Small Hand-Beaten Silver Rose

This is a small silver rose I've been trying to make, one of the trickiest things I've ever tried, it's only the 2nd time I've tried playing with silver and the 1st time I've beaten it so I'm still not really sure what I'm doing! The pictures start at the 5th set of petals, the next picture shows 8 sets with the 9th being formed although I think I've uploaded them in reverse. The petals are cut from a strip of silver with a sharp chisel, then beaten and textured with a blunt chisel before being heat joined together. This is the tough bit, normally parts like this would be soldered but a) I wanted it to be pure (sterling) silver and b) I don't have any solder. Instead I'm having to heat it to just under 1000 degrees until the silver is just starting to melt and then trying to limit the melting to the place I want to join. I've lost a few petals as the silver turned molten in the blink of an eye. Still outer 'scale' petals to form and a stem, I'm not sure how to make the stem yet...
   

Green Man, Skeleton and Goddess Piano Keys and an Oak (deep relief) Scandinavian Knot-work Carving

It's been a long time since my last post... Over a year in fact and what a wait... 

On the positives I was accepted into the Guild of Master Craftsmen, my work was featured in Britain's best-selling woodworking magazine as well as blogs & magazines in Holland & Russia and some very well known film and photography studios were added to my client list..

 On the downside an unfortunate chain of events in my neighbouring workshops, followed by a fire led me to make the difficult decision to vacate my workshop, sell my tools and put all materials into storage. And that's how it's been for over 10 months now. A long wait trying to find a new workspace. At the time when I should have been working more than I've ever worked before, I've had to sit on the sidelines, watching and waiting.... But, the time hasn't been spent idly!!! I've learnt a new skill. One I never dreamed I would be able to master - although I have a long way to go before I can also call myself a Master of carving, I think you'll agree; I've certainly made a good start.

Burr Oak, Deep Relief Carving. Awaiting a poem,

Green Man, carved in Walnut...

...40 Oak leaves wrapped round his head.  

'White Goddess' carved from a 3.5" x 0.5" Ebony piano key

...A little bit of work left..

Anatomically correct Skeleton Key...

...also carved from a 3.5" Ebony piano key. Almost finished..

...but still a little work to go.

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