Follow thru as Bill takes a piece from a request or an idea to a completed piece. This piece was requested to be presented as a 20th anniversary gift to a piano accompanist.
First, the request. ...We would like a special piece to present to Connie in appreciation for being the dedicated piano accompanist for the Suncook Valley Chorale for 20 years. Maybe something with flowers. What would you suggest?
Bill gets his creative juices flowing and comes up with the following design mock up.
The Request - something with flowers
The Suggestion - her birthday flower, which happens to be the daffodil, and also a lovely sign on spring.
Because of her love of music, Bill suggested a border of music notes.
Paper mock up of pattern - 3 copies are made for reference and to paste to selected glass
Glass is selected, cut, ground, copper foil adhered, and the pieces fitted together.
-Each piece of glass is selected and placed to create "the picture".
-Pattern is copied and each piece of pattern cut out and glued to each little piece of glass.
-Glass is cut, ground, foiled with copper foil and fitted together.
-This shows the piece ready to be soldered.
Bill solders first side of piece. Piece is held together with frame and pins
Final touch-ups are done to complete front of piece
The piece is carefully flipped over to begin soldering the other side.
The piece is carefully placed back down and pinned into place to stabilize.
Looks done? Not yet. Needs to be framed and hangers attached.
A frame is measured and cut from zinc came and soldered on.
Black patina finish is applied after the piece has been framed, and hanging loops are soldered on. The piece is then cleaned, washed and waxed.
A finished piece - with 123 piano keys as a border and spring daffodils in the center.
September 2011
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