Engraving Projects by GDH
My First Metal Engraving Project
January 2012
A very close friend of mine asked me to come up with some sort of metal koi cutouts so that she could give them to her father (a koi breeder in the Piedmont area of North Carolina) as a birthday present. She wanted to be able to attach them to the assorted koi breeding buildings that were on his property. After looking at my initial options, I asked her if it would be okay to go into a different direction; she agreed as long as the general idea was in place.
I picked up a piece of 24" x 36" plated steel sheet metal from Lowe's, and after staring at the blank slate for quite some time, I decided to try something that I have never attempted before. Note: I always had it in the back of my mind that if my vision did not pan out, I could always just bend it up and trash the entire idea. I found some koi images (photos of actual koi swimming in shallow water), blocked out the design, and started punching out the perimeter. Since the result was at least promising, I continued to work on more of the details, using common nail sets, scotch brite pads, and one of those inexpensive electric engravers. Since the koi was not actually centered on the metal (I added the lettering as an afterthought; it's Japanese for one who likes to collect and maintain koi fish), I had a local HVAC company cut some off of the top and side so that the borders were visually equal. I was very pleased with the finished work, and since I thought it would be displayed in an outdoor enviornment, I lightly sprayed on several coats of automotive matter laquer.
Her father was very happy to receive the present, and decided that it was too nice to mount on an exterior wall. So, because I wanted to complete the process, I was able to get the metal koi back so that I could have a local wood worker make a custom frame. I really think that his choice of genuine worm eaten wood (treated and set aside way in advance) was the way to go; and his frame was a perfect fit. I believe that the metal koi is now hanging in his den.
January 2012
A very close friend of mine asked me to come up with some sort of metal koi cutouts so that she could give them to her father (a koi breeder in the Piedmont area of North Carolina) as a birthday present. She wanted to be able to attach them to the assorted koi breeding buildings that were on his property. After looking at my initial options, I asked her if it would be okay to go into a different direction; she agreed as long as the general idea was in place.
I picked up a piece of 24" x 36" plated steel sheet metal from Lowe's, and after staring at the blank slate for quite some time, I decided to try something that I have never attempted before. Note: I always had it in the back of my mind that if my vision did not pan out, I could always just bend it up and trash the entire idea. I found some koi images (photos of actual koi swimming in shallow water), blocked out the design, and started punching out the perimeter. Since the result was at least promising, I continued to work on more of the details, using common nail sets, scotch brite pads, and one of those inexpensive electric engravers. Since the koi was not actually centered on the metal (I added the lettering as an afterthought; it's Japanese for one who likes to collect and maintain koi fish), I had a local HVAC company cut some off of the top and side so that the borders were visually equal. I was very pleased with the finished work, and since I thought it would be displayed in an outdoor enviornment, I lightly sprayed on several coats of automotive matter laquer.
Her father was very happy to receive the present, and decided that it was too nice to mount on an exterior wall. So, because I wanted to complete the process, I was able to get the metal koi back so that I could have a local wood worker make a custom frame. I really think that his choice of genuine worm eaten wood (treated and set aside way in advance) was the way to go; and his frame was a perfect fit. I believe that the metal koi is now hanging in his den.
Metal Meyers Manx Engraving
September 2013
I created this engraving as a donation to the annual Manx On The Banx event, that takes place every fall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. During the week-long activities, a silent auction is held in order to help raise money for future events. Bruce Meyers, the original inventor of the fiberglass dune buggy body, signed the engraving before the auction. Double matting and framing by The Frame Game, Jacksonville, NC.
September 2013
I created this engraving as a donation to the annual Manx On The Banx event, that takes place every fall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. During the week-long activities, a silent auction is held in order to help raise money for future events. Bruce Meyers, the original inventor of the fiberglass dune buggy body, signed the engraving before the auction. Double matting and framing by The Frame Game, Jacksonville, NC.
Metal Meyers Manx Engraving #2
December 2013
I created this engraving for a good friend of mine; it is based on a photo that I took of his dune buggy while it was parked along the Cape Fear River waterfront, Wilmington, NC. Double matting and framing by The Frame Game, Jacksonville, NC
December 2013
I created this engraving for a good friend of mine; it is based on a photo that I took of his dune buggy while it was parked along the Cape Fear River waterfront, Wilmington, NC. Double matting and framing by The Frame Game, Jacksonville, NC
Metal Koi Engraving #2
May 2014
I created this engraving for a friend of mine; growing up she spent some time in Okanawa while her father was stationed there for the U.S. Army. Double matting and framing by The Frame Game, Jacksonville, NC.
May 2014
I created this engraving for a friend of mine; growing up she spent some time in Okanawa while her father was stationed there for the U.S. Army. Double matting and framing by The Frame Game, Jacksonville, NC.
Comments and questions can be directed to Gary D. Holbrook