http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Rose/

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Copper Roseby vbow on December 28, 2013

Table of Contents

Copper Rose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro:   Copper Rose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1:   Cut out pattern on paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2:   Cut out pattern on sheet metal and drill center hole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3:   Texture petals and sepal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 4:   Fix sepal and petals to stem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 5:   Bend up first 2 layers of petals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 6:   Bend up last 3 layers of petals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 7:   Bend sepal into place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 8:   Polish it up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Rose/

Intro:  Copper RoseThe copper rose is an easy, affordable project that requires minimal time or tools to make.I have always wanted to learn how to work with metal but never really had the tools or the time to practice making anything. So, when I finally found a project that ischeap, easy to make, and requires barely any tools, I started filling my house with them. These metal roses make awesome decorations for your house and evenawesomer gifts to anyone worthy of your affection.

As far as materials go, all you need is 2 small pieces of 22 gauge sheet metal (1 copper and 1 steel) and a steel rod measuring 1/4" in diameter and 1 foot in length. Youcan buy both at Home Depot.

And for tools you will need:A hammer2 pairs of pliers, 1 needle nose and 1 flat headTin snipsA drill with a 1/4" bitA chiselA fileAnd a friend with a welder

Step 1: Cut out pattern on paperPrint out the attached file of the petals onto an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper. The pattern should take up basically your whole sheet. Cut out the shapes given. On thepetals, (the propeller looking thingees), cut down to the edge of the middle circle but don't detach the individual petals from the center circle.

File Downloads

Rose petals1.pdf (274 KB)[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'Rose petals1.pdf']

http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Rose/

Step 2: Cut out pattern on sheet metal and drill center holeAfter all of your petals and sepal (which is the leafy thing that hangs down from the bottom of a rose bud) are cut out, trace them onto your sheet metal with a Sharpie.Then cut them out of the metal the same way you did out of paper.It will probably be easier to cut out each set of petals individually from the main sheet before cutting down the edges to finish them. You may need to use your file tosmooth out the edges if they turn out rougher than you would like.Tip: As you cut the metal, take care not to ever quite close the tips of your tin snips. If you close them all of the way with each snip, you will end up with a very jaggededge.Using the center dot as a point of reference, drill a 1/4" hole in the center of each set of petals and the sepal.Note: Forgive me for posing without proper safety gear on in these pictures but PLEASE remember to use gloves when cutting out the petals and clamp down the piecewhen drilling the hole in the center of them.

Step 3: Texture petals and sepalUsing a chisel and hammer, ding up the edges of all of your petals so that it looks like they have been scratched from the center out towards the edge. You don't need totexture the whole length of the petal since only the outer edge will be showing on the finished piece. Just texture the outer 3/4" or so.Tip: if you have a hatchet, beveled hammer, or anything else with a sharp edge that you can swing, you may prefer to use that for texturing since the marks don't need tobe deep or exactly placed. The sharp edge of a crow bar worked just fine for these petals.

However, the marks on the sepal need to be a bit more exact. Using a sharpie, draw out veins on each of the sepal's leaves as shown in the picture.Once that is done, take your hammer and chisel and score the metal along all of the penned lines. Then wash off the permanent marker lines and you have your sepal!Now clean off the sepal and all of the petals with a wire brush to shine them up.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Rose/

Step 4: Fix sepal and petals to stemUsing a hammer, pound the last 1 1/2" of your rod into a square taper. Making the tip of the rod square will make the petals fit onto the rod tighter so that they won't rattlearound once they are in place.Now, take your sepal and all 5 of the bunches of petals and place them on the end of the rod, making sure to put the textured edges up. The sepal will go on first,followed by the largest bunch of petals and then the rest in descending order of size. Tap them all down about 1/4" further to insure that they are on there tight.Tip: I used a small socket to do this. I just put the open socket end over the rod and used it to tap down the petals so that they were tight.Once the pieces are on there tight, weld them on. It only takes a few small spot welds to secure them on; a couple of spots on the bottom and a couple on the top. Youdon't need to try to do any welding on the middle bunches of petals.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Rose/

Step 5: Bend up first 2 layers of petalsThe first layer of petals only has 3 petals and to form it, you simply need to bend the 3 petals up and in. Take the right edge of the first petal with your needle nose pliersand bend it up straight while twisting the edge toward the center. Do the same with the other 2 petals. This should make the 3 petals form into a spiral with the inneredges nearly meeting in the middle and the outer edges sticking out like a pin-wheel.Now, take the left hand edge of one of the petals in your pliers and bend it in towards the petal to it's left. This should give it sort of a C shape when looking at it from thetop. Do the same with the remaining petals and they all should be wrapping around each other. If they are still too wide, use your regular pair of pliers to squish themtogether in a tighter spiral.For the second level, do the same thing. Bend one edge of each of your petals up and in and then bend the other edge in, giving the petals a "C" shape. However, thistime take the top 1/8" edge of each petal in your pliers and curl it over just a little bit. This will make the petals more visible from the top and give the rose a more realisticlook. Finish the second level by using your needle nose pliers to squeeze all of the individual petals a little more towards the middle, giving the rose a good tight look.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Rose/

