Sunday 3 May 2009

Disintegration

I've been part of a project, with over one hundred participants from all over the world, run by Seth from The Altered Page blog. The project was to make a bundle of papers, fabric or whatever and hang it, bury it or attach it to a wall as long as it was exposed to the elements. We would then all check our bundles on the first of May and report our findings.
I've come to the conclusion that rain seems to be the major contributor to the disintegration, hence the very little change in my bundle. My little parcel has suffered extreme heat, 47deg C 116 deg F, smoke from bush fires, major winds, even an earthquake, but very little rain.
I've decided to re-bundle it and have added some rusty washers. I will leave it out for another few weeks. On August the first there will be the reveal of another exciting part of the project.

Below are some of my photos unveiling the results.







I even had a little visitor in my package.




This is now waiting for some much needed rain.

The drawer saga continues. I visited my elderly parents today and we have here in Australia what's called a 'hard rubbish' collection. People leave things that they can't easily dispose of out on their grass verge and the council collect it later. This has become a popular pastime for 'collectors' to go and check out other peoples rubbish.
Well imagine my surprise when I sailed past a set of old metal cabinet drawers, I couldn't stop as I had traffic around me. I thought if they're there on the way home they're mine. Guess what, on the way home they had multiplied and there was another set right next to them. I excitedly bundled them into the car and did a quick 'uey', (turned the car around). When I was facing toward home I noticed the owner coming up his driveway with his wheelbarrow, ohhh should I wait and see what else he was getting rid of, I thought better of it as I knew I would have to explain what I was going to do with another set of drawers when I arrived home.
My dear darling, rolled his eyes and shook his head when I started to unload the car. Little did I know that some of the drawers contained 'treasure'. As I cleaned them out and dusted them off I began to wonder about the previous owner, there were golf tees, old pen nibs, paint brushes, a fabulous compression tester, I think that's what hubby called it, saying it could be quite useful, the eyes aren't rolling now.
I imagine Judy would have found enough information from these drawers to create a wonderful story about the guy.

I found just enough room under one of my benches, the exact measurement of the space was the same as the drawers, they were meant to be mine. Needless to say, they are almost full already.






Finally I am adding more decorated papers and a necklace I've just completed to my Etsy store



29 comments:

Heather said...

You were definitely in the right place at the right time Ro. How great to find them full of bits and pieces still. Hope you get some rain soon to help distress your bundle. Your decorated papers are wonderful - so wonderful I would just enjoy looking at them and not dare to use them for fear of spoiling them.

Judy said...

Ha ha ha...Great post.
love the drawers - go back now! Get some more.

Jeane Myers said...

LOL! the drawer saga! great! these are actually fabulous -

Ginny Gaskill said...

Even if you do not get much rain your papers look like a treasure to work from. Mine got hit from a sprinkler a couple of times. I think it helped some.

ArtPropelled said...

Even if your bundle didn't change much there are some great photos here. Love the one with the dry eucaluptus leaves.
More drawers! Ro you just might have to stash them in hubbies workshop if you bring any more home. LOL

~*~Patty S said...

Your bundle looks very nice, I believe you are right. We had lots of rain and a little snow here in Virginia, USA helping to rust my bundles nicely. Your rescue of the metal drawers sounds delightful, what treasures! Enjoyed your telling of it very much :)

Julie said...

Hope you get some rain soon Ro. Those drawers definitely had your name on. You can never have too many drawers!

Linda B said...

oh yay I love visiting your blog for a fix of inspiration

Corrine said...

Great bundle, I'm sure they'll be great to work with even if they don't get any rain. Mine are mostly a soggy mess, I'm having to dry them out so I can use them.
I have a draw fetish too, you aren't alone

Kim Palmer said...

Cant stop smiling at the thought of Judy and the story. I see she told you to get some more LOL. Great find Ro. The necklace is beautiful. You certainly are a talented lady.

Elizabeth said...

