Blog Featuring Boone's Hooks

Here is a link to a very nice jewelery blog that is currently featuring Boone's Hooks.

http://sassyglassdesigns.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-07-18T10%3A28%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=3

Cheers,
Smyth

Prototypes

I am in the habit of forging a prototype for most architectural commissions that I create. Not only does the prototype help me to figure out the pricing of a project, it also allows me to learn if the ideas and drawings are to scale and the right choices. The prototype comes after the drawings and the design concepts are realized.

Here is a close-up photo of a 3 foot prototype section for a balcony that I learned a lot about the joinery, sizes and textures...


For example... if I am commissioned to forge a railing...

First is the drawings and concepts for the piece. Then once the drawings are accepted by the builder/owner, I will build a measured section(usually 3 feet long) full scale. Railings are generally priced by the linear foot, therefore, I make a measured section( 3' for this example) and the amount of time it takes to create the prototype divided by 3 for this sample multiplied by my hourly shop rate gives me the price per foot to share with the builder/owner.

I also learn if I selected the right material sizes and techniques to see the project to its completion and on schedule. If there are things that need to be changed to make the project smoother or easier, the prototype is a great way to learn the project from the inside out. It also removes any mis-guided or unrealistic design concepts. This is also the time to make adjustments and corrections to make the project as quickly, professionally and efficiently.

While I create the prototype, I also figure out ways to make jigs and other helpful tools to hopefully speed up production once the design/prototype is accepted by the client. This means that hopefully the actual project will go faster than the prototype which can equal profit or simply allow for unforeseen delays in construction that can sometimes make one loose money on a project.

Cheers,
Smyth Boone

Design Topic 3: Center Element Off-set (optical illusion)

When creating a stair railing that has a center element on the upright balusters, it is critical to have the center element raised slightly above the center-line of the baluster.

Here is an example... the collars in the center of each elongated 'O'(oval-the upright balusters), are the center elements off-set higher than mathematical middle of the 'O'.


When one views a stair rail, on a rise(staircase) or on the flat(balcony), the center element will look low if the element is mathematically centered exactly. The reason is due to the viewer's position regardless if it is from above or below the railing.

I believe we are dealing an optical illusion that is created due to the relationships involved. The perspective of the viewer, the top and bottom rails, and the element in the center create specific relationships with each other.

My general rule of thumb is to raise the center element 1" above the center of the baluster. So... if my bottom horizontal rail and my upper horizontal rail are 30" apart, then I would put the center of the center element at 16" high from the bottom bar.

I hope this design tip helps. I believe that optical illusions are very powerful in art and I think that we need to accommodate and work with them them in our designs. More on optical illusions in the future.

Cheers,
Smyth

Removing Candlewax from candlesticks

Here is a helpful hint on removing candle wax from your metal candle cups.

Just freeze the leftover wax and it will "pop" off!


If you can fit the candlestick into the freezer, just freeze it and the wax will come out easily all in one piece. You can also clean off the drips that have landed on the candlestick also. They just "pop" right off after being frozen.

If the candlestick is too large for a freezer, just set it outside in the winter (if you live in a place that gets below freezing at night) for an overnight and in the morning just "pop" off the wax.

I use a metal "screwdriver" shaped tool to remove the unwanted melted wax.


Naturally, drip-less candles do not require this at all. I happen to prefer natural beeswax candles personally.

I hope this is helpful.

Cheers,
Smyth Boone

Sierra magazine features Boone's Hooks!

Hello and welcome to the new year! I hope yours is wonderful and you manifest what you want. I am looking forward to a brilliant, prosperous, abundant, successful 2009.

Here is a great start...
Boone's Hooks is featured in the current January/February issue of Sierra magazine of the Sierra Club!
Sierra magazine is the award-winning magazine filled with spectacular nature photography and in-depth reporting on the hottest environmental issues from the largest non-profit lobbying organization dedicated to preserving the Earth's natural beauty.

The article, "Building Better: Cool Products for an Eco-Home", featuring Boone's Hooks is about building green and using green products in your current home/office situation. It is very insightful on how to retro-fit your current home to save energy and be more friendly to your family and to the Earth.

Here is the article from the Sierra Club website...

Hooked on Recycling
M. Smyth Boone calls himself an 18th-generation blacksmith and a descendant of Daniel Boone. But it's the fact that his designs are crafted from 100 percent recycled steel that is truly pioneering. Boone's signature piece is a leaf-shaped hook that can be used to hang towels, hats, or anything with a strap. He's also a sculptor and has crafted stair railings and a series of forged-steel sculptures of surfers. $34, booneshooks.com

I am honored to be recognized as a contributing part of such a great movement. Go Green, Support Local Business!!

