Tuesday 26 August 2014

A light from within...

Hello Crafters…
Thank you all for constantly supporting my work and also my last few projects have got their due by being” featured” in various blog. Am so happy…
Today’s project has been in my” To Do” for a long time now. I have been wanting to do this Faux patina technique on a wooden box  but have not been able to get the box that I wanted so I went ahead and did the same on this….

I had a Buddha statue in metal, one of my first purchases when I got newly married and was setting up a house! I wanted to make a proper display for it…I had this picture in mind, of a metal box, weathered and old with texture on it  and some soft lighting to highlight the texture and colors of the box. At same time, I wanted the whole thing to radiate calmness and peace …would that be possible??? Well with all this in mind, I set out experimenting, this time I was just going with my heart’s desire…the final visual was very clear and I was just working to make that REAL!
And this is the outcome!
Now for the details on the making!
2 coats of gesso and then coloring with turquoies acrylics and then texture with TCW damask stencil and home made texture paste.
I did some crackling in some areas. Then came layers of paint in gold, copper, brown, black and turquoise to get the "patina" look!
I then cut out small tiles from the body of the box. These tiles are 2.5" X 3" and got some lovely Buddha images with quotes from google and decoupaged it to the tile. The tile was then edged with copper and gold heat embossing and peacock feather DI. Also fixed gold eyelets on the top and bottom of the tile.
At this stage, I hand dyed some natural twine in peacock feather DI and also applied gold paint in spots. This twine was used to tie up the tile in the slots! How cool is that?
Since the box was bright with the copper and gold hues, I wanted the embellishments to be minimal and not take away the beauty of the technique and the textures...I made some pure white lace flowers to depict the calmness and purity associated with Buddha. For the flower centers have used dried berries from the garden!
At the base of the box, I adhered a vintage trim with mini coconut shell beads . some of them are painted in copper too! the box has turquoise bottle cap feet too!
And now comes the dramatic effect...I placed led candles behind the tiles and when switched on...it's gives the perfect warm glow for this setting. I was just not able to get the right pic for this...hope you can visualize!

And if this is not enough...there is small surprise behind the tile! yes, it can be turned around to have a different set up if you are bored with the first look! Yes a reversible shadow box!
For the back of the tiles, I photocopied some vintage quotes on friendship and stuck them inked them the same way.
Phew! that's it from me. Thank you so much for your patience to scroll till the bottom. I am super excited about this project and wanted to share everything about it!
Do let me know what you think of today’s project? Do you think I did justice to the visual I had in mind? My soul is happy with this creation and this is sitting pretty in my living room now!
Am linking this to…
The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge – Stencil and texture paste
Scrapping4 fun Challenge – use a technique
Alphabet Challenge Blog – ‘N’ for natural. (have used wooden beads made out of coconut shell on the trim on the base of the box, dried berries from the garden as flower center)
Until then,
Happy crafting and Re cycling.
Hugs.

45 comments:

  1. very pretty and innovative !

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  2. wow..amazing one Rupa...Love the reversible tile..

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    1. Thanks for your patience in reading the post, sindhu.

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  3. Wow Rupa! You have outdone yourself this time! How wonderful, your patina is fabulous and I love the images floating in the cut outs! Your fabric flowers are such a gorgeous finishing touch! Wonderful technique and fabulous result! LOVE IT! hugs :)

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    1. Mutual admiration Pamellia! Thank you so much dear for those lovely words.

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  4. I agree completely with Pamellia !! The Patina effect is Fabulous, no one can guess its a cardboard box...looks real metal ! Loved the idea of internal led light and reversible shadow box :)

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    1. Thanks Pooja...I just love it when you get into details of the project...happy the my patina looks REAL.

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  5. Very elaborate project Rupa. Excellent craftsmanship. - Jim

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    1. Thanks Jim and yes it took me 2 days to complete this!

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  6. Its Stunningly gorgeous. ..loved each and every details. ..

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    1. Thanks you so much daksha...especially for reading my looong post!

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  7. Love the patina effect and the reversible tiles.
    Thank you for your entry at Scrapping4funChallenges
    Rachelle DT
    http://scrapping4funchallenges.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Rachelle, so glad to take part in your challenge dominated by beautiful cards!!!

