Thread: A glass for the past

Wow.

Fletty, the concept and the execution are brilliant!!

If that doesn't bring tears to a few eyes then nothing will!!

Originally Posted by artme

Fletty, the concept and the execution are brilliant!!

If that doesn't bring tears to a few eyes then nothing will!!

Thanks Artme,
Ive got a few tears, but of laughter, in my eyes at the moment. I've read the families latest research and he didn't enlist under another name because he was too young ...... he was doing a RUNNER!
He had left his wife on 'unfriendly terms' and owing her £12.
He had fought in the hardest battles of August 1918 where the Australians had finally been permitted to fight 'their' way and were successful because of it but, the irony is that the back pay after his death went to his estranged wife anyway and was worth far more than the debt he was running from!
Theres a lesson there somewhere?

fletty

I've pulled it all apart, cleaned the glass, applied another 2 coats of WOP and hopefully reassembled it for the last time. I'll get a couple of latches tomorrow and then it's ready to hand over.

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The camphor laurel now looks and feels almost like marble. On a spare piece I have doodled in a few soldiers, trenches and craters ..... I'll turn this into something meaningful one day.

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The red poppy seems to float in front of the leadlight. It is mounted on a block of 10mm acrylic which has been laser cut meaning that the cut surfaces are absolutely clear.

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When the light comes from behind the poppy, the effect is even more dramatic.

As it's in memory of a soldier who rode both to school and then to war on horseback, I'll get some latches from a local saddlery ....... and then step away.

fletty

Absolutely beautiful, Fletty.

Alan,
I am, as you know, a keen student of history, particularly military history. I had long thought the most moving artistic tribute to the WW1 troops, was "Menin Gate at midnight", which depicts the ghostly figures of the slain moving back up into the line to help.
I have changed my mind. The tribute you have produced for this chap, is a masterpiece. From the artistic vision, to the varied mediums, the personal history, and the exquisite workmanship, this a moving and highly significant piece.
Well done, that man!!
Salutations, Redbog (Harry)

I have just been delivered home from this morning's op, all OK but a bit sore and sorry. Thank you so much Harry. I am choosing to tell others that my 'leaky' eyes are a result of the operation and not your comments on the box.

Fletty

Alan

An exceptional combination of skill and flair.

I hope your convalescence goes well.

Regards
Paul

Hi Fletty,
Thank you for this the skill and effort in this piece which can seem outweighed by the sentiment but that said the piece is beautiful and very well executed in multiple disciplines.
Regards Rod.

Originally Posted by fletty

.......... I'll get some latches from a local saddlery .......

hmmmmm..... made a bit of an idiot of myself here but a recovery is at hand?

NCArcher is without a shed at the moment and, rather than suffer even temporary post woodwork withdrawal, his family have gently guided him to the kindred craft of leatherwork. HE then discovered a fabulous leather and leathercraft outlet near ME and I've been haunting the place ever since. I have a reason/excuse and that is to buy the hide and learn how to sew the leather cushion covers for my set of 6 'heirloom' chairs but I am also besotted with their range of accessory buckles, latches and 'stuff'.
I bought 2 of their latches on my way home from the operation last week ... and that is now my excuse!

double.d has just posted an absolutely beautiful box which is more than worth a look....

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.... showing how the catch should look but, as a leatherwork catch needs to restrain in 2 dimensions compared to only 1 in woodwork, it is DIFFERENT!
I had started to fit them in a post-operation haze before realising what l had done...

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..... and this is how they NOW look! The loop on the part on the left is supposed to go the other way round and hook over the 'boss' on the right ..... thus making sure that the box couldn't be opened !
I was going to cut the loops off which would leave an inevitable scar on the antique brass finish but just tried reversing that half of the latch first. To me, it adds to the saddlery and military equipment theme of the box ..... but, to someone who knows ...... it screams of the confused state of mind of someone on pain killers!

fletty

If you hadn't been so honest and told us, I'm sure the majority of us would not have been any the wiser, its still an excellent look

Can you not just flip the left hand one 180°?
Cool shop isn't it

Edit. Ah, I see, you have to lift the loop over. Easy on the flap of a bag but wood not quite as flexible.
Have you got a Tandy catalogue? They might have something with the same footprint that would work.

Back home from the Camden Valley Inn and the handover. The descendants and new owners were, to say the least, overwhelmed. They had no idea what to expect and I 'may' have even misled them to expect a wall hanging framed display?
It was a good night and the whole process to design and create this memorial felt right. Thanks for your support and encouragement and I don't think that the story of this little box has yet finished......
fletty

Catches similar to the one shown on DD's box are available from Goods and Chattels, Brisbane. Box Catches | Catches | Goods & Chattels

They have a range of different sizes and finishes (I have no affiliation with them, but do use their catches and some other hardware).