I don’t know where I got the idea for a dirigible cicada miniature model but here we are. Falling asleep with my YouTube queue probably with videos on the recent 17 year cicada cycle followed by the use of airships during WW1 must have blended together in my subconscious. I enjoyed creating the last insect - the custom bee - I had to do another but this was too large for a piece of jewellery.
So I worked on each separate section, hoping it would all fit together in the end. That’s always the scary part - will the wings fit on the body? Will the scale of everything maintain the illusion of an actual, albeit fantastical, airship once joined? Unlike very clever model scene makers I don’t work with a scale ruler. As I don’t fabricate or cast metal there is no real point - I’ll still have to adjust a part in my collection to fit.
I started with the wings - they bring everything together and set the scale. Like the last piece - the body is a brass screw electrical terminal. The abdomen has two main parts - the high copper piece with a grill and a lower section made from a cut out earing drop I filled in with resin. The wings are also filled with resin and a very light dusting of green and gold mica.
I’ve been making miniature nebulas lately so that is where the glass “hot air balloon” came from. It is fitted with a vintage brass bead cap, chains, tiny brass drops and internal details. While I was searching for pieces I came across the hand blown green glass bead with a swirl pattern. I had to incorporate it but it was difficult to do so. Adding a piece to one side of a symmetrical design alters the way it hangs. The swirl on the bead is matched with the black swirled disk hanging under the balloon.
She has wrapped wire legs with metal crimps, two brass and steel “propellers” affixed to the front, one large rear flag and bunting on the secondary “balloon” tether. Everything attached is done so using screws and very rarely, glue. I have no idea how many separate components I used but it would be well over 100. I’ve been working on and off for a week - probably about 40 hours not including the time sourcing parts, taking photos and writing this. The rigging was a nightmare. The chain at the back, connected to a “U” shape piece is the ship’s anchor.
A friend who is a genius wood worker turned some gorgeous wood bases for me. I think it’s Jarrah. It has four brass legs on the bottom. The hanging mechanism consists of a filigree disk, a vintage brass corrugated bead and assortment of brass rods, copper and brass tubing and beads. The top section pulls out so it can be packed for shipping.
One final surprise. I left a hole in the body for a tiny green LED light. It is difficult to use - turning on by pushing the light into a battery. But it could be used on special occasions to show her off. The battery type is a bit exotic but available online.
I’m thinking about entering her in a local art competition before putting her up for sale. I hope you like her.
A parakeet bell, a Tootsie Roll wrapper, a syringe: the story of “Meditations in Saffron” begins in 2006 when David Chatt started walking through different Seattle neighborhoods. Initially, he was irked by the sight of the discarded things people left behind, but through the meditative process of beading, he came to see these objects not as trash, but rather as traces of human life.
“We’re here to spice up your life” they said in unison. Then they ruined my soup because robots don’t eat soup and are oblivious to the subtleties of good cooking. These spice-bots are from Grimspot at Etsy.
Piece of metal featuring the word ‘Powell’ - possibly from the old Powell Brothers Cambrian Iron Works, Wrexham, which opened in 1876 and closed in 1927.
Me buns for Labor Day weekend! Today is free pizza sample day, which means the trash cans are full of people’s spit out gum and their greasy napkins, which harshes my vibe. There aren’t many lines I won’t cross, but that’s one.
Found by a friend in Topsail Beach, North Carolina. This list makes me long to eat icey pops and drink cocktails by the ocean. My question is, why the pencil sharpener? To better write long grocery lists? To sharpen board game pencils? Or eyebrow ones? For sketching portraits on the beach?
You might have thought that you dropped your grocery list dropped off the map… I’m still picking up lists and prodding around trash all over town, but stashing them away for “later.” You know how that goes. This list snapped me out of it. Too good not to share! Found under a stack of chairs outside a bar in downtown champaign, IL on a sunny Saturday morning.
I have added some beach confetti to my Etsy shop! Each bottle contains unique seaglass pieces, seashells, and other interesting found objects from the beaches of Cyprus! The bottles are recycled coffee containers, so nothing goes to waste. All seashells were empty and no marine life was harmed.
ALT
