The
default shape of a Pet-Paw is the contour of the paw itself.
Basically, they are "paw" shaped. I follow the shape
of the paw about an 1/8th inch out from the edge of the pads
and claws. Other popular shapes I make are squares (tiles),
hearts, and ovals/circles.
Paw contour shape
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Bronze heart shaped Pet-Paw set
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Circle shape around a dog nose
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Bronze Pet-Paw tile
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Pendants,
key chains, and hanging ornaments:
A
hole can be drilled for making pendants, key chains, or hanging
ornaments. Great for cat paws, small dog paws, noses, and
lighter aluminum paws.
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A
Pet-Paw can also be made into a cabinet knob.
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The
Creation of a Pet-Paw:
Creating
a Pet-Paw is magic. Each Pet-Paw is a work of art made from
the 4 elements: Earth, fire, water, and air.
A Pet-Paw transcends through several states of matter during
its creation.
Impression:
First
the paw is a solid in the form of an impression made of Earth
(Play-doh, clay, or plaster).
Wax
pattern:
Warm molten wax is poured into the impression, and the Pet-Paw
becomes the liquid "reverse" of the impression.
As the wax cools the Pet-Paw becomes a solid once again. The
solid wax is the pattern for the metal Pet-Paw. It has been
carved to contour around the shape of the paw, and it will
be the final shape of the metal paw.
Hollow
cavity: The
wax pattern is placed into a green-sand mold to create the
hollow cavity into which the molten metal will be poured.
The green-sand is packed around the wax pattern in a two piece
mold. After the sand is packed, the wax pattern is removed
from the sand mold. The two halves of the mold are put back
together and now there is just a hollow cavity of air in the
sand mold where the wax pattern used to be. This hollow cavity
is in the exact shape of the wax pattern. It is essentially
a paw shaped space of air surrounded by the moist sand (earth
and water.)
Molten
metal:
Fire is used to heat the bronze to its molten state at about
2000° F. The molten metal is poured like water into the
sand mold and the hollow space that is the Pet-Paw is now
liquid once again in the form of hot metal, if only for a
few seconds. Gases escape through the sand as the metal rapidly
cools, and the Pet-Paw becomes a solid for the third and final
time. This time, instead of clay or wax, it is solid bronze.
Every
Pet-Paw is as unique as the dog or cat that it was created
from. No two Pet-Paws are alike, even if they are cast from
the same paw impression using the same wax pattern. And no
Pet-Paw is "perfect." There are many variables involved
which include temperature, metal composition, time, and the
artist's hand. All these variables contribute to the size,
shape, color, and texture of the Pet-Paw. During the casting
process small quirks and inconsistencies arise which add to
the uniqueness and elegance of the Pet-Paw, such as small
pits, lines, holes, or rough patches in the paw. Pet-Paws
that are cast from impressions that are too deep have very
thick metal, and will usually have a concave area on the back
of the paw (the back of the Pet-Paw is "dished in.")
This is due to the contraction of the metal as it cools. If
the metal is thick, it will contract more. Pet-Paws truly
reflect the Buddhist idea, with their "flawed beauty"
that nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.
A Poem
About Pet-Paws
Written by AI
In
ancient times, craftsmen did create
Bronze dog and cat paws, a sight so great.
With skill and patience, they formed each paw,
A testament to the love for creatures raw.
The
dogs and cats, with their loyal hearts,
Are honored in bronze, their strength impart.
Their paws, so delicate, now forever preserved,
A symbol of their bond, and the love they served.
In
museums and galleries, they are displayed,
The beauty of their form, cannot be swayed.
Their intricate details, a wonder to behold,
And the stories they tell, worth more than gold.
For
these bronze dog and cat paws,
Speak volumes of the animal's cause.
Their loyalty and love, now forever shown,
In bronze paws, their legacy is known.
So
if you see these paws, with a gleam in your eye,
Remember the bond, that never will die.
For the dogs and cats, who gave so much,
Are now immortalized, in bronze with a touch.
Do
you have a plaster cast or an impression from any of the following
animals:
cougar, bobcat, lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, cheetah, wolf,
or bear?
If you do, I would love to borrow it and cast it in bronze!
In return, I will give you a free bronze casting from the
impression you send to me!
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