Collection of ten
Categories: Products; Commerce and business
Word count/read time: 343 words; 1-1/2 minutes
There is a new bistro opening up in a nearby town called
c'est la vie bistro.
French-inspired and globally influenced, there is a decided artsy ambience. After talking with the owner about her
desire for upscale clipboards I reminded her about my metalworking.
We began an email flurry.
With her heart set on solid metal clipboards, the blank sheet of metal for each one would have been around $100 not including
any cutting, shaping, or labor. Those would be some expensive - and heavy - clipboards!
I provided several alternatives. Copper-sheathed clipboards would be roughly
1/3 the price so I created two different prototypes.
I heavily modified existing clipboards.
The clip portions were removed, sanded, painted gloss black with a clearcoat, and oven-baked
to ensure a decent working life. The clips were re-attached using shiny stainless steel implements.
One large piece of precisely cut copper sheet fit each clipboard such that the front had no seams and the back
looked like an envelope. Special adhesive keeps the copper affixed. It substantially increases
rigidity over the undressed clipboards.
The patina was flame-induced, clearcoating mandatory as tarnishing would happen quickly
in such an abusive environment. I expect the coating to flake or wear away after some time but is was laid
on thick and oven-baked. Each one had a unique pattern.
What a fantastic complement of colors: small shiny silver implements contrasting with the
gloss black clip against a backdrop of rainbow copper. Small touches like this really made the difference.
Some were purely accidental - the first prototype had an oxidized clip that was too ugly for even the concept stage
so a quick squirt of black paint took the sin out. To re-attach the clip, I used some machine screws because that
is what I had. Several people specifically commented on the color scheme of the clip ensemble. The beautiful copper background
was icing on the cake. Speaking of cake, they have a dynamite dessert menu. I will accept payment in dough.
If an idea of yours involves metal,
send me an email.
Posted by M: March 2, 2016
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