The images below show the progression of raising. It is important not to use the metal hammer on the outside edge since an errant blow could easily thin the metal. A rawhide mallet is used to force the metal down on the stake to the conforming angle.

        This completes the first angle of raising and now it is time to anneal the bowl to soften the metal. The metal is then pickled in acid to clean the oxides formed by annealing. I don't usually do this on the first stage of raising when I work with copper. This bowl is large and would require that I submerge it in a wide container of the caustic material. I avoid this by waiting until the bowl is a more manageable diameter. If this were a sterling bowl I would to pickle it.

        The concentric circles are penciled in once again and the raising begins with a new angle being set on the stake. It is a true pleasure to see the bowl progress under my careful blows. I wear a glove on my left hand since it is holding and turning the bowl. This hand must maintain the angle and position of the bowl on the stake at all times while the other hand directs the hammer to deliver even and consistent blows.

        The steps are repeated for the second angle of raising and often the space between the concentric circles are narrowed to 0.5". The number of times you change the angle depends on how deep you wish the bowl to be and so you must measure the angle and check to be sure you are consistent all around the perimeter of the bowl.

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