Applied Arts

Thursday 18th October 2012

 

 

Here is the box that we created in applied arts. At first I was so nervous and I really didn't know what to do as I had missed a day, but my friends started to explain how the machines and tools worked and Mark, the teacher, showed me a few tricks that he liked to use and I settled in quickly. I am very pleased with my box apart from how dark the burnt wood went. I was meant to toast it so it had a more attractive colour, but it just burnt it. To say it's the first time I have ever used metal and a blow torch though, I am still very pleased. 

We had to use different techniques and nail them to a wooden block to show all the ways we had tried. We used a chemical that disolved the shininess off of the metal so you can have a matt pattern on the metal. We used metal presses to give the metal a ridget effect or just flatten it. Then, obviously, we had good old-fashioned hammer and nails. I kept hitting my thumb until someone suggested I hold the nail in place with some thin-nosed pliers... I never would have thought of that, but it saved my fingers for the rest of the day. 

 

I enjoyed this lesson so much, I would love to make nick-nacks and jewellery, but it wouldn't be my main choice. It would be nice to make comics, illustrate children's books and sell cards and a bit of jewellery on the side. 

  

Friday 19th October 2012

In applied arts, we looked at different types of clay then, using terracotta clay, we painted over it in a white solution. Using a plastic clay tool, we drew into it. I enjoyed using clay, but the terracotta stains your hands and clothes.

While we waited for these to dry, we watched Ben the technician 'throw' some clay on the potters wheel and watched the technique he used to pull the clay upwards. I found it fascinating.

(sorry that the pictures are the wrong way up, the computer isn't allowing me to edit them.)