More spicula

[afmetalsmith]

I have spiculum #2 mostly soldered; a couple of places need a bit more. I am, however, very happy indeed with the fit of the edges. It's going to need a lot less clean-up than #1.

And I have commenced the clean-up on #1. Also the shaping is done, or close to done. I've done as much as it makes sense to do, since I don't know what I'll be using it for! I do have a couple of notions, which I will be contemplating. It will probably be a brooch of some sort.

Tomorrow I plan on doing some enameling. No, really. :) I have things to work on, and a metric ton of test/sample tiles to do of new colors. :P

Comments

[medvssa.livejournal.com]

That was me, btw...

[afmetalsmith.livejournal.com]

OK- no problem! I've ended up posting anonymously sometimes when my browser of LJ signs me out and I hadn't noticed...

So I'll reply here. A spiculum is basically a tapered tube. It's often double-tapered, so it's got a wide part in the center, and is smaller at both ends. It's got some flex to it if one then makes it into a curve, though (if I had to guess) probably not as much as a similar shape made via anticlastic raising. I want to try that, though!

While the shape is pretty and usually graceful, I think a spiculum in and of itself is mostly interesting as a shaping and fabrication challenge to metalsmiths. It's my guess that most practical applications can probably be done at least equally well with anticlastic raising (where the cross-section is basically a saddle-shape).

But! Having now done a small but pretty decent spiculum (well, done when it get the rest of the seam soldered and the thing shaped), I feel I can rest on my spiculum laurels and head on into anticlastic raising with that background. Not like anyone except me cares, of course. :)

I still need to figure out what to do with the damn things!

[afmetalsmith.livejournal.com]

Also: I HATEhatehate doing sample tiles. However, I very much like having sample tiles to consult when I am designing. So, eventually, I do make the damn things.

I probably need to make somewhere between 50 and 75, which is depressing and discouraging. :P

[medvssa.livejournal.com]

I am in the same situation, they are boring to do (and you have to wash colours for them all! argh) plus I like them complex to cover any possibility (if I do them, at least make them as useful as possible) which takes even longer...
I don't want to count how many I have left because that would be discouraging indeed.

[medvssa.livejournal.com]

Sounds very cool :)