The pics that I post in the coming days will represent a new concept for me. I have been intrigued by using various metals in turnings...more specifically using the "cold cast" method. Lots of "experiments" and trial and error regarding exactly the best way to use this technique (certainly not mastered yet). This vessel is a 13.5" X 5.5" Silver Maple hollow form that has been dyed a translucent black. It is inlayed with pewter and I turned the collar out of a blank that I created out of the same pewter. This piece came from a large Silver Maple that was actually blown over in my front yard a few months back. The blank came from an end grain oriented crotch which was another experiment for me. I literally cut a chunk from the center of the "Y" and was able to miss both piths branching from the crotch. This is the reason that I am posting a second picture (and not a very good one) to show how the result of cutting the blank in this manner shows that the bark inclusion travels all the way through to the bottom of the vessel. The result was the classic "feather" figure that is represented on both sides of the vessel. Still a lot of experimenting to do but I am fairly pleased with the way this vessel turned out. I would be very interested in hearing the opinion of other turners before I go crazy with this method.
