Osmium is the densest naturally occurring element. It has a blue-gray tint and is the densest stable element. Manufacturers use its alloys with platinum, iridium, and other platinum-group metals to make fountain pen nib tippings, electrical contacts, and in other applications that require extreme durability and hardness. Osmium is estimated to be about 0.6 parts per billion in the universe and is therefore the rarest precious metal. It is also highly poisonous, making it the most deadly of the precious metals.
I have begun a new series based on the precious metals. I have worked with gold, silver and copper in the past and now I will add Osmium, the rarest precious metal, to a series.
I am using one of my favorite shapes, the ginkgo. I found this particular leaf fallen onto a heap of leaves on November 16, 2018. I brought the leaf home, scanned it, and saved it for future projects – like now. The leaf was a bit dry by the time I got to scanning it. Click on image for a larger view.
I really love the shape of this particular leaf. It is a wide leaf and looks almost like Mother Nature put two smaller leaves together to form this one. Can you find it in the image below?
I spent quite a bit of time working on the blue-gray tint of the metal. Not easy to find either in thread or fabric. Ultimately, I used a light blue tulle netting with a light gray thread. I think I got pretty close to the idea with this combination.
It has been a while since I’ve divided a circle by three so I got my compass out and called on my math-friendly husband to speed the process along.
And here is the piece quilted.
I am auditioning beads. Not quite right – I’ll have to go shopping.
Stay tuned for more progress.
Oh Franki, you are so good at design and composition; this is so edited and lovely, the floating foliage in the background is a delight too. Beautiful piece!
Thank you Jenny! I love my ginkgoes and I love that fabric. That is an Italian upholstery fabric that I used to recover a loveseat some years ago. Dense quilting takes over as a design, but lighter quilting lets the fabric design shine.
Lovely Franki. What is the size?
It’s 12″ x 12″. Thanks for stopping by!
love the gingko work!!
Thanks Toni!
What a great project, Fanki! I’d never heard of osmium.
Love your new pieces!
Fantastic.
Ann! Thanks for stopping by. I hope all is well with you.
I love your gingkos. What a beautiful piece. Can’t wait to see the beads.
Love all! A bit behind seeing these beauties of all kinds, Franki, so I’m very inspired to expand some needly projects.
Lovely to hear from you Sherry. Thanks for stopping by. I hope all is good on your end.