lock when those occur.
onnie :)
This message was edited Oct 22, 2006 9:57 PM
This message was edited Oct 23, 2006 9:23 AM |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 22, 2006
10:52 PM Post #2841683
| Janet I see them when I click the link from google. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 22, 2006
10:56 PM Post #2841691
| I found 1 foot at the end of the photos. Connie, as much as I'd love to, I'm not editing those pictures tonight. I'll do them before I come over tomorrow and post the photos then.
I agree Socal. You will definitely have to share your work with us when your projects are finished. We'd all love to see it.
Janet
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 22, 2006
10:57 PM Post #2841695
| hmmmmmmmmmm... well, don't look at me? I don't know why mine won't show up. Only 1 photo showed up. Oh Lord! I wonder if I spelled it wrong and didn't realize. (hanging head in shame in advance of going to see)
Janet |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 22, 2006
10:58 PM Post #2841697
| LOL Thank you. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 22, 2006
11:00 PM Post #2841703
| It still doesn't show up for me. :-( There's a reason. I just have to wait for the answer to the reason! HAHAHAHA I'll check it out tomorrow. I've sat here long enough already this evening.
G'Night Folks!
Janet |
SoCal
Huntington Beach, CA
(Zone 10a)
October 23, 2006
02:09 AM Post #2842031
| Wow, will you looi at that foot!! It has real looking toes and even looks like there is nail polish on them. lol
I promise to post my project when I can get to them again. I've been putting the garden to bed for the last 2 weeks, along with other commitments that have taken up some of my time. Can't wait to work on them again soon.
Donna |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
12:37 PM Post #2842999
| I've spent the whole morning going through the photos. I do believe I'm ready to post them now.
While looking for some chain the other day, Connie and I found a gorgeous glass necklace that we thought would make nice arm beads. We bought the necklace. Afterall, there WILL be 2 more of these made for ourselves.
We'd already done the arms on 4 strands of fishing line, and liked the way they hung. We used ceramic beads to make the arms. We liked the shape of the beads, but there was something that was just not right about them.
Here is the necklace that we bought.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
12:38 PM Post #2843003
| So... I began to look for other beads that would compliment the big glass tubes in the necklace. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
12:50 PM Post #2843046
| While I was busy searching for the beads, Connie was cutting out her feet. She used a small tube of copper. She first cut off the tube with a tube cutter to the length she wanted it. Then began to hammer the devil out of the end to flatten the copper. She then started cutting around the flattened tube to shape the feet. And lastly, she cut the slit between the big toe and the rest. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
12:51 PM Post #2843052
| And here is the Cut out Foot 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
12:54 PM Post #2843057
| Time to add some Twinkle Toes to those feet.
The copper tube must be heated thoroughly so that the solder will stick. It's a very delicate thing, dropping the dots of solder to the feet in the precise spot to have it look like toes when finished. Connie began while I was snapping away with the camera. She was just about finished and ALL of the dots of solder began to run together. UGGGGGGGGGGHHH! So she welded it so that it would "spill" off the foot and she began again. What patience and perserverence Connie has!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
12:55 PM Post #2843059
| The final result.
Twinkle Toes
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
12:57 PM Post #2843069
| Connie solders a hook to the back of her foot so I can add the beads for the legs.
This message was edited Oct 23, 2006 11:40 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
12:58 PM Post #2843071
| Next, we talk about what kind of shoes she will have. We decide to make her some beaded sandals.
So, Connie cuts out soles for her thongs. She starts with a tube, cuts it and begins to flatten it out with the hammer. Once the sole is flattened, she cuts it to fit the foot. Lots of eyeballing and cutting going on here. We want them just a tad bigger than the foot.
This message was edited Oct 23, 2006 11:42 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
01:00 PM Post #2843073
| Connie drills a hole "between her toes" for me to attach the beads for her sandals to. She then lines up the sole of the shoe and drills a hole into the sole. My beading wire will go through those holes to keep the shoes on the feet and still be able to see those cute little toes.
This message was edited Oct 23, 2006 11:43 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
01:07 PM Post #2843089
| OK, looks like a good time to eat some lunch.
So after we'd been to Quiznos and seen the "mules" on the poster, Connie made a heel for the sandal. I was busy working on making her arms and didn't photograph the heel making. The sandals haven't been beaded yet, so I'll get some photos of that when that part is finished.
Time to change out those arms.
The ceramic beads were a concern to us because of weather, etc. After finding that cool necklace, we knew they needed to be changed out.
We decided that I'd wire wrap some glass beads to use as arms. I chose Big Chunky Flourite beads for her shoulders. It's a bit lighter than the EYE beads and the beads are a bit BIGGER. We thought those looked "insectish".
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
01:09 PM Post #2843094
| You can see the "OLD" arms and how the beading was done to come up with the new arms. We really like these so much better.
We also like that they are held to the shoulder with copper wire, rather than fishing line, as the old ones had been.
Hey, we're women. We can change our minds as many times as we want! HAHAHAHA
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
01:11 PM Post #2843097
| Here is the finished NEW arm.
The beads used were the chunky Flourite and Rose Quartz in big balls and triangles.
This message was edited Oct 23, 2006 11:45 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
01:18 PM Post #2843115
| I think we need some hands on those arms.
Connie starts cutting out the hands and soldering them together. She cuts the wires for her fingers and has to fit them into the little cut tube. We'll need a ring on the back end to wire wrap them to the arms. It's extremely important to keep those fingers separated while this is going on otherwse they get rigid and are very hard to bend afterwards.
We use those side cutting needle nose pliers for many things... cutting the wires, mashing and curling flattened copper, holding as we solder. What a great tool to have around! The red cutter at the top of the photo cuts the tubing.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
01:24 PM Post #2843128
| I had to be over there helping with the hands and forgot to take a photo of them (by themselves) when we finished. You'll see them soon enough on the sculpture.
That's all for today folks. I need to get over to Connie's so I can get to work. I'm starving. I think I'll take Connie some lunch!
Janet |
balvenie
Marysville, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 23, 2006
02:20 PM Post #2843290
| Absolutely amazing. |
southernOhio
Proctorville, OH
(Zone 5b)
October 23, 2006
02:39 PM Post #2843337
| Oh I like the new beads too. The color is even better to go with that gorgeous copper firing!
|
MySharona
Amelia Island, FL
(Zone 9a)
October 23, 2006
05:17 PM Post #2843817
| Y'all are so talented! I just love her! I want one!
Sharon |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 23, 2006
07:52 PM Post #2844179
| Me too!! I can defintely find a place for her. |
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY
(Zone 6a)
October 23, 2006
09:53 PM Post #2844492
| the old arms looked just fine to me until I saw the new arms...so much better! I can't believe how adorable those toes are :0) |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
11:02 PM Post #2844676
| First off, I'd like to say that Anyone interested can Dmail me after this sculpture is finished and we'll discuss some details. We're tickled to death that you all are liking our work. It's been one awesome project to work on. Does the term "mind consuming" ring a bell? HAHAHAHA
We like the new beads so much better also.
Needless to say, we love to color the sculpture as much as we can.
I've been working on some photos this evening. I accidently pressed "something" and I've been having fun with the graphics on a collage or two, otherwise I would have been here earlier to post our pictures. I didn't get them all done, so I'll try to post the rest of them tomorrow. I'm only posting 2 photos tonight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We've been worried about how to go about making some wings for her. We wanted them lightweight, yet sturdy... and of course, beautiful. We discussed using a copper netting but were worried that it wouldn't hold up over time in the weather. OK, sounds like we need to go to Plan B.
