Rustnstuff: 11/18

Friday, November 30, 2018

Tall and slender - Artisan Lamp that is

I planned to finish paint the edge boards of our decks in the cool and shadow today; so I got started on an Artisan Floor Lamp on Wednesday. The lamp got finished this afternoon.

The tall slender lamp was inspired by five solid fuel pods off vintage plumbers soldering irons (after and before photos are above and below). The fuel pods act as the handle of the soldering iron and have a built in hand operated pressure pump.

I gave the polished bits a coat of clear spray.

And as is the way of my lamp designs it takes time to select other bits that will go with the main element. I needed a stable base so a cast-iron wheel and a cast iron pulley were selected. To make the whole lamp tight and stable I selected a 10mm thick brass metal thread to go right up the centre and hold it all together with nuts at the top and bottom.

I tested the assembling of the lamp on the workbench.

The finished lamp has come together well.

Time for a very cool glass of white wine on this warm day.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Fragment from the last few days

Sometimes the images we catch are serendipity personified. Tuesday morning I was down the back of the block watering a few trees Fiona and had planted on Saturday morning. Because we are having hot days with winds it is important to nurse them along until we get a decent shower of rain. I happened to take my iPhone because I was listening to music as I watered. I noticed a lot of bee activity on a little native bush - I was fortunate to catch the photo above of one bee that was well on the way to having a load to take back to the hive.

The combination of clouds and the setting sun can be fleeting matters - so catching the moment when the rays are streaming though can be a matter of serendipity.

Flowers on the other hand offer their beauty over a longer period.

So much to be thankful for.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Small reflective pools

I did get time over the weekend to complete 50 tree of life small bowls.

After grinding and polishing the stamped and formed small squared bowls were ready for a pool of clear glass resin.

The glass resin adds another dimension to the wee gifts - it looks like they are not only holding water but each piece is like a small reflective pool. When held in the hand it is like looking through a layer of water at the stamped tree of life symbol below.

There are multiple layers to these small pieces: metal that is being given a new role and meaning; the micro bowls reflect alms bowls; the stamped tree of life symbol is linked to new beginnings; and the clear resin is linked to clear water one of the important elements of life.

Friday, November 23, 2018

Double pressed

I'm in the process of making some small artistic giveaway pieces to recognise local folk who have given to our community through volunteering.

I decided to make small square bowl shapes with the tree of life symbol stamped in the bottom. Why tree of life? Well, I think the volunteers give folk new beginnings; new leases of life; new growth etc.

I'm making about 50 of the pieces - though I think I might only need about 45. The work of course starts with cutting up an old serving tray into 35mm squares.

Stamping the tree of life symbol on the flat metal.

Then pressing the stamped squares into bowl shapes. For me this is a two step process: first press the metal in a wooden form I made for jobs such as this; and then pressing the partially shaped pieces into a steel dapping block.

I have not finished doing the second press on the pieces - that and the rest of the steps in making these small art pieces will be done over the weekend.

It is time for me to head off and make a gourmet pizza!!!!!

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Beauty enhanced by the sun

In the main, so far, today has been a blue sky day with occasional drifts of clouds. Blossoms and lichen seem to reach out for the light offered on this blue sky day; and they appear to reflect it in their enhanced colour (even the whites).

A few photos of the blossoms that grabbed my eye follow.

Of course there were so many more fragments of beauty which were quietly absorbed and enjoyed.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Goal achieved

Over the weekend I found just enough time to complete the four Artisan Lamps. I had set myself as a goal of ten lamps to achieve.

As usual the lamps start life as pretty rough bits and pieces from my collection of found objects. But with quite a bit of grinding and polishing the true beauty of the pieces can be revealed.

Assembling and wiring can take time - sometimes it is difficult to get the wires around corners. But I did manage it and all the lamps were successfully tested.

The lamp with the large pressure gauge needs a bit more work to increase the weight and hence stability of the bottom. I had no more time to do that today so it will be a job for early next week.

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