BEHOLD

Eeehehehehe...

OK, it took me nearly four hours but I think you'll agree...totally worth it.

In summary: a wireframe top hat with crank-rod which drives the motion of flags at the end of long rods, which are positioned by a wire network on the top of the hat.  Very simple, straightforward and oh, so satisfying.  I am filled with GLEE.  Better pics and perhaps even a video should follow at some point. 


Notes for the next version:  The mechanism is a bit sticky somewhere.  Provided I can sort that, I intend to replace the masking-tape flags with more brightly coloured, larger ones, and fill in much of the wire structure of the hat to make it more stable and look more awesome.  I may add a fabric lining, to prevent your hair snagging in the cranks.

Abstract sketches

Just a few of my abstract images that I wanted to share, though some of them aren't finished and I don't think I got the best one.  I need to scan them in, but currently don't have access to a functioning scanner.  These are so satisfying and have so many variations I want to explore.  I'm hoping to develop it and work the pieces on wooden board.

Commission - brooch

I love making the most of packaging, to make something I'd myself be delighted to open, to make the recipient feel special.  First the pink/red velvet pouch, then the thin balsawood presentation case tied with a ribbon, with the image inked into the front...

Then a first peek at the contents, snug and secure between the layers...

Three finely sawn cut-outs of the design in sheets of satin-finish sterling silver.  The ear wires are recessed into the cover to keep the packaging flat and secure - the earrings simply thread on.

The back of the packaging shows my logo, printed on the third sheet of balsawood which has a cut-out to house the pin back - incidentally the first one that's really worked well, and I wish I'd taken better pictures of it. 

I wish I'd been given more scope to do a single, more ambitious and complex item, but it's more important to make the customer happy!  Perhaps one day I'll make the things I had sketched out, with layers of purpleheart wood and handmade chains.

Mrowr

A friend's dressing up as a cat/leopard tonight, and after discussing the ears and make-up and checking out DA I got a fizzle into my head to give it a go myself. I may look silly but it was quick and fun, even without putting contact lenses in!  This would look much better with white, but I didn't have any.  This is just liquid eyeliner and silver, copper and gold eyeshadows.

I think it looks quite cool...  things of course which could be done much better, but it's a start!

Now, for the next photodump installment:

This is my GirFrock.  If you don't know Gir, it'd only take too long to explain!  The power of green compelled me.  Pattern is a duplicate of a very pretty dress I bought for my brother's wedding, minus the zip and plus pockets and an obi-style belt (which is reinforced and quilted, no less!).  Lovelovelove it, even though it's already getting bobbly.

A keyfob I made for a friend's birthday, the initals 'DW' sawn into copper, hammer-textured and with a swivelling bail attached with my first ever successful rivet!  Well, for a given value of 'successful'.  I really love the style, and just wish it would work with 'MH' so I could have my own.

These were so cute I had to share!  Little sweet 'slider' buns - I made tiny beefburgers to go in them when we had an awesome bbq: thai pork skewers, mustard-rosemary chicken, hoisin veggies, tiny burgers etc.  Yummy.