Give to me some critic

**Kitchenjeweller** · 05-04-2011, 07:49 AM

Many my ideas comes from what I see. Is this too clumsy?What You Think?

**ps_bond** · 05-04-2011, 09:43 AM

It's difficult to tell the scale without it being modelled - static, it doesn't look too clumsy to me, but it would be better to see it in situ.

I'm trying to work out if I like the leaves meeting in opposition (like a wreath), or if I'd prefer them all in the same direction, like ivy... I'd personally go for putting a small amount of veining in with a narrow punch, but that's just my preference.

**Goldsmith** · 05-04-2011, 10:10 AM

I would agree with Peter, the leaves need some veining to give them life. I did a short photo tutorial about how I shape a leaf on the GOJD site, take a look.
http://www.guildofjewellerydesigners.co.uk/ and do a search for "Making a Metal Leaf"
James

**ps_bond** · 05-04-2011, 10:17 AM

I keep meaning to ask you James - what do you use as a barrier between your lead blocks & the work when you're punching?

**Goldsmith** · 05-04-2011, 10:46 AM

Peter, I usually don't use anything between the work and the lead block, I have three lead blocks and I keep re melting them so that they stay fresh. The trouble with lead blocks usually starts when a block is used too much and the surface starts flaking, but I find that regular re melting keeps the surface of mine soft and usable.
I always clean any items with my scratch brush before any annealing though, just in case I miss any possible lead flakes on the job as we all know what happens when you anneal a job with lead on it.

**Kitchenjeweller** · 05-04-2011, 02:27 PM

Thank You for Your input Peter and James. I appreciate Your opinions. In same time I see that my finger was again faster than my brain. For future works I must do couple of punches,hammers and engravers because I belive that way I can find my tools soul.
James, I raise my hat for You. I read Your interview from Gojd site too. Can I give You an tiny seed to think as You are talented in photography also. Maybe You can make some video tutorials. I know that videos cant ever teach so much as Master by Your side but it can help.

**Joe** · 05-04-2011, 08:07 PM

I'm not sure that reticulation works with the leaf. I think that leaves (like branches and shoots) tend to embody order (fixed patterns of veins; regular curves) in contrast with say bark and soil and the overall flow of leaves on a tree. Also as Peter noted, the meeting of the leaves suggests two branches joining in opposition.

But I really like the way these two things provoke a reaction - this sort of movement from convention is exciting could work amazingly well in other forms!

**Dennis** · 06-04-2011, 05:45 AM

A low skill method of making realistic creases in leaves after reticulation, is to place a small knife accurately and hit the back with a hammer. I use a watch opening knife and lay my metal on a thick piece of rubber(as used for shoe Repairs). regards, Dennis.

**Di Sandland** · 06-04-2011, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by Dennis

A low skill method of making realistic creases in leaves after reticulation, is to place a small knife accurately and hit the back with a hammer. I use a watch opening knife and lay my metal on a thick piece of rubber(as used for shoe Repairs). regards, Dennis.

I don't think there's anything 'low-skill' about those Dennis ;-)