Ron took a class over the summer with Sam Alfano to hone his previously self taught skills in engraving. Ron now offers custom engraving on his hand made work. Here are some recent examples. Some of the work below is available for purchase. (If it is sold a custom piece could be made just for you!)
Latest from the studio. A fine and patient customer, we will just call him Walter, sent me a couple of artillery shells over a year ago. He wanted me to turn them into "trench art" with an Arts and Crafts flair. He also sent me a few pictures of a carved owl to inspire me on one of the vases on which the owl should be resting on the branch of a Juniper Tree similar to one that I had done on a previous vase (see the Summer 2006 issue of American Bungalow article on our studio - it is featured in there). For the second vase I did a variation on the Cathedral vase (this one has 5 flowers rather than 4). The shells were cut down by Walter to his desired height 10.5", and they are about 3.75" in diameter. They are finally ready to ship to a lucky (and pleasantly patient) Walter. Be careful when you tell an artist to take their time to get it just right. I think Leonardo carried the Mona Lisa around with him for 16 years before he finished (1503-1519).
This Is a recently crafted bracelet where the silver is melted on to the bronze using a technique we researched here in the studio based on the work of the Heintz Art Metal Shop in the early 1900's. No solder is used except on the bezel. A matte texture is added in the focal area of the bracelet. This was a custom job for a client. Although two were made, this is the sole survivor as one was sacrificed to experimentation.
These reproduction lamps were made recently for a custom order. They are carefully cut, assembled, and finally soldered. There are amber mica inserts secured under the shade which is riveted in place on to the lamp. An oil lamp vial insert is used to produce the light. This design obviously shows a Frank Lloyd Wright influence. It is not orginal to the time of the Inn's construction, but is old enough that the maker is no longer around. Cost for the construction of one of these lamps un-patinated is currently $850
It's that time of year again and we are again going to the Arts & Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn. I will post a recap when we get back.
Also in the news Ron recently installed the Parkdale Elementary Clock in the lobby of the East Aurora's School's new addition.
I never got around to posting this when I finished it, and I did not take a picture of it patinated. I did take a picture of it when it was all assembled and ready to clean up for the patina process. This vase has a 3" neck, with rolled rim and a hand raised bottom section. Overall height is 14" and the bottom section is about 6.5" wide. This is modeled after a Roycroft Vase designed by Victor Toothaker. There are of course variations. I had to make a bit of custom tooling for this. It also lacks my traditional chasing, but it is fairly true to the original in design. The major difference is in the lower section just below the rivets.
I took a great workshop with Dorothy Markert this weekend. I really enjoyed it, and I think I did an o.k. job. I'm not giving up metal work, in fact I plan on taking a weeklong class in engraving over the summer, but I will print again. Here is the fruits of my labor:
It is a 4 color screen print on faun colored paper. Dorothy took print #6, I will keep #1 for myself, and Mom is getting #8 for her birthday tomorrow. Mom often has gone to the Grove Park Inn Arts and Crafts Conference so this will be extremely meaningful.
I will again be going to the Conference and leading workshops myself. Who knows maybe I will make something up with a copper frame?
It was a rainy weekend. We spent the weekend in the booth where Ron demonstrated chasing by creating one of a kind silver ginkgo bracelets. These were well received and will probably lead to others in the future.
Ron will next teach two workshops at the Roycroft Campus Corporation's Copper Shop. These are currently sold out, but there is a wait list and he has added dates in April, July, and August of 2009 (these will fill up so you may want to plan ahead).
