Bronze forms a bright coloured coating, a patina, over time. This natural corrosion process creates accidental patterns that combine with the various hand finishes of the bronze objects. The result can be beautiful abstract designs that could be mistaken for abstract art. 

© Jessica Winder and Jessica’s Nature Blog, 2009. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material, including both text and photographs, without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jessica Winder and Jessica’s Nature Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 Photographs in this blog are copyright property of Jessica Winder with all rights reserved

It’s a Matter of Attitude
Soul Searching Series
Photo Credit ~ Daniel Krucoff

I think this is a beautiful piece of Texas Flint.  I purchased it from Minerax during the Gem and Mineral Show week.  It was another one of those stones that perplexed me when it came to a design.  However, after I had my breakthrough, this one just continued to evolve.

It’s one of my first pieces that I think has that true Arts and Crafts look to it.  In my opinion, the sterling silver circles really compliment the stone.

As I worked on the top section this week, I truly wished that someone had a square cutter just like they have circle cutters for metal.  I used square wire and soldered them in place.  My first attempt at this resulted in melting the top piece.  I’m very pleased with this second attempt.

I used sterling silver for the construction and added patina for color highlights to compliment this stone.

The title just kept resonating with me and so I felt it was necessary to call this “It’s a Matter of Attitude“.

Please feel free to share your thoughts with me on this one.  I always enjoy what others see in my works.

The holidays are here and I want to send my best wishes for a safe and festive holiday season to all of you.  Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person.

Drama doesn't have to be large scale.

While most ‘normal’ people flock to gawp at car crashes, your sense of drama may be on the smaller side. 

Waiting for the lights to change, you may see a saga carved into a traffic light pole. 

This pole has been used countless times by people promoting bands and garage sales, touting work-from-home opportunities, seeking lost pets and offering weight loss schemes. 

Each time, they’ve attached flyers with sturdy tape, usually circling the pole several times. 

Each time, council workers have come and removed these illegal communiques. 

As each piece of tape is ripped off, it usually takes some paint with it. 

Sometimes, there’s so much tape or so many flyers that the workers have to use sharp spatulas. 

These leave their own distinct marks in the paint. 

The apparent ferocity of their marks suggests the workers are: 

1. In  a hurry (perhaps because they’re outsourced contractors).
2. Heartily sick of this kind of work (and perhaps their entire jobs).
3. Uncaring of the poles they’re cleaning (the bane of all public property).

So you see, much can be deduced and inferred from a humble scenario like this. 

Though fraught with difficulties, the world of the Asperger sufferer is also rich with sensations. 

In my opinion, this is getting very close to art.

Click the newsletter page to the right for invitations to my Holiday Open Studios and ART year in review.

My new owl pieces originated when a friend started asking about owl jewelry.  A couple of days after she had asked me, I saw two great horned owls in our blackberry patch.  It was an amazing sight to see and then I was inspired to make owl jewelry.  Lately this has turned into an owl drawing obsession, so I will probably post pictures of them eventually!

Silver Owl Ring

Silver Owl Pendant

Copper Owl Pendant

I had spent my summer trying to think up a way to make reversible earrings and I finally came around to a very simple solution!  I have been making reversible tree pendants over the summer and I kept thinking that my customers would love to have reversible earrings to go with their reversible pendants.

If you have a pair of my earrings that would look nice reversed, ask me about an upgrade to reversible ear wires.

Here are some of my new reversible earrings.

Reversible Small Leafy Silver Tree Earrings

To reverse the tree on the earring, you just un-thread the tree over the ear wire, flip it over then thread it back on.

Reversible Leafy Silver Tree Earrings

Reversible Small Silver Blizzard Tree Earrings

]]> http://viniluzzi.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/patinas/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:07:46 +0000 viniluzzi http://viniluzzi.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/patinas/

Pátina Sobre Móveis
Como fazer pátina passo a passo:

1- Material

- Massa corrida.
- Tinta látex da que você quer o móvel.
- Tinta látex branca.
- Verniz incolor.
- 1 espátula.
- 1 palha de aço nº 1
- 2 rolos para pintar
- Lixa nº 180
- Lixa nº 160

2- Usando a lixa nº 160, remova todo o verniz da superficie do móvel.

3- Retire todo o pó, com um pano.

4- Verifique todas as imperfeições do móvel e aplique massa corrida com a espátula.

5- Aguarde serca de 5 horas, até que a massa esteja bem seca.

6- Agora com a lixa de nº 180 deixe a massa corrida rente com a superficie.

