Thursday, March 10, 2011

Benthic Bowls and Underwater Dishes


I patina-ted bowls. By hand.
With a torch flame in one hand and really strong grip in the other, I held these hammered bowls in intense fire and inch by inch, applied heat and moisture and color until my hands cramped and gave up.


I love them.
Benthic means relating to the bottom of the sea or lake or the organisms that live there. 
I first experimented with my own bowls to see if I could do it and to see if they would make a good compliment to the salvaged driftwood stands.
Yes on both accounts!

I was thinking ring dishes would be useful.
Of course I am sure you need them also.
Or just want them, so I didn't stop with my own display needs, I kept going....

And going!
I think I priced them right, maybe a little low considering the amount of work each one takes. But it has never been my goal to be rich rather just to support the family.
Same sealing process as the jewelry components, using both lacquer and wax, hand rubbed on so I could always be in tune with what the patina was doing. Thick, flaky? Not bonded with the metal? A few need to be sanded and re-touched but each is completely unique, with patina variations, patterns and distressing.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.




17 comments:

  1. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I MUST have some to use as display pieces!!! The 1st one is GORGEOUS!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shannon, your work and your progression of work just astounds me!! WOW!!! WOW!! WOW!!!!!!!

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  2. Wow these are stunning. Wonderful work.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  3. What can I add? I can only repeat! WOW!

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  4. Beautiful bowls! they look like they have been salvaged from Atlantis....love that word Bethic :-)

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  5. I almost bought one of these the other day...I definitely will, just need to get paid again before I have another Etsy splurge! They are absolutely beautiful.

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  6. OMG Shannon! Your muse is working overtime and these are AWESOME!!! I love the look and the name. You are an amazing artist my dear!

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  7. Oh Shannon, those bowls turned out wonderfully! I am enjoying the visual of you torching and hammering these :) 1

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  8. Shannon these are fabulous, amazing, gorgeous! They go great with your line of driftwood displays.

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  9. Fabulous! (Because beautiful and gorgeous were already taken!)

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  10. Another new idea!! WOW is the word here! Spectacular idea and the colors are so rich. Looks perfect with the driftwood display! These bowls are keepers!

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  11. Oh yeah, these are great Shannon. I love the colors that come up with the torch! Very fun. The bowls are fab. Take care, Riki

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  12. I love butterflies. My father used to take the most amazing pictures of them. Way before any modern cameras. Thank you for adding me to your bloglist! I'm honoured.

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Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog, it means a lot to me.
Shannon