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Wyrdhaven — Woven Twist Brass Hairsticks
Published: 2011-11-12 12:30:21 +0000 UTC; Views: 1114; Favourites: 14; Downloads: 16
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Description
This new pattern is six strands, intricately twisted to form a pattern that looks like a woven braid.Fused ends and a shiny finish ensure that these 6 1/2" long sticks will glide smoothly into any bun.
These are $20 in either brass or copper or a mix of the two.
Sterling Silver is available for $5 extra per strand.
Shipping is $7 to nearly anywhere.
I accept Paypal and USPS Postal Money Orders.
The pair in the photo is sold, but you can order a set, and I'll make them just for you.
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Comments: 36
Very Cool... I'm still have a bit of a problem with 'twisting wire' like this, but am getting better due to your suggestions...
BTW, do you use bronze exclusively for soldering the ends?
Cheers,
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This twist is done differently from the braided version, as it's actually 6 strands, all twisted, with a bit of a trick to it. If you note me and promise not to use it for making sticks like I do, I'll tell you how this one is done.
I don't solder the ends. They're actually fused with an oxy-acetylene torch, no solder needed. You just make sure the ends are tightly together and carefully melt them. It does require care, as you have to move the flame around a bit to get it even. I find that you have to back off and let it solidify a few times in order to get it melted correctly. Then it's just a matter of doing the hammering and then shaping the ends, sanding everything and polishing. On the brass stuff, I also do a little cheat to get the patina dark enough in the nooks - I actually intentionally contaminate the heck out of my pickle solution. Pickling solution loaded with copper and with a bit of steel in it results in a quick and dirty light copper plating effect. Which means that when I use Liver of Sulfur on it, the copper gets nice and dark and the highlights are polished bright brass.
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Good Information once again... Thanks!
I'm rid of my Acetylene for Good and now use Propane/Oxy or Propylene/Oxy. Acetylene is just too pricey and I'm not crazy about having to get a truck to bring it here all the time. I like being able to fill the Propane anytime I like and not worry too much about transporting it. I also DO NOT 'miss' the black soot from the Acetylene! That soot and build up (it's such a dirty fuel) used to drive me nuts when doing pieces with Bronze.
Good Pickling Tip also,... I'll have to try that out!
Cheers,
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Funny, I find I don't get soot unless I screw around a lot while doing my initial mix adjustment, and I don't find that it's that dirty otherwise. But I do use a Little Torch, so maybe the problem is oversized torches. I don't do enough torch work to go thru more than about $30 worth of refills in the average month or two, sometimes a lot longer.
I HATE working with propane. It's a pain in the butt, takes too long to get things hot and is MUCH more of a problem with leaving firescale on sterling silver. I avoid having to use Oxy-propane for anything.
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Indeed, that is 'odd'... There is More carbon in Acetylene and the addition of 'Acetone' (for fuel stability) and other impurities makes it even dirtier. How you are getting 'more Firescale' using Propane is definitely a mystery to me.
I use 3 torches,.. the Smith Little, a 100 series Victor (smallest 'Actual' welding/brazing torch) and even a Medium cutting torch and I'm much, much happier with the LPG's than that of the Acetylene. Heat Distribution is far more even (although not as hot in 'concentration') and the benefits of LPG's 'for me' are just 'greater' than Ace/Oxy. The newest Propylene is my favourite, but Propane will do everything 'I' need it to do with less fire-scale than the former.
The cost of a 125 sq/ft tank up here (and many places in the USA) is well over a Hundred bucks and the OXY to Fuel ration is 1-1. Hi Grade (Auto, Barbecue) Propane on the other hand is 4-1 ! Oxygen is 'dirt cheap' and my propane lasts for 6 months and costs a 'fraction' to fill in comparison. In fact It's so cheap and lasts so long that I rarely turn off my torch for hours at a time. Also, my experience with 'Heat' using propane has been far better than that of Acetylene! I'm surprised that you have had such negative results with yours... Perhaps there is something wrong with your 'Smith Little Propane Torch' vs your 'Smith Little Acetylene Torch'?
The problem with Acetylene is the 'Cost' of making it and what to do with the 'Toxic Junk' that's left over. Calcium Carbide is the 'main ingredient' in Acetylene and it costs more every year to produce. The toxic Crap left over from the manufacturing process makes it 'undesirable' in many ways (EPA hates it) and even the Tanks themselves need to be destroyed properly (because of the Acetone that leaches into the walls) when they come to the end of their life cycle and that certainly adds to the over-all cost. Add in the fact that there's only 2 Acetylene manufacturing plants left in North America and the 'ever-changing' Air-Acts (EPA standards) and the outlook for Acetylene looks 'bleak'. I think the only reason it's still being used is because of the Welding Industry and even 'they' are starting to make the transition to LPG/OXY process' for cutting applications. 'Welding' with Acetylene is RARE as TIG, MIG, Arc, Resistance, etc... have taken it's place.
My best guess is that 'Hydrogen' will replace Acetylene for most other forms of Jewelry 'Brazing' applications 'eventually'. BTW, Have you ever used a Hydrogen torch? VERY hot and ZERO fire-scale (zero carbon content) and literally the cheapest and most effective process there is...water.
Anyway, I'm getting WAAAAY off topic, so I'll close off by saying that you might want to give the LPG's another try (Propylene) using the Smith little and see where it takes you. You'll save a LOT of money!
Cheers,
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Nah. 
Glad you like them.
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I have to admit that I'm feeling a little smug about this pair. The pattern is a bit tricky to figure out and I finally got the hang of it.
