Blooms from 44 Gallon drums by Hawke's Bay duo Amy Lynch and Katie Baptiste of Metal METcALfe
The Blooms combines Katie’s pattern & stylised illustration with Amy’s product & metal know-how. Each Bloom piece is designed, hand cut & welded by Kate and Amy. They have great fun making these bountiful beauties, and hope others enjoy them too.
Bantam Blooms are a smaller version of the “Full Bloom” series of large garden flowers. The Bantams are designed for inside or outside (keep the colour fresh by following the Metcalfe care instructions on their website.
Full Bloom - 150cm high
Bantam Bloom - 60cm high
(all measurements are approximate)
Due to the nature of creating from repurposed drums variations occur and the actual product varies from the picture
Caring for your Artwork
If your artwork is to be displayed in a dry, indoor location then an occasional dust is required. (Using a yellow duster means that the yellow fluff sticks to the edges….we suggest either a feather duster or a can of compressed air)
If you are wanting to display your artworks outdoors then we currently have a couple of options:
Given the artworks are made from metal, they will, if left in damp/wet conditions start to rust on any exposed metal. The speed and intensity of the patina depends on the location of the artworks. e.g a seaside location (water + salt) will speed up the process. If you like the natural patina of the artworks, then do nothing and enjoy! If you’d prefer to retain the gallery condition then you can do either of the following…
Option 1 - apply two or three layers of clear coat lacquer to back and front (we’d suggest a matte finish). Refer to the manufacturers instructions regarding drying time, application and health & safety procedures.
Option 2 - apply warmed beeswax to the artworks using a soft, clean and lint-free cloth. We suggest doing the lighter/brighter colours first, or using a seperate cloth for them.
Depending on the location of the artworks this may need doing on a semi-regular basis.
Consideration of wall hung artworks outside on wall or fencing.
You may decide to hang your artworks outside. In order to prevent potential rust on your wall or fencing, we therefore strongly recommend at least a couple of coats clear lacquer on the back of the artwork. Again, refer to the manufacturers instructions for application, health & safety and drying times.
