As I think I have mentioned before, I am a custom picture framer by trade. I also belong to an organization of framers called the PPFA (Professional Picture Framers Association). Every year, the organization holds framing competitons, both print and open. In the print competitions, everyone gets the same item, whether it's an art print or some obejct, and then puts their own spin on framing it. In the open competition, the participants get to choose what they wish to frame.

This year, I intend to enter my first open competition, and what I chose to do is something I am making myself. Since I always like to challenge myself, and have been having a blast with Eugenia's faux cloissone technique, I decided to do something really over the top. Now, I still have a LOT more to do, but I couldn't resist sharing: 

She's about 6"x8". I still have some of her hair to add, and she's smoking a cigarette, so I have to add the smoke as well. There is also a very elaborate border that goes around her, and that should take me some time. You'll notice on the right some distoration to the clay. That's from where I had to splice on some clay to get it back out to the size I need. I am hoping that when I get the final details and all and press everything out, that will disappear. Though, now that I look at it again, there's a good change most of the ugly part of that will be removed in the final piece.

Anyway, like I said, just had to share. I will definitely post a pic of the final, and of course, how she gets framed. Thanks for peeking!

This is going to be legendary!  How ambitious and it looks like you are off to a great start.  I sure hope you win and get the recognition you deserve.

 wow, that is going to be some piece of art! good luck.

I hope you'll post the finished piece!

Wow, Andy!  This piece is amazing!  I wish you lots of patience and good luck with the competition.  Please show us its picture when it is finished!

By the way, did you finish your necklace, Isis with the wings?  Or did I miss its picture?

Just an update picture. I finished the wire work on her last night, and let me tell you, I am soooo glad! Thought her hair would be the death of me, but the border wasn't much better. Get to paint her tonight, and hopefully have the resin on her by Sunday the latest. Here she is now:

Thanks for the compliments, everyone, especially Eugenia. Your tute was still probably the best $10 I ever spent! You didn't miss the Isis (actually, turns out it's Ma'at, another Egyptian goddess). I haven't finished her just yet, although that's well on its way after several false starts. I couldn't find anything that really looked right when strung and then attached. I finally settled on some tiny hematite rhondelles I picked up on sale at Michael's. Doing a double strand, which will look best when twisted. I hope to get her finished sometime in the next week, if I can grab a spare moment! LOL

Anyway, thanks for peeking! More pictures to come in the following week as she is completed.

Wow!  

Just another update picture. Spent about 2 1/2 hours painting her last night, baking, then glazing with soem Triple Thick to keep the mica powders on. Next step will be the resin, sometime later this week. Here she is:

Once I get the resin coating on, I'll post another picture, and of course, a picture of how she finally gets framed. Thanks for peeking!

 what did you paint it with? do you add the mica to a medium or "paint" it dry? also, you can use Future to seal in the mica before the resin coating. goes on easier and costs less, just an idea.

Lori, I painted the mica powders onto the unbaked clay. Have considered adding the powders to a medium like liquid clay, but just haven't gotten around to seeing how that works just yet. Soon, thugh. I have some Future around someplace, the Triple Thick was just right there when I was ready for it.

 if you make a fairly thick concoction of powder w Future then you wouldn't need to seal it before the resin. if you use liquid clay I fear it would dilute the power of the color too much.

This is coming along quite nicely.

Aren't we having a great week?  Between this and faux labradorite we've just got all kinds of interesting stuff going on! 

Okay, this is the last pic I have to share with you guys, at least until I have her framed up. I think the resin just pulled this all together. Am quite pleased with how she came out:

 Andy, this is breathtaking! I can't imagine how many hours you spent on this.

A lot! I guesstimate that the wire work alone was about 10-12 hours, over about 4-5 days. The painting, baking, and glazing was another 2.5-3 hours, and the resin took me about 15 minutes with, of course, the 24-48 hour cure time. I knew when I started her she was going to be a bear. Her hair alone was enough to give me fits. But think she came out awesome, and can't wait to frame her up for the competition. Once I have that all finalized, I will throw another picture up here.

 Thanks for the comments everyone!