Connie cut out the shape of the wings with heavy duty wire. Then using very thin copper sheeting, she cut out a piece big enough to lay the wire shape to. I had to hold the wire down while she welded, so we took no photos of that process.
Once the sheeting was attached, Connie cut (through the solder) around the wires. She smoothed down the edges and we were "good to go".
This was an experiment that we were delighted with.
This collage shows the wings being cut and what the FINISHED wing looked like.
The wings still need to be attached to the back of the sculpture.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 23, 2006
11:06 PM Post #2844705
| This collage shows the torching of the wings. If you start at the top left photo, you can travel downward and around the photos to finish at the 2 center wings. Don't worry, the instructions are on the photo too. You can see how the color appears and disappears and then what the final wings look like. We were really pleased with them.
It's my turn to get a bath so I'll check in with you folks when I get out.
Janet
This message was edited Oct 23, 2006 10:27 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 24, 2006
07:08 AM Post #2845115
| Love the wings!! |
Anitabryk2
Long Island, NY
(Zone 6b)
October 24, 2006
07:16 AM Post #2845125
| ditto - and look at you with a nice fancy collage! :) |
fly_girl
The Woodlands, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 24, 2006
09:58 AM Post #2845440
| Thanks for the step by step process Janet and Connie...you both are so very talented! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:34 AM Post #2848044
|
I got some of the photos edited, but needed to run some errands this morning. Then I headed to Connie's to work on the Nymph.
We've had the sculpture "secured" with fishing line on an IV pole that Connie happened to have standing around. We got ready to attach her hands to the arms and had to decide what she'd be holding. We decided she could hold a butterfly net.
Connie formed the wire around to shape. Then she cut out some copper screen to fit the shape of the net. She painstakingly sewed that net to the wire form. Then she cut off a tube of copper and crafted that into a handle. She welded the handle to the wire frame very carefully so as not to burn the screen.
Once that was finished, I added some beads to the net, just so it didn't look like a old fishing net! :-)
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:45 AM Post #2848054
| A net wouldn't do much good if there were no butterflies around. So we made one.
We could have used about 8 hands to make the butterfly, so I didn't get any photos of the creation of it.
Connie started with a small copper tube. She flattened one end and rounded of the end by cutting it to shape. She added a big blob of solder to the opened end, just to close it up. Then added the "eyes" with 2 dots of solder. She used 2 thin wires for the antennae and put a dot of solder on each one. Then she cut the little legs. She soldered each wire on quickly with a low flame so that the wires didn't break from the heat.
Next she cut out the wings. We wanted the wings to be opened. The solder makes them very rigid, so we had to weld them all simultaneously to the body with a thin bead of solder... without undoing anything that was already soldered. Very tricky. But we got 'er done! Then we needed to have a way to attach it to the sculpture, so we added a tiny hook between the wings and put some chain on there to hold it.
Here is the finished butterfly.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:54 AM Post #2848061
| I was able to get the legs attached and the shoes finished.
Here they are. I'll take more close ups tomorrow of the shoes from all angles. This was the only photo that turned out clear.
Those shoes were fun to make. I felt like Stuart Wietzman! HAHAHAHA
That's all for this evening.
Thanks again for your comments. We are glad that everyone is enjoying the progress. We are getting close to being finished. Between the two of us, we could nit pick it until the cows come home. We are just as anxious to show you the final results as you are to see them. :-)
Janet
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
October 25, 2006
08:27 AM Post #2848362
| I love the shoes. |
renatelynne
Boerne, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
10:20 AM Post #2848655
| I LOVE the whole thing... Ya'll have really put some nice work into that |
Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 25, 2006
10:33 AM Post #2848700
| This has been one of the most interesting projects I have ever seen - and such a joy to follow . . . you both are incredibly talented and so sweet to share this with us. I literally can't wait to see the finished product!!
Then, will you be telling us about mass production? I just know you could sell a whole lot of those darlings!! |
balvenie
Marysville, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 25, 2006
10:40 AM Post #2848713
| She is wonderful and far surpasses my greatest expectations. You two have such great imaginations and the ability to bring it to realization, a rare combination. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
11:24 AM Post #2848846
| Thank you all so much!
Connie IS my very best friend!
There were 3 of us girls. Diana, Connie and myself. Diana and Connie were only 18 months apart, and I came along 3 1/2 years later. As youngsters, Diana and Connie were like glue. I was always too young to be involved in their "goings on". For many years, it was THEM against ME.
Let me give you a prime example. (I want this recorded for "History's Sake".)
The Limb
Growing up, there were a few really big trees in our front yard. There were no electronic games or fancy frills then, so we made our own fun. We loved to climb in trees. This one tree, next to the driveway, was our favorite. Diana had a special "V" in the tree that was her perch. Connie had another favorite spot. Me?? I had one little scrawny limb that I was perfectly content to hang like a monkey upside down on. This branch was probably 5 -6 ft. off the ground and hung out towards the neighbors house. I'd swing and swing, until blisters were behind my knees from the bark of the tree. (According to Mom, girls didn't wear pants in those days.)
One day, we were all up in the tree. I was swinging and the branch broke! Fortunately, I don't remember that I got hurt. But there was that broken limb laying there. Now Diana, being the oldest, and being her devious little self, got together with Connie, who (in all honestly) really WASN'T devious herself... they decided to use this incident as leverage against me. So Diana took care of the "damages" (the limb). To this day, I don't know where in the world she put it, because it was pretty good size. Though he was a real sweetie 99% of the time, our Daddy had a pretty short fuse in those days. Diana and Connie would tell me... "If you don't do *this*, I'm going to tell Daddy that you broke the limb." Well, being naive and scared of being punished, I'd do whatever they wanted me to do... for MANY YEARS...the limb had even grown back... until one day, I said, "Go ahead and tell him!" You should have seen the look on Diana and Connie's faces. We laugh about it now.
~~
While I was in High School, in San Antonio, Connie got married and moved away to New Jersey. I didn't get to see her for almost 5 years. Diana lived in Beaumont. My hubby and I moved here in 1979 to go to work for Diana and her husband. At that same time, within just a few weeks of us moving here, Connie moved to Beaumont.
Connie and I have been enjoying each other's company for about 25 years now.
Janet
I just found an old photo of us. This was during "the Limb" years. The tree to the left of the screen was the one that the limb broke from.
This message was edited Oct 25, 2006 9:25 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
11:32 AM Post #2848894
| Boy that was fun! Going down memory lane!
Our sister Diana, had Multiple Sclerosis for 16 years. As of June 13th of this year, Diana has gone on to be with the Lord.
Diana was very beautiful. She gave Connie a black eye when they were teens because Connie wouldn't tell Diana, "You are Diana, the Godess!"
I remember 25 years ago, Diana was cooking something, and I was helping. It was a family dinner of some sort. I was putting lettuce or something on a plate and Diana said, "Presentation is EVERYTHING!"
Diana loved Gardening. I still have some beautiful Bromeliads that she gave me when we moved into this house in 1989.
Diana would have loved this copper nymph.
This post is in memory of Diana.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 25, 2006
11:40 AM Post #2848931
| How lovely - I think the three of you were exceptional. Diana was indeed beautiful, but then all of you were/are. Thanks for sharing those stories - the collage brought tears to my eyes. |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 25, 2006
11:44 AM Post #2848946
| "To this day, I don't know where in the world she put it, because it was pretty good size. "
Diana used electrical tape wrapped around the dangling limb and it eventually grafted itself back to the tree! LOL |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
11:54 AM Post #2848976
| Presentation is Everything!
