Making the shell of my book

I went into the workshop last week to create the steel shell i have planned to use for the shell of my book. I was in good hands under the supervision of the tutors in the workshop so I was shown how to use the tools necessary. A lot of the work involved trimming metal and filing edges to ensure there were not sharp edges. The complicated part was deciding what finish I would use for the metal. I was shown various sanding techniques as well as a technique called grit blasting.

Grit blasting was the technique I went with after a long time considering. I chose this technique due to the matte and rough effect it gives to the metal. I felt this was a relative technique to combine with my case study. It is also a technique used for when you want a bad piece of metal to look better so you cover it with grit and it masks any imperfections. After having been told this, I felt it was a perfect compliment to my book.

It came out pretty much as I would have liked it to, but there have been some marks made on it for whatever reason, but with my case study being the homeless and vulnerable, I did not mind the fact that the finish was not perfect. There are some spots on it that look scratched or look like fingermarks but after stepping back and looking at it again, I began to become keen of the imperfections.

This weekend I went to an engravers to talk through what I wanted done and it is currently getting engraved. I was told it will be posted to me when it is finished so I can only wait and hope it has come out as expected.