Sunday, March 29, 2009

hours to spend

It's that annoying time of year again when the clocks change and I can't sleep properly for weeks. Bah!
Still, the weather was lovely today and I went out for a ride on my bike very early (by either clock system!) along the Forth and Clyde canal to Kirkintilloch. Although it was a really pleasant and easy ride, I was out for a couple of hours.
This made me laugh, in a despairing sort of way:


What?!


Can you imagine who goes to this?

Afterwards went out with Jim and Lisa for lunch to meet their new baby, Leila (sp?!). She's great: so good-natured and curious about everything going on around her. Also, she's old enough to have a fully-operational neck, so there is none of that disturbing flopping about which puts me off very young babies!




Been working on various projects in the workshop as well. I just finished The Alembic of Hermes Trismegistus: Inrō, which is made from carbon-dioxide cylinders found in Brighton - one corroded, one polished - gemstones, carved Greek coins and silver:


The Alembic of Hermes Trismegistus: Inrō 42


I'm not entirely happy with it but I can't quite put a finger on what it is that isn't right.




Easter break soon!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Don't keep calm and carry on...




Don't keep calm and carry on.
Originally uploaded by moleitau

It should be no surprise that the old WWII poster "Keep calm and carry on" has fashionably resurfaced at this time of head-burying global financial trauma, so it is refreshing to see that someone had a better idea!

I liked this so much, I bought the teeshirt. Tomorrow it will be printed out and put in the workshop.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

trapped in the web of love

By the luscious Miss Lancing:





I do love a bit of cheesy Exotica/Lounge, but this outdoes everything and anything I've ever seen before!

Sunday, March 08, 2009

miserable day

It has been absolutely horrible here today. Nothing but sleet, rain and high winds, bitterly cold. So I stayed in all day and carved up some coins:


The Alembic of Hermes Trismegistus: Inrō (WIP) 16


The front two coins are going into a new piece I am working on and the back two with the naked blacksmith (call health and safety!) are going to be made into cufflinks.

I just realised a few weeks ago that I don't actually own any cufflinks which I made myself. Made this pair with bears as a start:


Bear Cufflinks 2


The bear comes from the centre of a Russian 25 rouble coin.

Read some 1920s detective fiction by Louis Tracy - the e-book is marvellous for finding interesting and forgotten authors - and generally tidied up around the house.
Sometimes it is really nice to not have to go out, especially as I've a really busy week coming up.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

not the league of gentlemen

Here is the worst idea ever for a campaign in the UK:

http://www.keepnorfolklocal.com/


Don't touch the precious things...