Bones Room Divider Part 1: I’m plotting, I’m planning….I’m sharing

I want you my pretty....

I was serious when I said I wanted to make one of my own, and my brain has been whirling with ideas.  So the first step to recreating this gorgeous beast is to figure out the approach…what will it be made of? How will it be constructed?  How can I streamline the process to make this as easy as possible?

First I took a little time to really scrutinize the photos and quite quickly you can see that this is really only one piece duplicated over and over again.

See you can see the seams where they are connected

 So in theory I would only need to recreate one piece to use as a mold.  Of course what type of mold depends on what materials I am going to use.  The original piece is made of lightweight fiberglass and then sprayed to be this beautiful gold color. 

Now truthfully I don’t know the first thing about molding fiberglass.  I have googled the process and read a few website showing some tutorials, but everything is for a one sided item (like a press mold).  I’m not sure how you would make something that is a complete piece.  I could also cast the fiberglass, which is basically make a base out of styrofoam and then layer fiberglass on top.  That would make a lightweight finished product (I think…this is all in theory) but of course to make something similar in scale to the original I would need to make 84 separate pieces.  The idea of doing that all by hand is daunting.

Then I gave some thought to changing materials to either clay or porcelain…I could quite easily sculpt the starter piece out of clay.  This medium would really allow me to get the smooth as silk finish, by burnishing it in when it is leather hard, the glaze options would be endless (OMG could you see this as one giant raku piece) .  Also if I made a plaster mold out of the sample piece I could slip cast the rest which would make the process drastically easier and quicker.   But for all the pros, the one con I’m really worried about with this approach is how heavy it will be.  One piece would be a decent weight, say the weight of that vase you may have on your dining room table.  Now imagine 84 of them all connected together…yeah a beast is right.  Also, if I did go this route I need to think of a way to connect them since I don’t have access to some crazy huge kiln.  The pieces would have to be fired several at a time and assembled (somehow).  Truthfully it might be prudent to do a sample run my making a MUCH smaller version of this design, something that would be used as well art went completed.

So…what do you guys think?  Any holes in my thought process?  Any suggestions or comments?  All is welcome!

Becca

Woman Obsessed: Don Harvey “Bones” room divider

I know I know…that is a strong title, but I truly am a little obsessed with this room divider on the Big E (here).  As soon as I saw it, it blew my mind with its awesome-ness….then I read the actual listing and found that the seller has four…that is right FOUR of these.  How much vintage karma do you have to cash in to get one?…let alone four!  Check this thing out!

Oh man…there is no way I can afford this (or would spend that much bank on one)…so that means I have to figure a way to make one for myself.  I’m planning and plotting the method as I type…stay tuned.

Becca

My Dream House...sigh

So I mentioned in my last post that my husband and I are saving for our own home.  Now finding that ONE house that has everything you want can be difficult, and usually when you do it is out of your price range.  For us the task is a little more tricky.  I have lived in Jacksonville my entire life, so I'm familiar with most neighborhoods...and I know that I don't want to live anywhere else other than the riverside/avondale area where we currently are.  Riverside is just awesome....great people, great restaurants, and great atmosphere....having two breweries within walking distance is kind of awesome too!  The only down side to the house search is that since this is a historic area finding that 1960s dream house isn't happening...most of the homes are pre-1930.  So you can imagine my joy when I read an article about a Mid Century home a couple miles from our place.  YES YES YES...and then I saw the price tag.(Listing)  Well crap.  I can dream right!  Take a look a this place below and dream with me.

The Big "E" Eye Candy

So I'm on a sort of self enforced Ebay restriction since we are saving up for a house...but that doesn't mean I don't still look!  Here are some of the cool things that caught my eye this week...Several of these are a steal if they go for the opening bid.



Cheers!

Becca

Friday Cocktail Time...a trip back to the 30's

So as usual it is friday and I need a cocktail.  I thought I would switch it up a bit and make a cocktail from my "The Savoy Cocktail Book".  You may remember seeing this book in photos from my trip the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans (here).  This one is a facsimile created in the 80's, which is perfect for me.  An original 30's edition usually sells for around 300-500 bucks...no thank you I would rather spend my dollars on booze......this one is about 40-50 dollars on the big E.

The Savoy Cocktail Book

What is so cool about this version is it is suppose to be EXACTLY like the original, complete with all of the illustrations.

Just one of the many illustrations!

For today I decided on an American Beauty Cocktail...because well I'm an American Beauty!

Recipe....it doesn't mention ice...but I added some to the shaker!

After one quick trip to the liquor store for some brandy, I was all set. (Don't forget you will need port too...I didn't notice that before I left, but luckily we had a bottle on hand...and don't go without it, it really adds to the drink!)

The goods

This one is pretty easy!  Since the ratio was 1/4 of the main four ingredients, I used 1oz of each which worked well because two of the fours are mixers...so you basically end up with roughly a 2oz strong drink.  Also that makes it the perfect size drink to use in a iced hi-ball glass.

All shook up!

Now for the pour....

A nice orangey red color

Looks so delicious in my new bar glass....which I thrifted this very afternoon.  My new last name starts with an "L".  It was meant to be! Lets see another couple photos of that sexy glass with the port added on top.

Front

Back

VERDICT - This drink is seriously delicious.  It is rather sweet given the ounce of both grenadine and orange juice, plus the port on top....but the flavors work really well together.  Even the dash of Creme de Menthe is great...there is a touch of minty-ness in each sip.  Don't be scared to try it! My husband said it sounded like a hot mess......and it does have a lot going on...but it works!  Now I'm off to make another.

Cheers!

Becca

The ones that got away....

Ugh...have you ever had that item that slipped through you fingers and it still haunts you? It doesn't seem to matter if you missed out last week or last year...you still get worked up thinking about it.  Man...this is going to be one of those.  I have been searching for a pair of matching mid century lamps for our bedroom.  Ones that have a great look but also don't take up a lot of valuable real estate on the nightstands...and I found them!  Then lost them....Sadness.

I was feeling good about the big E auction and then in the last ten minutes the prices skyrocketed to a price tag out of my reach.  They ended at $816.00....Ouch.  I tried to seriously rationalize that price for like two second...then realized that all of the furniture in our bedroom (Broyhill Brasilia) plus my pair of Pearsall hangings didn't cost much more than that combined.  :::Sigh:::

I love you....you sexy things

This is some serious lamp porn

They even rotate up!

Sniff Sniff

Becca

Mid Century Drink Day! Let's spin that wheel...Bar Aid #43

That is right...it has been a while since I've had a mid century cocktail, sadly.  So I decided it was high time to make one from my Bar Aid cocktail spinner again (after seeing another Bar Aid over on a Thriftables thrift share post).  Let's pull a number shall we....

#43  Gunga Din

Here is the recipe in case it is hard to read in the photo:

GUNGA DIN

3/4 Dry Gin

1/4 Dry Vermouth

1 slice pineapple

Juice of 1/4 Orange

Shake well with ice & strain

I quickly gather my supplies....since I have everything on hand (YES!!)

The fruit

Muddle said fruit...take the frustration of the day out on it!

You have been muddled, sir

Measure out your liquor and add to your shaker along with ice

Shake, Shake, Shake

Strain into a chilled glass

#43 Gunga Din

VERDICT: Quite tasty! I was surprised! I usually like more sweeter drinks than dry, but this was very good.  While it was a little dry the fruit juice balance it perfectly.  It didn't taste like alcohol at all which can happen when there is gin involved.  This is definitely one to make again.

Ciao

Becca