Mick Bradley

Vale Mick Bradley, wonderful man and photographer extraordinaire.

London: The Monument (photo Mick Bradley)

I had the pleasure and the honour of knowing Mick as the father of Morgan (my best and dearest friend since we first met in first grade nearly forty years ago) and her beautiful sisters, Elwyn and Dylan. I recall Mick first from those earlier days, a bohemian and sharply witty man who filled the room with his shine; always with a quick quip or a joke, usually with camera in hand, snapping away, capturing those fleeting moments.

Mick Bradley - Canberra, Murrumbidgee 1984

Canberra, Murrumbidgee 1984 (photo Mick Bradley)

I seem to remember I was there the day this picture was taken, down by the Cotter River where Mick was camping. What an enviable ability to live life to the fullest and to just be himself he seemed to have!

London: Kew Gardens (photo Mick Bradley)

Mick was an international photographer of great repute. The Wakefield Press description of a beautiful book Mick co-created, ‘City Streets – Progessive Adelaide 75 years on’ says “His work bridges the gap between documentary and fine art photography. He was born in London, but came to Australia as a boy, and his images tell stories from our lives from the 1970s on. Mick honed his craft as a fine art printer, darkroom operator and photographer working for studios in Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and London. He has created a niche for himself in the history of South Australian photography, while his work appears in books, exhibitions and collections throughout this country and in North America and the United Kingdom.”

Mick Bradley - Kangaroo Island South Australia

Kangaroo Island, South Australia (photo Mick Bradley)

Mick’s work spans decades and continents; and transcends this ordinary world, as did Mick himself. As my dear Morgan so beautifully and eloquently put it “He remains in the amazing photographs he took, in the trees, land, sky and water – in the music he loved to listen to and play, and in the people who love him.”

A Private Residence, London (photo Mick Bradley)

The world is a smaller and sadder place without him. He is remembered with so much love by so many people and he will live on in his work, and in our hearts. I can only aspire to have my life’s work bring such beauty to so many for so long, and I’m sending peace and love to all of his loved ones in my thoughts.

Sturt Highway, Australia (photo Mick Bradley)

His passing from this world makes me more aware that today is the day: “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson).

Vale Mick Bradley – one of the world’s cool guys.

Young Designers Market – November 2013

On the first Sunday of each month, the Young Designers Market is held in Little Stanley Street, at South Bank, Brisbane, between 10am and 4pm. The Silver Forge was fortunate enough to be selected to have a stall there, so on 2nd November, I set up in a marquee under a shady tree. It really is a lovely market, and I had such a great time and met lots of lovely people!

I’m hoping to be there again on December 1st, so make a note on your calendar, take a stroll down the strip to check out the gorgeous handcrafted work, and make sure you stop by The Silver Forge stall, won’t you!

BrisStyle indie Markets – November 2013

On Saturday 9th November from 9am to 3pm at the Brisbane City Hall, Ann Street, Brisbane, The Silver Forge is off to market again!

Pop in, shop for beautiful handcrafted things in air-conditioned comfort, and make sure you stop by The Silver Forge stall, won’t you!

October 2013 Newsletter Giveaway Prize Winner

random.org declared it again, and a big congratulations to Julia who is the winner of these bronze Czech glass and sterling silver hoop earrings! If you like the look of them, and you missed out this time, you can get yourself some here.

Julia is the creator behind Squeeze Cuddles, and makes such lovely things, including these gorgeous dollies! Well worth checking out.

For next month’s prize, I’ve chosen a pair of Christmas red candy cane Czech glass and sterling silver oblong earrings, so if you win, you’ll have them in time to wear them for the whole festive season!

If you haven’t already done so, you can subscribe to the newsletter for a chance to win them, or if you just can’t wait, get a pair right away! Until next time! 🙂

Meals on Wheels

‘Eat’ (photo credit birdseyephotography)

Since its inception over 60 years ago, Meals on Wheels has been a household name here in Australia. While age and disability may reduce some people’s capacity to get out and about, Meals on Wheels helps make it possible for them to stay in their homes (where most people are happiest), and maintain some independence.

Delivery of nutritious meals, social interaction and regular visits ensure a clients’ wellbeing and can help people live the lives they choose.

Each year, over 14.8 million meals are delivered by more than 78,700 ‘Meals on Wheels’ volunteers to about 53,000 recipients Australia wide in cities, regional and rural areas.

This month, I will be donating 10% of all The Silver Forge sales to Meals on Wheels. So pop over to The Silver Forge shop now, treat yourself, AND do your bit to help this worthy cause!

Puddingstone

Puddingstone (photo credit Andrea Jaeger Miehls)

Puddingstone is the popular name for an agate conglomerate, so called because of the plum pudding-like appearance of the rounded pebbles whose colours contrast with the matrix which surrounds them.

