Progressing three lines of work

Because I use salvaged silver-plated EPNS and silver-plated copper trays in my work I spend quite a bit of time cutting up metal before making. And if I have a number of pieces of work planned that involve cutting metal I try to be a bit efficient by cutting metal for all the work in one session.

The three lines of work I have planned are: using a family's heirloom tray to create a larger Daily Word set for the whole family; progressing 10 Funky Fish; and starting to cut 210 pieces of metal (2cm wide and 9cm long) for small giveaway peace leaves.

From the family tray I needed to get a decorative circle of metal to hammer a bowl that will be about 16cm-18cm in diameter; and from the same tray I need 40-50 1.5cmX4cm blanks for words. That outcome was achieved with some planning and judicious cutting.

©2017 Barry Smith - Metal for family's Daily Word set  - involving parents and children - I like that the parents and children will do the daily words together using words they have agreed.

©2017 Barry Smith - The rectangular tray was handed down through the family - filled with family energy; and a small round tray purchased just in case I needed the metal - which I didn't

I cut 10 pieces of silver-plated metal from drink coasters for the face-heads of the fish; and another 10 pieces from a fan bowl that will become tails. I will still need to cut fins etc.

©2017 Barry Smith  - Metal for heads - cut and numbered  - they will be riveted to the bodies

©2017 Barry Smith  - Metal for heads 

©2017 Barry Smith  - Metal for tails

And I cut up 7 small trays to get 70 pieces of metal for the peace leaves. Only another 140 to go. I might use a few bigger trays if I start running out of the smaller biscuit-sandwich trays. Over the coming months I intend to form 210 peace leaves for distribution on 21 September - International Peace Day.

©2017 Barry Smith  - Small silver-plated trays - some in pretty poor condition

©2017 Barry Smith  - Metal for small peace leaves - the metal can start off pretty bad but with forming and then grinding and polishing it can come good.

Sometimes there is not a lot to show for our effort - but it is said that quite a lot of our art is in the preparation.

Inspirational bowls and other matters

Didn't get to do actual hands on art work today but I can report on some bits and pieces I have done recently - indoors from the rain.

 One of the themes that runs through my work is about finding stillness and focal points in our busy lives. My Daily Word sets (bowls and words) are made as an aid to creating a focus for each day of the week. Recently Robyn (Art Propelled) said that I send my "leaves into the world like little ambassadors, spreading peace and goodwill".  This got me thinking about my Daily Words - why would I not create leaves that carry the words. So inspired by Robyn I have made a Daily Words set with leaves and words - and I like it.

©2014 Barry Smith - Daily Word Leaves  - Serenity

As always the leaves started out from fairly rough looking metal.

©2014 Barry Smith - Daily Word Leaves  - the start

And the formed leaves and bowl looked anything but beautiful.

©2014 Barry Smith - Daily Words - bowl and word leaves - humble beginning

But a bit of manipulation, cutting and polishing has revealed the inner beauty.

©2014 Barry Smith - Daily Words - leaf forms

Some time ago I made a pair of bowls from very thick, worn butter dishes - they were a little tough to form but they have the most beautiful chime - they are not singing bowls but rather beautiful chiming bowls - I'm on the hunt for more of those old, small and thick butter dishes from days gone by.

©2014 Barry Smith - Chiming bowl - formerly a butter dish

©2014 Barry Smith - A pair of chiming bowls

I was tidying my jewellery making area and realised I had a couple of unfinished projects: converting a pair of Fiona's dad's cuff links into a pendant for her mum; and finishing a set of earrings using slices of brass from and old window winder. The results are shown below.

©2014 Barry Smith - Opal cufflink pendant

©2014 Barry Smith - Brass window winder and crystal earring drops

And whilst I did not get to do hands on art today I did: spend some time showing an interested local business person what I do; Fiona and I did more work on our block; and we delivered the pendant to Fiona's mum.