"Toys & Games" Monthly Challenge.

The monthly challenge was met by a wistful bunch of 'smiths this time.  L.Sue Szabo kicked off with this silver articulated fish, a little toy made for a friend's birthday present; 

Her Flickr archive is worth a peek too.

Next, NinaGibsonDesigns brought back memories of HopScotch played on hot summer holiday afternoons, with this piece in concrete-embossed copper incorporating silver HopScotch squares. Does anyone know why that game was called HopScotch?...

More examples of Nina's work here.

Su from Quearchus Silver made a cameo brooch based on a fondly remembered game, she says; "Pass the Pigs" was one of my boys favourite games and this brooch evokes seaside holidays and nebulous memories of games and laughter. The brooch is made of resin. I cast toy pigs and then set them in in resin with integral steel and silver brooch findings. I wanted the piece to feel worn, indistinct, playful but not cute.

Look at their little speckles, are they the Gloucester Old Spot breed?

See more work by Quercus Silver here and here for the Flickr album.

Erga has produced this stunning, immaculate silver playing card box. Okay, lets deal!

***THE CHALLENGE FOR NEXT MONTH***

...is,

"FEAST".

The origin of the word February is from the Middle English feverer, from Old French feverier, based on Latin februarius, from februa, the name of a purification feast held in this month. The spelling change in the 15th century was due to association with the Latin word. To whet your appetite for this challenge, here is the epic "Feast Bracelet" from 1974 by master Metal Artist Richard Mawdsley.

Perhaps your feast will involve a mouthwatering slice of watermelon tourmaline,or a skewer-kebab of textural chunks, or maybe you're inspired by goblets, drinking horns or Viking feast utensils for eating. Perhaps these feast foods from historical times will inspire you on this website.

You can submit to the challenge too! Simply post good images of your creation into your own Flickr or Pinterest account, with description and your name, then post the link to your submission by way of a comment at the bottom of this post, to have it included here on the blog.

Deadline is Sunday 1st March. 

Enjoy the challenge.