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  8. This is a stunner. Def my fav of all your projects that Ive seen since I started following you months ago - love every bit of this, the concept, texture and effect youve created, the soft calm feel, everything really.

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    1. I am so happy you are getting the feel of what I intended this project should be! Thanks so much Kripa, this is defenitely my cherished "comment" from you! Hugs.

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  9. amazing one Rupa..love the fabric flowers and the textures given on box ..

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  10. Oh Rupa! This is such a stunner! I can't believe you made this out of a box. Gorgeous work! You ARE the upcycling Queen! Love it! Ingrid xxx
    p.s.: thank you for your sweet comments! xx

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    1. Ingrid, I feel a great sense of achievement when you call me that! Thank you so much. So happy you liked it.

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  11. I saw this on a challenge I had entered and I had to pop in and let you know how amazingly creative I think it is! I adore the eyelets "holding" the photos and your faux patina is beautiful :)

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    1. So sweet of you Christi, to hop over and leave me some love! Glad you liked what you saw.

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  12. This is gorgeous! I love all the techniques you used to make it look like metal. Thanks so much for joining us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

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    1. Thank you so much Donna, your challenge was at the back of my mind, throughout this project.

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  13. WOW Rupa this creation is stunning!! I love the fabulous faux patina look and all of your gorgeous details! Thanks for joining us at Alphabet Challenge Blog!
    Tammy x

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  14. Rupa this is imaginative and gorgeous! I love what you achieve with recycled objects. We are having a Design Team Call over at Anything But A Card --- I hope you take a look!

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    1. Thanks Julie for liking my piece. Yes, am aware and in conversation with Susan. Thank you so much.

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  15. Rupa, this is very creative.. .but it is magnificently created in so many ways... right down to the choice of pictures and the little blue ties to hold them in place... wonderful piece... love it all.. Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie

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    1. Bonnie, you have a way of saying it and I Love that! Thank you so much.

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  16. I think that you have certainly achieved your goal - it radiates calm. Many thanks for joining the Rosie’s Creative Spirit challenge and good luck!!! Melissa (DT)

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    1. Thank you so much Melissa...I really wanted that feel to the project and was hoping the Patina look doesn't over power!

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  17. What a fabulous project I just love it. The colours and textures are stunning, a great idea.

    Thank you for coming over and joining in with us at Rhedd's Creative Spirit.

    Great Big Huge Hugs

    Becca xx (DT Member)

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    1. Thanks you so much and so happy you liked it, Beccalite! huge crafty hugs to you too.

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  18. Rupa, this is why I love visiting your blog. I see a piece of rubbish ready for the bin and you always manage to turn it into the most amazing ornamental feature for your home. The textures of your paint are truly amazing and you would never think this had been a cardboard box. Gorgeous project.
    Julie x

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    1. Julie...really looking forward to hear from you! Thank you so much and have a great weekend.

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  19. Hi Rupa,
    thank you so much for sharing your talent with us at Scrapping4Fun Challenge. It's look great!
    Sandra DT

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    1. Thank you so much Sandra...so happy I could take part in your challenge!

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  20. Your project is absolutely gorgeous Rupa, I really love the patina effect you created and those little tiles are beautiful - how clever to make reversible ones! I love this wonderful transformation. Anne x

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  21. this is really a fantastic project. your images of Buddha are lovely. great stand! Thank you so much for playing with the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!
    -Rachel
    rwkrafts.com

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  22. Such a great patina look, I love it! Thanks for playing along in the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

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  23. FAB up-cycle! Really love how you transformed it!

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  24. AMAZING. Very creative and resourceful! Love all the texture you added and the "patina" look. Thanks for joining us at Scrapping 4 Fun Challenges. :D

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  25. You are the queen of upcyling/recycling in high style! It's not like kiddie recyling projects that we often see in blogland (although I appreciate those too). Your projects are very elaborate and classy, I love the colors/textures etc. since those appeal to my Indian heart :) I thought I always looked at a box and thought I could do "something" with it but you really take it to a different level. I have several Buddha statues/wall hangings etc, I must give this a try. Thanks for the steps and inspiration! From this Rupa in USA.

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  26. Wow!!!!
    Awesome.
    I just saw the post on FB and chhkd this link
    Who will even think it's a cardboard box. Superb!
    Just back from Colombo and had picked up a small white Buddha... Would love to attempt someone like this .. but no confidence :(

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