Yesterday afternoon I finished the spiral and pearl earring; and today I was progressing three lines of work: the flag-prayer wheel I'm creating for
Flags for Peace; finishing a Daily Word-leaf set that needed to have a rose on the bowl (courtesy of a tray I fortunately had set aside); and doing a prototype of a fish for a commissioned wall feature.
I have not made a fish before so it was all a bit of trial and error. I want to keep the design simple and able to be replicated in different sizes and also be unique. The fish form (stylised fish) in the photo below is made from old recycled copper, silver-plated EPNS and new copper rivets. All hand formed and hammered of course. The tail section needs refining.
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Metal fish from recycled scraps. |
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - The rough bits of the metal fish |
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Metal fish from recycled scraps. |
The peace flag-prayer wheel will have eight curved 'vanes' to catch the wind and drive the wheel. There are eight vanes because that is what I was able to cut from an old fruit basket-tray thingy.
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Metal vanes cut from an old fruit basket |
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Five vanes with peace aspirations stamped on them. |
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Three vanes with "imagine peace now" stamped on them |
As you can see from the photos above I have stamped the peace words-aspirations on the curved metal vanes. I have polished the pieces but it was all getting a bit cold and dark outside so I'll assemble the bits and post on it on another day.
And this is how the spiral and pearl earrings finished up.
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| ©2014 Barry Smith - Spiral earrings - recycled silver-plated copper and recycled pearls |
Always good to progress and complete a few things.
Oh the fish is beautiful, Barry!! How big is it approximately? Really looking forward to seeing the prayer wheel when it's finished.Such a great a idea.
ReplyDeleteThat's a brilliant fish...and, of course, I LOVE the earrings.
ReplyDeleteThe fish is fabulous - hope there will be more than one in the commission as it will look even better.
ReplyDeleteLovely to check in again, Barry, and see all the wonders from your anvil! Great fish! Been deep in summer house renovations and garden work and have been hopeless at visiting even my favorite blogs!! Hope all is well!
ReplyDeleteHi R, JM, SB & VA - thank you for your comments on my slightly quirky fish. R- this fish is about 30cm long and 9cm wide. I' also looking forward to the prayer wheel - hoping it works of course. JM - there are many who covet the earrings!!!! SB - the commission will include a shoal of fish - well maybe 10-15. VA - I have enjoyed seeing what you are doing renovation wise. Is your cottage in a publicly owned forest or some such thing? All go well. B
ReplyDeleteStunning work as usual Barry...especially love the earrings :)
ReplyDeleteOh, the fish! I'm a lover of fishy things and you never disappoint. The earrings are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteJ & C - Good to get positive comments on the fish given fish are not my thing. The earrings have turned out really beautifully and look good on the new owner. Peace. B
ReplyDeletewow, barry, it looks like i haven't visited in a while! you have been very very busy. and that fish, well, it's a keeper! so cool!
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