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
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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.
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2. The piece has been bent over.
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3. Forming with a domed hammer on a sand bag.
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4. Forming the "ears" over the stake shown on the left.
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5. Forming/planishing the sides on a ball stake.
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6. Forming the curved ridge of the beak on the stake shown on the left.
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7. The piece has been annealed an pickled. Here I am pushing the "ears" into a more upright position.
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8. Planishing the dome of the head.
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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.
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10. Final planishing on the sides.
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11. Starting the vine that will be used as the hanger. This is .047" silicon bronze sheet.
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12. Forming it into a conical tube, or "spiculum".
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13. The seam has been silver-soldered.