Rustnstuff: Steampunk Lamps

Showing posts with label Steampunk Lamps. Show all posts

Sunday, October 4, 2015

And there is light and other matters

I got a bit of time over the weekend to finish off the three Steampunk lamps. I will take these to light up my stand at the Sunshine Coast Jewellery and Art Expo. I have been able to add in the cords and test that the lights work.

Sometimes the style of globe makes a difference. I swapped the globes on the blow-torch and stove lamps - I think the swap worked.

Have quite a few pieces taking over our coffee table and part of the dining table - all part of the sorting and decision making process regarding what to take and how to display at the Expo.

During the week Fiona and I will do some cataloguing and pricing of the above bits and pieces.

Friday, October 2, 2015

A little light - Steampunk that is

On October 10 & 11 of October (a week away - yikes!!!) I will have a stand at the Sunshine Coast Jewellery and Art Expo. I found out that I need to add my own light to my stand so decided to add a little interest by using a few Steampunk Lamps.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been roughly testing combinations of bits on my 'sorting-design table'.

Today I got into taking objects apart, cutting, drilling, creating threads for light fittings etc etc. Then the three disassemble lamps were taken to the polishing area for cleaning and polishing.

At the end of the day I was able to do a rough test assemble to see that the bits were all going to fit together. A few rushed photos below.

Over the weekend I hope to complete the three lamps by giving them a final assemble, fitting cords and bulbs and giving them a final polish. The lamps will be used at the expo; and then most likely head down to Jo St Baker's Gallery-Studio in Redcliffe.

Time now to get a pumpkin and blue cheese risotto on (one of our favourite risottos) - probably accompanied by a chilled sav-blanc.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Sidetracked

Actually I was going to spend the creative part of my weekend finishing the grinding and sorting of the pieces from 20 goblets I disassembled on Friday but instead: I went to a collectable fair on Saturday and bought more bits and pieces; bought 15 trees and planted them down the back; and got stuck into finishing the Steampunk Lamps. Guess the grinding etc can wait another day.

Fiona and I had talked about the floor lamp requiring a solid wooden base to increase the balance of the design. I decided that I would put wooden bases on all four of the lamps - using an off cut of ironbark timber that has been sitting on the wood pile. The floor lamp is hard to photograph because of its hight but you get the idea from the photos below.

I think the timber bases on the three small table top or bedside lamps have been given a bit more gravitas by adding the timber.

I will live with the lamps for a while to see if I will add or subtract shades. At this time I'm using a bunch of vintage brass bayonet light fittings I bought a couple of weeks ago - this restricts the globe type a bit. I'm waiting for some vintage look brass light fittings that I bought on eBay to arrive - I might change some of the fittings so I can use more screw in Edison type globes. I'm happy with the outcome of my weekend sidetrack.

Friday, May 29, 2015

A lot goes into the preparation

As most artists know there is a lot of work that goes into the preparation before creation. Today was one of those days: this morning - disassembling 20 silver-plated wine goblets (more on that on Sunday); and this afternoon - lots of polishing of the pieces for the Steampunk-Industrial lamps.

But as you can see the end result is worth all the grinding etc when you check out a photo of the floor lamp before I started.

And the pile of shiny bits after I finished - now ready for assembling.

And the polished bits for three smaller lamps.

I used the polishing time as an opportunity to sharpen and clean some of my metal scribes.

A good day's work that will lead to good creations. Now off to make pizza; and drink a little red.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Progress on lamps and the bazaar

I had a bit of time on Saturday to progress a few more lamps - including a floor lamp. Not a lot to show really; but the tray of bits represents the main bits for 3 small lamps.

The floor lamp has been designed; and roughly assembled to see that it will all work.

And of course the process causes chaos - pulling things out all over the place - so I had to do a major putting things away job.

On Sunday Fiona and I headed to Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens to pick up the pieces that didn't sell in the Botanique Bazaar. Couple of photos of the set up we left there on Monday.

Art takes many forms doesn't it?

Friday, May 22, 2015

A trio of lamps

During the week I have been dis-assembling and sorting some brass objects I purchased on Tuesday - including the carburettor above (a brass and steel Holley carburettor about 100 years old); and a set of broken head lamps from a vintage car. And I cleared my sorting table - put lots of small bits into categories and trays - wonders will never cease!!!!!

I further developed my assemblages for lamps including a couple of floor lamps.

Today I decided to complete three if I could. I achieved my goal - just - still a few finishing bits to do on the lamps.

A small lamp with a industrial look about it.

A slightly quirky lamp with a pointed top.

And a more standard Steampunkish lamp.

I have wired and tested them all; and the electrics work; but I did not have time to photograph them turned on. All the photos in this blog are a bit rushed. We have guests tonight so buzzing around doing chores - but that will soon give way to relaxation, good conversation and a wine or two.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

The beauty of brass and copper - Steampunk lamps

Over the weekend I put the finishing touches to 6 copper and brass Steampunk lamps. All these lamps are assembled from salvaged copper and brass industrial objects. They all have vintage ceramic and brass light fitting that Fiona and I bought in Prague; and are fitted with two prong plugs and filament globes.

In themselves they are beautiful small unique industrial assemblage sculptures. But the bonus is that they are also functional - the lights work.

These 6 beauties (3 smaller and 3 larger) have made their way into my online shop. Whilst I love them myself- and Fiona has had her eye on a couple - they need to be loved in new homes as are earlier ones I made. Photos of the 6 follow.