Just prior to receiving the email from Balvenie about this project, we made a butterfly/caterpillar cage.
From the beginning of this project, Connie and I wanted the nymph to be "functional". Perhaps make her into a wind chime? A Planter? Light up her Head?
My mind was still in the butterfly "mode" when I said, it would be neat if she were trying to catch a butterfly.
Connie got this look in her eye and said, "Oooooooooooooooohhhh! I'm seeing it!" So we discussed what would need to be made to make this work. We'd need a net and a butterfly. We'd need some way to have these things hang in front of her so that she'd balanced.
We didn't want to "let on" what she'd be doing, just in case it didn't work. So we've been sereptitiously (sp.?) working on beading chains and making balance bars.
Connie began by making a T-Bar. While she was doing this, I was busy changing out the arms.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:02 PM Post #2849009
| Connie made the chains to hang this T-Bar to the Arbor. We knew they needed to be fairly substantial, but wanted them to look good too.
Connie wrapped wire around the same size rigid copper tubing, using the tube as a "jig". She's been "going to town", making the links before I remembered to take any photos. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:04 PM Post #2849015
| This photo shows how she wrapped each of the waybigo rings. That copper wire that she used was very substantial. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:06 PM Post #2849022
| Next she welded the rings together. Then welded the rings to the T-Bar. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:08 PM Post #2849029
| While Connie was working on that, I was trying to get some good photos of the foot.
I didn't want to include this photo before, because you all would have started asking questions about the chain, etc.
I thought it was funny that it looks like I'm "shooting the bird" and Connie's got a flame right under my finger. The foot was fuzzy in the photo so I didn't show it anywhere else.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:12 PM Post #2849037
| In the past, when we've worked on the sculptures, we've used a spray bottle to cool off the heated copper. We got a lot of steam and sputtering whenever we'd cool something off.
Connie read that we should keep a bucket of water close by to dunk the hot piece in to immediately cool it off.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:12 PM Post #2849040
| Here Connie's checking the balance on the T-Bar with the welded chains. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:15 PM Post #2849052
| We'd had the sculpture suspended with fishing line. Neither of us liked the way the butterfly and the net looked that way, so we decided to make some small, pretty, but unnoticeable clear beaded chains to hang them from.
I was busy making the wire wrapping chains that would attach both the butterfly and net to a smaller single bar.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:16 PM Post #2849055
| Here is what the chain looks like.
As you can see that is the WRONG photo. Can't change that. So I'll add it after the other clear chain below.
This message was edited Oct 25, 2006 10:25 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:21 PM Post #2849074
| We needed some pretty chain to go from her shoulders to her hat, so that she'd stay balanced and not tip forward.
So, I got busy making those chains.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:24 PM Post #2849095
| We also needed some chain to go from the T-Bar to her shoulders. We wanted them a bit more substantial, but not noticeable... yet they had to be pretty too. :-)
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:27 PM Post #2849112
| CORRECT photo of the chain that holds the net and the butterfly. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:38 PM Post #2849159
| Here she is, hanging on Connie's patio. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
12:44 PM Post #2849186
| And here we are, prouding holding her.
Connie is trying to get a small movie to show how she works. If we are successful with that, we'll post a link to it here after while.
Janet and Connie
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
01:21 PM Post #2849337
| I am on my way now to take some good close up photos. It was getting dark last night when the above photos were taken.
I'll post more photos later.
Janet |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
01:28 PM Post #2849356
| Connie just sent me some links to a couple of movies she took. She's on Dialup and it would have taken forever for her to upload them here. She has a longer one, I'll have to bring her camera to my house so we can upload it, otherwise it owuld be "hours" to upload it from her house.
Neither of us has had much experience in making movies with our cameras. So please excuse the quality of these. You can get a general idea though of how she acts.
I guess we can add Kinetic Engineers to our resumes now! HAHAHAHA
Janet and Connie
Edited to add NEW movies because folks were having problems with the ones that were posted.
for the Dial up Folks:
2 Second Clip of her moving http://www.savefile.com/files/200266 File is 1MB
Edited to remove dead links.
This message was edited Jul 23, 2007 12:15 AM |
UTDaughter
Beaumont, TX
October 25, 2006
02:32 PM Post #2849489
| I can't see the movie. You need to smile Mom. Connie's over there grinning away and you're just like ehh. But at least yall's hair looks better. Oh and the Sculpture thing looks cool too. I didn't catch her name. Can't wait to see the movie. Lots of creativity. How do you post a picture on here? I guess I need to go make something for the yard or get some plants if I'm going to be posting on here huh. Ahhhh. I scroll down and see where to put a picture :) 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UTDaughter
Beaumont, TX
October 25, 2006
02:56 PM Post #2849558
| Wow! Just saw the movie. If you look at the second movie you posted, right when it stops, the face kinda resembles grandmother dont you think? Did you mean to do that? |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 25, 2006
03:55 PM Post #2849726
| Balvenie,
We're so glad that you are pleased with the sculpture. I do believe we've shocked even ourselves! We knew what we wanted to happen, but were still amazed that we were able to accomplish making her move the way she does. We've exceeded our own expectations.
We are trying to get a really good movie so that you can see her movements clearer. This has been a learning experience in so many ways. Not only with the kinetic movement, the detailing of the copper, but learning how to make this camera do what we want it to, also. I think we're almost "there"!
Now that the sculpture is finished, we still have to pack her up. We'll have photos to show exactly where the chains connect.
Thank you so very much for providing us with this awesome opportunity to show off our talents.
Connie and Janet |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 25, 2006
03:57 PM Post #2849732
| Jennifer,
Didn't your mother ever teach you that if you can't say something nice, bite your tongue (or fingers) and just keep your mouth shut! Our mother sure did!
MOM |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 25, 2006
05:00 PM Post #2849900
| Wow that is amazing! All of the photos are great. Thanks for all the info and photos this has been a real treat.
You guys are wonderful and you guys are the reason I kept telling my mom to get rid of either of my brothers and get me a sister! Little did I know my dad had had a vesectomy years before! How lucky the 2 of you are to be so close and to share so much! How lucky the 3 of you were to have had each other- Diana was beautiful and I am sure she is missed- What a comfort the two of you must have been to each other when you lost her.
You guys are really amazing! |
MySharona
Amelia Island, FL
(Zone 9a)
October 25, 2006
05:38 PM Post #2849984
| I can't watch the movies :( Say's the site isn't open.
She's gorgeous!
Sharon |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
06:23 PM Post #2850138
| Thanks!
I'm sorry you can't see the movie Sharon. We are working on that on this end. We think there is too much "stuff" already there. We've taken some new movies and will replace those and replace the links above as well as post NEW links here just in case anyone else had the same problem. Be sure to check back later on.
It's been hard pulling ourselves away from playing with her. Balvenie will be Lucky to actually receive this. (just kidding, of course)
Janet |
MySharona
Amelia Island, FL
(Zone 9a)
October 25, 2006
06:30 PM Post #2850152
| Do you have a final picture of her? I'm thinking my MIL would just die for one! I would too. I'll D-mail you. |
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY
(Zone 6a)
October 25, 2006
06:43 PM Post #2850185
| WOW! the 2 of you are just amazing. I don't know how you got the idea for the motion, much less pulled it off, but it's great!! you're going to be fighting off the orders. balvenie, I think you got a masterpiece there. how cool is that? and beautiful. I am absolutely blown away!!!
and guys, thanks also for sharing your beautiful Diana with us. I miss my sister just looking at your pictures. she doesn't live too, too far away, and I'm vary lucky to still have her. and your next generation (Jennifer) seems to be carrying the family beauty banner quite nicely!
gram |
UTDaughter
Beaumont, TX
October 25, 2006
07:03 PM Post #2850247
| What did I say that was bad? You need to smile? Presentation is everything according to you. That means your smile. |
balvenie
Marysville, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 25, 2006
07:42 PM Post #2850356
| Jennifer, remember true beauty lies within. You, your mom and Aunt are fortunate in having it within and as well as outside. (Beautiful hair.) |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 25, 2006
08:14 PM Post #2850471
| When I was younger I wasn't convinced about true beauty lieing w/in- back then I was young and pretty. Now that I am old and looking every day of my age I am certain that true beauty lies within.
