This is a sterling silver miniature birdcage I made when I was in my first year of art school, learning to become a metalsmith. I don't even want to think about how long ago that was now. I really learned to silver solder when I made this cage. It is built it out of 22 gauge round wire and 1/32 inch square stock and sheet silver. As you see it has a drawer that can be pulled out to clean it.
I drilled holes into the 1/32 inch stock using my Unimat (set up as a drill press) to thread the 22 gauge wire through. Every joint is silver soldered together (with a torch). The perches were turned out of ebony on my Unimat set up as a lathe.
It is not my finest work obviously but it holds so many memories for me which are more important than the piece itself. I think after all these years it might be time for a new news paper to cover the bottom.
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I cannot imagine the time that has gone into this piece Catherine, it is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThere was recently a post on another blog (Cozy Little House) that featured a mini birdcage, the bottom of that was lined with sheet music, perhaps that would be more fitting for this fabulous piece than mere newspaper!
There is a picture of it, and a link to Cozy Litte House on my blog in a post dated 1 March if you want to take a look at it :)
Oh, my gosh! I absolutely love it! So pretty and it looks absolutely perfect to me! Oh, how I would love one of those for my projects! If you ever sell them (though I am sure I couldn't afford sterling!) I will have to put it on my list!
ReplyDeleteJody
Incredible work. Glad I found your blog.
ReplyDeleteAmy