Please visit the Sierra Club website at http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200901/cool.aspx

Design Style Guide

I would like to introduce a new website called Design Style Guide.
http://www.designstyleguide.net/


The site is a collection of amazing hand made art from artists that specialize in interior design. The site is a brilliant one stop resource for a growing number of artists and professionals in the home decorating industry.

A couple of my favorite things about the site is that it is simply a networking tool to get prospective buyers to individual artists websites and highlights so many great artists and buyers can see a ton of wonderful art all in one stop.

Design Style Guide is very easy to navigate, features treasuries, and only carries high caliber artwork that meets rigorous standards. The editors make sure every posting qualifies to their specific standards.

Here is the description on the Design Style Guide homepage:

If you are an interior designer, decorator, or home stager, this website is designed to help you quickly find that perfect accent to help you sell to your clients. You can search for items by style, color, room, or material, to help you work more efficiently and use less of your valuable time wading through the mountains of things available online.

Please check it out... http://www.designstyleguide.net/

Cheers,

Smyth Boone

Interview on ETSY

Here is a very nice interview on me and Boone's Hooks that is being featured on ETSY.com.

ETSY is a huge website/network/store featuring exclusively hand made products. It is like the size of "google" for artists. Please check it out, leave a comment etc...

Here is the link http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/spotlight/article/fresh-shops-booneshooks/2615/

Cheers,
Smyth

Boone's Hooks in Gaiam/Real Goods catalog

I am proud to announce that the Boone's Hooks hand forged home accessories line has been picked up by the Gaiam/Real Goods Living 2008 Fall Holiday Catalog.

Gaiam is the leading provider for green and ecologically friendly products on the planet. As you know Boone's Hooks are made of 100% recycled steel, the most recycled product on the globe.

Please sign up and get a catalog mailed to you or check it out on the internet. Here is the link to the web page featuring Boone's Hooks...

http://www.gaiam.com/product/eco-home-outdoor/living-space/decor/hand-forged+recycled+steel+leaf+towel+bar.do

Here is a word about Gaiam:

Gaiam invites you to live the life of intention you've envisioned. From yoga & fitness DVDs to non-toxic cleaners, we give you the green shopping options and healthy living products to help you live your best life. Discover health & wellness tools, sustainable living solutions and green products from our online catalogs.

and here is the link to Gaiam...
http://www.gaiam.com/

I am glad to participate in the green revolution! Thank you for your support.

Cheers,
Smyth Boone

Creating Motion...

As a 3-dimensional artist, the artist/blacksmith has the ability to easily create movement and motion with their forgings.
For example...

This sculpture a Smyth Boone original from 2005 is called "Surfing..." (15" x 9" by 18" tall) Owned by the Mueller Collection.

The title, "Surfing..." is a verb because the sculpture shows suggested motion and movement. In the next photo, the viewer can see the balance, visual stress, strength of the medium, and some fun. The waves are forged steel scrolls which give the impression of waves and moving water. The blacksmith is an impressionist(more on this topic in a later discussion). Here is a closer view of the action...In the photo above, check out how far out the surfer is from the base waves. He is joined by two small rivets that go through the surf board and a wave. I extended the surf board as far out as I could to really highlight the strength of the steel; although, it grabs the viewers' attention because it is so far out there that it would appear to be unstable or actually moving. This is referred to as stress or tension in a design. Stress and tension is a very common and strong device to use as an artist because it attracts the viewer.
Notice the body movement of the Surfer. He is twisted in a very natural and possible position. This is very important when using the human form. The human form needs to be in a possible and conceivable position for the viewer to believe the sculpture.
The extension of the arms is another way to direct the viewers eye and create a larger form for the sculpture, once again creating motion and direction. Balance is the double entendre' here. The sculpture is balanced and the surfer is balancing!
Also in the above photo... check out the waves. They are all separate and have a unique flow. This suggests movement to the viewer because each one is a different position which creates action. The waves are not static, they are visually moving. The scrolls forming the waves are compound curves(curves going in more than one direction simultaneously) which is one of the unique properties gained by forging steel.


The photo above demonstrates the "riders" hair flowing, his arms and hands keeping balance while they convince the viewer that he is moving. Also check out how far the surf board is extended beyond the waves.

