Calaveras 2.0 - Stands, WIP

Well, it's that time of year again, Fall, and besides cooler weather, pumpkin spice coffee (damn you Starbucks!), and mountains of candy, it also means I'm gearing up for a second year of Calaveras (Sugar Skulls). Figured I would start early on the prep work since I'm going to have some folks over to make them with me this year, it will be nice to have some stuff just finished.

A few months back, the rail line behind my work was completely overhauled, and at that time, I took it upon myself to collect some rail spikes. About 50 POUNDS worth of them. Figured I'd find SOME use for them, and seeing as the silly things sell for $2-$5 a pop in 'antique' shops, this was a much better way to go. Last year, I used floral foam and silk flowers to make the miniature ofrendas to showcase the Sugar Skulls, this year, I wanted to try to make stands out of some of the rail spikes. I'm planning another skull as a gift for my Mother-in-law, and the railroad has always been a big deal for their family (they came North from Mexico to work on the rails a few generations back). I figured this would be a nice way to tie it in.

So today, since my boss is gone, and I've got access to the shop without getting any strange looks, I decided to give them a whack. It meant that I got some good practice on the rotary grinder (safety glasses kids!!). I also learned how to weld from a pal of mine who stopped by for just that purpose. For what I need the skill for, really, I've learned all I really need to know, it's more a matter of practice than anything else.

Anywho, these three stands are the end product of a morning's worth of work. Snapped on my cell, so the picture isn't the best in the world. I cropped it with Photoshop, since there was some other crap on the counter that didn't need to be in the picture.

As the skulls get worked on this year, I'll toss up WIP shots of the various stages, as well as the final skulls themselves.

(Resubmitted for new account. Originally posted at ~malkie13)