7- Com a ajuda de um pano, ou espanador, retire todo o pó

8- Ao começar fazer as aplicações, “divida” o móvel em partes, ou seja, trabalhe um lado do móvel por vez.

9- Usando o rolo, passe uma camada de tinta latéx.

10- Espere aproximadamente 2 horas até que a tinta seque.

11- Passe a segunda camada, e espere mais 2 horas.

12- Já com outro rolo, passe a cor da tinta que você escolheu

13- Ainda com a tinta fresca, esfreque a palha de aço, retiando todo excesso de tinta, apenas uma só vez.

14- Quanto você concluir todos os lados do móvel, está na hora de passar duas camadas de verniz, ai sim, seu móvel está pronto.

Patina em Móveis – Passo a Passo

A patina em móveis é uma técnica artesanal muito usada em prol da customização, ao ser aplicado na madeira, ela promove um efeito de envelhecimento. A partir da patina, é possível atribuir à decoração dos cômodos algumas características rústicas.

O principal fator que contribui para a aparência da patina é o contraste de cores claras e escuras do mesmo tom, esse efeito envelhece a peça de forma sutil e realista. O uso de uma esponja de aço para fazer o acabamento também é importante, então logo após de aplicar a tinta passe-o por cima para criar a superfície patinada.

O envelhecimento dos móveis é um trabalho delicado, é preciso ter o cuidado para preencher todos os espaços com a tinta e depois fazer o efeito platinado que desbota e textualiza a peça. Confira o vídeo a seguir e aprenda o passo a passo da arte em patina:

PÁTINA ENVELHECIDA COM BETUME

Material:
•Tinta látex branca.
•Betume
•Cera incolor pastosa
•Pincel (trincha)
•Escova de sapateiro
•Flanela.
Modo De Fazer:
1.Com o móvel devidamente lixado e restaurado faça o fundo com a tinta látex branca, dê de 3 a 5 demãos dependendo da diluição da tinta. Intercale estas demãos com um intervalo mínimo de 1 hora
2.Misture um pouco de betume com um pouco de cera incolor pastosa até que se torne uma mistura homogênea.
3.Passe esta mistura no móvel com uma trincha, puxando no sentido dos veios da madeira para fazer o efeito envelhecido.
4.Depois de estar bem seco, em média 8 horas dependendo do clima, escove a peça com a escova de sapateiro para dar um brilho e logo em seguida lustre com a flanela.
Dicas e Truques
•Quanto mais betume tiver na cera mais escuro será o efeito.
•Teste o tom em um pedaço de madeira antes de aplicar na peça.
•Nos móveis da sala de jantar fica chique um tom bem clarinho.
•Já na cozinha ou em móveis isolados pela casa não tenha medo em carregar no tom.

PÁTINA 2 OU MAIS CORES LIXADA
Material:
•Tinta látex branca.
•Massa corrida
•Pincel.
•Tinta látex ou Corantes nas cores desejadas.
•Lixa nº 100.
•Verniz para concreto aparente ou cera incolor
Modo De Fazer:
1.Misture a tinta branca com igual parte de massa corrida e um pouco de água.
2.Passe a quantidade de demãos necessárias para cobrir a peça.
3.Separe um pouco da tinta branca e coloque algumas gotas do corante até atingir o tom desejado, misture água até chegar em uma consistência não tão rala. Repita o processo no(s) outro(s) ton(s) desejado(s).
4.Passe estas tintas sobre o fundo branco com um pincel. O efeito pode ser feito de várias maneiras, se desejar intercale as cores ou divida a peça em partes e distribua os tons, fica a seu critério.
5.Espere secar.
6.Lixe toda a peça.
7.Remova todo o pó.
8.Dê duas demãos de verniz ou cera em toda a superfície com intervalos para secagem
Dicas e Truques
•Lixe em uma única direção e no sentido dos veios da madeira..
•Não force a lixe contra a peça que a pintura irá ficar riscada e não desgastada.
•Está pátina possui o efeito de desgaste.
•Nesta técnica fica muito bonito escolher dois tons, um escuro e outro mais claro e ir intercalando- os e misturando-os para finalizar o efeito na hora de lixar.

CONGRATULATIONS to chef Gary Menes for the terrific L.A. Times review of Marché Restaurant (link below).

Peter and I have been eating at the Sherman Oaks location for years, and have happily returned to each new incarnation of the restaurant, formerly known as Max.

A few years ago, there was a daily show I watched regularly on cable called “Recipe TV”. It featured chefs from L.A. (as well as other cities) sharing recipes and cooking in their restaurant kitchens. Some of the chefs I enjoyed most were Dave Myers of Sona, Eric Greenspan (before he opened the Foundry) and Andre Guerrero (chef/owner) of Max restaurant in Sherman Oaks.

