Functional Art

As I mentioned in an earlier post, part of my solo show is what Vero calls "functional small wares".  These items will be in the middle of the room on pedestals.  Her philosophy on art is that unless it is hanging on the wall, it has to function.  No sculptures, no eye candy, it has to function.  And for some reason I totally draw a BLANK when it comes to stuff like this.  I've no idea why, but just like at Christmas with ornament making, I over think it and then usually make something kind of icky.  One of the items Vero suggested I do when I mentioned my quandary was to fine some wooden bowls at a junk store and paint them.  OK.  So at my local junking haunt I found this pile of bowls and since the seed was planted I bought them:

Yep.  They are pretty ugly.  But I immediately saw NESTS.  And this weekend during a lovely summer storm, I made them into just that.

Inside each bowl I stamped words I use on my nesty jewelry.  They've been sprayed with a good coat of clear spray which totally makes the colors illuminate.  Their function could be for your spare change, jewelry, keys, you name it!  You just can't eat out of them....maybe the next time around I'll find a food safe clear coat.  Next on the functional agenda, embellishing these amazing burlap lamp shades I found at another junk store eons ago!  This is so much fun!!!