Now if I can just convince Brad Pitt of that I will be in good shape! |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 25, 2006
08:16 PM Post #2850484
| LOL. You just HAD to mention Brad Pitt. One of my favorite actors. |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 25, 2006
08:21 PM Post #2850493
| Stop lieing - you could care less about his acting! He is a great actor but that's not what I am interested in! |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 25, 2006
08:24 PM Post #2850500
| Ok, ok, ok. But he still is a great actor. I saw him in Mr and Mrs Smith and talk about good acting and HOT!!! LOL |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 25, 2006
09:43 PM Post #2850823
| We are pretty dern pleased with ourselves. We took some movies of her in Connie's shop today. As I said before, we're "learning the movie business" here. :-) While they turned out fabulous, showing lots of movement, they are also WAYBIGO!!! And you can't edit the movies at all. So we're back to the drawing board.
I've brought her home to my house late this afternoon. I have a better place to hang her so that you can see the movement without plants in the background. I'll have to remember to not leave it recording for so long. We were having so much fun that ... well... we forgot about the length business.
I did get lots of closeup shots today. I haven't had a chance to edit them, other than this one, which we both just loved.
The big focal on her necklace just happened to have the very same colors on the back of it that will show through.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
nap
Depew, NY
(Zone 6a)
October 25, 2006
09:53 PM Post #2850871
| Janet and Connie, I've been silent so as not to detract from the flow of your work. But now I can't stay silent any longer. I must tell you that this has been one of my ALL-time favorite threads! Not only because Balvenie's nymph is so appealing and the progress of her creation has been so interesting, but because your narrative and your photos have given me a sense of your personalities. I think you are two charming ladies, creative, artistically talented, beautiful human beings inside and out, loving and humorous...and I wish you were MY sisters. It was very moving to see your tribute to Diana as well.
Thank you for this thread. |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 25, 2006
11:05 PM Post #2851146
| So nice of you to say nap. Janet and I talked today about how she's become like the birth of a child. Now that she's finished it's like having to give her up for adoption! But we know she is going to a good home.
I recall when Diana's dog had puppies and we fell in love with them all and knew we had to find homes for them and dreaded the day. We seriously inteviewed those who responded to the ad for each one. We asked for references!
We have no doubt this "child" will have a great home and Balveni, being a fellow artist, will appreciate our work.
Thank you all for watching. We hoped to give you all an insight to part of our minds.
(whispering) Some things you are better off not seeing. :)
Connie
|
Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 25, 2006
11:15 PM Post #2851181
| The final product is spectacular - and I was able to see the movies, although they are small. I am just shaking my head in awe.
Thanks for sharing this project and for sharing yourselves - it's a treat to "know" you!! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
12:10 AM Post #2851355
| Thank you Murmur and everyone else also.
Murmur, I just reread this thread to check myself for clarity (for future readers) and realized that I didn't answer your post about mass producing her. I don't think I remember seeing the post before. Sometimes, a post or two slipped in while I was posting the photos. My mind was so focused on what I was doing at the time that I didn't pay close enough attention. Someone else asked that same question of me (face to face) today. My answer to him is the same as it is to you. We'd never even consider it. She's a one of a kind, and will remain so. There may be other sculptures in the future with similar characteristics. Mass Producing her would only devalue her uniqueness.
While we will enjoy custom making similar garden sculptures, and expect to be paid for our time and talents, it's not about the money. It's about the beauty, the smiles she will bring to people's faces, the wonder of watching her try so hard to catch that ellusive butterfly.
Several folks have indicated that they want a nymph too. That is fine. We'll be happy to discuss any details about customizing a sculpture either in Dmail or Email (uniquetreasuresbmt@sbcglobal.net) This thread and it's intent doesn't need to contain tacky details like money. Dave's isn't the place to conduct business.
We've sure enjoyed bringing this "brain picking session" to like minded folks. It's usually US that is doing the picking. This time, it was OUR brains that got picked.
~~~~~
I've been here at Dave's since about Memorial Day when my husband brought home several HUGE trees (fiddle leaf figs and rubber trees) that were dug out of an atrium that was to be demolished after it was damaged during hurricane Rita. As usual, God put me right where He wanted me. I've learned so much from the folks here about so many different things. Been inspired by photos and ideas that I've seen here. I kept on telling Connie about things I'd read and seen here. She and I have hundreds of different kinds of plants. With most plants, one of us doesn't get something without the other having to have it. (I believe we get that from Auntie and Mom, but I could be wrong about that.) It's not a competition thing. We just like to share and have very similar tastes in most things.
I was posting in the Garden Talk thread about all the cool things that Connie had made in her yard and the next thing I knew, we were making some Texas size Skeeters. Connie joined Dave's because she couldn't stand to see me having so much fun without her. The rest is, as they say, History!
Thanks to everyone for your enthusiasm and your encouragement throughout the thread. This site is full of some of the most friendly folks on the planet!
I will continue editing the photos tomorrow and try to get some good closeups posted along with a movie that won't take forever for the dial up folks to download.
Many hugs to each of you,
Janet
This message was edited Oct 27, 2006 9:51 PM
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Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 26, 2006
12:22 AM Post #2851373
| Janet, I don't blame you guys a bit - I was being a bit facetious about "mass production," picturing the two of you up all hours of the night making each nymph with the love we as readers have had the pleasure of seeing on this thread.
Thanks yet again - you and Connie are a treat for all of us. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
October 26, 2006
08:17 AM Post #2851844
| I was pleased when you said you don't mass produce your work. It just doesn't give the same pleasure to the owner when it is one of many. Your work is so creative it should never be mass produced.
Pauline |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:05 PM Post #2854186
| Well folks,
It sure was a let down for me today to have to work on taxes. Uggghhh! I do quarterly payroll taxes for one of my clients. But that's behind me. And it was just as well because it was raining cats and dogs today. Really coming down a gully washer for most of the day. So I didn't get any more photos.
I did spend some time this afternoon and evening though getting the close-up shots ready to post.
There are quite a few, so be patient. I'm pretty sure I got closeups of everything. Still no new movies yet though.
