The Key.

[LydiaNiz]

I love Dawg!!!
I swing between working in my 'comfort zone' for a while, then trying too many new techniques at once! Must get a better balance.
I made a series of simple keys - this one has my very first attempt at tube setting on - hope this doesn't come out massive :-S

[snow_imp]

Ooh Lydia - loving that key!

[Joe]

Hi-jacking your thread Dennis, but this piece is interesting (and ties with the findings thing).

If this key was my piece, I would have really fretted about the shape at the ends of the wires and how the main shaft connects to the curve. And I would have been 'wrong' because the sum of this piece is really lovely again! Those small things just disappear when holding the whole... I have really got to stop focusing on the fine detail!! Perhaps I should throw my x10 eyepiece away!

Does anyone else over-egg their pud? I could do with someone hovering over me and pulling stuff off my pin saying "That'll do, get on with the next one!"

[Dennis]

Joe and Lydia,
I hate to pull someone else's work to pieces: 'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone'.
However the only unresolved problem I see is that in use the loop of the key might look better suspended by its centre. This could be done by adding a jump ring to the top, either flat or at right- angles (key sticks out or key lies flat). Alternatively the bezel could be connected only on its lower side, leaving a space above for the chain to find a more central position. These are problems I mull over endlessly when I can't sleep at night.
Lydia might say: 'It's my bloody key and I'll hang it any which way I like'. And she would be right. Let me know what youall think, Dennis.

[Di Sandland]

Dennis, I agree about the way the key hangs, I've been trying to visualise how it would look when suspended because there's a great appetite for things to be hung asymetrically. On this piece tho, I don't think that looks 'designed in.' Maybe I am totally wrong! Whatever, the key itself works beautifully and I would be delighted if it were mine.

As to losing sleep over functions and fabrications - I am so glad it's not just me. I worry away through the dark hours, mostly at the best way to link elements without using jump rings. My current project has been unassembled on my bench for a couple of weeks (but I think I might finally have sussed it)...

[MuranoSilver]

Love the "twiddly bits" on the top of the key ~
Nic xx

[Dennis]

Following my post in July, I thought you might like to see the key pendant I made during the summer. Once it is being worn I can distance myself from my work and I thought it looked quite good on. It has now gone off to foreign parts.

The “Bit” was curved around a wooden chopstick in a soft jawed vice. Chopsticks made of cane, are among my favourite safe tools. The “Shank” was turned from 4.00 mm rod in a mini lathe. The “Bow” was scribed with dividers and the holes drilled out. Two tube set garnets are back to back, so that the key can be viewed from either side.

I have taken a leaf out of Lydia’s book and hung it on one side, but it hooks on from behind and can be changed at will. Dennis.

[snow_imp]

Looks lovely - as ever!

[Dennis]

I was surprised to find that Tiffany & Co. were advertising some key pendants on p.3 of The Times today. Nothing like this has been around for a while and one of them has some points in common with mine, above.
What causes the sudden flare of fashion? I know that trees can communicate via their roots. It can’t be that, so is it telepathy? I am confident that by the end of the year there will be near copies on the High Street. Dennis.

[Mia]

Wonderful work Dennis.
Regards, Mia