Home / Recent Work / Phantom Owl, 2017, Copper, Bronze, Wood, 10" x 7" x 16" / Phantom Owl, how it was made 25
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The Finished Piece
1. Starting with this piece of 16 gauge copper sheet, cut out and annealed. It's the same pattern I use for the first owl (Home / Recent Work / Owl, 2015, Brass and Copper, 8" x 6" x 10") but enlarged a bit.
2. The piece has been bent over.
3. Forming with a domed hammer on a sand bag.
4. Forming the "ears" over the stake shown on the left.
5. Forming/planishing the sides on a ball stake.
6. Forming the curved ridge of the beak on the stake shown on the left.
7. The piece has been annealed an pickled. Here I am pushing the "ears" into a more upright position. 
8. Planishing the dome of the head.
9. Using the special tool shown on the left, and a V-shaped punch, with the copper piece precariously balanced on my leg, to better define and curve the beak.
10. Final planishing on the sides.
11. Starting the vine that will be used as the hanger. This is .047" silicon bronze sheet.
12. Forming it into a conical tube, or "spiculum".
13. The seam has been silver-soldered.