Classy Steampunk

I have called this Steampunkish pendant Time and Star Travel because I was using watch parts and to me the jewels in the fob-watch (garnets) looked like red stars.  I then continued the star theme with the solid sterling silver star rivet  at the centre and the brass rivets around the edge; and all on a blue sky background.

I like how ideas take shape on the anvil.

©2014 Barry Smith - Elements of a pendant

And then progress to fruition. The pendant needs a good clean and shine but it is close to completion. The pendant is about 50mm in diameter - it will be a strong classy statement piece.

©2014 Barry Smith - Time and Star Travel

I think it could be worn high on the neck using a solid wire.

It is good to make a piece just because the metal speaks.

A few images

Just thought I'd post a few images from our stroll through the land, war and urban scape of Belgium (Ieper and Bruges).

I'm still amazed at the beauty around us; and pleased that the iPhone is useful in capturing these reminders.

Taking peace to a place of war

Fiona and I are in Ypre to attend the opening of the Pieces for Peace 14-18 Exhibition - we both have artists books in the exhibition.

I thought it might be a good thing to take a few small peace leaves with me to give to folk as a peace gesture. And I might also leave a few in random spots as Marry-Jane did with stones and shells on International Peace Day 2014.

So I stated with a handful of rather sad metal off cuts and cut and hammered them into leaf forms.

©2014 Barry Smith - A handful of peace potential

And after going through my fold forming leaf making process I have just over 20 small (7-9cm long) Peace Leaves to give away.

©2014 Barry Smith - Peace emerging

©2014 Barry Smith - Peace emerging  on my work scarred bench 

©2014 Barry Smith - Peace for sharing

I love the fact that the organisers of the exhibition decided to mark the 100 year anniversary of the atrocities in and around Ypre with a positive artistic event - I think it will be quite emotional.

Busy bees

I was not sure what was happening with the bees in the following photos - all I know they were grouped together on the outside and back of a hive and very active - may be about to swarm - still I wanted to get up close and check them out - and yes there were bees buzzing all around - be confident right!!!! Couldn't get a really clear macro shot with the iPhone as there was too much movement four the camera to focus on. There are quite a few hives in the yard I cut through (with permission) on my way to Treehaven Way.

©2014 Barry Smith - Very busy bees

©2014 Barry Smith - A little closer and clearer

©2014 Barry Smith - A bit of communication going on?

Anyway the bee episode gave way to the beauty of flowers.

And bee on our roses.

There is always something to lift one on early morning walks. Makes me realise I'm alive and am just part of a big active world.

Light Catchers take two

I did get around to finishing the second of the Light Catchers I started on Friday.

©2014 Barry Smith - Crystal and calipers

This second Light Catcher has very clean and simple lines using: part of a weaving shuttle; a heating element out of a small boiler; two vintage crystals; and a brass plate from an old clock. It almost looks like it is a crystal powered craft - slight influence of Steampunk.

©2014 Barry Smith - Twin crystal Light Catcher

©2014 Barry Smith - Twin crystal Light Catcher

©2014 Barry Smith - Twin crystal Light Catcher

©2014 Barry Smith - Twin crystal Light Catcher

I also changed the crystal in the first Light Catcher and so reduced the centre of gravity. I polished the brass plate it sits on.

Both the Light Catchers are now over in the studio-gallery

Light Catchers

As I did not have anything that I needed to do in the garage-studio today - I decided to use a few of the bits and pieces I have on the table to make a couple of Light Catchers.

If you recall my Light Catchers are whimsical assemblage pieces that sit on a window ledge and catch the sunlight and reflect it into the room through vintage crystals.

As you can see from the photos below I started with two piles of stuff;  which after cleaning, sanding cutting and drilling etc became more attractive piles.

©2014 Barry Smith - Objects cleaned and polished for assemblage

©2014 Barry Smith - More objects cleaned and polished for assemblage

One pile became a piece that would appeal to  people who like tools.

©2014 Barry Smith - Caliper Light Catcher

©2014 Barry Smith - Caliper Light Catcher

©2014 Barry Smith - Caliper Light Catcher

I think this piece still needs adjustment - it is too high - so I will get to that over the weekend - I hope. And the other has a Steampunkish nautical theme; but will be revealed at a later date after the assembling is finished

Fiona tells me that the nachos is ready and the wine has breathed - I'm out of here.

The glory of early morn

One of the challenges of spring heading into summer in Maleny is that sunrise now has a 4 in it - yes it is very bright by 4.45am.  This tends to mean that we wake earlier and are exercising earlier - so the morning walks are in the cool clear part of the day. Some times the walk starts with a meander on the block checking out the blossoms that are just roaring into life.

Being greeted by the dog on the roof in Treehaven Way is special. How it gets up there or why I can't say; but it is there most mornings guarding the family castle.

Of course there are more roadside blossoms literally popping up in the verges.

And the odd feather - the small white one literally drifted down on the road in front of me.

The leaves even put on a show of colour.

So the upside of the early sunrise is that nature is also very awake and open.