Rustnstuff: 01/16

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Bringing fragments together

Over the weekend I just wanted to do a small bit of creating to ease me back into things. I decided to not start any commissions or product for outlets; but rather just do something that used bits and pieces that asked to be used.

So I decided to use: some scraps of bone still lying around from earlier work; some of the sea glass from NZ; a few NZ pebbles; and a few scraps of silver-plated EPNS and copper.

As you can see from the first photo this resulted in a few pieces of bone jewellery. The bone earrings above are something new for me - the bone drops are about 20-25mm long 5-6mm wide and 5mm thick at the thickest point. They made their way into Fiona's jewellery box this afternoon.

A few more bone pendants with negative space.

And a few of pendants with silver-plate.

A satisfying and gentle way to get back into the creative groove.

Friday, January 29, 2016

Not your usual souvenirs

Fiona and I returned today from 10 days in the northern area of the north island of NZ - a great bit of down and away time. As one would expect our photos of the trip are not the usual people or even place shot; but rather details and fragments like most of our art friends.

But our purchases whilst we are away are not the usual bits of memorabilia - as it turns out for me it was: sea glass we picked up; a heavy rusty cog (20cm in diameter); brass objects for Artisan Lamps; small silver-plated trays; and one of the largest silver-plated trays we have ever found.

Sea glass collection….

Bits for Artisan Lamps from a couple of places - including a beautiful rusty cog.

Small silver plated trays from various locations.

The big tray that only just fitted into Fiona's bag on the diagonal - but it will offer much metal.

And some gorgeous 15cm long cut nails.

Obviously - this all added to the weight of our bags - but surprisingly enough we were still way under our limit - good to travel light. There will be early pizza and red wine tonight as our flight this morning way way before the birds even thought of rising in Australia.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

A few images for Wednesday

A few images from our walks in the land of the long white cloud.

Friday, January 22, 2016

A lamp commission completed

I know it tends to be a bit repetitive showing photos of Artisan Lamps made from old blow torches; but there is a difference here - I was doing a commission - restoring two family heirlooms and turning them into functional lights. Creating functional art work out of family history can mean that they are loved a little longer and kept in good shiny condition.

The blowtorches I started with were in pretty grim state as you can see from the photo of one of them below.

First dismantling for cleaning and polishing - grinding and polishing took quite a while.

I used my tap and die set to create the pieces to be added to the blow torches to attach the light fittings.

And once ground and polished, reassembled and with cords and globes included they now have taken on a new life but retain the family history.

They are now ready to pass on to the owner and be loved again.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Shadows, light and wood

Just over a week ago Fiona and I needed to go to the "big smoke - the city" (Brisbane) for business and art supplies. We took the opportunity to go to to see the Asia Pacific Triennial art show at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).

As is often the case I can be taken with some of the detail of the art.

First a few photos of light and shadow reflections on the floor from a a room full of large glossy photos arranged in a spiral on a grey polished concrete floor.