Tuesday 30 March 2010

woodwork

Managed to get into the woodpile before the rain started. I now have 3 planks, cut to just fit in the van and cleaned up. I think I can use 3 pairs of ex-extinguishers to support the shelving. 100% Recycled.
 
Even had time to finish a very nice fire dish... 

Monday 29 March 2010

Forward Planning

Less than 2 weeks to go before Frailloop shows it's wonders to the world at the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate. Think I need to craft some shelving. Hope its dry tomorrow - the thought of hunting through a soggy pile of second-hand timber is not nice.
 
Given my current ability to cut, slice or damage my hands how long before I find a sharp nail?!

Sunday 28 March 2010

Another week gone

My cut thumb is healing well, but I have to be careful not to get it dirty or to work it too hard. I found I could not use my snips to cut sheet metal - the handle pushes in the wrong place. However I was able to bend bar so made progress on the musical tower.
 
I've only got a couple of weeks to get ready for the British Craft Trade Fair. I have made a tree and a couple of dogs for the stand. I also want to have lots of small steel flowers. I thought they would great covering the floor, but now wonder if the large, blank white walls will dwarf them. Plan B. Make some shelves from...
 
I visited the Creative Recycling Gallery in Manchester on Thursday to deliver new pieces. The pictures shows some of my work in their wonderful garden. 

Sunday 21 March 2010

Recycled tree

Planted the steel tree and met lots of pupils. The weather forecast was good, but the reality was rain. Digging the holes was hard work - lovely chalky soil that was as tough as concrete! Tree in. Leaves set in the flower bed. Looking good.

Thursday 18 March 2010

Back to school

Frailloop is returning to school. Gavin has been commissioned to create a tree from scrap pieces. On Friday he will be it to the school in Salisbury and planting it firmly in the ground. Photos to follow. The thumb has plasters, latex gloves and tape. Heres hoping for a dry day and good stitches!

Tuesday 16 March 2010

Thumbs down.

First serious accident in the studio. Well not that bad really but enough to send me off to A+E with about a 5cm cut. When cleaning up a piece of large bore pipe the burr caught the brush head on the angle-grinder which whipped it cross my hand. Never keen about the sight of blood, mine above all others.

Saturday 13 March 2010

small flower

End of a busy week. Prep'ing for next week which is a bit lively. The picture is the last piece I made today - a flower, standing a not so mighty 280mm tall It was once a fire door, bit of sheet metal, bbq grill and engine bolt! I only used a little bit of the fire door and a 1/3rd of the bolt, I you may have guessed that.

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Frailloop Studio

Really needs a clean up. Some bits are in the process of going into sculptures. Some are the offcuts from pieces that have gone into sculptures. Some have just got stuck halfway.