So I started with an old cigar box and cut the lid off. I decoupaged torn pages from an old dictionary and a Chemical Engineering text book on the inside and around the outside. Next I used some Distressing Ink from Ranger (color: Vintage Photo) and improvised a bit to make it look old and time-worn. Anyway... I sure wish I had stopped to take some in-progress shots if just for my own info!
Then came the fun part of trying to figure out what to put inside! I have finally been using some surfacing treatments I bought years ago (another time when I thought I wanted to do assemblage/altered art! You see, this is a recurring desire...) and painted up a cheapy bird ornament from the thrift store with "Blackened Bronze Metallic" surfacer from Sophisticated Finishes. Again, no before shot, but it turned out pretty nice!
.JPG)
I gathered some white river rocks, shells gleaned from beaches in the Caribbean, twigs from the backyard and a nest (a thrift store find and not a real one... shucks...) and started playing. The twigs were bound together with some tea-stained eyelet lace and found black wire. In front of them is a river rock "cairn". The nest is settled nicely on a beach rock with a white river rock "egg" inside. I didn't like the inside edge of the box showing, so I laid some more twigs along the back and added some shells.
Nothing is permanently attached yet - I may still change my mind about placement and contents but I like it so far. Another thing I'm not sure about is where my little bronze bird should go. I like her perched on top...
...but I also have the idea to have her suspended inside, like she's flying.
If I decide to go with her perched on top, I will definitely need something suspended into the empty space but I have no idea what!
Hmmm.... so what do you think? Let me know - and be nice - this is my first crack at this so don't rain on my parade, OK?
ahh, I LOVE her inside! At first I thought you cut her in half and attached her to the back and thought that was a cool idea...2 birds with 1 stone..sorry couldn't resist.
ReplyDeleteIts really good project.
I have another blog friend that does mixed media. She uses printed pages quite a bit. I love what she does with attaching them to objects. At first I thought that you were going to cover the bird.
That "two birds, one stone" is a great idea! If only the bird weren't made of ceramic! dang.
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering about making silicone molds and replicating objects I really like - maybe this project calls for a trip to the craft store! Don't you just hate going to the craft store!?? :)
this is so lovely! I prefer the bird on top, maybe some feathers hanging down?
ReplyDeleteI love it! Wonderful story here.
ReplyDeleteI'm a jewelry designer first, but more and more I'm doing mixed media. A chance to use some of that stuff gathered that's too big for jewelry, right?