I have to say that I would have poulled another uey to see what was coming in the wheel barrow!! Love those drawers and the stuff inside- funny how I was thinking of Judy W just as you mentiones her!!! LOL!! The new necklace is sooo elegant- won't be in your shop for long, I am sure!!!!
hugs!
elizabeth

Karen Cole said...

So.....I didn't have any idea you had such a drawer fetish, Ro.

What a great find! A girl needs some "hard rubbish" once in awhile. That's what I always say.

Beautiful necklace. Love the elements you used.

Catharina Maria said...

I love your art , it is great to see it.
Rini the Netherlandds

Shayla said...

What a necklace! Yeah!

Loved your story about the drawers in the garbage. Great find, Ro! Have you heard of "freegans"? They conduct "trash tours" kind of like bus groups that go to second hand stores. There's a whole character that could be written just by clues left in those drawers. Can't say I've ever seen anything so interesting out at the curb around here, but I'm still keeping my eyes open.

jo horswill said...

Ro...those drawers are fab!!!
I was just talking about drawers with the "girls" yesterday :)
I'm always on the look out...but don't seem to have any luck!!!

++MIRA++ said...

it was fate indeed! what a lovely post.thx for letting me in on that portion of ure day.

Our Hands For Hope said...

came over from Monica's.... Love that your studio photos look like you really get to work in there! Now that all these magazines are coming out with these wonderful photos of "clean" studios I thought I was really out of the loop. Nope...We're kindred souls! hah!

rivergardenstudio said...

What a fantastic story! Finding not only the drawers, but that they were filled with treasures... And I like how your disintegration project is coming along, even if the change is subtle. And...your necklace is spectacular! Roxanne

Katiejane said...

You've got great drawers, lady! We do that here in the States too; collect things from the curbs. It's fun, and I recently found some very usable metal wire storage shelves (also two of them!) just waiting for the collection man. Recycle, recycle, recycle.

~Babs said...

The Seth project has been/is fascinating; I like your found friend.
Loved hearing of your rubbish collection. We have the same thing here, and have been seen dragging all sorts of 'needed' things home.Of course you got those drawers,,,I'm always amazed at all the great stuff people toss. (and delighted!)
Stunning jewelry!
(I popped in from Jeane's place)

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Isn't it neat to find treasure where you would least likely find it?
We have pick up days here where I live and I go out the night before and find some great stuff.
I found an old trunk one time and I plan on doing something this Summer with it.
xoxo Nita

Leslie said...

Awesome drawers Ro. A girl can never have too many!

Love your papers and your necklace!

Joy and Kathryn said...

What a find in those drawers! Double pleasure treasures.
Thanks for visiting our blog.
Joy

Jackie said...

Those decorated papers are gorgeous.
I'm really envious of the drawers.
I bet they'll just fill themselves! I had an empty chest of drawers outside the bedroom and within 3 months it was full. I didn't plan it it just happened.

Becky Mairi Farrell said...

We so need a hard rubbish collection here in the UK, without a car it's impossible to get rid of large items without paying at least £30 for someone to take them away.

I love the brightly coloured drawers from your last post, and the random stuff in the drawers you picked up here. I bet you could make a fascinating assemblage about that man's life from the contents of his drawers.

Kims Art said...

I just love the idea of the bundles. I am going to do that just to see what happens. I live at the beach , so the rust element could really be a cool thing. You can never have enough drawers and what a great find! It is amazing how fast they are filled. The necklace is stunning.

Unknown said...

What treasures! in the cabinets you found...

I think it's interesting that the bundles are not disitegrating quite as quickly as we all thought they would...my winter consisted mostly of WIND!

Jacky said...

What treasures Ro... the drawers and all of the goodies.
Are you tempted to go back and see what else this fellow was wheeling out for hard rubbish??? Sounds like an interesting man!

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

I visited Australia back in 1993 but unfortunately I did not make it to to your Beautiful home. Your works are exquisite and the papers are delicious so I will be waiting to discover your next renewal process. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen