Rustnstuff: 10/14

Friday, October 31, 2014

Gifts and giving

It must be the time of the year - my Leafspoons, Leaf Letter Openers and Ladles in Maleny Additions are selling like hot metal - so much so that I have had to go into production mode. I think it is the lead up to Christmas - metal is good to send overseas as gifts - it doesn't crush or break; and not being wood customs deal with it a lot better.

So a bunch of Leafspoons and Leaf Letter Openers have been made; tagged and delivered to Maleny additions. Great swing tags by Fiona.

And a stash of Ladles have been started - but more on that on Sunday. But I also wanted to share the photos below.

That is the art journal I won in Jennifer C Q's giveaway - such a perfect little journal - it will sit on my shelf of inspirational stuff and not be marred by my scrawl. Big thanks to Jennifer for her generosity.

Must away - it is Friday - I'm sure there are things to be done in the kitchen and a single malt to be enjoyed.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

By the roadside

We have had sweltering weather over the last few days; and so this week's early morning Wednesday walk was such a contrast to last week which was full of raindrops and clean plants.

Today was dry and dusty - but that could not suppress the colour and vibrance of the plants - flowers in roadside gardens and weed flowers on the verges.

Some were fully unfolded.

Some were well on their way

And others had just started the journey.

The variety and detail call one to pause. I love that the iPhone can capture some of the fine detail - still can't justify an upgrade yet.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Bell at the end of a working weekend

Whilst Fiona has been in NZ I took the opportunity to sand and paint her folks back and entry decks. Big job but the outcome looks good.

But I scheduled in a couple of hours today to start a project that has been in the back of my mind for quite a long time - to make a bell from a discarded gas cylinder. Fortunately I picked up such a cylinder from a garage sale a little while ago. The cylinder was about 600mm long and 180mm in diameter. I checked it had no remaining gas, took the value out, and half filled it with water before I started to cut it with my side grinder and thin cutting blade - wanted to make sure there was no chance of explosions.

It took a bit of cutting. I have done some rudimentary grinding, made a brass hanging top and a hook. I hung it on the bell deck - it is tiny compared to our Japanese Peace (temple) bell. And I gave it a test gong. Bit soft and a bit tinny but it works. Not sure if the video will work - but blogger won't let me delete it either.

Still quite a bit of work to be done on the bell; but it was good to have done a little creative work just for its own sake.

Below are some before and after photos of the decks.

I think I should sleep well tonight.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Deputy Book Celebrator

A very early morning in our household as we had to get up to get Fiona on her way to NZ with Susan B to present the work on their artists' book collaboration at the international conference in Auckland.

One of the outcomes of Fiona being over there and I being over here is that I get to deputise for her in a couple of Celebration of the Books things - such as helping hang Swap Tree signs; and best of all attend the official launch of the weekend (food and wine - thanks Fiona).

The group of volunteers who put on this event/s does a lot of good and unrecognised work - so I thought I might offer the key folk a small book gift - a micro metal book brooch at the launch - quiet like.

I didn't have a lot of time today as I had committed to sanding and painting Fiona's folks decks whilst they also are away for the weekend - which I started earlier today. I had cut covers for the metal books yesterday afternoon; and this afternoon hurriedly stamped, drilled, ground, polished and riveted 5 brooches and 2 micro books - didn't have enough clasps.

The photos above are a bit blurry as again it was a rushed job so I could do this post before rushing out the door. I like that I thought to take the brooches and other two books along in Fiona's wrapping - makes her a little more present at the event.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Droplets after rain

Last night we had a light shower of rain - much appreciated by the garden and plants in general. On my early morning walk I was taken by the number of shining points of light caused by the bright sun low in the sky and the rain droplets still clinging to flowers and leaves.

So what could one do but pause, appreciate and take the odd photo - some of which follow.

It almost seemed like the flowers and plants were breathing, cleansed and full of life. All photos were taken with the iPhone.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Emergence

Over the weekend Fiona and I spent most of our art time on a commission - polishing, drilling, riveting etc.

But I did find an hour or so here and there to continue some of my Friday effort. I finished the 35 small inspirational word leaves I started to work on.

I always love the progress from raw discarded metal to beautiful leaf forms. These small leaf forms are quiet difficult to make as the size is small and the EPNS metal is hard.

And when combined with a bowl made on Friday you can see the beauty of the Daily Leaf Words.

I plan to take a few photos of the four sets I have made and put them in my online shop during the week. A great feeling to complete these simple but beautiful inspiration sets.