Step 6: Bend up last 3 layers of petalsContinue on with the third layer in the same manner as the first two. Bend the petals up and into a "C" shape. Then curl over the top edge a little bit.However, this time curl over the left and right sides of the tip of the petal separately. This will give the tip of the petal a slightly triangular look which is a more natural lookfor a rose than rounded petals.Form the fourth and fifth layers in the same way while making the pointed petals a bit more pronounced with each level. On the third level, the petals should be almostround with just a hint of a triangular look. On the fourth, they should be right in between round and triangular, and on the fifth, the ends of the petals should be distinctlytriangular.Also, on the fourth and fifth levels, use your regular pliers to grab each petal 1/2" in from the top edge and bend it out in an arc so that the petals do not stand straight outfrom their base. This gives the rose more volume so that it is not flat across the top.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Rose/

Step 7: Bend sepal into placeNow take the sepal in your pliers and bend all 5 prongs down towards the stem of your rose. Make sure to twist the points inward so you don't poke yourself when youpick it up.

Step 8: Polish it upNow just take a wire brush or steel wool or whatever and scrub it down to clean off the metal and shine it up. I would suggest getting a can of clear polyurethane andspraying a coat onto your rose so that it doesn't rust but hey, that's up to you. And with that you're done!If you're feeling really fancy, you can cut some leaves out of your remaining sheet metal and weld them onto the stem however you like. If you make at least one leaf alittle extra big and flat, you can make your rose into a pretty sweet candle holder.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Rose/

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Comments

46 comments Add Comment

 Bowtie41 says:  Jan 2, 2014. 11:26 AM  REPLYDon't list a "friend" with a welder!!!!Between my welder/torches,and my car hauling trailer,I have more friends than I can handle already!Just kidding,this is anawesome project,Very beautiful!

 cardo89 says:  Jan 3, 2014. 12:01 AM  REPLYhi!! how thick are the sheets?

 vbow says:  Jan 3, 2014. 7:33 AM  REPLY22 gauge sheet metal which is about .033" thick.

 cardo89 says:  Jan 3, 2014. 8:55 AM  REPLYis in inch rigth?

 vbow says:  Jan 4, 2014. 8:32 AM  REPLYyup, that's right

 ASCAS says:  Jan 4, 2014. 7:39 AM  REPLYAwesome! This would make the coolest corsage ever :D You got my vote!

 solobo says:  Jan 3, 2014. 10:40 PM  REPLYThis is a legitimate rose. Well done, sir!

 rgmarti says:  Jan 3, 2014. 9:30 AM  REPLYVery Awsome. Thanx for sharing it with us. I need to find an ible on a Copper Dragon now.

 thegreat58 says:  Jan 3, 2014. 9:21 AM  REPLYGreat job, excellent instructable.

 MrCafe says:  Jan 3, 2014. 7:54 AM  REPLYAmazing share, I thank you very much.

 robbadooz says:  Jan 3, 2014. 6:41 AM  REPLYCan you make this from aluminum cans?

http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Rose/

 vbow says:  Jan 3, 2014. 7:40 AM  REPLYYou can make roses from aluminum cans but it might be difficult to do this kind of rose that way because aluminum cans are very thin. If you wanted totry it, i would suggest shrinking the entire pattern down to about half the size and using a thinner rod for the stem. However, if you want to try it in anotherstyle, here is a link to an instructable that uses aluminum cans to make a rose: http://www.instructables.com/id/Soda-Can-Rose/

 Deltic says:  Jan 3, 2014. 12:17 AM  REPLYLooks great but please, please, please, please clamp your work down when drilling! Use eye & ear protection also - SAFETY 1ST IN THE WORKSHOP!!!

 godson1952 says:  Jan 2, 2014. 9:21 PM  REPLYHey LOVE THAT IDEA.My little woman's gran daughter did this with metal and it looks good also. Extremaly great,also very good ,thank you for this easyway to your other half how much LOVE you have.The way of putting it down is saying 'my love is like this rose,it will never die.'

 snoopindaweb says:  Jan 2, 2014. 8:35 PM  REPLYGreat idea. Lacking a Friend with a welder You might try a bit of 2 part Epoxy glues, JB Weld sticks metal good but sets up dark, others are near clear.Metallic model paints can be had in 1/4 OZ bottles for touch up.

 vbow says:  Jan 2, 2014. 8:43 PM  REPLYYes, I think that that would work just about as well! I even considered using it for this rose but since I had access to a welder, I figured that would beeasier.

 snoopindaweb says:  Jan 2, 2014. 9:18 PM  REPLY=////=====> ~(:-})={

 clazman says:  Jan 2, 2014. 8:24 PM  REPLYBeeeeeeeautiful! U r r-tistic.

I was wondering if some would not have access to a welder if solder might work. Just have to treat the petal forming carefully. In soldering I would suggesttinning the stem and around the holes of the petals.

Another thought would be to use a short (1/8" long) bushing of either aluminum or maybe steel in place of the weld beads. Crimp as required and press themusing an appropriate socket.