Now see the details of the riveted connection, the wave details, and the position of the surfer. His back foot is naturally leaning forward and his toes are on the board while his heel is raised.

The final view, below, shows the motion from a side angle. Check out the suggested movement of the waves, the surfer, and the entire piece together.

One of my favorite things about using steel as a medium is it's physical strength. Not only is it the perfect material for railings, fire pokers and building structures, it also lends itself to beautiful sculpture.

Cheers,
Smyth Boone

Artist Statement

I figure that now is a good time to share my artist statement with you...

"The artist blacksmith has a unique variety of forging techniques that are specific to the craft of blacksmithing. Forged textures, joinery, forge welding, and the ability to transform metal are some examples. In my work, I highlight these many techniques through composition and execution of a project. The resulting effect expresses harmony of design and function with regard to the integrity of the medium."


Cheers,
Smyth

Go Green! Recycled Steel...

Boone's Hooks uses 100% recycled steel for all of it's forgings! With great design, Boone's Hooks transforms the recycled steel into useful functional artwork for your home... to last approximatley 2-5000 years!

This is a great claim that I am proud of for my business. Steel happens to be the most recycled material on the planet. All of the raw material steel stock that I buy at the steel supply yard has been recycled.

According to Wikipedia... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel)
Steel is the most widely recycled material in the United States.^[24] The steel industry has been actively recycling for more than 150 years, in large part because it is economically advantageous to do so. It is cheaper to recycle steel than to mine iron ore and manipulate it through the production process to form 'new' steel.

Iron is the base material in steel which is one of the most plentiful materials on the globe. Iron ore is mixed with a few other ingredients which creates steel, a much harder and usable medium.

Here is how it works... old cars, iron structures from buildings, old washers and driers, etc... are all collected and melted in big batches(imagine a BIG pot of boiling red hot molten metal!). Once the metal is melted it can be re-poured into the forms the industry uses consistently. These forms are either bars stock, sheet metal, or industrial stock.

Feel free to support your local blacksmith.. they are working towards a greener planet for us all!

Cheers,
Smyth Boone

Art for Ourselves or the Client?

Here is a topic for discussion that I have been pondering for years... The original conversation comes from "Craft Versus mass Production" blog on http://designstyleguide.ning.com/forum

Do we create a piece of art for the client/viewer or do we create a piece of art for ourselves?
I had a blacksmith tell me a story about his project of restoring a small railing that was way up on top of a hundred foot high church steeple. After the blacksmith took down the old piece, he looked on the inside of it and there was some very fine chisel work. The chisel work was extensive and very well executed. The chisel work could never be seen by anyone viewing from the ground, not only was it 100 feet high, it was also facing in towards a wall.
This leads to the question... why did the blacksmith put such amazing art where it never would be seen? Was it for the client or for himself?
I tend to lean towards the idea that, as an artist, we create beautiful artwork for ourselves first and then the viewer/client second. I do know that I feel much better making my art as good as I can for my own satisfaction and integrity regardless of what the client sees or feels from it(within reason, of course). Maybe, and hopefully, the client will someday appreciate and understand the art, but sometimes, if ever, it takes along time for another to absorb the true meaning the artist intended.

I am interested in your opinion on this one...

Cheers,
Smyth Boone

Design Topic 1: positive and negative space

This piece is a forged scroll measuring approximately 10" in diameter. At first the viewer is drawn to the simple elegance of the universally appealing scroll. Why?
Here is one reason...
The appealing element of this scroll is the use of negative space and its' relationship to positive space. A perfect scroll always has an increasing negative space.(note: this particular forging has a growing negative space towards the center of the scroll and then a diminishing negative space on the outer edges in my attempt to create more of a circle for this sculpture.)
Positive space is what we refer to as the solid material. Negative space is the blank space between the solids.
The artist can use the positive space to create an interesting negative space that engages the viewer. This is what humans are drawn to. Interesting relationships.
Forged iron is an excellent medium for expressions in positive and negative space usage. Steel/wrought iron is a very strong, yet fluid material that creates bold lines(positive) and makes one see the artists' suggestion of design found in the negative space.
Once you can see the detail a little closer, one realizes that there is a flower suggestively chiseled into the scroll. This will lead to our next discussion on the gestalt style of design and suggestions for the viewer.
Another very interesting design element, to be discussed in the future, is the use of the golden mean.
I look forward to your comments and ideas.
Cheers,
Smyth