Hollow book assemblage...a new home for an amber goldfish

[photo 1]
Title: Cracked but not broken

Pavadinimas: Daužta, bet nepalūžusi

This hollow book assemblage project was made for a lithuanian forum challenge for a hollow book box.

I must say that the finished piece bears only a slight resemblance of my initial vision of this project.  But perhaps other artists can relate to this process of creation that along the journey of creating, the artwork seems to take on a life of its own...

Štai mano asambliažo projektukas skirtas scrapping.lt 'Netradicinio skrebuko konkursui #6 Temai: Knyga/dėžutė.

Prisipažinsiu kad nuo originaliaus plano totaliai nukrypau. Įgyvendinti pirmą vaizduotėj pasėtą kūdykį, būtų neišvengiamai būtina pirkti papildomų 'vyriškų' statybos įrankių, bei tapti elektrike. Laimėjo nesudėtingesnis sprendimas, kuriuo visgi esu patenkinta...

Skaityti toliau...--->

[Photo 2]

This scrapping.lt blog post has a great tutorial on how to make a hollow book. However, I used the method of glueing the outside, and the inside cut pages with PVA glue (Elmer's Glue-all school glue pictured above), as described in this How to Do Stuff: Hollow book tutorial. 

My work-flow process:

• Selecting the book: This is a 1959 hardbound edition of Mozart and his Times. I thought the blue fabric cover will perfectly complement the yellow/orange light of the amber stones. I didn't have any hard feelings about damaging a book, since I saved it from a second-hand store. Also, I'm giving it a new life and purpose making 'art' with it. The cut pages will also be recycled by use for future scrapbook pages.
• First, I parted the book almost at midline, but really at a partition where the book seemed to naturally want to lay flat. Next, I used a ratio of 3 parts glue : 1 part water and mixed the mixture in a used face cream container. I applied the mixture with a brush to the outside edges of the book, placed a plastic bag between the partition, and stacked lots of heavy objects to weigh it down. This is a multi-step process that involves lots of pre-planning, drying time, waiting, planning your next step...in a way it is like playing chess. It definitely demands much more patience than a scrapbook layout. My advise to you when undertaking such a project is to have a game plan, and write down your steps in advance.
• Then the cutting began; I began with box cutters, but the deeper I got, it was easier and more precise to use an X-acto blade. I should have changed the box cutter's blade after doing the first half of the book, but it was my last one and wanted to finish the cutting that night. I woke up with numb fingers from the pressure applied while cutting for an extended period of time. If you don't want numb fingers, it would be wise to change your blade and take frequent rest periods.
• When the insides were cut, I once again applied the glue mixture to the outside and inside of the pages 2x coats each.
• [Photo 2 above] the amber color plastic sheet is made using clear plastic product packaging and Ranger alcohol inks in yellow and orange colors.
• I glued actual amber stones from Lithuania using a clear drying 'KI Memories GLOO' glue.
• I wanted this piece to be sculptural/decorative, so the amber mosaic glass gives an ambient glow when a candle is placed behind the window.

***If anything is not clear, please do not hesitate to leave a comment, and I'll be glad to answer any questions...

[Photo 3]

Auksinė žuvelė 'Viltis' ir jos pasaka [man ši knyga primena vaikystės pasakas, tad dera šią istoriją pradėti su...

Seniai seniai man brangus žmogus padovanojo šią auksinę žuvelę su prašymu kad toli kur neužmesčiau. Kelionėje per Atlantą, žuvelė buvo daužta ir prarado savo koją. Atidarius dėžutę ir pamačius ją sužeistą mane apėmė liūdesys ir suvokiau kad nesugebėsiu į ją žiūrėti (gal kad prietaringa esu?). Sulopinti žuvelę griebiausi įvairiausių, stipriausių klijų, bet pastangų finalas tapo komedija - suklijavau savo pirštus o ne žuvelę :)

Ilgam žuvelė buvo palaidota gintaro karste. Bet juk čia pasaka su laiminga pabaiga, tad tęsiam ;)...

Pasirodo kad paprasčiausias sprendimas būti suklijuojama jai buvo per menkas ir banalus. Žuvelė laukė įdomesnio sprendimo, naujos aplinkos, bei absoliutiškos metamorfozės be jokių užuominų kad ji kažkadaise stovėjo ant koto. Ji svajojo apie jūrą ir galingas, gintarą išmetančias bangas, tad man beliko kūrybingai įgyvendinti jos norus, bet kaip???

Užtruko daugmaž metus prisiruošti šiam projektui. Žinojau kad tai bus knyga dėžutė, kadangi tuomet kada sėmiausi idėjų internete aptikau šio vyriškio pamokėlę kaip pasidaryti 'tuščią knygą'. Taip pat, nuo tada kada pamačiau filmą Pabėgimas iš Šoušenko, man užsidegė noras pasidaryti tokią knygą/dėžutę. 

