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Post by connrock on Jan 1, 2013 11:45:23 GMT -5
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2013 11:50:54 GMT -5
That is truly awesome. I used to use copper and found metal in my art and I love to see other peoples work. You did a great job of it.
What did you use to cement the sand? It looks very real.
Jim
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 1, 2013 12:27:24 GMT -5
That looks great, Tom! All the little details really make the difference. The sand turned out really well. Is there a story behind the scene?
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Post by connrock on Jan 2, 2013 8:53:56 GMT -5
Jim,,
Thanks,,,
I had quite a time with the sand.A few of the member here gave me some ideas about the right ratios of white glue/alcohol(or dish soap)/water which was supposed to spray onto a rough cloth(burlap was suggested) but no matter what I mixed up I couldn't get the mixture to spray out of several different spray bottles.
I didn't have any burlap either so I tried a few different types of cloth.
I ended up laying a piece of bath towel into the copper "pan" and sort of let it do it's own thing and not have it lay flat.I also wanted the area ,where the Sanibel sign is,to look like a small "hill" and just formed the towel that way.
I'm getting ahead of myself a bit here,,,,,,
The actual "base" of the scene is made from a cut up piece of steel shelving and I knew if it got wet it would rust so I gave it 4 coats of clear lacquer after I soldered the copper "edge" onto it.
,,,,,,after laying the towel as I wanted it I white glued a few sea shells onto the towel and let it dry over night.
The next day I put the white glue/water/alcohol mixture onto the towel with a tea spoon and in a few areas,an eye dropper.I did this about 1/4 of the scene at a time and as I went along I poured sand onto the wet towel with another tea spoon.I piled it on pretty thick at about 1/4"-3/8" deep.
I let it dry over night,dumped off the loose sand,wet it all again with the glue mixture and put sand on again as I did the first time.
I had to be careful when putting the glue and sand on the area where the sea shells are so as not to bury them entirely,,,I wanted them to look as though they were "in" the sand and not on top of it.
I let it dry a few days this time as it was pretty wet with the towel being soaked right down to the steel base.
Dumped off the loose sad and that was it.
I was in a hurry to get it and all the other pieces finished before Christmas Eve so I couldn't get as much "detail" in the scene as I would have liked.
Thanks for your interest!
connrock
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Post by connrock on Jan 2, 2013 9:04:18 GMT -5
Juggler Guy,,
Thanks,,,,
Yes there is a story behind the beach scene,,,,there's a story behind everything I do too! LOL
My son and daughter-in-law (Tom and Jackie) have fallen in love with Sanibel Island and have visited there several times in the past several years.The brought their 2 sons along on a few occasions but for the most part they like to go by themselves,relax,fish and collect sea shells.
They've rented several different homes at different locations on the Island and if all goes well for them,they plan to buy a home there as a retirement winter home,,,as we live in Connecticut.Brrrrr! LOL
I don't know if you noticed but there are "B's" on the ball caps.They are HUGE Red Sox fans so summer's would be spent up here so they could go to the games at Fenway.
Thanks for you interest in this beach scene.
connrock
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Post by NatureNut on Jan 2, 2013 11:25:33 GMT -5
Oh how stinkin' adorable! Bravo!
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Post by drocknut on Jan 2, 2013 11:58:51 GMT -5
Really cool, you did a great job and your attention to detail is amazing.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jan 2, 2013 11:59:17 GMT -5
man the detail and craftsmanship is very impressive Tom
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Post by Jugglerguy on Jan 2, 2013 12:39:24 GMT -5
I knew there was a story behind the Sanibel sign and the B on the hat. I've never been to Sanibel Island, but I read about it when I was looking for a good seashell beach to take my kids to when we visited Florida. We found plenty of shells on the beaches near my parents' condo, but Sanibel sounds like the place to go if you're into shells.
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Jan 2, 2013 13:32:38 GMT -5
Beautiful creation, Tom! It takes a lot of talent to make such realistic silouhettes out of only some wires, nuts, bolts etc.
I like it.
Adrian
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Post by connrock on Jan 3, 2013 9:37:26 GMT -5
Jo,
Thanks,
You helped with the glue "formula" so you're part of it too!
Drocknut,
Thanks,
I LOVE detail but time was a real factor!
John,,
Thanks,,
There's ALWAYS room for improvement,,,,I'm workin on that right now!
NEVER too old to learn!
Juggler Guy,
If you ever get the opportunity to visit Sanibel Island,,,go for it.You won't be disappointed!
Adrian,,
Thanks,,
I would LOVE to see what you could do with this sort of thing but am afraid your work would make mine VERY embarrassing!
Thank you all. ;D
connrock
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Jan 3, 2013 16:08:59 GMT -5
you must have put in so much work!
that level of detail is amazing... it always comes down to the size - detail - time triangle... you can pick any two - but the third is blown out!
respect
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Post by susand24224 on Jan 3, 2013 23:39:48 GMT -5
Tom, I love it! You come up with some of the darndest things--some people have creativity, some have great ability to execute, and you have both! Especially nice for winter in CT.  |
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Post by connrock on Jan 4, 2013 9:11:40 GMT -5
metalsmith,
Thanks,
A lot of work but mostly a LOT of love goes into all of the pieces I make!
Susan,,
Thanks,,
Catch as catch can,,,,I get an idea and try to make it come to life with some of the junk I have laying around here!
connrock
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Post by gingerkid on Jan 4, 2013 21:25:27 GMT -5
Love the story behind your awesome beach creation, connrock!! |
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Post by connrock on Jan 5, 2013 8:53:21 GMT -5
gingerkid,
Thanks,,
Yes we all have our dreams and some even come true.
I hope my son and daughter-in-laws do for them!
connrock
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Post by Tony W on Jan 5, 2013 12:50:01 GMT -5
Dang, man, is this what you've been hiding from me when you said you sent pics, and didn't? This is great. The lay of the bodies is perfect. For someone who can't draw a lick you sure can express the human body in lines. Finally you've found your calling and I don't have to struggle teaching you to make jewelry anymore, lol. Well done, Tommy!!! Tbone
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Post by connrock on Jan 6, 2013 7:15:41 GMT -5
Tony,,
Thanks,,
Yes this is one of the many,many photos I sent you(twice) but you must have been distracted by one of you other "interests". ;D
I'm VERY familiar with both of the positions these bodies are in so it was cake making them both out of steel coat hangers!
I may still need your help occasionally in my endeavor to make jewelery(especially with small tube settings) so please don't abandon me with allllllll your help!
connrock
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