I think it is worthy.

Something I've been contending with is the discussion with myself of 'am I making it for me or for other's taste and judgement?'

having done a roundy round on two on that subject, I've decided that I'm making it for me. One result is I don't make ornaments or trinkets.. the other is I don't sell a great deal of what I've made.

Best of luck with the show.

Jim Adams

Hi Lorrie and Welcome!!!
This is a very nice piece...one comment. I was never one for the swirly steel effect. I think the swirling of the steel takes away a bit from your inset design which is beautiful.
Try using a flap sander in one direction or an orbital sander which will make the steel a matte finish. just my opinion. other then that I really like the design! SteelyJan

beauty is in the eye of the beholder! SteelyJan

Lorrie,
Quite a bit different type of work. Kind of interesting. I agree too with no swirls, kind of old style.
Also what Peter mentioned about maybe patina of the steel. Many ways to go to for patina of the copper inserts.

www Metalrecipes-- heat and beat to the desired shape, repeat as necessary.

warren

I like the combination of natural steel and copper. I wouldn't put a patina on this one....I think it works well together.
I've been doing alot of small pieces with natural steel + patinaed steel. It works for me. Feel good...because everyone likes this piece and it's created quite a discussion!
SteelyJan

Jamie,
Thanks for the nice comments. I can't believe it was this well received for my first piece. I had it all planned out in my head, but ya never know what it's gonna look like in real life. I actually had the surface grind pretty smooth, but then I put the same buffing wheel back on to touch up some areas, and the damb pattern changed, so I went with the swirls to get the thing done. I love crisp, clean metal, so I'm stepping out of my zone with the swirls. I'm still very new to all of this, but metal is my media of choice and I'm sticking with it. I just made my first small repousse piece and have a long way to go with it. My fingers are totally numb! Do you have any tips on how to properly photo these pieces to upload? Lighting, background?
Take care-Lorrie

Hi Lorrie,

I started out doing metal sculpture...that's what my whole business was founded on, but circumstances took me down a different path, although not too different.

I now create jewelry in sterling silver. I took some workshops in Ireland with a Master Silversmith, and am currently being taught the craft by a jewelry designer from England who is local down in L.A.

As a result of this jewelry venture, I have taught myself how to take pictures of the jewelry I make. Not having tons of $$$$$ to spend on a professional photographer I have tried different light settings, props, and backgrounds. Sterling silver is hard to photograph, as well as any shinny metal surface due to the burn out from the flash, and reflective bright light, so I found that natural diffused lighting works the best on black backgrounds. I like to use leather, or black satin finished wood. Of course this is with jewelry, so I would experiment with sculptures to see what works best.

I don't know much about photography, but I do know what I like, and experiment according to that.

I hope that helps...maybe soon I'll be able to do a sculpture, although I do have some bowls from Ireland that I made...maybe I'll post those soon.

Cheers!

Jamie Santellano