25" Mandarin Lotus Part 2

Soldering continued this week on the 25" Mandarin Lotus shade. This step is slowed by the pleated surface of the shade, which must be positioned at a multitude of different angles for proper soldering since molten solder always runs downhill.

A flexible copper wire is carefully positioned on each of the 24 pleats, a painstaking process that requires patience and careful attention to detail. The wire defines each rib, starting at the top and running the vertical length of the shade. The challenge when applying the wire is to keep it running straight with no kinks on the uneven crest of each pleat. A stack of copper wires waiting to be added to the shade can be viewed on the soldering table.

At the halfway point of the shade, the 24 ribs split into 48 ribs, then split again into 96. At the lower edge of the shade, the 96 ribs split one last time, requiring additional short wires that will be applied once the shade is off the lamp form. Once all these wires are in place, the finish soldering on the exterior of the shade begins. 

The shade will be released from the lamp form early next week, and soldering will continue on the interior of the piece!