Daily inspirations; and found and formed earrings

 There were lots of things going on over the weekend - but I finished the 42 leaves for 6 daily leaf word sets. Some of the metal was more worn than other bits so I ended up with a number of the stamped leaf forms showing deep brass and silver  such as the opening photo.

There are lots of steps in making the leaves  including unfolding the forms.

Grinding and polishing the leaves.

Giving each leaf form a twist.

The end product - a Daily Leaf Word set  - is worth the effort I think.

I got a bit side tracked and decided to make some circular earrings out of metal offcuts - found and formed earrings. A few process and finished photos below.

When cutting the metal for the bowls I salvaged a couple of feet from the base of the tray - now a pair of found earrings.

Progressing Daily Leaf Word sets

 

I am making more Daily Leaf Word sets - the sets are made up of a shallow hand formed hammered bowl and 7 smallish leaf forms with inspirational words stamped on them - one for each day of the week. Whilst I'm aiming to make 6 sets I decided to make 10 bowls (see above) as I have had a couple of enquiries about making sets with words chosen by the client.

A couple of process photos of the bowls follow.

A few more photos of the finished bowls.

I progressed the work on the 42 word leaves - including folding them and cutting the leaf forms.

Over the weekend I will hammer, open, grind and polish the 42 leaf forms.

Tamborine Mountain fragments and orchids

 

Fiona and I did a quick trip to Tamborine Mountain to visit my brother and his wife in their new home. a great catchup was had; and  this was the longest trip (330 return) we have done in our EV.

Just sharing a few images captured this morning around N&C's place - including the bronze (Lena) sunbathing on a bed of gravel. Lena (about half life-size) used to reside at our old home.

G had let us know there were a few new arrivals in his orchid house - courtesy of the rain and warmth. I went over to check them out this afternoon so I could share them today. The wee white orchids are only about 1-1.5cm long.

There are quite a few spider orchids emerging.

Beauty to behold away and at home.

This, that and the other

 

The title of the blog reflects the range of art activity over the weekend. I spent Saturday and half Sunday in the DEP studio. I printed a sizeable stash of drink coasters for Christmas (above and below); printed some A2 background sheets for Fiona with large wood type; did Red Thread exhibition duty (including sales); and started some bowls for more Daily Leaf Word sets.

The A2 background prints needed to be subtle so that Fiona can cut the sheets up and over print them. Words from the women friends poem.

The Red Thread exhibition is a delightful exhibition of the 4 Print Princesses. I love the women friends theme that runs through Fiona's work. The last weekend of the exhibition is next weekend.

I made a start on the bowls for Daily Leaf Word sets - but I ran out of time. Hope to get on to those later next week.

A library of tiny metal books

 

I have managed to complete a small library of silver-plated metal books that have inspirational words (shine, dream, hope, love) stamped on the middle page. The books are made from recycled silver-plated placemats. I also completed three smaller metal books that will become pendants. The photo above shows the completed stash sitting on my tool chest.

A few process photos follow including taped and drilled books; riveted pieces; grinding of the edges done; and opening of the books with a bone folder..

And a couple more of the completed library - all polished.

Going with the word for the day

 

My word for the day was openness. Exercise and a bit of a walk was scheduled to happen before a 7am meeting in town. The soft light on the jacaranda (above) and native blossoms and local bird (below) seemed a good gentle way to start the day.

But on my walk to G's orchid house I was asked to help harvest and hang the bunch of bananas below. This was done in accord with the word for the day - openness. It was a bit of a rush but done before showering and heading off to the meeting on waste plastic. But no lingering for orchid or other photos.

I headed over to the orchid house later to see what new delights there were - I was rewarded with those below.

The spider orchids are quite beautiful and wild.