Small is beautiful - tiny book earrings and nano-posters

 

I got time today to progress my tiny book earrings; and yesterday a nano poster and a post card were completed.

As you can see from the photo above these book earrings are made from recycled silver-plated metal. Each earring is 2cm long, 1.5cm wide and .7cm high; and each has an inspirational word on the inside page. Words include: joy, hope, peace and love. Joy and love can be seen in the opening photo - on the anvil.

You can see from the process photos below I have cut enough metal for 13 pairs of earrings.

I finished 3 pair today - only 10 to go.

The nano poster is a reminder to myself, and others if they wish, that we can make a difference by doing small local things.

The post card is for folk in these times.

And the photo below is just to share a bit of colour.

Fusing, finishing and friendship

 

The day had a few facets: trialing a deliberate metal fusing; finishing 40 plus giveaway inspiration leaves; and cutting metal to send to a friend.

The photo above and below shows an organic form created in the crucible when the silver melted off but the copper had not fully melted but rather fused together. I rather like the form and the lustre of the fused metal. Today I set out to replicate the happy accident - the outcome will be shown later if it works - the graphite crucible was too hot to handle this afternoon.

Whist the metal fusing was going on I was determined to finish off my giveaway leaves that had been on the workbench for a while. Process photos and the finished product follow. You will note the split leaves. The metal under the silver was too brittle. I was fortunate only to lose three leaves.

The leaves have been given a brushed polish look courtesy of a stainless steel wire brush.

I promised a friend that I would cut up some of the smaller silver-plated trays I have in my stash; and the rectangles of metal will be sent to her.

Some art days just have many facets.

Moon, butterfly in flight and other fragments

 

Of course I would have to post a couple of photos of this current moon. I woke at 4am to the moonlight creeping into the bedroom so decided on a photo. Then I took a few more over the next couple of hours as it began to set.

I was down in the garden watering yesterday and had this butterfly companion - I managed to take this photo of it in flight.

The walk this morning offered some fragments and layers.

There were a few new orchids on show in G's orchid house - all the same variety but different colours.

Peace - may there be many moments of peace

 

It is International Day of Peace today (21/9/21) - may we all share and receive many small moments of peace - not just today but every day.

Installing peace weathergrams and peace 'doves' in what will become our peace tree - magnolia out the front of our new home

Some weathergrams and doves in place.

Another photo of peace buttons.

A lovely experience this morning - we took peace buttons to our local coffee shop - they were accepted by staff, some folk we knew and some total strangers - a few more peace ripples.

Taking tiny steps

 The combination of covid grinding on and our politicians appearing to ignore the will of the people tends to drag one down. I thought I needed to do a couple of nano posters (aka portrait post card size): one that would encourage me to hold on to hope; and another to remind me that even taking small positive steps can contribute to positive change.

As you can see from my work desk (below) in DEP I had talked to Fiona about words and done quite a bit of searching online to see how others might express these sentiments. In the end I settled on the two statements printed in this post. There are other to print of course.

I was also determined to use up offcuts and paper rejects to print on - hence some crazy colour combinations in the prints.

I chose bright deep blue-purple being mixed in the opening photo as I find it is both uplifting and references the ongoing struggle for equality; and orange because it is hopeful and healing.

There were some unusual combinations - I do like the one on some handmade paper.

This was satisfying printing. These prints will find their way out into the world.