ABOUT PEWTERSMITHING

Because pewter is a soft metal it bends easily and can be molded and shaped by a variety of means. Here we see Rebecca spinning, cutting and soldering. During the spinning process, a circular disk of pewter in mounted on a lathe and as it spins a heavy stick is used to force the metal around the wooden shape she has created and mounted on the other end of the lathe. The spinning process is used to create cup and bowl-like shapes. Delicate shapes like those found in the foot of the large bowl seen here, must first be drawn onto a flat sheet of pewter. Using fine jewelers blades Rebecca cuts the necessary shapes. Here she solders the legs to the bowl shape to form the finished piece. Other techniques used in the shaping process are: casting, filing and hammering. Buffing puts the desired finish on the piece and welding, like soldering, joins two or more pieces. Pewtersmithing requires a great deal of the artist. She has to be a good illustrator,sculptor, engineer, lathe operator, welder, metalurgist and chemist. | Home | About the Artist | The Gallery | Awards | Online Catalog | | Caring for Pewter | Pewtersmithing | Upcoming Shows | Contact | | Purchased Items | © 2000. The Pewter Shop, All rights reserved.