Janet and Connie
Presenting:
Penelope and the Ellusive Butterfly
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:07 PM Post #2854189
| Penelope 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:08 PM Post #2854198
| Her Upper Body - Angled
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|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:09 PM Post #2854203
| Arms from the side 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:10 PM Post #2854205
| Arms and Hands from the front - Outside 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:11 PM Post #2854209
| Hands holding the Net 
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|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:12 PM Post #2854213
| Neck and Wings 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:13 PM Post #2854219
| Upper Body - Side View 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:14 PM Post #2854224
| Wings attached to the body - Side view 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:15 PM Post #2854225
| Upper Body with Wings - Back View 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:16 PM Post #2854229
| Side view of upper body and net 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:17 PM Post #2854233
| Looking Down on her from above 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:18 PM Post #2854236
| T-Bar and Balance Bar 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:18 PM Post #2854240
| T- Bar and Balance Bar 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:19 PM Post #2854241
| Chains attaching the T-Bar to her Shoulders. 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:22 PM Post #2854246
| Head and Hat - Side View - Outside 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:22 PM Post #2854249
| Beaded Flowers on Hat 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:23 PM Post #2854252
| Butterfly Net 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:25 PM Post #2854261
| Earrings and Dangling Decoration on the Ribbons of her Hat 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:26 PM Post #2854265
| Dangling beads 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:26 PM Post #2854266
| Earrings 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:27 PM Post #2854271
| Legs and Feet - Side View 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:28 PM Post #2854273
| Right Leg 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:29 PM Post #2854278
| Left Leg 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:30 PM Post #2854284
| The Ellusive Butterfly
I love the way he looked at the camera. I can imagine a cheesy grin on his face. Nah Nah Nah you can't catch me! HAHAHAHA
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:32 PM Post #2854287
| Penelope - Side View 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 26, 2006
10:36 PM Post #2854302
| And That's It Folks!
Janet and Connie
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balvenie
Marysville, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 27, 2006
01:05 AM Post #2854683
| I'm at a loss for words. What a wonderful creation, I am so honored to have been allowed to be the recipient of such a marvelous work of art. Thank you.
|
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 27, 2006
07:10 AM Post #2854948
| Great job Janet and Connie!! |
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY
(Zone 6a)
October 27, 2006
07:28 AM Post #2854969
| Amazing! I've watched the whole process and I'm still in awe. I'm smiling from ear to ear as I look thru the pictures...can you see me ( sm----i-----le ) ? I enjoyed this so much. thank you. The 2 of you give each other a kiss on the cheek from me {smack}{smack}
gram |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 27, 2006
07:58 AM Post #2855033
| Excellent! |
pins2006
Decatur, GA
(Zone 7a)
October 27, 2006
09:23 AM Post #2855236
| I've been lurking from the beginning. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed viewing your work in progress, especially the details you provided us. You both are wonderful, and have huge gifts to bestow. Thank you so much for sharing the creation of Penelope with us. Good luck with your wonderful craft.
Carmen |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 27, 2006
09:41 AM Post #2855321
| Thank you all so much for your appreciation of our work.
Now that the project is completed, I'll share with you all that we were a bit apprehensive about showing it, being made, here for the whole world to see. We knew, from making the skeeters, that it wouldn't be really awesome to see until it was completed with all of the details. We also knew that the folks here in this forum are artists like ourselves. And we hoped that you'd be able to envision it at each stage, even though that would have meant looking into our minds. Scary thought, huh?
Having "artistic license"from the beginning made working on this project so much easier, than trying to create what someone else envisioned. Thank you Balvenie for putting your faith in us and giving us that freedom to start the project with.
My brother in law just came by to go hunting with hubby this morning. We showed him the sculpture. He just stood there with his mouth half-open, admiring her. It's neat to see the expressions on people's faces when they see her.
Connie's had her hanging in her shop (in various stages) all week long. Her tint customers have enjoyed watching her as she's come to life. She told me that one fella just kept on pulling on the butterfly, just so he could watch her move... the whole time she was tinting his car. I'm sure that Connie was out in her shop in the wee hours of the night, playing with her each night as she was being created.
Penelope has been so rewarding to create. I'm having a hard time getting anything else done due to standing there admiring our handiwork, and I must admit playing with her, myself.
The weather was horrible last night, but the skies are clear and beautiful now. I will try to get a movie of her today and post it later on.
Janet
|
Stinkerweed
Fortuna, CA
October 27, 2006
01:00 PM Post #2855939
| Metal sculpture has always fascinated me and seeing your step by step process was great! The piece is so full of detail , gracefull movement, charm and whimsey that she would be a grand addition to any home or garden. |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 27, 2006
07:44 PM Post #2857058
| I too have always been fascinated by metal sculpture and watching this unfold and reading your descriptions and the answers to questions has given me the courage to attempt some - though not this instant and I do not expect to reach the level of expertise that the two of you have demonstrated here! Thanks again for everything! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 28, 2006
12:43 AM Post #2857914
| Penelope's Movies
OK, I've been making movies the majority of the day. The sunlight on the LCD lens of the camera was a killer. I had to park the tripod for the camera under the leaves of a waybigo elephant ear (as an umbrella) in order to be able to see what I was recording. I was about 10-13 ft from Penelope. That meant that I had to 1) get her going, 2) race back to the camera, 3) hit the Record button, 4) remember to turn OFF the Record button.
Sounds easy, right? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I must have taken 60 videos before I had something that I could work with. As I said before, I can't edit the videos, timewise, or anything else. At least I haven't found a program to do so without having to pay for it. I was trying to get the clip under 5 MB because that's all that Connie's site would allow. I maneuvered that camera from one setting to the next until I finally got what I was looking for, in a reasonable amount of time too.
Connie and I have really had a hard time with the hosting space that Connie uses. We think that the problem some folks were having viewing the sculpture had to do with too many people looking at one time.
I signed up for another storage site tonight so that you folks will be able to view her moving. I tried to consider the folks who are on dial up when I was making these movies. Some are really short, but you can still get the gist of the movements of Penelope. Others are a little longer. I haven't tried this site out so I hope this works.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
edited to add: I just clicked on these links and realize that the file must be downloaded at the bottom of the page in order to view them. I don't know doodly squat about this site to know if it's secure, etc. Just wanted you to know this up front.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First for the Dial up Folks:
2 Second Clip of her moving http://www.savefile.com/files/200266 File is 1MB
9 Second Clip - Close up of her moving http://www.savefile.com/files/200274 File is 3.37 MB
For the DSL and High Speed folks
17 Second Clip.
http://www.savefile.com/files/200285
File is 6 MB
In the beginning of the clip, a real butterfly darts across right to left. There is a psssssht noise. That is either the waybigo banana leaves behind me slapping against the power lines, or it's a kinetic whirlygig type thing that is sitting on the table by the back door. Never did figure it out for sure. File is 20 MB
This next clip is rather long... about a minute http://savefile.com/files/200298 (21 MB). I'm on DSL and it took me about 6 1.2 minutes to upload it. We're worth it! And you can delete it afterwards.
I didn't realize that the camera wasn't turning off between "takes" of the movie. I definitely didn't realize that I was being recorded. I'd already recorded it close to the 50 times by the time this was taken. I was not going to give up though. I just wanted to share this one that shows what I went through. Wish I had my second camera here because I'd like to have gotten a shot of the camera sitting under that elephant ear! if nothing else, Connie and I are both very resourceful!
I've had grandbabies here all night long otherwise I would have done this earlier. You should have seen their faces when they saw Penelope. Priceless! Jennifer's too! The photo below isn't really clear, but you can see that Kaylee wants to play with her! I immediately realized that those sharp points on her dress could poke her eye out and scooped her up to keep her from getting hurt. We'll have to work on *that* before she's shipped.
I surely hope these work. We've already removed the other movies fro the original site so those links won't work. I will go remove them now, just to make sure and not waste anyone's time.
Janet
ps Balvenie, I am putting all of the movies and photos onto a CD for you and will include that in Penelope's Shipping Box.