Since Max was just up the street, Peter and I got a kick out of ordering dishes that we had seen prepared on the show. The restaurant became our nearby “special occasion” place and we even celebrated New Year’s Eve in the elegant dining room one year.

Then in late 2008, Max restaurant was stripped down into a more casual bistro. At first, we were leery of trying out the new menu, but then fell absolutely in love with the Max Black Angus Burger and chicken liver pate’. That became our favorite comfort meal in the valley, and I would shamelessly dip my crispy fries into the creamy potted chicken liver like it was ketchup! French fries and chicken liver… a match made in heaven.

When I read that Max was being retooled, I figured it was the end of our favorite “old new” spot. Until I learned that the new chef had most recently worked at Palate Food + Wine in Glendale, under the helm of the awesome Octavio Becerra.

I’m happy to say, our first visit to the NEW Marché restaurant did not disappoint. Peter and I are looking forward to seeing (and of course TASTING) what’s next on the menu!

What we shared on our first visit:

Coddled Eggs, Summer Truffles

Scallops

Pork Rillette

Salad with Speck, Piedmontese Beef

Pork Belly with Figs

Apple Charlotte

Current Menu

Dining Date: 10/2/09

Mentioned Above:

L.A. Times Marché Review

L.A. Times Article about Max

Dining at Palate Food and Wine

Dining at the former MAX (Angus Burger)

Early this year I had a considerable amount of time on my hands and got the urge to do some sculpture work, which I haven’t done for 20+ years.

The process I used was is very similar to the Mesoamerican piece posted previously.  This piece was actually created first and I use the process to make the large pieces later.

To start I cast a  slab of plaster in the desired shape. IN this case I did two different pieces. The glyphs used were loosely derived from pictures I was able to find on the internet. Some I simply made up using the same general style. The process was again, cast, carve, mold, them recast pieces from the mold in plaster. A seal coat of Elmers was applied, followed by copper paint, patina with acids and clear coat. 

Then I needed to make the sweated copper frame on which they would be mounted. The pieces were arranged in space with on two different levels. Then I cut the copper pipe and elbows to generate the three dimensional presentation, where the mounting frame would not be visible looking at it face on.

Once the frame was done, I mounted the pieces such that the frame was hidden behind them when viewed face on. This one hangs in our foyer.

Early this year I had a considerable amount of time on my hands and got the urge to do some sculpture work, which I haven’t dome for 20+ years.

The process I used was something I kind of made up as I went along. I’ll describe the process then show you the out come- you decide whether it can truly be classified as “art”.

To start I cast a large slab of plaster in the desired shape. This was then levelled as best as I could with a very coarse file. I had made a rough drawing of what I wanted to carve into it them roughly drew it onto the plaster. The plaster was at this point solid but still fairly soft so it was relatively easy to carve into. It probably took me 3-4 hrs to carve in the relief. 

Once the plaster had hardened I poured a liquid silicone casting resin over it (I’m a silicone guy so I made it at home). I laid some cloth in it to strengthen it and them poured a second layer of silicone over than. Now I had a mold of the piece so I could make multiple copies of it.  From the mold I made two copies by pouring plaster into the silicone mold.

I covered these copies with a coat of Elmers glue. I then made a copper colored coating by mixing Elmers glue with copper flake (which I got from work- I’m a chemist). Once I had gotten a very uniform copper coating I applied an mixture of sulfuric and nitric acid to the reccessed areas of the relief. It took several light applications of acid to and letting it sit overnight for a nice greenish-blue patina to develop. To finish them I coated it with an aerosol clear coat.

One of them was now done. THe second one I broke into four pieces and copper painted the broken surfaces. The piece were them glued to  a copper pipe framework with spaces between each piece. I thought it looked pretty cool when done.

I have just completed this sculpture for St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City.  The title is “On Rocky Winds”.  The images are state symbols: sego lily, rice grass and california gull.  You can see the patina in progress on the sources page.  The panels are steel with a patina finish and they are 44″ tall.

On Rocky Winds

When you crack,

you leak a little, 

you put a band-aid on it

and give it a kiss.

If you put enough band-aids on

there won’t be anymore places to crack,

Every time you kiss it, you leave a bit of waxy lipstick buildup. 

