| 1. An example of one type of flower that can be forged using this process. |
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| 2. In this particular case, the flower blank is cut out of 3/16” x 3”
flat bar. The slits for the flower petal portion are 2 1/2” deep, leaving
1/2” of material. A 1/2”-wide handle (approximately 18” long) is also cut
out of this bar and welded onto the petal section. |
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| 3. Seven cuts have been previously made into the plate with a bandsaw.
Using a treadle hammer, a fullering is put into each of the individual pieces,
which will eventually form the petals. |
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| 4. Each petal is separated from the rest. |
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| 5. Each one is then forged down to a point. |
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| 6. That petal is bent back into place and the next one bent down and
forged. |
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| 7. Then all the forged petals are reheated and bent over 90o to the handle
with the decorative side up. |
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| 8. The petals are bent over to form a 90o angle with the base section. |
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| 9. The petal section is then bent 90o to the stem with the forged points
finishing parallel to the stem handle. Then, grab the outside corner of the
petal section and roll it around back into itself, forming a small circle
which allows the petals to spread outward. |
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| 10. Each petal is straightened. |
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| 11. The piece is then checked for symmetry. |
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| 12. Using an oxyacetylene torch, each individual petal is bent into the
desired shape. |
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| 13. The process continues until all petals are formed. |
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| 14. The back side of the piece. |
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| 15. And the front side. |
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