On Friday I posted on some tiny leaves (25-30mm long) I formed to use in making earrings. Other fellow metal working artists including
Stregata and
Mairedodd , who are talented makers of art jewellery, make foldformed leaves as components for their pieces. Mairedodd indicated that she has formed leaves as small as about 15-18mm (3/4 inch). I thought I had to give that a go - so this afternoon I took myself back down to the 'garage-studio' to cut, beat and polish some micro leaves. As you can see from the photo below when compared to Smarties (M&Ms) they are quite tiny and yet have maintained the leaf form.
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| Fiona Dempster © Tiny leaves and Smarties |
You can see from the photo of my thumb nail and a leaf in the process of being beaten my fingers were slightly at risk.
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| Barry Smith © Tiny leaf being formed |
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| Barry Smith © A litter of tiny formed leaves |
But about eleven tiny ones emerged; and were unfolded ready for polishing.
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| Barry Smith © Leaves opened ready for polishing |
And a tiny shiny stash of leaves appeared after polishing.
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| Barry Smith © Stash of micro leaves |
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| Barry Smith © Stash of micro leaves |
I thought it would be good to see how they worked as earring pieces. Using some chain recycled from older earrings of Fiona's I made a set of pendant earrings. They looked good on the blue glass; but look even better on Fiona who was forced to model them after a hard afternoon of creativity in the shed studio. Fiona said it was like wearing her own personal wind chimes as the leaves are so light they tinkle together.
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| Barry Smith © Micro leaf earrings for Fiona |
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| Barry Smith © Micro leaf earrings modeled by Fiona |
I think I could be over the actual obsession with creating micro leaves for a little while - but will return to them when I have a little more time as they have heaps of potential.
I imagine these are so much harder to make than the bigger leaves but they are so lovely and look amazing made up into earrings. The more you make the easier it will get :-)
ReplyDeleteI love that they're so small, beautiful earrings and I like that they make sound. And I keep seeing installations of small piles of leaves outside under trees, but I know from having one that they'd blow away.... but I think that'd be fun to see while walking down the street. Under a city tree, a larger pile of metal leaves.
ReplyDeleteMiniature work at its best!
ReplyDeleteAs for the earrings... FANTASTIC!!!
they came out gorgeous! and i am laughing as you say that you are over the micro leaf obsession - they make your eyes blur and head swim, don't they?!
ReplyDeleteThe leaves are marvellous, Barry! The earrings look gorgeous - and it is like a tiny wind chime. I love the way they tinkle...
ReplyDeleteand thank you for the mention :)
Fiona's right about wind-chimes. I would find those earrings a little long for a little old lady, but I bet it's a lovely sound. I particularly like the 'rougher' leaves, perhaps with a bit of a curl. They have wonderful character. Will let you know when I'm next heading up your way.
ReplyDeleteas a lover of the small, i really really like these.
ReplyDeleteStill lusting after a pair! Fiddly but lovely.
ReplyDeleteOk so those candies do put them in perspective! So delicately beautiful. So where's the little tree they are hanging on?? The most delicate of sounds as the wind blows thru them. I'll wait while you work on it! :)
ReplyDeleteyour tiny leaves are simply stunning...i love the long dangly earring style! i have a pair of Mary Jane's tiny leaf earrings and they are well worth the hard work...please don't give up the miniatures..you are so good at them!
ReplyDeleteR, VA, AM, MD, S/R, JM, V, P, SZQ & L - it is reassuring that there are still lovers of leaves out there. Thanks all for positive feedback and thanks MD for the unspoken challenge. R - I had to laugh it was like well practice makes perfect. VA - I'm working on a bigger version of your dream. AM - Knew they would appeal. S/R - mini wind chimes could be my thing - and it is easy to mention talented people. JM&P - we really do need to talk. SZQ - that has given me an idea - a mini of the Peace Tree??? L- thanks for the support and as MD says apart from dealing with the blurred vision from concentrating to avoid the fingers with the hammer I think I am pretty well hooked. Go well. B
ReplyDelete~barry...look at these itsy bitsy leaves and earings you have created...its a moment to give yourself a break and say "ah" these are beautiful as always...i can only imagine the time and effort put forth in creating them...much love light and blessings~
ReplyDeleteOOOO!!! these are SO CUTE!!!! so tiny ... and just so Adorable :)
ReplyDelete