This message was edited Oct 29, 2006 8:50 AM
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 28, 2006
12:47 AM Post #2857922
| Another shot of Kaylee and Penelope. Kaylee will be 3 close to Christmas this year. 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 28, 2006
12:49 AM Post #2857925
| Jennifer and Benjamin (18 months) 
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 28, 2006
12:50 AM Post #2857926
| Jennifer and Ben, again, closer
edited to add: Ben's not sure what to think! HAHAHAHA
This message was edited Oct 27, 2006 11:02 PM
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Stinkerweed
Fortuna, CA
October 29, 2006
12:54 AM Post #2861117
| I hadn't realized there would be movement like that. WONDERFUL, TERRIFIC, BEAUTIFUL AND CHARMING!!! |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 29, 2006
09:11 AM Post #2861733
| Thank you Stinkerweed. :) I'm so glad Janet you got those uploaded to a decent space and folks will get to see her moving. It's pretty amazing to see in person.
I can see by their expressions your grandbabies were fascinated Janet.
|
Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 29, 2006
10:23 PM Post #2863862
| Penelope herself is awesome (as are her creators), but the real "unique treasures" are Jennifer and the children!!! Wonderful photos (and the movie clips were impressive - not an easy task!). |
lincolnitess
Lincoln, NE
(Zone 5b)
October 30, 2006
03:44 AM Post #2864272
| What a pair of talented ladies you are! I love metal work and yours is wonderful.
Susan |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 30, 2006
06:58 PM Post #2866569
| Thank you both.
I will have to agree with you Murmur on the "unique treasures" that are my daughter and grandbabies. They are ***very*** special to me.
Connie and I took Penelope around town today to show her off to some of the folks around here that have heard about her. The expressions on their faces were ones of awe and wonderment. We'd been telling them about her, but seeing her in person was a whole 'nother ballgame! They absolutely loved her.
We even took her to show her to the guys at the place where we bought the torches and the acetylene and oxygen. Those young guys working there were really impressed with her. It was one thing to try and tell them about her, but without actually seeing her, I'm sure it was not easy to imagine just what she would look like. Now they can see why we were so excited about the project. I'm sure they thought we were just a couple of "girls playing with torches"! :-) The normal customer for them is someone that works on AC's or plumbing, etc.
Every place we'd go, as we walked out with her customers that were going other places were oohing and aahing over her too.
It reminded me of when my grandbabies were little bitty and folks would always stop to admire them. I do have some of the most beautiful grandbabies in the world. And yes, I do have a biased opinion. It's mine, and it oughta be yours! HAHAHAHAHA
Not to be left out, here is a photo of grandbaby #3 Jolie Faye aka JoJo. JoJo rarely ever cries. She's just an absolute delight to watch.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 30, 2006
07:19 PM Post #2866640
| And last but definitely not least, JoJo's Mama, Hillary, my baby, now 18, and my hubby, Rick. 
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Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 30, 2006
07:47 PM Post #2866755
| Such a beautiful, wonderful family!! I absolutely ache to hold that precious baby - my baby grandchild is 8 1/2 so have to wait for great-grandkids, I guess!!
Thanks for sharing those wonderful pictures, Janet - and, of course, thanks once again to you and Connie for sharing the creation of Penelope. |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 30, 2006
07:50 PM Post #2866764
| Hey if you get too tired of Rick I'll take him off your hands! LOL. Good looking family! And boy or boy are Jojo's eyes blue! If I didn't know better I'd think you'd put little colored baby contacts! Wow! |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 30, 2006
07:54 PM Post #2866777
| Hey April, I was thinking the same thing when I saw the pic of Rick! LOL |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 30, 2006
07:56 PM Post #2866785
| You and I are so on the same wave link! |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 30, 2006
08:18 PM Post #2866844
| LOL. You bet we are!!! Whadda say Janet? |
maidentheshade
Beaumont, TX
October 30, 2006
08:21 PM Post #2866853
| LOL ! He is a cutie idn't he? |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 30, 2006
08:24 PM Post #2866862
| I bet he'll turn beet red when he reads this. Would love to see a picture of that!! LOL |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 30, 2006
08:26 PM Post #2866869
| Uhhhhhh... Let me think about that... NO
Don't think so. It's taken me 28 years to train him... and I'm still not finished with that job. HAHAHAHA Hands off! He's mine! He's a keeper. That's for sure.
Thank you for your compiment on JoJo's beautiful blue eyes. The majority of the folks in my family have blue eyes. A lot of folks have commented on them. I'm pretty sure Dean's eyes are blue too. That's JoJo's Daddy. Speaking of keepers! Dean's definitely a keeper. I couldn't have hand picked a better guy to take care of my gals, Hillary and JoJo.
Janet
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 30, 2006
08:31 PM Post #2866880
| I don't know about getting a picture of that. I might be able to pull it off... but I don't know. He would be flattered, for sure. Perhaps he needs to read this thread. Then he'd see why I've spent so much time on here while he's been out hunting all the time. I really enjoy the commoraderie (sp.?) of all of the folks here.
I think he just drove up. I'll try to get a photo... after dinner. I'm starving!
Thank you all again!
Many hugs,
Janet
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 30, 2006
08:32 PM Post #2866883
| Forever and a Day
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY
(Zone 6a)
October 30, 2006
09:09 PM Post #2867011
| you guys are too cute! I love it!!! |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 30, 2006
09:13 PM Post #2867024
| He's got pinchable cheeks. Lets all go down there and give his cheeks a big pinch!! LOL. |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 31, 2006
10:27 AM Post #2868323
| You guys make a wonderful couple! I think that both of you are lucky! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 31, 2006
11:44 PM Post #2870885
| Thank you very much. We've been together for a long time. I haven't shown him this thread yet because it was so late when he got home last night. I'll show him some day soon.
I'm so proud of my kids and grandkids. Each grandbaby has a different personality, just like their Mama's and Daddy's. All of them are sweetie pies.
We've been working on a sculpture all day. It's coming along very nicely. The lady is a golfer. I'll try to post some pics here when she's finished.
Janet |
Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
November 01, 2006
10:39 PM Post #2873937
| Looking forward to seeing it, Janet!! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 02, 2006
11:02 AM Post #2875125
| I got to thinking about the posting of photos here. I don't know that the customer's Mom is a member of DG. I wouldn't want to botch a surprise birthday gift, if she is. So I've written to her, asking if it would be OK to post some photos, and haven't heard back. As soon as I hear something, one way or another, I'll let you all know by either posting photos, or not.
Edited to remove a link that was causing the screen to be too wide.
Janet
This message was edited Jun 10, 2007 5:16 PM |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 02, 2006
06:53 PM Post #2876420
| I heard from my customer and she said it was fine to post photos here. Rather than post all of them, I will just post one and if anyone wants to see more closeups, they can use the link in the above post.
We really enjoyed making this sculpture. We learned quite a bit from making Penelope and were able to embelish the Golfing Lady using those techniques.
Janet
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
November 02, 2006
07:39 PM Post #2876537
| Janet that is amazing! Makes me wish I was a golfer so I could have it in my back yard.
Wanted to let you know that you both gave me the courage to try something new...I went to Home Depot and bought a soldering iron and soldered my broken (rec'd as a gift) garden sculpture. HAHA- ok not the best solder, but it's a begining. LOL. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 02, 2006
07:59 PM Post #2876588
| Thanks April!
Good for you! I'm glad we were able to help insire you to git'er'done. I'm sure you will enjoy it for many more years now. That was one of the main purposes of starting this thread. To show that #1, Whatever it is you want to do, it CAN be done...#2, To give an idea of what it takes to accomplish the desired results... #3, that with a little imagination, and creativity, just about anything is possible. Having the right tools for the job is a tremendous start in the right direction. Choosing good quality tools, they will last you many years and serve you well.
