Sometimes there is not a lot to be seen

Today has been one of those days: Rhonda's sister picked up the ladles and Artisan Lamp; I repaired a garden fork so we could dig the potatoes; I built a garden edge; and I hammered some stems to be riveted to the leaf forms that will make up the commission Bending 5.

©2016 Barry Smith - Contrasts - rusted and ground iron

For me the stems are the most interesting and creative part of the day. I need to make 20 stems to attach to the leaf forms. I started out with 24 lengths of rusty iron rod from my 'rust bank'.

©2016 Barry Smith - Rusted rod - like stalks of heavy grass

©2016 Barry Smith - Rusted rod - like stalks of heavy grass

Using a small heavy hammers and round anvil I flattened the ends off the rods.

©2016 Barry Smith - Cold forming iron rod

©2016 Barry Smith - Cold formed iron rod

They were all then given a grind so that they are slimmer to fit into the fold of the leaf forms.

©2016 Barry Smith - Cold formed iron rod 

©2016 Barry Smith - Cold formed iron rod after grinding

It was almost like having a stash of rusty iron arrows.These will provide a good base to drill and attach the leaf forms at a later date.