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Have you ever considered attempting a wand ? would need to be about 14" including the grip.
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I could do one in this twist in recycled copper wire like what I used for this pair of sticks: [link]
Are you wanting a handle that is a separate piece or do you want it to be part of the metal of the wand? If separate I could make it wood or bone...
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I am thinking you could have a new product here. I think a bone handle would be most interesting and give more options for sculpting it. The HP wands are very popular you know, and something like that in metals could give you a whole range of attributes and interest.
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Hmm. Well why not. It can go with me to Dragon Con 2012.
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Antler sounds spectacular.
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So 14" plus a handle, or 14" total?
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roughly 14 total. It can be as much as 16, but longer is unwieldy. Drop me a note with the cost so I can budget it.
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Do you want to use your existing credit? That would give me more time to figure out the details of the staff topper design in order to make it properly awesome.
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Sure, why not. I may have a sturdier staff by then made of a much tougher wood.
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I just put something for you to look at in the Dropbox.
Pics of the heads of a pair of staffs I made with crown end antler heads. I have a couple crown ends that would work well for the handle of a wand, with a similar design. Take a look and see what you think. (BTW, the one with the malachite is for sale, the one with the amber is mine.)
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I think that is pretty fabulous. 
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I decided to color the amber one for myself because the particular antler had a darker and uneven color to it when carved and I found that it looked kinda "dirty" to me, so I went with higher contrast and put in the enamel. It actually looks a lot better in person.
Knowing that you like the lighter color better, I'll prep both of the antlers and then decide which one to use.
Are you ok with copper for the wand, or should I order some thicker brass to use? The copper I have in the right size is some very nice recycled stock that I got from my mother-in-law.
Also, what color do you want the stone to be? And do you want me to do anything like the little dangling bead along the edge if the shape of the antler allows for it? Neither of the pieces I have that will work for a wand have the extra tine, so nothing to worry about there.
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Copper is fine. Typically I gravitate to blue in stones. and I think dangles would only get in the way.
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It'll be at the back, so not in the way of your hand.
I think I may have a little lapis cabochon that will work nicely.
Out of curiosity, do you have any clue how to make rose hip tea if you start with fresh or dried rose hips? I've found that the pretty little wild rose that's adopted me* has produced a nice little crop of bright red hips, and while I find mention online that you generally dry them before use, and to pick after first frost for best flavor, I can't seem to find good instructions for actually brewing a tea.
*it randomly turned up growing in my yard. I'm guessing based on location that the mockingbirds that nest in my holly are responsible for depositing the seeds. It's a pretty little vine/climber type with single pale pink flowers. Both the hubby and I adore it, so I'm going to end up trying to either start another one from it's seeds or dig it up and transplant it when we move, which might just work since it's only a few years old now.
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My concern is that the wand is normally carried in a wand pocket and the dangle could catch on the material. As for rose hips...
Basic Rose Hip Tea Recipe
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 heaping teaspoons of chopped rose hips. You can use rose hips with or without their seeds. Steep the herbal tea, covered, for 15 minutes and strain. Sweeten the refreshing, slightly sour tea with honey, if desired. Drink the tea lukewarm at bedtime for maximum effectiveness.
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You might want to have me make you a wand holster for this one, as the flared crown is likely to catch on a pocket anyway if it's not sticking out. It would be easy enough for me to make one, as I have some nice sturdy leather that would be quite suitable, and I could make it so that it could be slid on over any existing belt or sash. Perhaps in a rich antiqued tan/chestnut color with a simple knot or tri-spiral design on it?
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Sounds lovely to me.
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Is it ok if the blue color in the stone comes from the blue flash of a particularly nicely cut labradorite? I checked and I don't have an lapis that will work for this, but I do have a really lovely labradorite cab with excellent (and strong!) blue flash, and it's pretty nifty too, since it's actually cut with facets but designed to be cab set. I've done a test fit in the hollow I've roughed into the crown end of the antler I picked, and I think it'll look really lovely.
Speaking of which, I've done the rough shaping, and now it's time to carve the spirals and twist the wire. Then I'll get things cleaned up and do the leather holster for it.
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I quite like labradorite. I have a unique piece it as my heart stone. That would be quite lovely. And appropriate.
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Perfect! I thought it seemed right when I spotted it in my stones, but I wanted to ask you first to make sure it was ok.
It's one of my favorite stones as well, alongside amber and hematite, so it'll be nice to work with it.
Do you want me to put any color on the holster? If I do a dragonfly, do you want a little bit of blue on it's wings/body and maybe a little green border accent on the holster itself? Or would you rather that I kept the holster natural tan/chestnut colors?
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I think green and blue would be lovely, As my robes are green and blue mostly.
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Hey, just wanted to update you: The wand itself is finished. I couldn't get pics this morning on account of the rain, but it looks really freaking awesome. Being an Earth Mage myself (though I don't say much about it online) if I hadn't already managed to build myself the right staff {the one with the amber}, I'd be really tempted to either keep it or make something similar.
I'm going to be working on the holster over the next week or so, and I'll let you know as soon as both are done. I think I would like to post the gallery photo with both together if the holster turns out like I want it to, but I will try and get you some good shots in the dropbox of the wand.
I evaluated the material/work/etc, and I wanted to let you know that while this is actually something I would charge slightly more than what I owe you for if I was making it for anyone else, the difference is a Yule gift. I may even manage to get it to you before Yule.
Do you want a wide belt loop for sashes and such, or a more narrow one for regular belts?
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Bit wider please and thank you very much, I am pleased your pleased with it.
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