...some things I've made.

I thought I'd add in some pictures of things I've been working on in the last 12 months.













This little flower is copper which I've hand painted. The little bottle came from
a junk shop down the road. Its only little, the whole thing is about 22 centimeters tall.
And below is a little copper spoon I made for a christening, its only little and now
Copper plated. The Baby's initials were engraved into the back so its personalised too.

...well, until next time!

Hi there,

This blog entry is all about an old tool, a new tool, and some recycled copper!

It all began when my lovely Uncle Richard reclaimed some beautiful strips of metal out of some lighting. He told me that when you pull apart flurescent light fittings, there are long copper strips which complete the circuit. The copper is about 1 meter long, and about 1mm thick. LOVELY!

At the same time, I was trying to work out a bangle for my next exhibition pieces. I remembered back at Uni i'd made nice twisted cable using an egg-beater drill.

So after a rifle around I found one. But it was very old. unfortunatley, when I turned it, the movement was not smooth (which i find important for an even twist in the metal.) ..any who, it was an excuse to go for a tool shopping trip! 20 mins later and 1x Brand new stanleys drill. ($39 Bunnings, in case you are keen too!) I give this tool 2 thumbs up, except that the head is much smaller than my 'ol one, and i found it difficult to find rod to fit in the shank. It is sturdy, moves smoothly, and is not too heavy for the use I required.

More to come!

floral earrings

I made these earrings some time ago as a gift. The centre and stem is 9kt gold, as the wearer was allergic to silver. I made the flower portion out of 925 silver. I really enoyed working in the smaller scale as small(ish) stud earrings. I think i'll do some more of these wire worked flowers in the future.

Hmmm not too much to say this week.
I was going to do my usual monday stint in the shed, but ended up at Centennial Park with a poodle (and my sister and brother and partner) instead. Such lovely weather and a fabulous place to let the poodle run free!

Any who, I've just posted some pics I took recently, more studio type stuffs. Hope you enjoy!

Hmmm well this week brings a new vice! ...bench vice, that is. Off to bunnings and I've nabbed a "Grip well" I'm not familiar with the brand but its a sturdy tool with no wobble. After seeking some advice I was able to install it!

Well, this week has been busy! I was fortunate to visit a BEAUTIFUL show at Primrose gallery, Primrose Park Cremorne. (http://www.primrose-park.com.au)%20it It's only open for a week or so so you should definately hurry on down and check out the beaut paintings and sculpture. Please visit the blog: http://tinytrappings.blogspot.com/ for more info!

Also, in the studio, I've also made a little copper somethin'...not quite sure what it is yet, but I think it could look like nice creeping across a jumper as a brooch...it's a little bit influenced by a show I am currently partaking in. It's curated by Zoe Brand, and features photos of work by Jewellers, which describe their practice. http://reproductionexhibition.com. After leafing through some of my photos, I was reminded of all the ideas I need to draw on! (including a Rhino butt which the copper somethin' is based upon!)

..well, your thoughts on the brooch/copper creature would be greatly appreciated.

Hey All!

Once again, its taken me an AGE to get a post onto the blog!
...but I have been working in my shed, using the new tools.

I've included a photo of a small vessel I have made today, i think it'll be made into a ring.

(apologies for the poor quality of the photo.)

Hmmm, so what has been happening in the Shed!
With help from my wood workin' Dad, I have legs on my smithing Stump, which make it an easier height. I'm going to be getting a little vice for it, and possibly screw on my steak holder. (Oh and i think a flat steel surface would be good one day..haha)

Also, the notice board! I was going to get a cork one but then i remembered I had this great sheet of steel, which you can magnetize things to. The foot at the base is a horseshoe, and there are some little rubber stoppers on the corners.

More to come soon!

-pen

The move in!

So the final stages of the shed are complete!

It's all pretty self explanatory- New lock on the door, A BEAUTIFUL new work bench for tools, with a sink, (This is an amazing piece of craftsmanship-and an Ikea flat pack (or its like) would not be able to hold that press like it does!) I've already been drilling at the bench and it's wonderful-no vibrations!

So the existing furniture, which was moved back in, includes my carpenter's bench, (where I soldier and do bench work) and the shelves, which hold all my chemicals, tools and materials, close at hand.

Oh! at the other end of the workshop i've got 'clean space', where I can design, sketch and read. The bookshelves are great as I have a lot of really heavy books. I recommend these metal brackets-they are cheap and STURDY.

Thank you Amanda, Hanan and Kelly for the beautiful stereo. It is so great to listen to music while i'm working and it's so neet-o! You guys spoilt me!

