FMP A Busy Week 28th to the 30th April

A Busy Week 27th to the 30th April

One week left. I have a busy week to get lots of little things done, starting with my sorting out the last bits of my locket.

I needed to make the back for my locket. I had to accurately draw up the plans for the back with precise measurements to fit round the cast glass. I had to pick which of the two I wanted for my final piece. Having chosen this, I then had to measure the glass at every angle. By laying it flat on the copper, I was able to mark out the point I needed to cut with the glass as a guide. I had to take into consideration not only the width of the glass, but the depth as well, making sure I have enough copper to wrap round the glass so that it would be secure when worn. I didn't want the glass to be covered by the copper too much, as it is one of the main features. I had only the sides of the glass held in place with the copper. I also cut the centre of the backing out to allow the light to pass through the glass. When worn, it would give different effects and colours to the glass.

 

With a lot of time dedicated to planning how the back would look, and working out the right sizing, I had to work quickly in making the item before the week was finished. I drew out my design on the copper, which I covered in masking tape. This was so that I didn't scratch the metal. As well, I would be able to draw out my template without marking the copper.

Once I had the template cut out using the hand saw, I could the file the edges down and bend the copper so that the glass would be fixed safely. I did this by first marking the line where the copper must bend. I then placed the copper into a clamp. I had to place the same part of the copper into a different clamp that was made of two pieces of wood. This was the final stage and once the metal was removed from the wooden clamp, I repeated this for the other side. With a little adjusting, the back of the locket was finished.

The back now finished, I could cut out the small independent parts of my locket. That would be the finishing touches to the front. These were very fiddly and had to be measured to fit round the front of the locket to create a frame for the window. This would give it more of a decorative feel, as well as a finished professional look.

This task was broken up into many different sets, all of which were time consuming and fiddly to do. The measuring was first. I had made a couple of test pieces to understand the size and with of the weight that is needed for each side. With the sizing sorted out, I could then make the pieces. I started by cutting the first one out with the guillotine. I was careful to cut the copper without cutting too much off. Once the piece was cut, I then used the file to smooth the edges and get a more defined shape. Having spent some time getting the shape I wanted, I could then use the clamp to mould the copper so I would be able to secure the smaller pieces to the front. Before I dent the copper, I had to measure the point where I wanted the bend to be. I placed the smaller piece up against the front, marking the line out on the masking tape. The line marked out, I then knew where to make the bend so that I could place the copper carefully in the metal clamp. I then carefully moulded the copper. Having bent the copper so far, I had to the place the all copper in the clamp so that I could close the two ends together. I placed a small copper rod between the two sides of the copper, so that it wouldn't close completely.

 

Once I had done one section, all I had to do was repeat the process three more times. This was a difficult thing to do because of the size of the metal I was working with. This meant it was more time consuming than other parts.

After having made all the parts for the one locket, I now know that I wont be able to make a second. With that in mind, I have to think of other ways to make lockets with the ones I already have. I thought of making different backs to the one I already have. This would then give me the chance to show Marriyah different shapes that she might like, to make sure she's happy with the locket.