My whirl (WIP photo)

[Lady Helen]

I am not 100% finished as I still need to add leaves, but I thought
I'd show you how it looks right now.

This morning I had to travel across the city to get 1/4" silver back copper tape.
I also bought brass rods for the flower stems, and 20 diamonds so I could make
a 12 3D star and have a few extras.

Thanks again for all the good advise, to help me along the way.

At one point today I was a bit discouraged. I have always had problems
cutting multiple pieces exactly the same. Once again some outer pieces
were off a bit but at a distance it really isn't noticeable.

[Anne]

Helen, this looks really nice! You did a good job, and you're right I can't see any offsized pieces.  When I'm making something that has multiple repeats I make myself patterns pieces out of heavy card stock.  Using premade pieces like that you have a much better chance of getting the sizes the same. Draw an arrow on the pattern piece to ensure you get the lines on the glass right and you have quick easy cuts.

[Kev]

Looking good Helen.

[nansea121]

Wowwww Helen!!!! Wait until Beth sees this!!! You sure did a super job winging it!
I'm totally impressed.

Good idea leaving it silver, rather than dealing with patina. Way ta go!

[Lady Helen]

Nancy I bought a bottle of black patina (abut a year ago) though I have never used it.
I prefer silver, but one day I will use it on "something".LOL( "It" will have to speak to me and
say "I'd look better in black". 

Quick question, we all were talking about wax the other day.
I had never heard of using Pledge. Would it be okay to
just lightly spray the whole thing now, or should I hurry up
and get the leaves down tomorrow and then spray it?
Do you buff right away, or if not how long do you wait?

[nansea121]

I would wait until you have it all together first. The solder might not stick very well if there's wax involved. When its all together, you might find some q-tips handy to use in some of those small areas. Beth would know. She's made lots of them.

For sure you'll find a use for that black patina. I like how the black really accents the colour and the focus is on the glass rather than the solder lines, but for this whirl, the silver looks terrific.

[ct4mom]

I really like that Helen great job

[PiscesGlass]

Nice Helen!  Love those flowers..that turned out to be really nice! 

I always fight with myself over use patina/not use patina..but over time I've found that I really like patina on most things.  Some boxes, angels..smaller things I tend to leave unpatinaed. 

Can't wait to see it with the leaves! 

De

[JoanFrances]

looks great Lady Helen.  The flowers came out good.

[Graham]

A whirl!! Now there's a bit of a "blast from the past". Haven't seen any of those around for several years. Foe a while, everybody and their brother or sister were doing them, A couple of people on the glass forums were considered " whirl specialists" of a sort.

Don't know why they went "out of vogue". They're quite attractive, and that's a nice one, Lady Helen.

Maybe we could sing a chorus of Anne Murray's "Everything Old Is New Again".

[Elizabeth]

Congratulations, Helen  that is fantastic - especially considering you did'nt have any clear instructions  to work from!

I usually use something called Mr. Min Multisurfice Spray  Polish - which I think is pretty much like Pledge.   Lately I have been using a car wax - and polishing the completed 'cage' and inner bits before assembling the whirl.  It's easier than trying to get inside to polish,  and I'm always looking for the easier option!   Soldering over the wax is'nt a problem - it's a tiny area and I use a q-tip and rub the flux on well.  Then once washed I just have to repolish the joins.

I was taught to ALWAYS patina,  but then my teacher did'nt do the little stuff that I do!  But I never patina a Whirl - the shiney silver is part of it's light reflecting charm!   I also tend to leave small Christmas stuff and angels silver.

Have fun with your whirl!

Beth

[nansea121]

Ahhh! So that answered the waxing question:)

Looking forward to seeing it all together with the leaves. Nice job!

[Audrey]

I am so impressed. that is so pretty. Something else I will have to learn to do.

[Lady Helen]

Graham I don't know that song and I can't sing for beans!

I was surfling for leaf templates last night and came across a photo of a diffuser that
reminded me of my whirl. Now I have a better idea of how to do the leaves.

p.s. Normally I used cardstock for my templates but I used photocopier paper.
also my marker wasn't fine tip. (learned my lesson the hard way but no real harm done).

If I am lucky I may get about 2 hours today to work on leaves.

Busy Sunday and I gotta fly.................

[Graham]

Graham I don't know that song and I can't sing for beans!

Then let Anne Murray do the singing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7fy2Ls0zbA

She can sing for beans.

[Rebecca]

I teach a whirl class occasionally.  My students have no problem cutting the rings.  (Shameless bragging from a proud teacher.)

Rebecca

[JoanFrances]

Graham I don't know that song and I can't sing for beans!

Then let Anne Murray do the singing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7fy2Ls0zbA

She can sing for beans.

yes she can, thanks for the walk down memory lane Graham.