Someday you will have an exceptional texture and a fine patina.

anonymous

Oxford

Even before you enter the gates of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry these days, it’s obvious that there is heavy construction activity going on in and around this popular national monument and historic shrine. As I write this, part of the entrance is blocked for a new sidewalk and curb installation and, just inside the gate, you are directed off to the right to a temporary parking lot. The old parking lot and the public restrooms have been removed and the site is being prepared for the construction of a new Visitor and Education Center, scheduled to open in the fall of 2011.

Meanwhile, the statue of Orpheus, an important figure from Greek mythology, revered for his association with poetry and music, and in this case dedicated to Francis Scott Key, composer of the Star Spangled Banner, was swathed for a time in scaffolding. Both Orpheus and the statue of Lieutenant Colonel George Armistead, commander of the fort during the British Navel bombardment in 1814, were cleaned and treated with a custom wax coating to seal and protect their natural green patina. The same wax treatment was applied to the Francis Scott Key Plaque near the sally port entrance to the fort itself. These chores have been completed. The statues and plaque are looking sharp and await the completion and re-dedication of the new and expanded visitor facilities. Who knows, perhaps that clear blue sky in the “AFTER” image of Orpheus is an omen from the gods, foretelling a happy on-time and under-budget ending for the entire project. (Click images for larger views.)

For information about the company that did the restoration work on the statues and plague, click the ConservationArtisans.com link under the “Art” tab in the sidebar.

Copyright © 2009 Jim Sizemore.

Wildlife Fire Pit Review

Wildlife Fire Pit Feature

• Natural rust patina finish ages beautifully over t
• Safety ring surrounding fire pit also functions as
• footrest and handle. Deep drawn from a single piec
• rolled steel for years of durability. Comes fully
• Sturdy legs are welded in place to prevent pit fro

Wildlife Fire Pit Overview

This unique hand crafted firepit will warm you up when the sun goes down. Each firepit comes with a poker (to adjust wood and stir coals), BBQ grill (for the perfect outdoor meal) and a spark screen (to let the fire die down safely). The natural rust patina finish will age beautifully over time. Manufactured from cold-rolled steel for years of durability with sturdy legs that are welded in place to prevent the pit from wobbling. The decorative wildlife design is laser-cut into the side wall of the firepit allowing the glow of the fire to show through while an inner spark arrestor screen provides safety. Light a fire (in your Patina Products Fire Pit), and your patio will become your favorite room in the house!

Wildlife Fire Pit Specifications

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

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New Growth

Earrings from my Soul Searching series, these represent my new growth as a metalsmith.

Lots of different techniques here.  My first venture into Keum Boo. Keum Boo is a seriously cool technique that involves bonding very thin, 24 kt gold, to the surface of your metal.  The link I’ve given is to Wikipedia’s explanation and I think they’ve provided a good description of Keum Boo.

I kept the design pretty simple again.  I’m using Sterling Silver for the background and the ear wires.  The texture I created on the sterling was done with the use of my Pepe rolling mill and a piece of fabric.  I am so into creating textures on metal.  Looking at mesh for screen, lamp shades, artificial flowers, well…I look for pieces I can use to texture metal just about anywhere!

Once I had the texture in place, then I filed the edges so they would be smooth.  I added a line to represent the branch for the leaves.  The lines were created with a very tiny diamond coated bit and my new Foredom.

The sterling needs to be annealed several times to bring the pure silver to the surface.  This provides the adhesion layer necessary for the Keum Boo to bond completely.

Time for the placement of the leaves, which are the Keum Boo part of these.  I traced the leaf design on the paper to use as a guide for cutting them.  Using my Joyce Chen Scissors, I was able to cut out these very small leaves.  If you have need for an ultra sharp pair of scissors, get some Joyce Chens.  They will cut chicken bones and you have to be VERY careful when you use them as they don’t distinguish between bone, fingers, or metal.  I can’t speak from personal experience on the injury front, but I have been instructed to be careful with them (thanks Lexi ) and I want to pass that information on to anyone who hasn’t used them.

Now we’re ready to bond the leaves to the surface.  Truly an interesting process.  Lexi is demonstrating how this is done and I’m watching, completely fascinated.  Now it’s my turn.  Wow.  She has one of those glass cook tops and that was our surface for heating the metal and then using a burnisher to gently rub the Keum Boo as it’s bonding to the surface of the silver.  Who would have thought!  Of course, as with anything, there is more than one way to do this.  I just never expected to put metal on a stove top and that would bond two layers of metal together!

Once the bonding is complete, we decided to add a patina to really have the gold stand out.  Well, after all, it is gold and no matter how small, one should be able to see it.