As you enter the shed, there are two glass cabinets. This is so i can put finnished work/unsold exhibition pieces somewhere to display. I got these at Ikea, and they also come in a dark brown.

And finally, I've popped my stump onto a wooden block, to heighten it, though this needs further development. I will be doing some light work smithing on here.

Ok, so the shed is finnished, (just about anywho..need some magnets for me steel notice board) and i'll be adding more posts about what i'm working on, whats happening and usual kinds of blog-stuff. I hope you've enjoyed viewing this project as much as I have writing it.

p.s.: Yes, yes...I know, the door needs a coat of paint. Waiting for the filler to dry.

LAST DAYS!!!!

It's the last few days of building work, and the project is coming to a close. I must say I'm very, very, VERY excited to get in there and start working.

Some of the work going on on saturday included:
*covering the damcourse with a skirt,

*covering the celing and wall join with a trim,

*making a proper window sill (all these jobs came in part with the the installation of walls)

*Lights in!

*Completed floor

*Laquered bench top (boy does she shine!)

*Splash back behind sink!

.....Lots has been happening!

The bench top is very strong! It can hold my old book press (found by my Dad-thanks dad!) and Drill press. Maybe one day an enamelling kiln! (...not for a little while tho) and a grinder! (again, not for a little while.) Glenn made it from Red Gum and Ply, and it has a frame underneath. the final touches will happening over the next couple of days, including an edge on it, and a clear laquer.

CHECK OUT THE FLOOR! I'm so happy with it, it's slightly springy underfoot and comfortable to walk on. I know this was yet another extra expense, but, with sound, comfort and tool safety benefits, I believe well worth it! ...and the concrete didn't need to be re-done to install it!

There will be a sink in the shed, (as you have seen kindly donated in a previous blog)

So a chanel was dug in the concrete for the pipe, and that beautiful copper went into the ground. The tiles shown here were left overs from a bathroom renovation, they'll be the splashback behind the sink!

OK, so much has happened!

Last blog we had wiring. Over that went the insulation (I used one which wass both temprature and sound insulating, so that I won't be disturbing anyone working late at night..)

I couldn't believe it when they delivered it, about 30 bags it seemed like, and each bag bigger than me! (the garage was full!)

But it all went in and the difference...AMAZING. I can't describe how strange it is for the shed to feel, well, indoors? Its quet inside and the temperature is kept just slightly cooler than outside. Even in those last couple of hot days we've had!

You can also see in the photos that the walls are going up too! This is a much lengthier process than I ever realized. The Gyprock goes up, then all joins, nails, and seams need to be plastered! this is to create a seamless effect. Glenn takes this process very seriously and is quite passionate about a high standard of finnish on his walls.

DAY ONE OF WORK!!!!

I call today day one, as today was the first day that Glenn, (the carpenter) came to start work. Wiring is in and the electrical stump gone! and yay! the shelves fit next to the bench which is great as I was relying on my measurements!

Tomorrow the plumber will come and Glenn will install some insulation, so I can work noisily at night and keep cool in summer!

....yay!

Today the electricians are here, the room is cleared of furniture, and plumbing tomorrow.

I'm hoping secret pipe in the floor is water, which means the shed is already plumbed!

The shed is so big without all the furniture!

AND FINALLY! ....drawings of the floor plan! Please let me know what you think, if the layout could be better and so forth. I have kept the work bench under the window, for ventilation and also light. Opposite is a bench to be built, as shown in the diagram below. The work area is one end of the shed, and the other end is a designing and display area. (or clean space). You can see the display cabinet in front of the doors as you walk through the front door, and storage is next the the work bench using the existing shelves.

The image above is the work bench, which will house said sink, book press, (for imprinting metal) a drill press, and a grinder motor. I have not purchased a grinder motor yet, but will probably make a vaccum cleaner ventilation system. (see Tim Macreight)

...some new aquisitions! A big thanks to the lovely folks who gave me a sink! I have cleaned it up with a wire brush and it's good as new.
I also splurged and bought a cabinet for displaying my finnsihed jewellery. This is something I've been keen to do as a fair bit of exhibition work ends up packed away in boxes..
as for the blueprint of the shed, im still waiting for my note book back, but when I have it I promise i'll post a couple of drawings!

Hello again.

It seems time has gotten away and I still haven't posted more photos! any who, here are some, and I'll add a blueprint soon!

...so I have decided to renovate my studio. Well, at the moment I call it my shed. But I thought I'd publish the documentation on my blog, so I can get your opinion on the whole thing, and maybe even help someone else out through my own errors (I'm sure there will be mistakes along the way) I am hoping that making my space cleaner, lighter and more efficient I will be a happier worker!
Any who, for the moment here are some photos of the space!