A sigh of relief

 

I managed to complete the 5 sets of Daily Leaf Words; and seven sets of love, hope and peace inspiration leaves.

I enjoy creating these pieces that can go out into the world and hopefully bring quiet and joy. However, making multiples is always a little tiring - so good to have them competed.

Some process photos follow.

The sets were gathered and photographed on a table in the DEP studio in preparation for going into inventory and my online shop. The opening photo is of the 5 Daily Leaf Words sets; and the photo below is of the love, hope, peace inspiration trio of leaves.

Yesterday I was asked if I could make a leaf with a child's name on it for pick up today. As you can see below I did manage that.

If you are interested in either the seta of Daily Word Leaves or trio of inspiration leaves then check out my shop.

Giving

©2018 Barry Smith - Fungi Bowls and hammers - earlier in the day I had given 6 of my hammers a polish to ensure the hammering surfaces were in good condition.

 One of the things I enjoy about being a creative is being able to make stuff and give it away. Making and giving to bring a little more light and joy into what at times can seem to be a sad and dark world.

Over the weekend I managed to use some of those metal pieces cut during the week and on Friday and use them to make: a pair of Name Leaves; and a trio of Fungi Bowls.

Because I was making leaves I made 10 Peace Leaves whilst making the two Name Leaves.

©2018 Barry Smith - Peace Leaves and Name Leaves on the workbench - the workbench has seen a lot of metal in a lot of forms - I love it's patina (aka marks, scratches and stains)

©2018 Barry Smith - The two Name Leaves - same name - informal and formal versions - leaf forms are about 14-15cm long

The Fungi Bowls seem so small and delicate when compared to the hammers responsible for their creation. But the outcome looks good.

©2018 Barry Smith - Metal stake for raising the bowls on

©2018 Barry Smith - Japanese style metal working hammer - bowls are about 6cm across

©2018 Barry Smith - Two bowls have been put through the third phase of hammering - the third bowl is marked up for the systematic cycle of hammering

©2018 Barry Smith - Fungi bowls after the fourth phase of hammering and grinding and polishing

The Name Leaves, the Fungi Bowls and 4 of the Peace Leaves went to new homes today.

Name and Peace Leaves

©2018 Barry Smith - Peace on a leaf

Today has been quite all over the place - a few community engagements including attending the end of year volunteer get together for our local neighbourhood centre. My tree of life pieces will be given out as token recognition of the grand work of our volunteers.

©2018 Barry Smith - Tree of Life gifts

But I did get time to finish 5 Name Leaves - these are leaves for children in recognition of their birth and naming.

©2018 Barry Smith - Name Leaves made from high quality silver-plated brass place mats

I also finished thirty Peace Leaves for giving away to encourage peace.

©2018 Barry Smith - Beginning to unfold the leaf forms

©2018 Barry Smith - Leaf forms open and ready for grinding and polishing

©2018 Barry Smith - Thirty pieces to encourage peace

What about my new tool for bending metal; and I think I might need a new pair of leather gloves?

©2018 Barry Smith - Bending tool - attaches to the vise magnetically

©2018 Barry Smith - Starting to feel the heat through the gaps

I'm now off to the neighbourhood centre event. There will be pizza and red wine when I get back home and settle in for Friday evening.