Another technique Lexi showed me was how to create those cute little balls on the end of the ear wires.  I did have fun doing this on my own and will be incorporating this into more of my work.  I added patina to the ear wires (also sterling silver) so they would match the earrings.

Ever since my Creative Block break through, I have been literally consumed with trying new things and variations on techniques I already know.  Metalwork is truly fascinating to me.  These earrings do symbolize my New Growth as a metalwork artist.

Until next time, aspire to be more as an Artist and a Person.

Silver Jewelry by Lulu Bug Jewelry. I sooo want the Speak Love necklace! Check out her blog too if you get a chance =o)

Mais um módulo do curso de Holandês que termina e eu de férias por quase 2 semanas. É impossível ficar sem nada pra fazer quando se mora numa casa em reforma.

A última coisa que esperava ‘reformar’ por agora seria a escada, porque até então pensávamos em instalar uma nova. Mais resolvi lixar a escada e pintar pra ver no que daria. E não é que estou gostando do resultado?!

Essa collage é de fotos que tirei hoje de manhã, da pintura de ontem, só não fui mais a frente porque já eram quase 22h.

O ‘passo-a-passo’:

-Passei um oléo que amolece o verniz:
-Esperei cerca de meia-hora;
-Lixei a escada toda;
-Limpei e tirei o pó;
-E ai é só começar a pintura usando tinta acrílica
-Se preferir, pode passar um verniz incolor depois da pintura.

Assim que tiver pronta, posto mais fotos. Ontem fiz o mesmo processo pra lixar a borda de madeira da porta de vidro da cozinha, que será pintada provavelmente depois da escada.

Ontem também, peguei umas dicas super bacanas de como ‘reformar’ a minha mesa de jantar fazendo pátina, com a Cinthia, que sempre posta coisas legais sobre o que ela tem feito lá na casa dela, na Alemanha

Beijo e até a próxima!

Flower& Garden Fire Pit Review

Flower& Garden Fire Pit Feature

• Natural rust patina finish ages beautifully over t
• Portable design allows fire pit to move easily fro
• beach and beyond. Safety ring surrounding fire
• pit also functions as a footrest and handle
• Sturdy legs are welded in place to prevent pit fro

Flower& Garden Fire Pit Overview

30 Fire Pit Flower and Garden Fire pit Unique hand crafted fire pits to warm you up when the sun goes down. Natural rust patina finish ages beautifully over time Portable design allows fire pit to move easily from patio to beach and beyond Safety ring surrounding fire pit also functions as a footrest and handle Deep drawn from a single piece of cold-rolled steel for years of durability Sturdy legs are welded in place to prevent pit from wobbling Comes fully assembled Every Pit includes: Poker- to adjust wood and stir coals BBQ grill- for the perfect outdoor meal Spark screen – to let the fire die down safely

Flower& Garden Fire Pit Specifications

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

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Anybody else excited for Halloween? Consider this your decor alternative to traditional orange & black. (-Moe)

Gold Skull Box, $52, at Patina.

…ist wie ausgestorben montagsmorgens, Ende Oktober, der Marienplatz wie leer gefegt, ein paar Bauarbeiter betätigen Presslufthammer oder räumen Schutt weg oder stehen rauchend daneben, es wird langsam kühl draußen. Die Altstadt macht sich, bemerkt man durch Heidekraut vor dem Fenster des Post-Hotels, Mindelheim ist kaum wiederzuerkennen nach 20 Jahren, wie geleckt sieht alles aus, hatte früher irgendwie alles mehr Patina. Es gibt jetzt sogar ne Tiefgarage, hinterm Fässler-Bäcker geht es irgendwo rein, ist nicht riesig groß und auch nicht übermäßig beleuchtet am Abend, muss auch nicht sein, ab neun werden ohnehin die Bürgersteige hochgeklappt. Im Unterallgäu sind Parkgaragen noch Statussymbool, die Memminger haben sie schließlich auch, und die Kaufbeurer, eine ganze Batterie davon. Allemal Stoff für die Lokalzeitung, früher hätte man so einen Aussen-Termin vielleicht selbst gemacht, die größte Baufirma der Region weiht ein. Oder so. Früher. 20 Jahre Abitreffen nächstes Wochenende. Irgendwie schade, dass Brindisi dazwischenkommt. Gefeiert wird in Sontheim, mit Partner und Kind und Kegel, wer will, und wer was isst, bei dem großen Wiedersehen, steht seit Wochen fest. Generalstabsmäßig organisiert, das ganze, bemerkt man aus der Ferne. Hatte früher alles mehr Patina, irgendwie.