Under Lock and Key
I tend to get lost in hardware stores - an hour can easily pass as I peruse drawers filled with nuts and bolts and all manner of gadgets. It's no wonder that I find lock plates and keys equally interesting. This key and lock plate are from a recent bronze metal clay firing. They came out of the kiln with a rusty patina, but I preferred a mellow, aged bronze-gold tone and decided to polish them with my flexshaft and a brass rotary brush, then dip them in Black Max oxidizer, and rub off the excess black with a polishing pad. I wanted a chain that looked equally aged and delicate yet with a bit of complexity, so I used segments of several different styles of sterling chain and soldered sections of each together, combining heart-shaped links, cable, and rollo styles. The chain was then dipped in a solution of liver of sulfur until it reached a deep blue-black and a simple toggle balled end toggle and clasp were added. One wipe with a polishing cloth and it's good to go!
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