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Some inquiring minds have wanted to know how I make an iron fae. I suppose a brief explanation is in order for those who are not familiar with this ancient art.
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The first step is to cut out the faerie parts from various sizes of iron stock.
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Then start up your mig welder and connect at the joints. Sometimes you will need a few clamps to hold her in position depending on the pose you have chosen.
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At first, when putting on the clothes or the hair, I tried thin sheets of metal but I found that it just does not hold up to the welding and grinding process. So now, when I need to build up a part, I build up the weld in that area.
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Putting on the hair in this way is especially gratifying as her whole head turns a bright, bright red from the tremendous heat. They actually don't mind this very much, as a matter of fact one of the faes - Fanle, if I remember correctly - asked if I could make her hair that color permanently. I told her I would try but that it is a very special kind of red that is usually only seen when the temperature rises above 700 degrees. "So..?" was her response. Faes are so impractical!
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Partial
Once there is enough weld and raw iron stock in place, the grinding starts. At first a regular grinder can be used but faes are so delicate that they quickly demand diamond.
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When I first started, I used carbide Dremel tools. They worked very well but I found that I was forever digging little slivers of iron out of my hands, feet and face. (ok, ok, in the summer I weld and grind in my bare feet or sandals - kids, don't do this, it is wrong).
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Then I found diamond. The faes like the feel of diamond on their skin and so do I - much gentler!
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So I clamp the iron fae in a vice and position the model - Talena in this photo. She is headless here because I usually put the head on later so that I can drape the hair over the finished body and clothes.
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I use a magnifying head band visor (don't get the lighted ones - it just adds weight and the light will not be in the place you want it). This gives me eye protection, allows me to see tiny detail and it does not interfere with my Bose noise cancelling headphones.
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With all that whining from the Dremel tools you will need a good set of headphones. But between you and me, that is just an excuse, the real joy of faerie grinding is having an excuse to listen to great music. I have not filled up my 60 gig iPod yet but I am working on it.
