Hi Rob,
Thanks for the encouragement.I'm forcing myself to move in different directions.A bird seemed to be a good candidate for this medium.My wife is relieved that I'm making an animal sculpture instead of a monster.
Frank

Hi Nelson,
As I loomed over the silverware drawer, my wife slowly lifted her head and said NO!I just hit St. Vinnies last week and scored sixty knives. Once in a while a spoon will turn into fireworks when I try welding it. Must be a zinc alloy.
Frank

Hi J.R.,
Your humor was so thick I could cut it with a knife. Actually there are a few forks if there. Just the handles though.
If you don't have a sense of humor, you don't have any sense.
I was merciful to two spoons and they are now in my silver-ware drawer. Parfait spoons. I washed them many times first.
Thanks..
Peace,eh?
Frank

Hey, I'm impressed.... not that matters a whole lot.... sounds like i may have a bird/eagle sculptor job coming up... never having made one on a large scale and since u've got a great start... u have any advice for someone about to attempt this?

Paula
Guthrie, MN

Hi Paula,
Funny you should ask suggestions from me. If I could make a bird as fine as your "Bluebird", I'd be doing well indeed.
This is my very first attempt at any bird. I sure wish I had a real one to view, or at least a skeleton.I made my armature too thick for spoons to go over and still remain proportioned correctly. I should have made a small clay model first.I'm still trying to figure out how to mount this thing.At least the attachment point is very strong as it is where around eight 1/4" rods join.So... that's a few of my boo boos you might avoid.I hope I was some help.
Frank

Frank,
What size of armature would u have used to begin with? I'm thinking of doing a paper mock up first since i plan to use sheet metal for the feathers and what not.... i'm not sure yet as to what to start with as far as the skeleton... do u have any photos of when u first started u'r bird?

I'll say it again....i'm impressed with u'r bird... i think u'r doing really well....

Paula
Guthrie, MN

Hi Paula,
The armature I made was just about right as far as how big around it should be. When I attached the spoons to this, I added at least an inch in the girth. The spoon has that convex shape plus I overlapped the spoons like shingles or shakes.

The 1/4" rod works quite well making the armature. I bent pieces of rod to describe the profile of the body and head.Then I made formers or components of the armature that ran perpendicular. These look more like circles.Then added more of the long pieces that fit between the first four.You don't need many formers. As I welded on the spoons, I added pieces that were perpendicular to the long pieces to provide a place to weld the spoons. These little pieces were fitted flush with the long profile defining rods.They also add considerable strength to the structure.I have no pictures, sorry.
Aluminum wire can be used to determine the shape of the of each 1/4" rod. It bends quite easily and provides a template.I hope this was helpful.
Frank

Thanks Frank, it does help. At least it gives me some sort of starting point. I'm a bit nervous even attempting this job since it's totally artistic.. not a whole lot of 'function' to it except to look at it... The blue bird was small enough to fit in your hand, this is a lot bigger, so i'm thinking more complicated... thanks for your help!
Paula
Guthrie, MN

birds of a feather,

longer, shorter, larger, smaller, but pretty much the same distribution. Cept for those weird courtin' bangles and such.

gobble gobble!

I'm sure you're right Gene... but i always get a little nervous when starting a new job.... it is what it is... :)
Paula
Guthrie, MN

Frank,
I love your bird, what an amazing use of flatware!
I think it's wonderful and no need for a model. It's your mind and your vision. Absolutely love it! Janet R.

Hi Janet,
I must tell you that I used images of birds to figure out how make this project.If it came directly from my mind it would have been just too weird.
Frank

Hi Jake,
Thanks for the compliment.I think spoons might make a great fish or snake too.Hmmmmm.
Frank

Hi Qui Que,
Thank you for the kind words.
Frank

Great job keep posting pictures can't wait to see the rest of it

Hi Jim,
Thanks. I'll keep picking away.
Frank

Frank, your bird is outstanding!! You did a great job of making everything fit together. Very life like. With the feathers around the head kinda puffed out it reminds me of a Harpy Eagle.
Look forward to seeing it finished. Thanks for the picture

This is the first sculpture I have ever seen made from table ware.

Steve

Hi Steve,
Thanks. I've seen a few spoons used in other sculptures. It is,by no means, an original idea on my part, just my take on the medium.
Frank

Hi Mele,
Thanks. I always look at all the pictures first when I read something. Then the big print. Then the little print.
Frank

Hi Fred,
Thank you very much. I was quite discouraged at several stages of this project; but when I stood back some distance and looked at it, I was surprised. I believe the human mind compensates for inconsistencies and makes things appear as we would expect them to be.
Frank