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Friday, December 9, 2011

Fruits of collaboration

I have been able to get into the studio this afternoon for a couple of hours. I used the time to finished five small bowls I have been working on; words on metal for my Word-a-Day bowls; and Inspirations in the Pocket pieces. But because Noela delivered a stash of completed Bazola I thought I'd share what we have achieved through our collaborative efforts.

Most of the pieces are earrings and the set below are one of my favourites out of this lot. I love the simple design and how the pitted corrosion of the metal and the form marks from a 'previous life' show on the finished product.  I will show photos of other pieces and you will probably have a different opinion to me.

Barry Smith © Brass Bazola earrings - foldformed with silver wire
But I thought I'd show the three stages before Noela creates the jewellery. The first stage is harvesting recycled metal from collected EPNS, brass and copper objects such as the spirit stoves cut up below.

Barry Smith © Harvesting metal from obsolete spirit stoves
Then of course annealing a heap of cut up bits.

Barry Smith © Brass, copper and ENPNS - harvested, chopped and annealed
Creating a stash of "Bazola bits" to deliver to Noela.

Barry Smith © Bazola bits emerge from the annealed metal
And then Noela responds to the "Bazola bits", creates a design, adds elements and assembles the pieces into wearable art jewellery below.

Barry Smith © Bazola - former life - decorative EPNS serving tray
Barry Smith © Bazola - former life - spirit stove 
Barry Smith © Bazola - former life silver-plated copper goblet
Barry Smith © Bazola - former life - EPNS serving tray
Barry Smith © Bazola - former life - decorative EPNS serving tray
Barry Smith © Bazola - former life - spirit stove
Barry Smith © Bazola - former life - spirit stove
Barry Smith © Bazola - former life - copper tank
Barry Smith © Bazola - former life - EPNS serving tray
Barry Smith © Bazola pendant - former life - EPNS serving tray
And hopefully people will continue to be intrigued by the harvested, unique foldformed, hand-beaten and handmade nature of the pieces; and of course buy them. 

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11 comments:

  1. mairedoddDecember 9, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    beautiful all - i love how noela works with your pieces... how could people not appreciate and buy them?

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  2. GabriellaDecember 10, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    I don't see how anyone could pass these by! I love the notion of "former life" - perhaps you could market the whole line under that name and include a card with a description of what they once were? Or do you already offer this information when you sell each piece?

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  3. Jo MurrayDecember 10, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    They are FABULOUS Barry. I lust for the silver plated copper goblet ones. Please save them for me.

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  4. LisaDecember 10, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Barry...you and Noela create beautiful jewelry together...my favorite are the earrings with the wire wraps.
    btw, i recently received your stunning leaves that i won in the ebay gallery auction .. i thought they may be gifts but i can't bear to part with them!

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  5. Jo MurrayDecember 10, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    A FABULOUS collaboration Barry. Please save those silver-plated copper goblet ones for me. See you Sunday... weather permitting.

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  6. layersDecember 10, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    What a beautiful collaboration with Noela.. I too love the simplicity -- shows off the metal surfaces.

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  7. stregataDecember 10, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    What Noela does with your bits is absolutely fascinating!

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  8. Tammie LeeDecember 11, 2011 at 5:07 AM

    each and every piece is wonderful. i enjoy hearing of their former lives.

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  9. Cynthia MonicaDecember 11, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    You two make a great collaborative team as evidenced by the beautiful pieces that result! All are just fabulous, and thanks for sharing your process!

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  10. BarryDecember 11, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    MD, TT, JM, L, S/R, D, TL & CM - it is truly a good thing when the collaboration works . TT - that is how I look at all the bits I do - looking at the former life and the new life given - a metamorphic moment. L- great that the leaves arrived - maybe nurture then for a little while and give them freedom - the smiles will be good. JM - good to catch up today - hope you made it home before the storm - and glad that the copper-silver earrings have gone to a new home. D- getting the balance of the shiny and history right is always a challenge but like yourself I like a bit of the history show through. CM- glad you enjoyed the process - it never ceases to amaze me. Go well. B

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  11. Luthien ThyeDecember 13, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    oh WOW!!! NICE NICE NICE!!!!! SUPER HEART them ALL!!!

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