Vessels and Boxes

What started out as an exercise in forming and welding aluminum sheet metal became this unique...vase? I traced patterns from a real pair of shoes and formed them in metal. The sole is a thicker piece of aluminum plate, plasma cut and bent. The sock was also formed from sheet aluminum, hammered into shape and welded along the seam. The sock's texture and ripples were formed with the techniques of repousse and chasing. All the components were TIG welded together, and the inside was coated with a thick rubber. The laces are steel cables. Used as a vase, this peculiar sculpture is sure to put a spring in your step. formed aluminum sheet metal sculpture formed aluminum sheet metal sculpture formed aluminum sheet metal sculpture

A friend gave me an old brass trumpet. The valves were busted so it didn't play. I don't play trumpet anyhow, but I was interested in the metalwork, so I sawed it into many pieces. I created some of my own new parts, the bent elbow pieces that make the corners, and silver soldered everything back together into this new compact trumpet design. Still does not play.

This 6 inch diameter copper bowl was hammered into shape from sheet metal using a process called raising. After the spherical form was created, it was filled with pitch and the rows of ridges were added using chasing and repousse tools. The dark patina is from a quick dip in liver of sulfur, then the surface was rubbed with fine steel wool to bring out the highlighted areas. Copper bowl raised from sheet metal with repousse and chasing

This 6 inch diameter copper bowl was hammered into shape from flat sheet metal using a process called raising. After the spherical form was created, it was filled with pitch and the divets were added using chasing and repousse tools. The dark patina is from a quick dip in liver of sulfur, then the surface was rubbed with fine steel wool to bring out the highlighted areas.

This copper and brass funeral urn has two inner vessels, for husband and wife. In this case the majority of the ashes were spread ceremoniously, and a small amount were saved for the small canisters. The texture on the copper is hammered in, the layers are plasma cut, stacked, and silver soldered together. Hammered Copper Funeral Urn

This abstract floral inspired copper and brass sculpture is constructed from formed and silver soldered sheet metal. Measures about 12 inches in length.

This copper mussel shell box was commissioned to hold a wedding ring. The ridges and texture were hammered into the sheet metal using the technique of repousse and chasing. The hinge is constructed of brass tubing and silver soldered in place. The dark patina is from liver of sulfur. Hinged copper mussel shell box

The lid to this brass box was created with the process of repousse and chasing. It slides into a hidden track along the top edge of the box, and it's quite challenging to figure out how it opens. The brass was darkened with a patina and buffed with fine steel wool to create highlights.

This box was originally created to hold my repousse and chasing tools but was later sold to a puzzle enthusiast. The box, puzzle panels, and hinges are brass and the rivets and puzzle frames are copper. The oversized hinges make the box feel very solid when opening and closing, and were initially designed to support the heavy repousse tools inside.