13 May

"Mama Bear Blueberry Hedge" Commission


I completed the "Mama Bear Blueberry Hedge" this week and Daddy-O and I did the install this afternoon. This was a dream job commission. The client contacted me last Fall with her idea of a blueberry hedge that would be act as a year round divider for the beautiful bronze Bear sculpture by Jacques & Mary Regat. It was a luxury to have the whole winter
to think about how I was going to construct the small hedge and attach the blue glass bead "berries" the client requested. I wish I would have had this idea on my own but the idea completely belongs to the client. After studying digital images of blueberry bushes near our cabin, I plasma cut out small leaves from two large steel sheets of steel and constructed branches to form the 105" length of hedge. I built 3 sections of 20+ inches for a first fit then welded the sections to a length of flat
iron that was attached using all weather screws to the wooden section on location. We needed to have the hedge installed before the plants, flowers and landscaping started their summer bloom. The steel was left uncoated so it will weather to a natural brown patina. The highlight of the install today was stepping inside of the client's home and watching the sunlight catch the blue glass beads through the large, beautiful window as Mama bear smiled back at us.







11 comments:

ang design said...

wow a very cool idea ...i bet they'd make a cool interior installation too :))

cookingwithgas said...

LOVE,LOVE,LOVE!

Tracey Broome said...

You seriously make me want to do metal work, but then I think about how hard you work and I go back to sleep! Love this one!

cindy shake said...

thanks guys ;o) I think I'm going to weld up some small individual blueberry bushes welded on little round steel bases for a garden or deck -wouldn't that be cute? The copper on the bead wire will patina really quick and you won't be able to see it as much as you do now. I was thinking of also trying red beads for cranberries too!

Orion Designs said...

I really love this piece Cindy! And where the heck is that gorgeous house??

Ann said...

Oh Cindy! What a stunning piece! Your idea or the client's? Can't wait till next Sat. Pray the weather is like this!!

Ina in Alaska said...

LOVE IT!!! amazing!!!!

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

I am continually impressed and inspired by your can-do attitude, creativity and ingenuity! I think your idea for individual blueberry (or cranberry) bushes is a great one as well. YES!

Julia said...

Breathtaking! Those glass beads really shine in the light, and a metal hedge could have turned out very busy but you've made something that is just lovely and simple.

Linda Starr said...

How wonderful, what a beautiful addition to the sculpture and so creative the way you conceived and constructed the fence, and bears love blueberries too. Ha.

Jamie Fingal said...

Absolutely stunning. I can't imagine how beautiful it will be with the light hits those blueberries. Awesome!