It's interesting to see what you'll do when presented with something different

Sometimes when you are on a design team you are given something to work with that challenges you, like this.  At first this one really had me none plussed so before getting started I really had to think about it.  There are 4 sections to the wheel so what comes in 4s?

The 4 Horsemen? 

The 4 Seasons

The Cardinal points on a Compass

The Suites in a pack of cards.



Nothing for it but to crack on and see what happens.  First of all then the 3 main elements were stuck together, ready to be painted.  I did take a photo of this stage but my iPhone camera decided to make it a 1 second movie which will not upload here, sorry.  The stage was with all the compartments completed but before the top arms were added, made it easier to paint.  Anyway when I looked at it like that a fort came to mind and for a while I considered not putting any of the top on.

The fort idea also solved a couple of other issues the paint work became fort walls with plant life at the bottom and the theme became the 4 seasons.   After fiddling around with air dry clay models and things the idea of making a wire tree for each section presented itself.  With that an old compass stamp suggested itself for the very top and the dragon as a weather vane.



Main body painted, a stencil used on the ends with an embossing paste and mica powder.


The compass stamp die cut into 3 sections slightly smaller than the top circles so the larger 2 are attached to the one above and then "their own" part.  This helped blend the top into one piece.   clay dragon hollowed out to sit on top of the bolt.  Butterfly screw not needed in this case.


First tree Spring with Peridot and then I needed to make it stand up.  Air dry clay moulded in a broach mould and while wet the tree pushed into it.  That works so just 2 more moulded pieces needed.  Winter is a bare tree that was attached with heavy body gel medium.



Summer with Amathyst


Autumn 



Winter, Structure paste


North is Winter, East is Spring, South is Summer and West, Autumn.

Although it was January it was a lovely sunny day so the back garden was the perfect spot to take the finished piece pictures.

You can see Tando today on the now combined Create and Craft/The Craft Store at 9am today.  and of course there will be a link back to the recording on their schedule listing.

Now I would like to share this with:

Creative Artiste - Always Anything Mixed Media Goes

We Love to Create - Always Anything Mixed Media Goes

Funkie Junkie - For the Love of Mixed Media

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Comments

  1. WOW that is one unique and creative project Zoe. I loved reading what led you to this amazing project. A real stunner Zoe x.

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  2. Wow!!! Such AMAZING masterpiece, Zoe!! Love so much the global idea and all the details!! The dragon on the top with the compass under him is really wonderful and such clever idea using real gems for the trees!! A lot of work here, but such fantastic result!

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  3. WOW what a brilliant inspired transformation love all the different tree seasons and the Dragon on the top
    Carol x

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  4. How inventive you are. This is just wonderful, love the dragon on the compass and those very special trees xx

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  5. love your creation and that it showcases the four seasons! Thanks for joining us at The Funkie Junkie Boutique challenge and sharing it with us. =)

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  6. VERY imaginative! fabulous work! Thanks for joining us at The Funkie Junkie Boutique challenge.

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  7. Beautiful trees! What a wonderful idea. Thank you for joining the Funkie Junkie Challenge! ~Janna

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  8. Lovely idea of showcasing the seasons with the different sides and stones! Thanks for joining us in the Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge and sharing what you love!

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  9. A fantastic project Zoe. You've created four wonderful scenes and a gorgeous top, all full of beautiful textures and details.
    Thank you for joining in with our March challenge "Anything Mixed Media Goes" at Creative Artiste Mixed Media. Good luck x

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  10. What a fabulous way to show off nature a reminder of how beautiful each season is.
    Thank you for sharing @ Creative Artiste and joining in with our March Challenge.
    Creative best wishes Tracey (DT)

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