Or instead of a bushing maybe use a 1/4" brass or steel nut (after grinding down to the flat diameter)

Again, very nice.

Got my vote!.

 vbow says:  Jan 2, 2014. 8:41 PM  REPLYYeah, those are some good ideas. Iike you said though, the solder wouldn't be quite as strong as a weld so you would have to handle it with care.

 holtt says:  Jan 2, 2014. 4:19 PM  REPLYOne wee comment. Drilling sheet metal is scary, especially when the bit grabs the metal and makes it start spinning wildly. Think whirling copper blades.Think cuts on your hands. Think ow. Think, "clamp down that piece of metal with a C clamp and a block of wood to protect it."

 vbow says:  Jan 2, 2014. 7:16 PM  REPLYThat is a good tip, thank you!

 holtt says:  Jan 2, 2014. 4:20 PM  REPLYAlso think, "This whole thing is pretty sweet!"

 Xyver says:  Jan 2, 2014. 6:57 PM  REPLYBeautiful. I'll be trying this design for sure, much easier then the flower i made before.

 benetnasch says:  Jan 2, 2014. 5:10 PM  REPLYAwesome Instructable!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Rose/

 The Scientartist says:  Jan 2, 2014. 1:27 PM  REPLYAbsolutely beautiful!! And an excellent instructable to boot.

 RobBBorger says:  Jan 2, 2014. 11:29 AM  REPLYAwesome Instructable!!! I am rarely impressed, but I love working in metal, and like you, money for tools is an issue, thank you so much for sharing, I hopeyou continue with this type and subject, look forward to more from you in the future.Rob

 lisa nelson says:  Dec 30, 2013. 5:01 PM  REPLYThese are beautiful! You made this instructable very clear and desirable. Do you have any ideas to make one look "dewy or wet"??

 Bowtie41 says:  Jan 2, 2014. 11:24 AM  REPLYTry hot glue from a glue gun,some brands of glue sticks are really clear.Works great!

 Bowtie41 says:  Jan 2, 2014. 11:23 AM  REPLYTry hot glue from a glue gun,some brands of glue sticks are really clear.Works great!

 vbow says:  Dec 30, 2013. 5:40 PM  REPLYThank you! I have not thought about it before but I suppose that if you were to drip some sort of liquid epoxy resin on the petals it might give the desiredeffect.

 Rapturee says:  Jan 2, 2014. 8:17 AM  REPLYVery Nice, excellent workmanship! :{)

 seadraggin says:  Jan 2, 2014. 6:48 AM  REPLYNice work. Great instructions.

 traumamike says:  Jan 1, 2014. 1:43 AM  REPLYThis looks amazing! Thanks for sharing. If possible, could you explain what you meant at the end when you said it could make a good candle holder? I'm notable to picture what you mean. Thanks

 vbow says:  Jan 1, 2014. 10:51 PM  REPLYAbsolutely. You can kind of see it in the last bunch of pictures in step 8. It is the dark rose with leaves and a candle on top of one leaf. I laid the rosedown on a table how it fell most naturally and then welded 2 leaves along the stem so that they touched the table, acting as bracers. Then I welded alarger leaf on the top of the stem and bent it so that it was level and would hold a candle.

 traumamike says:  Jan 2, 2014. 12:17 AM  REPLYOops! I'm not quite sure how I missed that picture. That looks great. Thanks for the reply. This is definitely on my short list of projects to try.

 jakeframe says:  Jan 2, 2014. 12:07 AM  REPLYGood job! I think my wife will love it!

 oldschool1313 says:  Dec 31, 2013. 12:59 PM  REPLYWhere can I get the file for the leaves

 vbow says:  Jan 1, 2014. 10:45 PM  REPLYWhat I actually did for the leaves was just looked up a picture of them online. Here's a pretty decent picture that you could use http://www.photo-dictionary.com/photofiles/list/3022/4047rose_leaves.jpgJust take that picture or one like it and paste it to word where you can size it however small or large you like. Then you can print out your pattern just likewith the petals.p.s. i usually don't worry about trying to serrate the edges of the leaves, it just takes more time than it is worth

 zhamster rules says:  Dec 31, 2013. 2:05 PM  REPLYThat looks awesome!!!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Rose/

 Jimmy Zhang says:  Dec 31, 2013. 2:59 AM  REPLYNice!A good gift for her!I'm learning to make it.Thank you very much.

 Tany Foundry says:  Dec 31, 2013. 1:32 AM  REPLYbeautiful work, great craftsmanship!

 Gravity Eg says:  Dec 30, 2013. 10:03 PM  REPLYawesome present for girls, thanks for sharing. but where is the file...

 Gravity Eg says:  Dec 31, 2013. 12:57 AM  REPLYmy bad.. I use my phone before, that's the reason ;)

 Greenking73 says:  Dec 30, 2013. 6:56 PM  REPLYAmazing

 ray74 says:  Dec 30, 2013. 6:24 PM  REPLYBeautiful

 doodlecraft says:  Dec 30, 2013. 6:07 PM  REPLYGorgeous! Great job!