Puddingstone Slice (photo credit East Herts Geology Club)

There are different types of puddingstone, with different composition, origin, and geographical distribution. Examples of different types of puddingstones include the Hertfordshire, Schunemunk, Roxbury and St. Joseph Island puddingstones.

Remains of a stone circle of pudding stone incorporated into the structure of St Mary’s Church, Chesham, Buckinghamshire (Photo credit Iridescent)

Puddingstone has been used since at least Roman times as a building material, and also for grinding corn shaped into a device called a quern.

Puddingstone Quern (Photo credit St Albans Museums)

Puddingstone is believed to be useful in assisting with anxiety or stress.

Large Puddingstone (photo credit DI Showshoe)

Puddingstone is used to prevent tissue deterioration of internal organs and muscles, to strengthen immune system and to promote body balance. It is supposed to help alleviate any pain or disorder.

Puddinstone Sphere (Phot0 credit The Rock Shed)

This gorgeous Puddingstone cabochon at the top of this post, which comes from Agate Creek right here in Queensland, Australia, was snapped up by a lovely client of mine. I made this ring for her.

Contact me if you’d like me to create a custom piece for you!

Tool of the Month – Pump Drill

I was all set this month to write about what I was taught is called an Archimedes drill. While researching it online, I discovered that this tool is actually called a pump drill and an Archimedes drill is something different! So, no interesting information on Archimedes to be found here today. He was pretty amazing, though, worth researching if you can find the time.

The pump drill is composed of a long drill shaft with a collet on one end, a handle with a hole through the centre, a weighted flywheel, and a length of cord. The flywheel is attached near the bottom of the shaft and the handle slides over the top. The cord is run through a hole near the top of the shaft and affixed to either end of the handle so that it hangs just above the flywheel. To use it, the correct size drill bit is inserted in the collet, one hand is placed on the handle while the other hand turns the shaft to wind the cord around its length, raising the handle near to the top of the shaft, where the cord becomes tight. Holding the drill upright and placing the drill tip against the material to be drilled, a smooth downward pressure is exerted on the handle causing the drill to rapidly spin. Once the bottom is reached, the weight is relieved and the drill allowed to rebound re-winding the cord around the shaft and the process is repeated. It is a simple concept but a skill that takes practice to master.

The pump drill is a variation of the bow drill, which has been in use for at least seven thousand years. As well as drilling holes, the bow drill can be used to start a fire using friction. My occasionally burnt fingers can attest to the heat that can be generated by a drill spinning – silver is a great conductor of heat, and I have not only heated my fingers but made burn marks in my bench peg by drilling a piece of silver before now! As well as my pump drill, I sometimes use my flex-drive with a drill bit attached for drilling holes – there is something far more satisfying about using the lovely, simple, ancient pump drill though!

Inspiration ~ Johnson Tsang

Johnson Cheung-shing Tsang is “a Hong Kong sculptor specializing in ceramics, stainless steel sculpture and public art work. Tsang’s works mostly employ realist sculptural techniques accompanied by surrealist imagination, integrating the two elements, “human beings” and “objects”, into creative themes.”

So says Johnson’s blurb. Words, however, cannot adequately describe this body of work. It has to be seen to be believed. I strongly urge you to click on the pictures you are about to see – the links will take you to Johnson’s blog posts, giving you more detail, and more delicious images, of these stunningly beautiful pieces.

A Painful Pot – Johnson Tsang

I was blown away by ‘A Painful Pot’ – a stunning commentary on how Tsang feels about his country, made even more amazing by being able to see the process that goes into the creation of this piece.

Earth to Earth – Johnson Tsang

Earth to Earth is a result of Jonhson’s musings on life and death. You have to see this piece in its entirety – purely amazing!

Kiss of Eternity – Johnson Tsang

The beauty of a kiss and the symbol of eternity entwine to create this simple yet intricate flowing sculpture.

Breathless – Johnson Tsang

Breathless – and a little speechless – this striking bowl actually bubbles.

Humanosaur – Johnson Tsang

The humanosaur. Need I say more!

I love the humorous undertone contained in these deep and evocative pieces. I actually had to stop myself adding pictures to this blog post – I could browse through Johnson’s website from dawn to dusk! I hope I can see some of his pieces in real life some day – until now, I’ll remain inspired by these works and the beautiful and heartfelt messages behind them. Thank you, Johnson Tsang, you make the world a better and more amazing place!

BrisStyle indie Markets – October 2013

Whoo hoo! The Silver Forge is off to market!

Do come along and check out all the divine handcrafted goodness, and make sure you stop by The Silver Forge stand and say hello. Saturday 12th October from 9am to 3pm at the Brisbane City Hall, Ann Street, Brisbane. A beautiful venue, too!

the silver forge

jewellery handcrafted by ruthie gray