Sunday, January 6, 2013

Test and recycling metal scraps

Fiona's friend Sue and I will have a bit of a play-day with metal tomorrow. She indicated that she would like to "make something square" by way of jewellery. I had a couple of hours this afternoon so I headed into the studio-garage to test a quick way of cutting a square hole out of some silver-plated copper using a sharp wood chisel.

Anyway the cutting worked - though a bit rustic in look - so I went on to make a layered pendant. The top layer is silver-plated copper from a small tray; the second layer is the side out of a silver-plated EPNS wine coaster; and the base layer is silver-plated EPNS from a small tray again. The chain is stainless steel recycled from salvaged piece of jewellery that resulted in a stash of about 6m of chain of different lengths and gauges.

©2013 Barry Smith - Rustic there layered pendant
©2013 Barry Smith - Rustic there layered pendant
Recently whilst cutting a thin strip from the edge of a length of silver-plated EPNS it peeled off in a neat spiral about 1cm in diameter and about 9cm long. This scrap was put aside for later use. Well today was later - so I cut the spiral roughly in half tapered the blunt cut ends; drilled holes for jump rings; and gave it all a grind and polish. Jump rings;  a recycled piece of stainless steel chain; and ear-wires by Shannon completed the earrings. The spirals are about 40-45com long.

©2013 Barry Smith - Scrap spiral earrings
©2013 Barry Smith - Scrap spiral earrings
It was a good couple of hours; and I think I'm ready to do a bit of creating with Sue tomorrow.

10 comments:

  1. Beautiful designs. The junk in your hands becomes art and beauty.

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  2. The pendant is beautiful.... love the layered, stained glass feel to it.

    Such tradgedy going on over there - seems there is something horrible one place or another these days.
    Deep peace to you.

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  3. your squares pendant is so bookish i'm happy just thinking about it!

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  4. That's a superb pendant Barry. It's incredible what you can make with so little.

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  5. ~b...more wondrous treats for the eye to see!!! my first thought was a book of sorts...i like how the middle piece hangs lower than the front...gives a nice dimension...can't wait see to more...be well and blessing to you~

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  6. Ohhhh the 3 layer piece is exquisite Barry! A Sacred book of wordless prayers. The serendipitous spirals are lovely too.

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  7. your multi-layered pendant is wonderful Barry. so creative of you!

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  8. L, MJ, VA, V, JM, B, R & TL - i really do appreciate the positive reactions - always good to get when one is testing a new idea. L - junk offers me such opportunities - I can risk having a go without thinking I'm wasting costly metal. MJ - thanks. VA - I agree it has almost a Moroccan look. V - books - now you have given me a new idea. JM - The scraps always offer a challenge - I can't bear to toss them away - but what to do? B - I agree the middle leaf just gives a little design jolt. R - sacred books is right - and I'm into making a book intentionally. TL - the layered look just offers such texture and mystery. All - thanks for your comments, create well and be joyfilled. B

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  9. Another magical change from scrap to treasure. Such a beautiful pendant, Barry, and definitely bookish.

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