Friday, September 30, 2016

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.

2 comments:

Comments are welcomed - it is good to connect with fellow travellers.