Members,
Here's some extensive "info" on the tin ladies that I had written up a couple
months ago for a whole day workshop. I know we're only going to have a couple of hours, but that should be
sufficient time to get your tin lady basically constructed. DO NOT WORRY if you don't have or can't get supplies together. I have plenty of tin cans opened and ready to cut and extra pliers and supplies to share.
This will be fun!!!
Mary
I'm repeating here FOR EMPHASIS - the following info was for a full day workshop. For the
MCS meeting it's meant as an informative guideline. Don't think yo have to collect all this stuff!
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Tin Ladies
I’
ve titled this project “Tin Ladies” because the basic parts of the doll body are made from tin cans. Really, the bodies can be made from any number of materials such as cardboard,
matboard, fabric, wood, but they do take on an interesting look using the tin, particularly when wire, grommets (eyelets), brads, beads and buttons are added.
So the main ingredient is TIN (or like I mentioned, any other material you want to cut into a body shape(s). I’
ve found that most cookie and gift tins are quite heavy to work with, but the light weight metals from drink cans seem to work very well. The Arizona Tea cans are very colorful; cola cans work well; I’m sure there are plenty more out there.
You’ll need to cut the tins open. Hubby has been cutting them open for me by sawing off the top and bottom and then laying the piece flat. If you yourself or a companion can do this, great. Otherwise I myself have punctured the (empty) tin and then cut it open with a heavy duty scissors or tin snips. BUT BE CAREFUL, the cut tin can be very sharp. Someone cutting herself is what worries the most with this project. Hubby says we should be wearing gloves when doing this. I haven’t, though!
Besides the TIN PIECES and heavy duty SCISSORS or TIN SNIPS, you’ll want to have some JEWELRY PLIERS and maybe just a plain old pliers. It would be good to have a round nose pliers and a flat head pliers and a wire cutter. Don’t feel you have to go buy these; I have some you could borrow or share. Also bring some WIRE. You’d probably make the most use of 20, 22, or 24 gauge wire for most of the work. If you’re going to make jump rings, something heavier like 16 or 18 gauge would be better for those.
After those items, there’a s million things you could use to put your doll together and to dress / embellish it. I myself have and will bring ½ million of these things and you’ll be welcome to use them.
Here are a few of the million things you could collect to bring:
Jump rings – various sizes (I can show you how to make them)
Grommets (small ones) and setter (These are also called eyelets. I have some you could use.)
Neat old jewelry pieces and chains
Charms and beads – various sizes (longer shaped beads work well for arms and legs).
Buttons, possibly pipe cleaners or telephone wire, thread or string
Fibers for hair or whatever
Hole punches
Small hammer
Geometric shaped pieces (such as poker chips, scrabble or game pieces) that can be used for heads or body parts.
