Metal and stones

There is something about this combination which fascinates me. I have to touch the surface all the time, the rough touch of the stone against the smoothness of the metal. The lines of the metal are following the edges and the form of the stone even if not everything is visible for the eye. But the fingers are feeling it and the metal wire gets it's position and hold only from the stone underneath. 

Although the materials seem so different, the stone breaks the light while the metal, silver and even black as it is, reflects all the light falling upon it, they come together as one.

The stone keeps and the metal holds. There can't be a wrong line or a way the metal wire is folding around the stone which creates not beauty. Just because the metal adapts to the stone while your fingers are folding it.

Nothing but the own fingertips are creating the union. There is no pressure and no force needed, nor even wanted, for the metal wire might easily break.

But what about the stone which is too smooth to hold anything anymore? Which went to the water, thrown through the waves, again and again until no edge remains. The little rough parts, all the imperfections, the breaks on the surface, may they be seen or only to be feeled if you are getting close, they allow to create a binding.

Smoothness may be a kind of perfection but what is left of you if nobody can touch you anymore?

If the time and the changes, subtle like water and crushing like storm, eradiates all edges, all flaws, all what made you different. Unique. Round and smooth, so perfect, so like many others.

No connection, no hold, falling, rolling with every wave, helpless by being formed. But the single strands of metal can go together, weave into a pattern which will surround all of the smoothness. The metal holds now the stone, keeps it tight and secure.

All the stones and also the pieces of shells are from Fuerteventure (no, not Formentera this time ;) ). I got them from "für große Mädchen" after her holiday there. Yes, I love to get stones, shells, plants, sea-sanded glas, strange undefined things... from other people from everywhere :) And I`ll try to make other pics as soon as I have time during the short period of daylight... and whether there is light at all... weather is going dark and grey... :(

Inspirations: Material and structures

Material and structures... Sometimes this is the same for me. Or not sometimes: "Very often" is more suitable ^^ There are different ways for me to get to my stuff. Some things are telling me what they are or what they should become as soon as I see them. With other things it is more that I like them, that they are cute or basic material to work with and I take them with me without knowing what to make out of them.

This is a silver bead and a part of a crocheted bead string (friends giving me things! ^^). The crochet work was a first one of a friend of mine. It was intentioned to be a necklace but it was too stiff so she didn't finish this work (her other necklaces are quite beautiful, I have two!). The first thing which came into my mind was: A handle for a little bag! So as soon as my foot and my sewing machine are best friends again, this will be on my to-do list! The little paper is an 1x1 inch (ca. 2,5x2,5 cm).

The beads have an organic touch, nai?

Coming back to material: An old and tattered book. One of the best material sources ever!

Cut into inches...

The surrounding as a "free-style" cutted frame... (as always: don't be too accurate, the imperfections are what it makes really cool!)

And the sourroundings of the surroundings... more frames! I thought of this only during cutting my second mini frame... so I have only two.

All this things are part of my stash. I know, there are a lot of actions and parties like "stash busting". There are quite cool and useable and a lot of my friends would propably think I should take part at such a party. But I need stash to make things and get my brain working. Like with my envelopes I create a lot of little paper pictures which I just can use instantly. I can put different pieces together to try for a look or get new ideas with strange combinations. Stash is not only stash for me but inspiration and the basic of all my work. So I don't think I will ever participate in a stash busting party ^^

But on the other hand: Only a part of my things are acutally bought ones. I find a lot of stuff, I use things which are already in my property but originaly for some other purpose or friends are bestowing me because they know I would love it :)

And I am trying not ever again have some doubts about using something just because it was expensive! (I am still learning this, not working every time ^^)

Are you jealous? ^^ I got all this little and cute and perfect for steampunk metall pieces from a friend! Thanks, thanks, thanks again! (She reads my blog ^^)

 Another one of my friends was having holidays in france. I got a lot of presents! Bought ones as well as collected items... like these pine cones! They are quite big!

I just coloured one with metallic acrylic paint to see how it would look like. I am trying things out because for me this is the best way to get new ideas.

If you take a look from above on the pine cone it looks like a flower structure! I love it!

And sea shells from the atlantic coast...

...of course I painted some of them (don't worry, not the real beauties!)