Monday, July 25, 2011

My Bronze Garden


A little while ago I talked about how the garden and all the green and growing things has rather captured my soul since we moved here to North Carolina. I've had little bits and bobs of drawings and doodles of those garden things that take my fancy. Things like new leaves on plants, tomato blossoms, and coreopsis seed heads. Just this last week some of those ideas have taken root and come out in the studio work. I'm rather pleased :-). I like it a lot when things come together in my little world.


Head pins and bead caps in bronze. Small things. Until very recently I wouldn't have thought to venture down this path. But it seemed right and a perfect way to express the tiny little wonders growing out there.


Some things won't make the cut. Others will stay. The head pins all have fired in bronze wire. I'm used to working with brass. Brass is  kind of a stiff and sometimes challenging metal to work with in wire wrapping. Bronze wire is all together different. Much softer and a much softer colour. I made really long wires because I really hate when you are working with a head pin and you have to work so hard to get that last bit of wrapping done. Oh and I love the size of the ball ends. I can't draw a bead with a torch that size and they stay bronze colour rather than coppery red.


Totally unrelated and very important is the happy dance we are doing about our old boy Bob. We just got news this evening that his congestive heart failure has been resolved. No evidence at all on his Xrays that he's got heart problems. This is the vey best news!

That look on his face is ecstacy. Peter is giving him a bit of a neck and shoulder massage. He's still got terrible arthritis down his spine but manages pretty well. Now please someone, nearly anyone, come give me a massage.

13 comments:

jessememan said...

ooooh, LeAnn, I love those bronze findings!!! Happy your doggie is better :)

mairedodd said...

we are moving parallel... your leaves are beautiful... i have to smile - i was wondering how long it would take to see them in your work... those headpins are fabulous - as are the bead caps... brava! xo and wonderful news about your doggie... if you find someone to get you a massage, send them my way...

Rose said...

Love the leaves. Quite beautiful.

I'm happy for you and your doggie. <3

Vintajia Adornments said...

Love all those beautiful bronze beads and headcaps and Tiny Wonders is the perfect name.
Hugs to Bob, glad you have the problem under control - Kelpies are just the best!

sharon said...

Gooooorggeeeeous!! Love, love, love! I think you should be in the garden all the time!
Yaaay for Bob, and the rest of the family....this makes me smile.
Hugs to all!

stregata said...

So glad to hear about Bob - yay!
And your headpins are sensational!! A stroke of genius, really. Love them!

steufel said...

Ohh, so glad Bob is doing better. And your pieces - awsooooome!

Unknown said...

Love the new bead caps and head pins, they're really awesome.
Glad Bob is better!

TesoriTrovati said...

Hot damn! I love those findings! The head pins especially. So pretty. Love the color of the bronze. And that Bob is such a sweet pup! Give him a little neck massage for me!
Enjoy the day.
Erin

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

Love those headpins! Being a dog lover myself, I cannot be happier for you with the news about Bob! Enjoy!

SueBeads said...

Yep, love the headpins too! And yay for Bob!

Pretty Things said...

I'm so glad I'm not the only person who likes long head pins. A lot of people have asked me why I buy longer sterling head pins than a "normal" person would and it's for the same reason you say!

Gaby Bee said...

I too love those bronze findings. Your pieces look gorgeous!