project update

Hi fellow bloggers, time for an update on my project. As you know from my last post I had started to build a model of a head using paper straws thinking they'd be easier to use than wire. The problem though was that they buckled when bent so the only way to create curves was to flatten them lengthways first. The offset of this was that they lost any sturdiness gained by the cylindrical shape. Not surprisingly the updated image I had intended to upload seems to have vanished into the depths of the computer so I'll have to retake it and post it up tomorrow.

Conducted an experiment over the weekend with stronger wire. Had some 2.5mm gauge tying wire in the shed so I decided to see what it would be kike to work with. It's definately strong, keeps it's shape but was to thick to cut with a pliers - had to use a hacksaw. I really wanted to find out the best way to join seperate pieces, apart from twisting together which would be difficult with this gauge. A soldering iron proved ineffective so I resorted to a blow torch. Seemed to work o.k., a good strong joint ( of solder - jeez ) but pieces had to be clamped first. Any assembly would have to be carried out in a workshop rather than a studio so not sure how that's gonna work. I have decided to look into the possibility of using other materials - maybe something unusual - so that'll be my next course of action.