Trash to functional treasure

©2016 Barry Smith - A fan of cut brass

I had an unusual request - could I make some interesting garden plot name stakes-signs.  They needed to be something that had a bit of interest in their shape, colour, material etc.

©2016 Barry Smith - Years of patina - lovely greens and browns

In my metal stash I had an old very patinated, worn and dirty brass tray. I decided that if I cut it into wedges like a pie it would produce interesting triangles with a curved top. I could stamped the words on two ledges using 10mm plumbers metal stamps. And the backside (which is the front of the tray) would have the beauty of the worn pattern. Basically I was simply adopting the existing shapes and design of the tray and repurposing them in the new design.

©2016 Barry Smith - Wedges of brass

©2016 Barry Smith - Heavy duty capitals

©2016 Barry Smith - Wedges stamped

©2016 Barry Smith - Ground and lightly polished without removing all the patina

©2016 Barry Smith - The decorative side - more highly polished to highlight the pattern

I think they have worked out well - quite a funky thing to have in the garden as a functional ornament.