Commission pendant

I had a last minute commission to produce a 'pinky' colour pendant yesterday.

I've just varnished the pieces & the customer is coming in later today to select one.

The one pendant has an etched copper decorative surface & the other I've fused a silver wire onto the surface. The colour is then obtained by the heating process.

I hope the customer likes one of them?.....

New Etching Artwork Designs

I've just completed the artwork for some new etching. These will be photo-etched in brass & copper then used for my greetings cards. I thought it was about time I introduced some new designs to the range although the old favourites do still seem to be popular. I'm really looking forward to getting the first batch of metal versions delivered in the next few weeks.....

Torquil Pottery Workshop

I had a great day on Saturday taking part in a ceramics workshop at Torquil Pottery in Henley in Arden. I had booked the course as a Christmas present to myself. I thought working with clay would make a nice change from hard metal surfaces! I was most interested in the work of Jayne Lucas (who I stock in the studio). She uses something called paper clay which is basically a paper pulp mixed with a powder clay, then mixed with water. The paper obviously burns off during firing. The mixture gives great flexibility to the material.

The first piece I made was a 2D bird plaque inspired by Lisa Larson. I used some of my etched metal pieces to create patterns in the paper clay surface.

Then I surprised myself by doing some 3D vessels! With these pieces I have embossed the patterns into the paper clay surface before rolling the piece up to form a cylinder. I then 'squashed' it to make more of an oval shape & attached a base.

So these are being left to dry for a week & then next Saturday we will decorate the pieces with glazes! I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished results....

Special Fairy Decorations

I had a surplus of fairy etching from my garden stick designs....

Thought I'd make use of them for some Christmas decorations (although these could be displayed all year round?) I've added some glass beads for spots of colour. Available in copper or brass with red/mauve or blue beads.

Pet on a Postcard!

Sue Lim at Blue Ginger is once again inviting entries, as part of The Big Draw, for a community exhibition to be held at the gallery 14th - 25th October.

www.thebigdraw.org

We're a bit late with ours but Sue said it's OK!

Basically you can bid for the mini works of art during the exhibition & there's a special evening on 24th October 6 - 9pm at Blue Ginger, Home End Farm, Cradley WR13 5NW.

www.blue-ginger.com

All money received will be donated to Acorns Children's Hospice.

The background for my metal cat was printed using one of my etched pieces - I rather like the effect.... I might experiment further using some of the other designs.

This is Tim's entry....

& Sarah's.....

Large Commission piece

This large picture has just been collected this morning! A customer had bought some of the small block pictures a while ago & wanted a larger piece in the same colours. This one is 90cm x 55cm which heat coloured brass & copper on a deep red painted background.

I couldn't get the lighting right on these this morning so the colour is a little off but it gives you the idea!!! Obviously I can make these pictures in sizes to suit & paint the colours to co-ordinate with your interior decor.

So now I have today & tomorrow to continue making panels & pictures to deliver to The Gallery Upstairs in Henley in Arden on Monday hopefully......then off to Tetbury on Thursday to Hookshouse Pottery....and Ludlow on Friday to set up Showing Off...phew!

It's all a bit frantic at the studio at the moment! I'm trying to make as many metalwork panels & pictures as possible for next week as I have 2 events booked for the weekend, plus a delivery for an exhibition.

On the list of things to do also are Christmas cards.....

These are some of the metalwork designs I'm doing this year. I'm mounting them as with my other cards on window mounts on smaller size cards. They will be approx 10cm x 10cm cards in red, green or cream. Priced at £3 each. I am producing some of the designs in etched copper in addition to the usual etched brass.

There should be a selection out in the studio by this weekend!!

Etching Artwork

Just found this design sheet for photo-etching artwork while attempting to have a tidy up in the studio.....

Many hours were spent drawing out the multiple images which were then translated into copper & brass etched pieces to use on panels, pictures & greetings cards.

I enjoy the drawing process & it's always really exciting to receive the first etched batch.

Think they would make lovely fabric designs?

These are some more sections from garden stick etching artwork....

Elephant garden stick

Yesterday I made this elephant garden stick for a commission. I've used the same design as on the E for Elephant alphabet card then cut the piece out in copper, soldered on a wire for the ear & stamped some patterns. The flower underneath has been etched in brass.

The colour has worked well & I think he looks a happy chap!

New Jewellery Designs

Just completed some more of my oxidised range of jewellery.

Brooches, pendants & earrings in copper & brass with a 'bronzed effect'.

Available from the studio & space permitting at the Malvern Spring Show this May.

Etched brass applied details on to copper discs then stamped to decorate the piece further using flowers, leaves & seed pods for the inspiration.