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1. This is the interior of the "book", empty, and before installing the repousse
decoration on the front. The unfortunate splits in the wood came from having
two nails try to occupy the same place: one from the end and the other from the
back.
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2. The "book" is held closed by a carved bone hair-sticker that I purchased.
Getting the tension right was a bit tricky, but the long taper of the sticker
helped.
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3. The outline of the pattern is drawn on a piece of paper, which is affixed to
the copper sheet with scotch tape. I had cut the paper into what was to be the
final shape for the copper sheeting as it would need to be for installation
onto the "book".
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4. Putting the entire work onto something yielding (I use a thick but soft
leather), draw heavily over the pattern. I use a ball-point pen so I can see
where I've already drawn, but the period practice would have been to use a
scriber. Go over each line only once!
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5. After this step is done, I check for depth before removing the paper: it's
difficult to re-establish registration if I need to fix something.
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6. Once the paper is removed, it's time to work the metal. My tool of choice is
one of the torture devices used to push cuticles and be-head blackheads,
available at the local drug store.
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7. The order of working is straight out of Theophilus. This picture shows it
after about 10 minutes of working.
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8. About an hour later it's ready to be stabilized.
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9. Unlike theophilus, I use tin instead of pitch to stabilize the work.
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10. This is the piece, ready for cutting. As you can see, I made a few minor
design changes during the work: I changed the face layout and I added a valknut
in what had turned out to be an unattractively blank area.
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11. The decoration fits on the front by friction, only, and can be removed for
cleaning, &c.
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12. And here is what it's meant to hide. I use a "write-right" to protect the
face when using the bone stylus. By the end of a couple of weeks it's a bit
dirty, but then I just peel it off and throw it out. Much better than
accumulating scratches...
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