wrought iron shelves

allen chen - Saturday, June 23, 2007 - 10:12am

iron shelvesIron can be wrought to anything, right? I had an arguement with my friend, I said, I can make iron to anything; while he said,iron should be look like iron. So who will be on my side, ladies and gentlemen?

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iron-anything

B.J. Severtson - Saturday, June 23, 2007 - 1:00pm

Allen,
Iron can be a very ductile, plastic media. Wrought into many things. The question becomes " Should you? " To anyone that has built things from bamboo, This piece is instantly not made of bamboo. Since it's a pretender, your viewers question becomes which pretender is it made of? It's not bamboo at a glance because the material does not miter well. There are ways to do it, but there is alot of waste.
Iron bamboo is fantastic stuff, So is copper unpainted there is no question about it pretending to be something else. You have some excellent craftsmen in your factory. It is a pleasure to read you and see your work. Brad Sorry

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Your piece is done very

visitor - Saturday, June 23, 2007 - 5:12pm

Your piece is done very nicely, with attention to the details and design and the result is a visually pleasing piece. Good for you.I like it.

There's no sin in making steel into a bamboo-like configuration, with or without mitred joints. The plastic nature of steel allows working it into any number of shapes; leaves, feathers, bamboo, wood, bark, shells, etc. If we insist that iron only look like "natural" iron, we will be resitrictinig ourselves to making nothing but lumps of rust and bog-iron nodules, as those are the forms iron takes naturally.

I like the fact that you painted it to have a bamboo-like appearance, too. Too many metal workers fail to realize that finishing the surface of the piece is half the job.

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The preceding post is mine;

Rich Waugh - Saturday, June 23, 2007 - 5:15pm

The preceding post is mine; dunnno what happened to my log-in that time.

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like to see different views

allen chen - Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 12:18am

Thank you, B.J; Thank you Rich, I like to see different views; our world will be so boring, if all of us look things in the same way.

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totally agree

Paula - Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 11:19am

Allen, I totally agree with that statement!

Paula

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Iron Bamboo....

SteelyJan - Monday, June 25, 2007 - 8:05am

Hi Allen,

Love these shelves... I've done alot of asian inspired pieces. I have some clients who collect oriental art and many years ago did an amazing dining set for them. I'll try to dig up a picture and post it. Now for the peanut gallery comment. For me it's a little too painted . I stopped painting metal awhile ago. Unless it's a bronze paint that I can highlight. I prefer a stained coloration.. Mixing color with a sealer or powdered colors rubbed on. But that's my preference. Anyway you also have to go with what youre clients want.... I do love the piece... Janet R.

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bamboo

Cassandra - Monday, June 25, 2007 - 9:52am

Allen, I am a big bamboo fan and I like your shelves very much. With that said I would have to agree with Janet about the exterior, and I wonder what these would look like with a green patina and a color tinted resin. I don't know much about patinas for iron, but I imagine these shelves would look a little less like bamboo and a little more like fine art if you let the metal show through more. Just depends on what you are going for. Bamboo is more commonly found and is a gorgeous material to work with, but metal is an impressive one. Just a thought, Cass

www.tanzende.com

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Thank you Janet, thank you

allen chen - Monday, June 25, 2007 - 10:23pm

Thank you Janet, thank you Cass, actually I noticed the problem myself too--"there was a little too painted". Thank you again for your criticism.

Janet, what do you think is the best way and common way to protect the architectural iron works, especially ourdoors. I mean for antirust process?

Allen

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Only One Way As Far As I Know !

SteelyJan - Tuesday, June 26, 2007 - 7:54am

Hi Allen,

We really weren't critizing your work. It's just a preference. And it solves the case in point of someone thinking you shouldn't be duplicating another material.
Oh, now for the real question.... unfortunately any outdoor railings (as far as I know) need a heavy duty primer, red lead used to be a good one but it's banned here in the U.S.(although you can find it here and there) and then paint. I always use a bronze colored paint with a rust inhibitor. It I can I'll try to buff some powdered highlighter on so it gives it alittle more depth.Paul Hill had a formula on his post,Japapn drier ,linseed oil and something else. I printed it out for myself. Try it. Really nice chatting with you .Are you actually in China now? And where? Janet

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of myself

allen chen - Wednesday, June 27, 2007 - 12:20am

Hi Janet,

Thank you so much for your information. Yes I am Chinese and I am actually in Fujian province of China; running my own factory of 32,280 sq.ft plant; exporting to US, Japan, and Australia.

How often do you travel to China?

Allen

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The Answer Is Never

SteelyJan - Wednesday, June 27, 2007 - 1:58pm

Hi Allen,
I hate to admit this but I've never been to China.... yet. I would love to visit someday. So does your factory export only ironworks or other products.You look very young to be in charge of all this .WOW! It's so amazing to be talking with someone so far away. You really understand English so well. It's great talking to you.
Janet R.

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