First assignment, piercing...two dimensional design

I am really loving my metals class. Our first project was to make a two dimensional piercing in the metal of our choice. This assignment started last Saturday (1/27), and concluded this Saturday (2/03). I chose a simple framed ufo design. I used 18 gauge sterling silver sheet. I plan on soldering a bail to the back, I didn't want to just cut a hole for a jumpring. The polish is high, 1200grit, you probably can't see that from the photo, but I spent a lot of time on the finishing of this piece, and it will most likely be a gift once it is completed. I am really not a ufo type person, but I liked the design and it was simple. I got some great practice with the saw and drill press on this one. This piece is 1 inch square of silver sheet.



Since I made such a simple first design, I had time to make another. This is a copper dog tag for my favorite pet, Perry...we call him P. Another very simple design, but this one was made especially for P with love. I had planned to saw out the circle, but discovered that I had access to some cool hand tools like the circle punches. This tag was punched out before piercing. A 1" circle punch on 18 gauge copper sheet...brute force was key in the execution! It took quite a few precice blows with the hammer to finally get the hole punched out, and some more brute force to get the 1" punch out of the steel holder.
I think Perry will really like it, in fact, I almost wish I didn't waste so much time in the finishing, because I know after an hour of putting it on his collar it will look nothing like this. I have to wait until next week to give it to him, because he will surely destroy it, and since it is part of my assignment, I want it to be prestine for the instructor to judge next week...then P can have his way with it. This piece is a 1 inch circle of copper. I struggled with the lopsided P, but as I worked it, I grew fond of the cartoonish lettering.



I initially cut a square out of my copper sheet to saw the circle for Perry's tag out of, this was before I knew I could punch it out. Needless to say, I had a lot of waste. I decided to do something with the wasted copper. A circle in a square that was not centered. I decided to cut points as in sunrays into the scrap. I think this may end up being layered somehow into some other design with another metal underneath...I really don't know what to do with this, but I am sure it will end up being something or other. It is shown with the piece that was punched out. This piece is approximately 1 1/2 inches square...although its not square anymore.