I started this frame by making the basic frame from angle iron, welded together at the corners. I then went around the frame with aluminum, and again with copper. The copper started out as pipe, which I slit, hammered flat, cut to my desired shape, and soldered together. I then laid these aluminum and copper sections over the steel, and drilled and tapped 72, 1/8 inch holes around the frame, and installed socket head cap screws to hold all the layers together. I then went over the whole frame with a wire wheel and scotch pads.

The “Mystic Garden” frame is made from mild steel angle, round and flat stock, and type “L” copper pipe. I’ve attached many sleeves, rings and bands over the copper pipe with hand made brass rivets to give areas a layered look.
Then, to bring some of the elements of Mr. Marchetti’s image out onto my frame, I took a small watch movement, and Yin-Yang symbol, encased them both in copper, added a glass lens over each and suspended them from a detailed suspension point at the top.
At the bottom I’ve added some wrought iron fencing elements to finish it off.

For the base of this frame I started with mild steel angle and flat stock. After cutting and welding up these steel pieces, I flattened out lengths of type “L” copper pipe, by hand, cut them to length, and hand bent the necessary angles needed.
To attach the copper to the steel, I made rivets from 1/8″ brass rod, drilled the necessary holes and hammered them into place.
At the top corners, I layered both steel and copper together to produce the “curtain” effect from the image itself. And at the bottom, I’ve added a steel “shelf” which I covered with glass painted underneath to match the floor in the image.
One thing I love about Mr. Marchetti’s work is how he brings all these different elements together, like people, animals, insects, plants and mechanical elements, etc. and all with such vivid color and detail. So I’ve taken many of the elements from his image and brought them out onto the frame. So if you look closely, you’ll find some of these items on the frame that resemble his images.