Hi Brad,
Your flower is beautiful. I am totally confused as to how that shape comes from a single piece of copper.
Frank

Hi up there.
I was too excited about doing it to remember to photo doc the process. Work on this form started two years ago. I got a little bit distracted with other forms. I'd forgotten about it until Geo Pepsi posted his deep flowers. This is his fault. This afternoon it just all came together just right. First you will need a banana, a piece of copper and a butterfly, I'm sending butterflies your way daily now.
I'll create a demo of this before your butterflies arrive.
Thanks again, Brad

When my hands have made something that pleases or inspires or puzzels anyone, If the work manages to somehow expand someones horizons, I've had a good day. Thank you Brad

great work brad, I am a big fan!

Matt,
I appreciate your encouraging words, Thanks. I'm always interested in what you are making. So what Jamaican? Brad

Peggy,
Yeah. Sometimes I look at what my hands have done and I'm so pleased. We won't talk about the other times, ok?
The patina is a result of considerable research and exploration, er play really. I've made the recipes available before, I've just given them names to help myself label the
containers. "Miracle one" is Miracle Grow Plant Food and ammonia. "Miracle two" is MGPF and vinegar. "Miracle three" is a combination of 1@2 application, (I like fuming) strengths and durations vary. Basically when I like it I'm done. If this wasn't fun I wouldn't be doing it. Work some, play some, let other people try to figure out the difference...thanks Brad

Brad,

It wouldn't have occurred to me to use Miracle Grow Plant Food in a patina. I'm definitely going to try it. Thanks!

Peggy

There are two kinds (maybe more) but there is the regular Miracle grow and then the rose food Miracle grow. The green or regular gives a greener patina and the rose will give a bluer patina just used by themselves.

warren
http://www.metalrecipes.com

Many of these off the shelf sorts, be they dry mix drain cleaners, fertilizers, . . . are just mixtures of standard reagents, like adding marbles to flour.
Look at the colors, sizes and shapes of the particles.
You could sort it if you wanted to.

This may seem off the wall but if size is involved, it is easily done, shape and color are harder.

Gene Olson
Sculptor
Elk River, MN

Just as the potters experiment with different color glazes,
lamp workers mix colors of glass, enamelists mix the frits, a painter plays with his pallet of color, or a water colorist adds salt or sugar to his canvas, Metalsmiths have opportunities to explore and experiment. Patinas are one of the places. What gets important? is to document your results. Make tests strips. Believe me it's frustrating to get a patina that you really enjoy and not be able to get it again. On the other hand just experimenting can be a lot of fun, That's OK too. Reading about them is very interesting. They are about the passing of time, the uniqueness of place and circumstance, and almost a religious experience in some cultures. Or on another level they are just pretty. That's OK too. Thing is, there is a whole 'nother world out there, beyond shiny. Perhaps a word of caution is in order here. There are things under your kitchen sink, in your potting shed and in the garage that should not be mixed together. Gain some basic knowledge about chemistry. FIRST. Some of those things can be very caustic, others harmful if breathed, others can start a fire. If you don't know. don't play...stop and ask.. Just one of the metalsmiths, Brad

Great Brad, plenty flowers coming out lately, must be spring time! Love the flower and its aquamarine patina. Could you tell what is the copper alloy, or is it pure copper? You`re turning into a patina chemist, watch don`t make up a bomb...Nelson.

Mele.
Thank you, it's a great day to hammer on some metal! Can't think of a better thing to do or a better way of doing it than to make it up as you go along. Looking forward to things unfolding for you. The metal is the best teacher.
Thanks again. Enjoy Brad

Mele,
The form is getting close. Mg's have five petals however. This fantasy flower only has four. It's the form I've been after for a while. It's a small matter to make one with five or six petals..I think so too. thanks Brad