Scrapping.lt konkursas man tapo būtent tas reikiamas postūmis nuo pradinio taško (beje, scrapping dienoraštyje talpinta šauni pamokėlė kaip pasidaryti knygą/dėžutę).

Pavadinimas 'Daužta, bet nepalūžusi' yra dviprasmiškas. Nesinersiu į asmeniškumus, bet beveik viską ką šiame darbely panaudojau turi simbolinę, t.y. antrą reikšmę. Žuvelę pavadinau Viltis, kadangi viltis skatina žmogų ieškoti šviesos bedugnės tamsumoj. Pavaizduoti vilties šviesą pakabinau lemputę nuo lenciūgo, o kitoj gintaro langelio pusėj liepsnojanti žvakutė skleidžia šilumos bei vilties šviesą.

Pagaminti gintaro langelį [Photo 2] panaudojau plastikinę pakuotę, kurią iškirpus išdažiau spiritiniais rašalais (Ranger alcohol inks) geltona ir oranžine spalva. Toliau, pritvirtinus langeli prie knygos išpjauto viršelio, papyliau skaidriai džiūstančių klijų (KI Memories GLOO), ir pribarsčiau smulkiaus LT gintaro.

[Photo 6] Stiklinėj bonkutėj talpinta markutė 'Lietuva' kurią sendinau. Norėčiau ten pat ir LT žemės įdėti, bet pirma reikia iki LT dasikapstyti ;) Bonkutė pritvirtinta prie vintažinio vyrų kišeninio laikrodžio likučio kurį esu išardžius skirtingiem projektam.

***Jei kas neaišku, drąsiai klauskite palikdami komentarą...

Šį kartą įkeliu nemažai nuotraukų parodyti šią knygą/dėžutę ne tik visumoj, bet ir skirtingu apšvietimu.

[Photo 4]

In the evening, I place a small votive candle behind the amber glass window of the book's cover, and it gives off such warm light.

[Photo 5]

Daylight view of the book...The goldfish stands out with more contrast against the background.

[Photo 6]

[Photo 6] There's a message in the bottle that is a distressed postage stamp 'Lithuania' - my homeland.

[Photo 7]

Check out those cogwheels, gears and sprockets [in the above Photos 6 and 7]! 

It was the most perfect case of serendipity that while I was working on this project, these chippie shapes by Imaginarium Designs knocked on my door in a form of an envelope all the way across from Australia(!). Here in the USA, I do not have local store access to the Imaginarium Designs product line, but now that I saw them, and worked with them, I am completely awestruck by the precision laser-cut intricacy of the these chipboard shapes. I confess that I'm hopelessly addicted to them from now on. 

Also, check out their storefront and classes over at Seriously Scrapbooking where you'll see newest products and creative examples on using it all.

I've used a gold embossing powder by Ranger to cover the chippie shapes. It was just the perfect touch and contrast to this large, rusted die cut shape by Sizzix/Tim Holtz. Since they are rather tiny, I used Aleen's tacky glue and a large needle to apply the glue to the backs of the shapes. They stuck even on moss!

[Photo 8]

[Photo 9]

[Photos 8 and 9] The front and back covers of the book. On the spine I threaded a piece of the fishnet that also serves as a backdrop in this photo shoot. Also, on the spine I placed a stone-carved angel guarding the goldfish named Hope.  The back cover of the book is as is, i.e, unaltered. I liked how the blue cloth hard cover in the back is a perfect complement to the fish-themed patterned paper on the front.

Thank you all for visiting and taking an interest in my project,
Hope to hear from you!
Irma
*** *** *** ***
Supply List:
*Patterned paper: K & Company
*Glassine paper, bottle, light bulb: Tim Holtz Idea-ology.
*Photo hooks and trim: JoAnn Scrap essentials.
*Chipboard shapes: Imaginarium Designs.
*Alphabet rub-ons: Fancy Pants Designs, Heidi Grace Designs (brown 'e' and 'a').
*Ink: Ranger Industries (Alcohol ink by Adirondack in sunset orange and sunshine yellow, and Distress dye ink in vintage photo).
*Embossing ink and powder: Ranger Industries
*Paint: Delta Ceramcoat (blue and pearlescent beige); Ranger Industries (Distress crackle).
*Metal Tag: Pixie Press.
*Chain, wire, leather cord: Darice.
*Die: Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations (clock), Sizzix (vine).
*Die cutting machine: Sizzix Vegabond.
*Acrylic sheet: product packaging.
*Pocket watch remnant and book: Vintage.
*Other: Amber, angel pendant, fish net, reindeer moss: Craft supply.