November 19, 201411 yr I had a commission for 20 leaf keyrings. This is the way I do mine, but I would be interested to see how others make them.I find 12mm round stock to be good for long skinny gumleaves, but I prefer 12mm square for leaves with a bit more body.I chisel in the veins but I might try getting a stronger midrib by folding. Sometimes I thicken the stem and punch a small hole for the ring, but these are just drawn out and curled.So how do you do yours?
November 19, 201411 yr Some of my early attempts.....I'd like to think my later ones look a little better. Made from 5/16" round stock, colored with Gilder's Paste.
November 19, 201411 yr Author Wow, some nice work there. I like the idea of the curl on the end of the loop - gives a nice finish. never heard of Gilder's paste, but the colours are great. And well done with the rack - mounting screws included!
November 19, 201411 yr I make mine from 10mm square stock. I try to make mine with a positive raised vein instead of the more common chiseled vein. Leaves don't really interest me, I just do them cos people expect them.
November 20, 201411 yr Author Joel, your leaves have great shape. A lot of drawing out in those curled loops. Now, what is your method for raising the vein? Doesn't look folded.
November 21, 201411 yr Thanks. Since taking that pic I now do the loops slightly different but I still need about 5 inches of drawn out stem to make the loops. I've also started softening the tip of the leaf slightly. To get the shape/raise the vein I squish the leaf down slightly (as normal) with a couple blows to start the general shape, then I hammer diagonally in from both sides to flatten out the leaf whilst creating a centred vein. I'm right handed so it's much easier hammering the right side of the leaf than it is the left.
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