Lecture, Gas Forge, and Mokume: Six Days in Nacogdoches, TX

Here are some images from my recent trip to Stephen F Austin University in Nacogdoches, TX. I was invited by recent ASU graduate, Lauren McAdams. Lauren is in her second year as the Metalsmithing Professor at SFASU. In the time I was there, she and I built a forge, lit it, and fired off 11 billets of 23-layer, copper and nickel silver, mokume-gane billets. ** For MORE IMAGES, go here: www.flickr.com/photos/teddmcdonah**

New Mokume-gane Lure

One of three and time is short, so I'm at least getting this one up to blog-status. Will soon be posted to my Flickr, Etsy, and Crafthaus... with the other two. Mokume-gane is copper and fine silver, floral elements are torch-fired, enameled copper. One of three made for the 4th Annual Intercollegiate Metals Exhibition.

LaCrosse Tradition

My experiences as an art student at the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse were all positive, but none more so than those I took away from having had Bill Fiorini as a professor, instructor, and mentor. The most significant skill I was taught, was the production of diffusion-bonded Mokume-gane. At the time of my graduation I was still "dabbling" with the process, but later, in graduate school, I was able to spend the time to make mistakes, experiment with different metal combinations, build forges, and pattern-out material to the point I got very comfortable with the process. I am, typically, only making materials for my self, stock piling until a need arises.

New Work

First piece in a new series (hopefully), I've decided to call "Intuitive Afterthoughts", or maybe "My Autonomous Art." Many of the elements come from class demo samples. This one is 11"x3"x2". There are references to several functional devices, but as it is, this one simply rests.

Moke-A-Bou Musky Lure

Decorative Fishing Apparatus