Prototypes

 

Amongst other things, today I played with a few prototypes that have a nautical theme - sails and waves (prototype small scale wave pipeline above) -including a prototype of a sail form incense dish as you can see below. 

Earrings also got a run as you can see from the prototype below - might have to be a bit smaller - I will consult with Fiona.

However, the main task was to see if I could form a double wave (wave pipeline really) from sail blanks. For the test piece I cut sail blanks out of copper from an old hot water system.

The final piece could be considerably larger - but you can see I have riveted the forms in an overlapping pattern; and then curved the riveted piece  over a pipe held in the vise.

As a protoptype I think it has worked - the final piece will include sails blanks that have been ground hence have contrasting edges. Some additional photos of the earrings and incense burner bowl follow. I think I will ensure both the earrings and bowl have more texture in the final versions.

All in all a good day in the workshop-studio

Metal strap bowl

For some time I have entertained the idea of weaving metal packing strap into the form of a bowl. I had tried out my weaving skills on my skeletal leaf which turned out ok and is curing (rusting more) in the yard.

Well I gave it a try in my 30 minutes in the studio yesterday and today. I riveted eight lengths of strap together in a star shape and bent them into a general bowl shape. Then the lesson started - 15mm wide metal strap will not go around curves and be plaited through the straps that are forming the bowl; nor will 12mm strap; and nor will 5mm copper straps. So the options were - string or ribbons - not really my mediums. So I tried copper wire. It worked reasonably well. And if I took the time it could look better.

Still I did manage to create this prototype and test the idea - I think it will be worth giving another go when I approach the task with a little more time.

Barry Smith © Metal strap bowl

Barry Smith © Metal strap bowl

After weaving with wire I did beat the whole thing with a metal hammer to shape the form into a better bowl shape and also flatten the wire and so harden it. The copper wire has now been treated with a bit of patina solution to give it an aged look to match the rusted strap.