[TheForge] Warning On Topic, this post contains blacksmithing related subject matter.

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

To get back to blacksmithing---- Its getting near christmas when I do 
the bulk of my fun stuff for blackmithing (christmas gifts).  Our 
extended family always has a chinese auction for gift exchange.  The 
dollar limit is $20.  I always cheat and spend the twenty on materials 
and forge my item.   Looking for ideas. I will toss in some of my own.   
Last year I made a number of items for gifts, the easiest and most 
spectacular being a lamp based on one in Blacksmiths Gazette, just a 
hoop of 1/2 x 1" bar bent in two and a simple base.   Our local art 
store sells hand made papers, which I used for the shade.  This year I 
am thinking of several items.   One is mixed media -- a massage set that 
would include a custom wooden box with selected oils in glass bottles , 
and a small copper dish hand hammered out that would sit on a forged 
tripod with a pan underneath.  The idea would be to place a candle on 
the pan to heat the oil in the copper dish( and set a mood at the same 
time).  Any body tried anything like this?  How far should I set the 
candle below oil to prevent getting it too hot?

Charles