I had an unusual request - could I "do something" with a length of stained and burnt stainless steel fireplace flue so that it could become a feature in a garden.
 |
| ©2013 Barry Smith - Patinated copper leaf form (12-14cm) on twined copper wire |
Well, what else could one do but surround the flue with a spiral of patinated copper leaves on a twined copper vine.
 |
| ©2013 Barry Smith - Fire flue (about 90cm high) spiral on wood block |
 |
| ©2013 Barry Smith - Fire flue (about 90cm high) spiral in gravel |
As part of the process I made the leaf forms (made from recycled copper from a shower base); and riveted thick recycled copper wire into the leaves.
 |
| ©2013 Barry Smith - Leaf forms - hammered and riveted |
Lovely fire colour when the leaves were annealed before opening.
 |
| ©2013 Barry Smith - Leaf forms - annealed and opened |
And then: polish; add a dash of patina solution; spray with fixative; and polish off the edges.
 |
| ©2013 Barry Smith - Leaf forms - patinated on rusted table |
Twine them all into a long strand before attaching them to the pipe.
 |
| ©2013 Barry Smith - Leaf forms - strung - ready to spiral |
All round good bit of recycling. And creating "something' for the garden. Now I'm off to drink some bubbles.
Great! I have a few bits of flue hanging around... too bad you aren't a tad closer!
ReplyDeleteGreat. I have a few bits of flue
Need to know how you got that beautiful turquoise color! Can't wait to see you guys. Just around the corner!!!
ReplyDeletelove the blue that you ended up with. very creative.
ReplyDeleteThis is BEAUTIFUL, Barry! Just a few leaves and a stem turned the flue into a surprising piece of sculpture. And the patina... Wow!
ReplyDeleteStunning! Your twining leaves have elevated that humble flue pipe to a work of art. What a lovely addition to a garden setting. Bubbles are well deserved.
ReplyDeleteVA, SZQ, TL, EM & AA - thanks for stopping and checking out the simplicity of leaves on a pipe = though I have included rivets into this loot. VA - would;d it not be good if someday I could drop by and just hammer up a form and cover those flues in leaves? SZQ - must admit it is patina solution - acid really - but the secrecy is very clean and polished copper and two generous coats of solution - painted on. See you soon. TL & EM - such a lovely blue-green patina - not altered in the photo. AA - sometimes simple works. The person who commissioned it loves it. All go well. b
ReplyDeleteWorked wonderfully well Barry.
ReplyDeleteYour leaves remind me of our autumn leaves falling all around... brass colored leaves.... dressing up a flue.
ReplyDelete