- learning the trade
I’ve been spending quite a bit of my time on the workbench lately. Learning the trade has been more enjoyable than I had anticipated. I figured arriving at the point my dad is at would be great fun, but assumed the learning process would be drudgery. I am most happy to be proved wrong in this case.
I have now created five pieces almost entirely on my own. I carve, cut, drill, sand, polish, but have yet to solder or rivet. Honestly, I am a bit afraid of the flame. My work includes one pendant, one ring, one bracelet, and two pairs of earrings. In fact, the photograph posted pictures me working on my newest piece, a set of silver earrings.
The image also includes a sneak peak at one of the newest Civies tees! Pictures to be posted on the website soon. We have something special up our sleeves concerning our Spring/Summer collection photography! New tees are available at Root.
- A Whimsy from Sprout
There is a new flower store in Fredericksburg called Sprout. My favorite thing in the store are these little flower arrangements called Whimsies. They are so um…well…whimsical. The compact arrangements come in a variety of colors in little tin vases arranged by my friends Michelle and Rhoda. I recently purchased one for my mom’s birthday. Whimsies are $15, but if you bring back the vase you can refill it for only $10! Who doesn’t want a little whimsy in their life? :)
- press check
Rach and I ventured to Austin today for a press check. All went great! New tees coming soon!!!
- the story of a wood ring
A wood ring, it’s a great idea. I had been throwing it around in my mind for some time when a customer mentioned it to me as well. I began sketching to figure things out. How would I craft it? It needs to be a perfect combination of strength and beauty. Would I carve the silver base from wax or form it directly from the metal?
I began with wax. As I shaped the ring, it began to look a bit stuffy, too refined. Wood is a very earthy material and I thought it would be most complemented by a less sophisticated hand cut ring base. My first try at this second approach I found too crude. The second attempt I felt worthy to carry through to the end. I gathered the pieces, a hand carved silver flower with rivet, cocobolo wood circle, silver circle and ring band. For the next steps, I had to enlist the help of my teacher, Dad.
First, he hammered the ring band into a circle and filed the edges flat, in preparation for soldering onto the silver circle. Next, we traveled to the soldering bench, soldered, and then placed the ring in the pickle- a chemical cleaning solution. Then Dad sanded the ring while I polished the wood with a hand-held buffing tool. Laura polished the silver pieces and then it was time to assemble.
The silver flower was cast with a small rivet centered on its back. I inserted it though the holes I had drilled in the wood and silver ring base. Then Dad placed it on the ring sizer and hammered the top until the rivet expanded and flattened out, securing all the pieces in their place. Tada!!! The ring was complete. All in all I am pleased. There are a few changes I might make before it hits the line. I’ll let you know when it’s available.
- Tiny Chair
This is the chair I made today. A chaise, really. Suitable for our friend, Pedro, who you may get to know in the future. Or more likely, this is a chair of potential. A chair of what could be. (Mom, this is what your new outdoor cushions will look like!)
- may i introduce April
She never leaves the studio, quite dedicated I’d say. You might of seen her at the Civies Christmas Party, she was there. May I introduce April, the Civies mannequin.
April likes to stand in front of the far right window. She usually wears a Civies tee, sometimes nothing, which always makes Christian feel a bit uncomfortable. She’s immodest, a trait she picked up from the early years as a topless dancer no doubt. But hey, we all make mistakes, we are just glad she is on the up and up. She’ll tell you she first began wearing shirts again after she layed eyes on the Civies prints. We are glad to have helped. Drop into to see her sometime, April loves a good chat!