Rustnstuff

Friday, October 5, 2012

Shiny Friday

Whilst this morning was taken up with community commitments I got down to doing a bit more preparation for tomorrow's Open Studio.

I have been running out of silver-plated ENPNS for making bowls, leaf forms, Daily Words etc. Last Sunday Fiona and I had to take a trip to a coastal gallery to pick up some of our work. On the way home we happened upon an op-shop so went in search of metal. As you can see from the photo below we were successful - a good stash of other people's discarded treasures.

But alas today I cut 4 of the 7 trays up for metal. Usually when I cut up a tray (with a cutting wheel in my side-grinder) I take the ends off for possible found jewellery bits and metal for words; I take the sides off for leaf forms; and the centre part of the trays become metal for bowls. You can see from the photos I have enough to go on with for demonstrations etc for the next little while.

Given I will be demonstrating I took the time to polish some of my most used hammers. The photo below shows my tiny riveting and jewellery leaf hammers. I have modified the riveting hammers to become leaf and ring hammers; and the chasing hammers are used for planishing and riveting.

©Barry Smith - Tiny hammers for delicate work

And of course there are bigger leaf forming. sinking, beating and planishing hammers.

So I'm set to go for tomorrow - stock is up to date and metal and hammers are ready.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Preparation for last weekend of Open Studios 2012

This coming weekend (6 & 7 October) is the last weekend Fiona and I will have our studio-gallery (601 mvr) open as part Open Studios 2012 as the program winds up this weekend.

It has been a great time engaging with the public about our art and doing a few demonstrations. We have also sold quite a few bits and pieces. So Fiona and I have been replenishing some popular lines.

On Monday and Tuesday I managed to get a few hours to finish four simple brass tube rings and Daily Words.

I stamped the inner surface of the rings before folding the edges over - makes the stamping look a little hidden and maybe a bit of mystery about it.

I'm pleased the Daily Words (bowls and inspirational words) have continued to be popular as it means there are more of these in the world to kickstart the day for people. So I have made a few more sets.

And when I was taking a photo of the rings and Daily Words I noticed one of our visiting Wallabies on the edge of the coffee patch.

Whilst the photo is not great it does show just how lucky we are to have such visitors.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

A different wedding - different images

Yesterday afternoon Fiona and I attended the wedding of Fiona's brother Al and his partner Lorraine. It was a joyous event and gathering of families and friends. There must have been thousands of photos taken by a host of photographers including me - one of the benefits of digital technology.

Again I am sharing a few of the non-people shots I took at the ceremony and reception.

Small reminders of the celebration of love and joy. All photos taken with the iPhone and none altered.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Wedding images

It seems to be the season for weddings. A few weeks ago we hosted a wedding at our place - mainly in our lounge-dining room and on our back deck. This week we are to attend Fiona's brother's wedding up here on the range.

Of course these events provide opportunity for people photos; but with the trusty iPhone one can capture a few other images.

We spent most of our day today travelling to and from Brisbane; and participating in a pre-wedding Tea Ceremony and lunch. Given the wedding season I thought I might share a few photos relating to the wedding on our deck.

As you can see not a person to be seen - but a few fragments that caught my eye. And not an image altered!!!!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Of clouds, artists and storms

This post will be a real potpourri as in it I want to share: some photos of the early morning clouds in the valley; photos regarding a fellow and emerging artists; and storms in the valley.

First the valley full of clouds. Fiona and I never tire of the happenings in the valley below and a few mornings ago the valley was just awash with clouds - in fact at one stage it was not possible to see the mountains below through the clouds.

I also wanted to share a few photos of postcards that Luthien sent me when she sent the peace piece called In Honour of.... The cards are beautiful and very Luthien - full of stories and a tad of darkness to add to the mystery.

The following photos are of 'works' by emerging artists Daphne and Pearl - two young daughters of fellow artist Shannon Garson. They visited early last Saturday and spent a good hour or more with me making various things including a leaf form cuff bracelet a leaf form hair clasp (hair held with a twig) each (of course). They rewarded me with the drawings below; and the cup cakes which they helped their mum to make and ice. How good is that?

And we keep having a lot of brooding storm clouds that tend to come in the afternoon. I love the streaks of rain falling on the far hills. The naked photos of the storms are beautiful.

But I do get tempted to play - so a couple altered photos follow - just to further highlight the dramatic nature of nature. And I love how the iPhone's telephoto lens results in an almost pixel painting.

So you can see why the title of the post had to be called - of clouds, artists and storms ( and maybe a little iPhoneography on Wednesday).

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Preparations. people and new pieces

Friday seems so long ago; but fortunately the peace flags and peace weather-grams are still flying to remind me that it is only Sunday. It has been a big weekend.

Whilst only about 100 people came through our studio-gallery it was quite exhausting as folk were very interested and wanted to know quite a bit about what we did; and of course Fiona and I did share and did demonstrate stuff. And we did manage to sell a few bits and pieces - so all is good.

I managed to make a new tube ring before the weekend - see below.

Made a few more found earrings - couple of pairs sold.

Made some more leaves - sold a few.

And today between folk visiting, and as part of the demonstrations, I managed to make a "simple-classic cuff bracelet thingy".

So it has been another rewarding art confirming weekend; and also made us very glad to that we live where we live and do what we do.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Of stone, fabric and peace

Today is International Day of Peace 2012. This year amongst other peace related activities Fiona and I have joined Mary-Jane's Flags For Peace 2012 Project as a way of marking this day.

This morning we 'launched' our flags in our front yard. My flags are a little more traditional - pennant flags made by deconstructing the fabric of a rainbow umbrella.

Fiona's flags took the form of peace weather grams - heaps of them which have been added to by people visiting our studio.

Yesterday a working team of us from art4place installed the sculptures that make up Peace in the Trees at Maleny Retreat - fitting that we managed to get the installation in place the day before International Day of Peace.