Andrew Shecktor

Making Metal Flowers Andrew Shecktor

Creating artificial flowers has always been a favorite pastime of hobbyists, homemakers, crafters, woodworkers, blacksmiths and welders. Many are created of fabric, paper and wood. This brief pictorial shows how to create flowers of metal, and is designed not as a comprehensive treatise on the subject, but rather to show one of the processes used by the author and to instill the readers urge to pursue creation of their own. Use of tools and knowledge of basic fabrication technique is assumed, but one who is not familiar with the tools of the trade should be motivated to learn the necessary skills, or improvise with skills and techniques they already know. The author has been involved in mechanics, machine repair, art and metalworking for many years. He has been creating fine art in oil, acrylic and watercolor and enjoys trying out new and unusual techniques. In this age of cheap automation the artist should strive to create works that are not easily reproducible by machine so as not to be undercut or made obsolete. Think outside the box! For instance, the author works heavily with recycled materials and promotes his art as such. He looks at his art as one less piece of trash to disfigure our great planet. Now, read on and go forth and create your own great work of art!