Rustnstuff

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Beauty on the inside

The title to this post might suggest something noble such as meditation or spirituality - yet it is simply referring to the fact that the mechanics and materials in broken and discarded watches are such amazing pieces of mechanical design and creation. They look beautiful after a good clean and polish.

As part of the Steampunk influenced body of jewellery I'm making for the December sale at Jo St Baker's studio gallery in Redcliffe will include quite a number of pendants and earrings that will use watch and clock parts.

Some of the whole bodies of the bigger watches can become pendants - the largest is about 4cm.

Whereas the bodies and faces of some of the smaller watches are so small that they easily lend themselves to becoming earrings. The smallest rectangular watch bodies are only 2cm long, 1cm wide and about .3-.4cm thick.

I know some folk will like to be able to show the mechanics of the watches with all the shiny brass, stainless steel, garnet jewels and gears; whilst others will show the aged and worn faces - a sign that time has gone by. The solid silver ears-wires can easily be turned around to all either car. And of course with the pendants one just has to turn the piece over - fully reversible pendants.

I have added brass hanging wires into the silver plated handles of small trays - I will pour resin into these and add inclusions such as a single watch gear - they will become pendants.

The work on this stash is about half way there. I have another week or so before I need to deliver the work. There is always the creation of the sales list and final polishing at the end.

Friday, November 13, 2015

Making stock

One of the reoccurring discussions in our house is about the amount of creative work given to trying new ideas and designs; and the amount given over to making stock for our shop and galleries - all part of the art life if one wants to not only make but also sell work.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been making stock: new work but along an old theme (Artisan Lamps) for the December show-sale in the st+baker+studio gallery Redcliffe; Daily Word Leaves sets because I had run out of them; Peace Book Pendants - almost out of them; and more Steampunk influenced for show and sale in st+baker+studio gallery.

The making of small word leaves..

A batch of bowls for Daily Word Leaves sets.

Peace Book Pendant pages - cut drilled and polished.

And selecting and polishing bits for Steampunk influenced jewellery.

Though the work can be production it is still delightful to give the discarded metal and objects new life and new homes.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

The colours of storms

Last week was a very unsettled time - weatherise that is. One of the advantages of living where we live is the ability to watch storms.

What has amazed us is the colour and intensity of these storms as you can see from the photos below - all taken with the old iPhone 5s - so some nice graininess to some of the photos.

I find I enjoy watching the storms but also get joy capturing and sharing the drama of them.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Twin lights

In the decision making process for the current series of Artisan Lamps I decided to make a couple of pairs. These could be bedside or couch side table lamps.

I'm pleased with the results.

The first were built around a couple of old brass garden taps and fittings, the adjusting screws from an old washing mangle, recycled timber and solid copper balls.

The second utilised brass door plates, keys, door knobs, plates from an old clock, recycled timber and solid copper balls.

As well as the couple of one off lamps (square wood block with neon cross globe and the carburettor lamp) I shared sometime ago, I have completed another couple of one offs. One made from plumbing bits; and the other from an old paraffin blow lamp.

This means I have completed 8 new Artisan Lamps. These will be added to the couple I made for the Coolum Jewellery and Art Expo and travel to Jo St Baker's Studio and Gallery for December display and sales.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Wedding cake knives

Quite some time ago I cut metal and made handles for 3 decorative silver plated wedding cake knives as I was commissioned to make one knife that was ordered through Maleny Additions.

Well that one sold but I had not got around to completing the other two. Anyway I'm pleased that I made the completion of them a priority as the metal was sitting around on one of my garage-Studio tables. The main things needing to be done were drilling and riveting and final grind and polish.

Some photos of the completed pair follow.

It means I can now complete the Artisan Lamps. Friday night - ahhhh!!! - time to relax and have a glass of red.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Blossoms on the block

Sometimes the best walks you can have are on one's own block. Our block is about 1.25 acres - so a little bit of room to ramble. I did just that on Monday and discovered some amazing little flowers around the house - not even any need to go down the back.

One of my favourites of course is a flower with a heavily laden bee - talk about head down and backside up.