I sought to do something temporary, or relatively temporary, in case she wants to change it again at some later date. I took the idea from one of the budget decorating shows on HGTV, which often runs in the background while I’m working (the technique was applied to the edge of a thrift-bought coffee table to dress it up).
I can envision this technique applied to pillar candles or plain ceramic flower pots, too.

I measured the widest area around the frame and cut a chipboard frame to match. Then I cut a piece of copper foil (40 ga.; .003″ thick) to fit that, burned patches of color into the foil with a propane torch, and chased texture into it with the peen end of my hammer. The foil was then wrapped around the chipboard frame and secured to the plastic frame using Terrifically Tacky Tape (which really IS terrifically tacky, by the way).

The copper frame isn’t yet attached to the plastic in the above picture. This was the “does-this-work-for-you?” picture which went to her inbox for final approval before project completion. Normally, she’s more of a brushed nickel kinda gal.

Happy crafting!

P.S. I am sad to inform the public that International Cake Month has — as of today — officially passed. Long live CAKE!

I started two tins earlier last week, and finished this one yesterday:

I’ve learned to be patient with the rusting process, adding it in layers and wiping each one down before the next application. Here, I’ve used a combination of rust and blackened bronze (paint). I didn’t seal it, but I used spray fixative to help the rust endure, as it tends to turn to dust and peel away with time. The leather cord is removable, secured with blackened fishing swivels.

The shiny glass tiles are nice, but I found I like the simplicity on the backside better. The more I work with wire, especially plain old annealed (such as baling wire), the more I enjoy it. I’m reminded of ornate Victorian-era gates and wrought iron railings.

A decorative button fastened to a painted washer finishes off the top of the box nicely. However, I am discovering that some dimensional glues don’t self level, so this may need further work. I might have to replace the Diamond Glaze here with UTEE instead.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend. :)

We are gearing up this summer to do two major renovations: replacing the windows and tiling the basement floor. Once the basement floor, including my studio, is finished, I’ll be able to put cabinets in for long-awaited storage (hooray!); living out of plastic bins … just sucks. In January, I acquired an old beat up dresser:

and then two stacking library card files — way cool — of solid wood:

Each one needs a face lift, the dresser more so than the card file, but as far as extra storage space, they’re the bomb. I’ve been slowly gluing the drawers back together in the dresser, and also in a small wooden desk I found (picture not shown). With the winter weather, being out in Jon’s shop could be rather unpleasant even with a heater running, so my progress has been slow.

April 5th marked Jon’s and my first year anniversary. Way so cool. We celebrated in three parts :). He spoils me and in the last year I’ve learned to be cautious about saying, “oh, I like that.” There’s a good chance I’ll find whatever it was waiting for me by the time I get home. He bought me a lovely pair of sapphire earrings (which surprised me in a “why on Earth would you buy me jewelry?!” kinda way). I was expecting power tools or some sort of geekery … or something a bit more practical. By his logic, though, the earrings are perfectly practical. After all, earrings are pretty much the only jewelry I wear consistently.

Too, I felt I came to the party a bit under-dressed. Here’s what he got (art by request):

An accordion book made up of the following: flash cards (the chunky chipboard kind), paper, stamps, shrink plastic, polymer and paper clay; flashing tape and wire; wood, paper and metal embellishments; found poetry, and paint.

I aimed for somewhat minimalist on the front. Jon’s not big on clutter (uh huh).

And then I crammed the back with all sorts of sentiments. :) (He can hide it.)

The last is just a close up of the “found poem” I made using Yogi Tea’s tea tags. Little bits of inspiration that I need my reading glasses to see.

It was an incredibly fun project to put together and that it was for him made it all the more satisfying. I struggled with the idea that I was assembling what is essentially a dust vessel, but then, I also had NO idea flashing tape could be so much fun. I discovered, however, that it’s coated either with plastic or possibly some sort of oily lubricant. I had to scruff it up aggressively to get the paint to stick. It makes a pretty convincing “metal” embellishment, though.

Happy news for this month is that Southwest Virginia now has an official Polymer Clay Guild (based in Floyd, VA), started and run by a favorite polymer clay mentor of mine. It has yet to establish an official name, but I’m excited to be a part of it. I’m demonstrating at the June 2009 meeting. Pray I don’t trip all over my tongue. :)

Also, my parents (meaning, Barbie) have decided to ride the train across the country again to visit us next week. The growth of her cancer seems to have accelerated. When she called me in February asking me (seriously?) what she should do, conserve or live it up, my only response then was, “well, I think while you’re alive you should live.” She’s combating my father’s resistance to this trip with, “well, I don’t know that I’ll be around in September.”

You go, girlfriend!

Have a happy day (or in this case, possibly a week or a month)!