Copper pipes may be a little expensive, but you can do so much more with it.

1. Cuts easy.
2. Solders easy.
3. Bends easy.
4. Nice green patina by aging or by chemical (stain glass copper patina chemical).

Here is a quick example. I used a Dremel tool with an abrasive cutting wheel to cut the design.

This will give you more options if you feel that your wrok should be viewed from all sides, not just the front.

Have fun.

dcarch

(Also see: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/junk/msg0807565431606.html?12 )

hugs, Karen

How creative.

Discovering that hidden personality, beauty and spirit in otherwise useless items is what junking is all about.

dcarch

Bravissima! Fabulous. Please tell what size pipe you used.

Now you've got me wondering about simply patterning the outside of copper pipe, perhaps with those lovely scrolly swirls. If I don't have the right bit to do that, will get one!

Would also like to know which of the abrasive wheels you used. Will try with what I have now, but you obviously used the perfect one.

Thanks so much for sharing,
Rosie, Sugar Hill, GA

http://cgi.ebay.com/100pc-1-1-2-X-1-16-CUT-OFF-WHEELS-FITS-DREME-ROTAR Y_W0QQitemZ230370424792QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item 35a325b7d8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

dcarch

I'm picturing this in a wider pipe... say tea light size and 4" long. Cut the pattern but don't bend them out as far-- with candle light flickering through the cuts.

I applaud your steady hand.. I don't think I could do that neat of a job.

I have another idea which I will post in a few days.

dcarch

You can bend, form, twist ------ PVC pipes easily, once it is heated.

The electric heat gun in the picture is $20.00.

You can use you oven to heat the pipe, or a torch if you are careful.

Of course, PVC pipes can be glued very quickly to PVC parts and fittings.

With both the copper pipe or the PVC pipe, now you can do multiple plate flowers and large leaves on one main stem, and have the back of your plates looking compatible.

dcarch

Last question... how much burn salve will I need to buy? I'm pretty clumsy with hot stuff. LOL

very cool

No tricks or skills involved.

1. Use fiber reinforced asbrasive wheel for the Dremel tool to cut. They are not expensive.

2. make a template of a leaf and layout the pattern of the pipe.

3. Follow the pattern and cut.

Of course you should wear eye protection while you are cutting.

dcarch