Anyone else attempted something like this? We'd love to see your photos too! :-)
Janet
|
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
November 02, 2006
08:00 PM Post #2876594
| One of the best lessons my mother taught me is having the right tool is everything! |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
November 02, 2006
08:01 PM Post #2876597
| Defintely amazing!! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 02, 2006
08:15 PM Post #2876629
| April, I learned that from my sister, Connie.
Funny thing, when we were growing up, Daddy had waybigo toolboxes full of just about any kind of tool a person would need. He worked on AC/Refrigeration in the Air Force. Later on, he had the service station. This was back in the early 70's when you really did get service when you bought your gas. He was an ace mechanic. When he sold the service station, he needed a place to put all of those tools. He filled up a "little building" in the back yard and then began to put his tools into the back room, on bookshelves, where Mom had the drier and did her sewing. I can remember hearing Mom talk about that "God Awful Mess" in that room so many times. Mom hung curtains over the bookshelves so she wouldn't have to look at it.
I don't remember seeing Mom use any of the tools while I was growing up. But I know that since Daddy's passed, she's fixed a multitude of things around the house... just to keep from calling a repairman to do it for her. She's since cleared out the little building, but I would imagine she's glad that she still has that "God Awful Mess' in that room still. :-)
Pepper, we were so pleased with the way the Golfing Lady turned out. Neither of us have ever golfed, so we looked to the internet for inspiration on the body position, etc. I printedd out about 50 different lady golfers and from those, this is the image that we used as a "guideline".
Janet
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
November 02, 2006
08:18 PM Post #2876638
| Ooooh, I love that picture!! Reminds me of the Victorian Era. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 02, 2006
08:25 PM Post #2876660
| We both chose that one from all of the images I'd printed. Both of us just loved the elegance of her stance and her clothing.
Janet |
aprilwillis
Missouri City, TX
(Zone 9a)
November 04, 2006
05:52 AM Post #2880138
| Yes I can see it in the sculpture- it is very feminine and you captured it so perfectly!
And by the way, Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day doing the things that make you happy.
This message was edited Nov 4, 2006 5:00 AM |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 04, 2006
06:54 AM Post #2880170
| Thanks April. I'm going to the Round Up in College Station and my hubby is going with me. We're looking forward to meeting the folks from DG.
|
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
November 04, 2006
09:39 AM Post #2880517
| Happy Birthday Janet!!! Enjoy RU. |
darius
So.Appalachian Mtns, VA
(Zone 5b)
November 04, 2006
10:07 AM Post #2880599
| Happy Birthday! Spending it with DG friends is great! |
Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
November 04, 2006
10:42 AM Post #2880663
| Happy birthday, Janet, and here's wishing you many, many, many more years of creative endeavors!!! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 04, 2006
09:28 PM Post #2882488
| We (hubby and I) just got home from a wonderful day with the folks from DG. Thank you all so very much for the birthday greetings.
It's been an awesome day, that's for sure. I brought home so many plants that I never even heard of before. I'll be busy in the yard tomorrow.
Everyone there seemed to really like Penelope. She made her personal debut and I think she was a smashing success.
I took along a skeeter that Connie and I made the other day to give away as a door prize. Trois wife Barbara won the Skeeter. She had told me earlier that she was inspired by Penelope to get busy herself. That was the highest compliment she could have given me. Made me feel like a million bucks!
As much fun as we had, after driving 3 1/2 hours back home, I'm dead dog tired and still need to get in the tub.
Connie and I will be firing up another project soon. Y'all will be the first to know when we get started.
Many hugs to everyone here. You all are the best!
Janet
This is the Skeeter.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY
(Zone 6a)
November 05, 2006
02:49 PM Post #2884726
| Sorry I missed your b'day yesterday. Sounds like you had a great (and exhausting) day!
Best wishes for an extraordinary year and have a big piece of cake (calorie free, of course) on me..
gram
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 05, 2006
03:24 PM Post #2884811
| Oh Gram!! You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble! How did you know that was my very favorite kind of cake?
Thanks so much! Many hugs to everyone!
Janet |
PerennialGirl
Winnipeg, MB
(Zone 4a)
November 05, 2006
11:13 PM Post #2886199
| Happy Belated Birthday, Janet! Sounds like you had a wonderful day! I'm so impressed with you two. The creativity is awesome! Luv your copper ladies and butterfly and skeeter! Great instructions!
:) Donna |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 07, 2006
12:50 AM Post #2889798
| Thanks Donna! We appreciate your kind words. We hope that some of you may be inspired to get your own creative juices flowing. We'd love to see your projects. We are always looking for new ideas. You all helped to inspire us to "dig a little deeper" than what we'd already accomplished before the creation of Penelope began. Dave's is such a great place to share the love of the art.
This weekend, the product we've been waiting for to preserve the colors of Penelope arrived. Today, Connie and I tested a small scrap of copper by torching it, then applying the chemical to keep the colors bright and beautiful. So far, we are loving the way it works. The product label says that it will be fully "cured" in 30 days. Only time will tell if it will truly preserve the colors as long as the product says it will. Connie and I want to do everything we can to keep Penelope looking great. Tomorrow we will re-torch her dress and apply the product. I had an unexpected grandbaby show up this afternoon for me to watch, just as we were getting ready to get started.
Thank you all again for sticking with us on this wonderful project. We've surely had a great time with everybody.
Janet
|
pins2006
Decatur, GA
(Zone 7a)
November 07, 2006
10:46 AM Post #2890717
| Janet, will the untreated copper turn that beautiful verdi gris? That could look great on parts of Penelope. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 07, 2006
05:49 PM Post #2892070
| Pins,
Under ordinary circumstances, the verdi gris patina would be the long term objective in any copper art. However, after discussing this preservation treatment with Balvenie, he requested that we treat Penelope to preserve her beautiful colors.
We re-torched all of the sculptures today. First we had to clean them very carefully with Xylene. After that dried, we had to clean off the xylene with denatured alcohol. Once that was dried, we applied the special coating to preserve the colors. We coated every single part we possibly could, just to make sure that Penelope would withstand any inclimate weather where Balvenie is located. We treated all of the sculptures that we currently have today. It was like an assembly line. We will let all of them dry for a few days and then ship Penelope to Balvenie. Maude, the Golfing Lady will also be shipped at that time.
Janet |
PerennialGirl
Winnipeg, MB
(Zone 4a)
November 07, 2006
07:26 PM Post #2892359
| Janet have you checked your DGmail lately?
:) Donna |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 07, 2006
08:35 PM Post #2892570
| I just checked and don't see anything there. Can you resend?
Thanks,
Janet |
Gwendalou
Langley, WA
(Zone 7b)
June 10, 2007
04:43 PM Post #3599297
| I'm just now coming across this thread. Amazing! I visited Balvenie's garden last year during a PNW roundup and it is so pretty. I'd love to see how Penelope looks installed on his moon gate. I was wondering why he doesn't come visit the PNW forum anymore.
I assume Beaumont is a pretty big town but do you by any chance know Paula Wyler? She's a friend of mine
Gwen |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 10, 2007
06:17 PM Post #3599526
| Thanks Gwen. I'd love to see her installed too. Hopefully when Balvenie gets her installed, he'll post a photo of her here.
I can't say that I know Paula. Maybe Connie does. She has a lot of customers that she tints windows for.
