Memoria Technica

Horological Conservation and Bespoke Services. Based in Seattle, Washington.

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January 27, 2016 4390 × 2550 in Snippets from Engine Turning No.1

Straightline machine patterns (left) and rose engine moray (right)

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Memoria Technica Workshop

To book an appointment please send an email to bcox@mechanicalcurios.com

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Some student work from last weekend’s Turning to Borders Engine Turning class! I adore holding these classes and having the opportunity to share a craft that I love so much. This was a special class that brought in visiting tutor Phillip Peck. This class combined machine engraving with hand engraving, giving students the opportunity to explore historic techniques used on objects, jewelry, and watch cases & dials. If you’re interested in taking an engine turning class with me, I’m holding both beginner’s and intermediate classes later this month and in November. Sign up link in bio! #craft #guilloche #engineturning #engraving . . . . . . . #memoriatechnica #handengraving #machineengraving #seattleartclass #engineturned #roseengine #guilloché #watchdial #jewlery #watchmaking #horology
Part of my process for refeathering a singing bird is to make quick schematics in watercolor. This dictates the color bank for the feathers. Much of this is determined by how many/if any original feathers are intact and if they can be salvaged. The sketch on the left is a combination of original feathers and what I have. This is also closer to what would have been present originally. I’m grateful for Mondays like these. #craft #conservation #birdsong . . . . . . . #memoriatechnica #colorbank #siningbird #automaton #antiquarianhorologist #conservator
Attention lovers of Almost Lost Arts, author @emfrei has just published the most glorious catalogue of critically endangered crafts. I had the honor of being featured in the book alongside @alchemytintypestudio who took the stunning portrait of my automaton snail in a wet plate pop up @fruitsupershop & @foundryvineyards last weekend. They also hosted a book release party for their debut opening event in collaboration with @gatherseattle. It was a privilege to be a part of such a special evening with so many wonderful folks. Congratulations to @emfrei, @fruitsuper, & @foundryvineyards! And thanks for sharing the mic with me to talk about our work @alchemytintypestudio! The book is now available @fruitsupershop & on amazon. Thanks to @maddieolling for capturing such lovely photos from the event. #community #gratitude #craft . . . . . . . . #gatherseattle #fruitsuper #tintype #almostlostarts #localauthor #seattlelove #horology #cochlea #snail #memoriatechnica #alchemytintype #foundryvineyards
Today I couldn’t stop myself from making one of my mineral stands. I haven’t made these in a few years! Suspended is an antique ornamentally turned puzzle ball. A ball cut inside a ball cut inside a ball. #craft #memoriatechnica #guilloche #mineralstand . . . . . . #engineturning #engineturned #antiquarianhorologist #ornamentalturning #geometry
SOUND ON 🎶 Progress✨🦜 after a new piston for the whistle, new bellows, new parts and adjustments to cam followers, new internal parts for the bird, new top beak, new feathers - this little guy is almost ready to return to its tortoise shell nest. A final cleaning and a few more adjustments to go. #craft #singingbird #birdsong #automaton #memoriatechnica . . . . . . . #horology #antiquarianhorologist #magic #illusion #songbird #mechanism #wonder #artificialintelligence #heritage #conservation
A bit of feathering today in emeralds and celadons. This little one will soon be reunited with his mechanical system to help him breathe and sing again. #love #craft #birdsong . . . . #memoriatechnica #automaton #singingbird #mechanic #horologist #conservation #heritage #magic #songbird
Lions, & tigers, & bears, oh my! @potterauctions is having a sale of wonderful golden age and contemporary automata!! It’s this week folks! Now is your chance to snag one of my favorites, including a mechanical peacock (!) and a bubble blowing bear. Shown first is the famous Pierrot on the Moon automaton by Lambert, circa 1890. Scroll through to see just a few of the pieces for sale. #magic #illusion #mechanism . . . . . . #automaton #potterauctions #memoriatechnica #horology #craft #forsale #auction
Attempting to embrace imperfection is a very hard thing for a Virgo watchmaker. This has been a very challenging year for me and a lot of people I know. I’ve been so thankful for all of the support and successes of this year, but have also struggled with my failures and seeing my friends go through hard times. I have meditated on the nature of time and how she gives as much as she takes away. Today I feel proud of my crooked eyeliner, messy hair, and all of the things that make me human. Embracing these qualities has allowed me to enjoy another craft. I’ve started taking ceramics classes in the evenings and have really enjoyed the way clay forgives. It serves as a much needed respite from my daily work of painstakingly small tolerance for error. The little animals are little guardians and the wish bones are meant to be broken. When so much of my work is about saving things and keeping them stable against the nature of time itself, it’s nice to make something that only gives once it’s broken. #craft #imperfection #wish . . . . . . . #memoriatechnica #time #wishbone #embrace #ceramics #perfection #totem #animal #totemanimal #beautifulbroken #virgo #horologist #watchmaker
It was such a joy to watch the process of this neon installation go in at Seattle’s new art museum @momartseattle. I’ve always been curious about neon and how it works. The color of the light depends on the noble gas used to produce the effect. These tubes were pre-colored and filled with mercury to give off a white blue light beneath the glass, achieving an equilibrium between the colors. 🌈 This neon beacon by @dylanneuwirth will show you the way to enlightenment. The museum is set to open its doors February of next year and I’m so excited to be a part of its opening show. Seattle go see your MoM! #museumofmuseums . . . . . . . . #neon #momartseattle #artmuseum #seattlemuseum #firsthillseattle #light

The Automata Cabinet – Blog

  • Upcoming Classes & Seattle’s Museum of Museums
  • Coloring Book Contest & Classes
  • Engine Turning this April
  • In a Snail Shell
  • Papier-mâché that barks : Woof ! Crack ! Woops…
  • Summer Solstice at the Cooper Hewitt
  • Craft – skill in making
  • Where mechanics meet magic, birds, & music
  • Engine Turning Classes May 2018
  • The Magic of Horology 2/13

Memoria Technica

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