I Can't Feel My Hands

I made some one of a kind never before seen, unless you have already seen them, hand made bronze roses. A thin piece of sheet metal the size of a sheet of letter paper is big enough to make several flowers.

I printed out some paper templates so that I could trace out the shape of each layer of pedals and make several flowers of a similar size.

After it's traced out I take a pair a tin snips and start cutting out the pedals. The edges are sharp and need to get filed down. Then I just repeat those steps for each layer of the flower making them slightly smaller and with less pedals.

Once everything is cut I need to hammer them flat and finish the material while it is all easily accessible. If I leave it as is then it will have a worn out patina and aged look. I can sand it to give it a bright brushed metal finish. Sanding and hammering the metal will give it a nice color and texture. I have also tried staining the metal which looks great but then you obviously loose all the bronze color of the metal. Sandblasting is my preferred method because it's quick easy and still gives it a bright golden color with a cool sandstone texture.

Next is the hand work out because I take a bunch of different shaped pliers and bend/shape the metal into the flower shape. Each layer is soldered together and then I have to clean off the discoloration from heating it. The last step is optional which is spray a clear coat on it to keep it from oxidizing and forming a patina again.