Pa-pa was asked to design and make a solid silver bangle cuff representing the Lighthouse at Mumbles Pier and Bracelet Bay in Swansea,South Wales. To begin with a quick sketch of the proposed cuff was drawn on paper by Pa-pa for customer approval . The design was drawn directly on to the surface of the recycled solid silver sheet and then cut out using a jewellers hacksaw using a small blade 1mm thick. Pa-pa then formed a piece of silver recycled wire to encase the landscape surface relief of the design before the two sections were skilfully joined together using a blow torch and silver solder. Once soldered together the cuff was placed in diluted sulphuric acid to remove any flux and oxidisation and then polished with abrasive compounds to a high shine.
Mumbles is a small village at the western edge of the long sweeping Swansea Bay. During roman times oysters were harvested at Oystermouth Bay which is now a bustling tourist destination with its promenade full of fine eateries and shops. The lighthouse was built in 1794 as a defence platform in case of a French invasion and later used in the Second World War as a gunnery station. Today it is a more friendly solar powered indicator for seafareing visitors to the Welsh seaside town Swansea.
Pa-pa used to live in a small fisherman's cottage on the shore front in Mumbles in the late 1990's, enjoying the coastal life and fine sea air that Mumble has to offer.