Inspirational bowls and other matters

Didn't get to do actual hands on art work today but I can report on some bits and pieces I have done recently - indoors from the rain.

 One of the themes that runs through my work is about finding stillness and focal points in our busy lives. My Daily Word sets (bowls and words) are made as an aid to creating a focus for each day of the week. Recently Robyn (Art Propelled) said that I send my "leaves into the world like little ambassadors, spreading peace and goodwill".  This got me thinking about my Daily Words - why would I not create leaves that carry the words. So inspired by Robyn I have made a Daily Words set with leaves and words - and I like it.

©2014 Barry Smith - Daily Word Leaves  - Serenity

As always the leaves started out from fairly rough looking metal.

©2014 Barry Smith - Daily Word Leaves  - the start

And the formed leaves and bowl looked anything but beautiful.

©2014 Barry Smith - Daily Words - bowl and word leaves - humble beginning

But a bit of manipulation, cutting and polishing has revealed the inner beauty.

©2014 Barry Smith - Daily Words - leaf forms

Some time ago I made a pair of bowls from very thick, worn butter dishes - they were a little tough to form but they have the most beautiful chime - they are not singing bowls but rather beautiful chiming bowls - I'm on the hunt for more of those old, small and thick butter dishes from days gone by.

©2014 Barry Smith - Chiming bowl - formerly a butter dish

©2014 Barry Smith - A pair of chiming bowls

I was tidying my jewellery making area and realised I had a couple of unfinished projects: converting a pair of Fiona's dad's cuff links into a pendant for her mum; and finishing a set of earrings using slices of brass from and old window winder. The results are shown below.

©2014 Barry Smith - Opal cufflink pendant

©2014 Barry Smith - Brass window winder and crystal earring drops

And whilst I did not get to do hands on art today I did: spend some time showing an interested local business person what I do; Fiona and I did more work on our block; and we delivered the pendant to Fiona's mum.