'Lead' lead the way.

This photograph is the display case at the museum re coal mining. Very basic protection that was worn; boots, helmet and knee pads tied on with leather straps. The tiny snap box and its shape interested me and having purchased a good strip of lead I wondered what I could do with it. I decided to concentrate on the knee pads which were the exact shape that lead forms when beaten on the leather pad with a wooden mallet. It forms a natural curve; the shape of our knee.

During our Weds workshop day I began work on them and quickly saw some good results. Lead is full of surprises; it varies in malleability but needs such a lot of bashing to become soft enough to manipulate which is very tiring. I have driven everyone mad with the constant banging.