Imaginarium blog

Bling Princess and decorated Pringle Tin

By Sue Smyth 

Hi Bloggers and friends 

This is my contribution this month!

I have had this foam head for a while in my workshop.

And have had a lot of ideas running through my

head as to how to alter it.

So finally this is it.

But I need help! 

If anyone has ideas on what to call it

please leave a comment.

I kind of thought a bling princess or android, but 

it is kind of mermaidish to.

Except it has wings, so I am not really sure

what she is ...lol

I have had so much on lately, I did not even

take photos of it as I was making it.

So sorry no little tutorial.

Instead I just took lots of

photos for you to enjoy of the details

To start with any styro foam, you must paint

it with a PVA based glue. This protects it

from any chemicals that may eat the foam.

You can then use this as a base to paint

with gesso and decorate as you would a canvas.

I wanted to make a crown, and started with a corner flourish

and a metal trinket. But as I worked I kept adding things and that got a

little lost.

I had lots of long pearl hat pins,and just kept 

putting them in until I was happy.

Then I found large rhinestones and pearls in my stash

and had to include them.

And some awesome glass tiles.

It is funny how you find more and more things that 

suit when you rummage through your stash.

I have used Finnabairs gold roses, which if you 

paint with gesso and spray come up like a 

metal rose.

I have also used chipboard either side as a vine

or leaves, always consider

snipping chipboard up.

To adhere chipboard onto a curve, first dampen it with

water, then adhere with PVA type of glue.

In this case I could insert pins to help it bond.

I love how some of the styro has almost

changed into a reptilian look.

I have used false eyelashes and pins for eyebrows to give the 

styro head a little character.

I did not just want to decorate the 

head, that would have been predictable.

So using the fact that chemicals will

eat the foam, I cut a hole in the head 

and sprayed paints and glue into it

until I had a nice eroded look.

Then I have added cogs to look

like the inside workings of an Android brain! 

The back must always look nice too.

I have used the large butterfly, feathers and a smaller 

monarch butterfly to create a set of layered wings.

First I have painted them black, with spray paint.

Then I have layered over metallic paints, rubbing 

them in with my finger. Around the edge of

the large butterfly I have adhered small beads 

for texture.

The feathers have lots of white linen dylusions 

flicked over them before I have rubbed

in metallic paint.

Nice close up of the brain cavity !

Again the cogs have been painted black first,

then gold and purple metallic paint rubbed in.

Once in place I have used liquid pearls to add 

details. 

I have used the peacock feathers as my colour palette.

When adhering rhinestone swirls 

add a little extra glue to give a great bond, 

as often the adhesive is not strong enough.

I have added old earrings, beads and rhinestones for 

texture and shine.

Here I have used the hexagonal chipboard, 

both the positive and negative pieces as 

a base on the head. To soften

the look, I have sprayed muslin and

tucked it around the back an sides.

Add lots of bling to the head piece for a rich look.

Here are some of the chipboard shapes

but there are probably too many to remember 

Imaginarium Chipboard

My next project is a

 humble pringle tin altered. 

First cover the tin with and gel medium and layer

over hand towel or textured wall paper.

When dry then coat with gesso, and spray with inks 

as usual.

Rub over with gold paint to highlight the texture.

I have painted the heart with gesso first, then sprayed

with Red dylusions, then coat with dimensional magic.

Sprinkle with red micro beads and allow to dry.

I have snipped in half to use it.

I love using glitter as a colouring agent, it is not just

for sparkle.

For the doiley I have painted it with gesso, inked it

with turquoise ink and coated with Dimensional magic.

sprinkle with turquoise glitter and allow to dry.

The glitter will sink down into the Dimensional magic

and you will have very little glitter shed.

Add lots of pearls as a contrast and some black

eyelash fibre.

Happy Crafting

Don't forget to leave a comment !!!