Janet |
gardenwife
Newark, OH
(Zone 5b)
July 22, 2007
02:55 PM Post #3765992
| Janet & Connie, I just read this entire thread for the first time. I'm so glad you linked to it in your garden journal, Janet! Penelope is marvelous, so detailed! I just love her. It's great reading about your family, too. I'm an only child, so never knew what it was to have siblings. Sometimes I'm glad of it, and sometimes I'm a little wistful! My hubby is the youngest of six, though, so I married into a large family. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
July 22, 2007
03:47 PM Post #3766129
| Hi Gardenwife,
Family is a wonderful thing. Connie and I are so very fortunate to live close to each other. We enjoy so many of the same things. She is without a doubt my very best friend in the world. I can be myself without any pretense whenever I'm around her and know that I won't be judged. She knows the same and that's what makes our relationship so special.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the making of Penelope. Much fun and lots of love went into her creation. Many oohs and aahs could be heard between us as each of her components were thought out and brought to life. We are so proud of her and know she couldn't have a better home.
Although there is only ONE Penelope, we hope some day soon to make another kinetic sculpture with as much flair and pizazz as she has.
We are currently working on a dragon for me that we'll more than likely post a thread on here. We've got most of the "thinking" and brainstorming done. If all goes as planned, the dragon will have wings that flap and a light that makes it glow. And it will breathe fire. Yeah, that's a big stretch of the imagination. A gal can dream yanno! HAHAHAHA
Janet
|
gardenwife
Newark, OH
(Zone 5b)
July 22, 2007
04:33 PM Post #3766286
| I saw the head of your dragon in another thread -- very cool! |
Gwendalou
Langley, WA
(Zone 7b)
July 22, 2007
07:47 PM Post #3766915
| Can you post a link to the dragon thread?
Gwen |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
July 22, 2007
08:53 PM Post #3767120
| I haven't started the thread yet because we really haven't gotten going on him. Here is a photo of the start of his head. The head is made of polymer clay. His eyes have been inserted. His head hasn't been baked yet. I did test out one of the beads in a different piece of the same type of clay and the bead survived the baking. Neither of us has worked with clay like this before.
Connie has carved out his head and done a magnificent job on it. We've added another piece to the bottom of his head to give him more dimension but have no photos of anything else yet.
Whenever we get started and begin to take photos, I'll start the thread on him here in the artisans thread.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
balvenie
Marysville, WA
(Zone 7a)
July 22, 2007
09:08 PM Post #3767183
| He's a beautiful dragon !!! (With some 12th century Norse characteristics) Anxiously awaiting the step by step progress of this wonerful creature. You guys is amazing.
robt |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
July 22, 2007
11:08 PM Post #3767570
| Thanks Robert. I hadn't thought about the Norse aspect, but I suspect you are right.
There's a story behind my wanting a dragon so badly. At the beginning of the year, I read Eragon and then Eldest. I'd heard about Eragon from a bookseller several years ago. Eragon was written by a 15 year old high school graduate named Christopher Paolini. It was published by his father as a soft cover. I think, if I remember right, there were 250 first printings self published. When I started selling books in 2003 on Amazon, the book was going for about $1500. I can only imagine what those 1st Edition 1st Printing books would sell for nowadays. Everytime I went shopping for books to sell, I searched for that elusive book. I found Eragon several times, but never the FIRST PRINTING. I quit selling books several years ago and sold them all lock stock and barrel. I kept Eragon and then found Eldest. I finally got around to reading them this year.
I fell in love with Saphira, the dragon. I told Connie at that time that I wanted to make a dragon some day. As much as the wheels turned in her mind, she just couldn't see how we'd possibly get the dimensions of the dragon from the copper. I googled and googled copper dragons and while there are some really beautiful ones out there, they just weren't what I'd seen in my mind as Saphira. It was hard for me to describe to Connie what I could so clearly see in my "mind's eye". I tried several times over the past few months, but she just couldn't see into my mind.
If any of you dragon lovers out there haven't read Eragon, you need to. It's a wonderful series of books that give Lord of the Rings a run for it's money. I found out that a movie of Eragon had been made, and was released back in December, I began looking for it, since I'd missed the theater playing in December.
Now, as most of you know, I'm a really cheap gal. All of the movies I've ever bought have come from thrift stores and those were VHS's for the grandbabies. I hate being overwhelmed at Blockbuster and didn't want to go there to see if it was available to rent. I looked on line, but just couldn't justify (in my mind) paying shipping charges on top of the prices of the movie. A couple of weeks ago, Connie and I were in Target and I decided to look for Eragon. I was going to "bite the bullet" and buy it! I looked and found a Blue Ray Eragon (I don't have BR). I asked the young guy working there if they had it on DVD. He said, yes we do. I've seen it. It wasn't in the spot it belonged in. He searched and searched, along with Connie and I searching, and he finally shouted out. I FOUND IT! I KNEW I'D SEEN IT!
So I asked him how much. $19.97! YIKES!!!! $20 for a movie??? I couldn't remember how much it was on line. I'm used to paying 99 cents or $1.99 at Goodwill. I have splurged and spent $2.99 if it was something that I really wanted the Grandbabies to see. But $20 bucks!!! OK, I'm worth it! If I didn't get it then, I'd still hem and haw on line, so ... I bought the movie. Connie and I went back to her house to watch it. Her daughter "did" my toenails as I watched it. The movie played in letterbox mode at Connie's house (with Bose surround sound) and while I really enjoyed it, I couldn't wait to get it home to play on my big screen TV. My eyes just aren't what they used to be and though I rarely watch anything but the food network on TV, I have come to depend on the size of my TV.
I chomped at the bit making dinner, and getting it eaten. Finally when the dishes were done, I asked hubby if he wanted to watch the movie. He said sure. So I fired it up. Oh man oh Man!!! To see Saphira "actually come to life" was incredible! She has such a wonderful personality. And her voice was just as I'd imagined it. Hubby loved the movie and said it was every bit as good as the Lord of the Rings movie.
While I was watching it the second time, unbeknownst to me, Connie was busy playing with some clay that we'd picked up at Hobby Lobby. The next day, when my grandbaby Jolie went home for the day, I went to Connie's shop to work on a dragonfly for a DGer in Florida. Connie was finishing up on a tint job and casually asked me if I'd gotten her email. I'd come straight over there so I hadn't checked my mail before I left the house. I said no. She stopped what she was doing and went into her house and came back out with a paper plate, covered in a zip loc bag. I looked down and saw the dragon that I posted in the photo. I was in AWE!!! Totally speechless!!! She'd captured the dragon so beautifully in the clay. I know there were tears in my eyes.
Since that day, we've talked about eyes, and body, etc. for the dragon. What medium would be used for each of the components. Now that we've got all that figured out, we're just about ready to begin.
I've got 2 grandbabies here 24/7 until Tuesday. I'll have 1 on Wednesday, and THEN... if the Good Lord's willing and the Creeks don't rise... We'll be able to get started. A lot will depend on Connie's schedule. This is her busiest time of year for window tinting. Everybody wants it done before they go back to school and before the dog days of August start.
I feel like I rambled, but thought you all should know the story behind why I want the dragon. :-) One thing led to another. And you wouldn't have wanted half the story! HAHAHAHA
I am so excited and filled with anticipation of seeing this dragon come to life. When I start the Dragon Thread, I will most likely copy and paste this post there to start the thread. Just a head's up so you don't have to go through the whole thing again. :-)
Janet
|
gardenwife
Newark, OH
(Zone 5b)
July 23, 2007
12:37 AM Post #3767803
| That story is great! I know my hubby's niece was very excited about Eragon because the young man who wrote it was home-schooled like she was. His sister was very involved in it as well. There's an article here with more info: http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/articles/052504.htm I've neither read it nor seen the movie. I need to get cracking! |
