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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Gift that keeps creating and giving

I had told fellow artist and friend Christine Elcoate that I was on the lookout for old-vintage chandelier crystals. She responded by saying that she had a chandelier that used to be her mother's - and she had been keeping it to do something with it but never had. She offered it to me - I accepted on the basis that I world use some pieces to create a small memento piece for her. She got our mutual friend Noela Mills to deliver it. Below is a photo of the small table-top piece. I wanted to do this before I totally dismantled the crystals and before I used any in my assemblage work. I wanted a little bit of the gift of Christine's mum to be resurrected in a small new piece made solely from elements of the chandelier.

Barry Smith © A mother's gift
Barry Smith © A trilogy of crystals
As you can see from the photos below - though the chandelier is not very big but it does have heaps of great crystals - bit dusty etc at the moment but will shine after a soak in vinegar.

Barry Smith © C's mum's gift
Barry Smith © C's mum's gift
Barry Smith © Crystal cascade 
Barry Smith © Crystals with patina links
Barry Smith © Crystal cluster
As I dismantle the crystals wants me to collect all the connecting patinated silver coated copper wires for something creative. I will post further down the track what the final stash looks like.
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12 comments:

  1. heather noyeJuly 31, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    wow! what a great material to work with. can't wait to see what it all becomes :)

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  2. stregataAugust 1, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    Oooooooh, such lovelies!!! How kind of you to make a piece for her to commemorate her mother! And look at that stash of crystals... but I am even more fascinated by the brass piece... can't wait to see what you create with it, Barry.

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  3. Cynthia MonicaAugust 1, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    What a beautiful gift from Christine and your work will honor her mother's memory....will look forward to seeing what ensues from your creative hands...

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  4. Jo MurrayAugust 1, 2011 at 4:35 AM

    Thoughtful of you Barry. A lovely piece of recycling.

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  5. Leslie Avon MillerAugust 1, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    I am touched you will commemorate the original owner of the chandelier. Invisible threads connect us all.

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  6. rumaAugust 1, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    Hello, Barry.
    The graceful sense wraps your artworks.

    Thank you for the warmth of your heart.
    Have a good week...

    Greetings.
    ruma

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  7. Velma BolyardAugust 1, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    i especially like that last photo, where the crystals become other through your lens, as they will through your hands.

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  8. Ken MunsieAugust 1, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    ... mmmmm - now the bloke is going all blingy ... but it's a good bling !!!!
    K

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  9. CarolAugust 2, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    What a wonderful stash of crystals! It will be fun watching your creations.

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  10. BarryAugust 2, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    HN, S, CM, JM, LAM, R, V, KM & C - thanks all - always good to be able to continue the thread of history and honor those who have owned the bits we gather but also set the scene to make anew. The crystals clumps or clusters are beautiful in their rough state filled with the pat but will also become renewed and hopefully beautiful - we will see. Maybe also some room for exchanges. Go well. B

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  11. Luthien ThyeAugust 5, 2011 at 1:52 AM

    oh my!!! what a great piece to work with! as it is the crystals and the patina-ed links already have so much soul in them! and the dusty crystals actually look like they just came out from the earth ... much like raw uncut natural crystals!! wonderful!!

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  12. Gaby Bee August 7, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    WOW, what a magnificent collection of chandelier crystals! You can consider yourself lucky:)
    I can hardly wait to see what you create with it, Barry.

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Comments are welcomed - it is good to connect with fellow travellers.