From time to time I like to make presents for people. I don’t do this too often; I wouldn’t want to become predictable (and I sometimes feel it’s a bit of a cop out when I spend every day making stuff) but I do like my friends to have something of mine. It also makes a nice change to produce something just for fun, instead of thinking about profits and marketing, bla, bla, bla.
This week two of my friends had a birthday on the same day! Not much of a coincidence as it turns out, as they are twins, and this happens every year. Knowing that they both like birds, I decided to make a couple of pendants for them, which I dutifully photographed so I could share the process with you.
I drew out my bird design, and then patterned some brass using the rolling mill and some lace:
Cutting out the birds:
Here all the parts are cut out and filed; two birds and two silver discs with my friends’ initials punched. I’ve drilled holes read to attach jump rings.
To emphasise the texture on the birds, I painted them with an oxidising solution, before polishing the surface:
Polish lots and add chains to and this is what you get!
I’m pretty pleased with them, and my friends liked them too, which is the most important thing.
s.
