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totem lady transformed

14 years ago

I just had to show you all how finding the right topper can transform a piece! My "before" pic showed a rather serious totem in the making but once I added the scrolly leaf topper I all of sudden saw a lady with a fancy hat! I added half marbles to cover the metal base and tie it in with the blue plate and I might add some more to her "skirt" just to make her outfit complete!

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Comments (22)

jeannespines
14 years ago
Wow! What a transformation with 1 pc!!! (and added bling)...I think she looks "perfect," as is! Very cute! Jeanne S. (also Iowa zone 4)
msmitoagain
14 years ago
Wow is right! I love it.

Cute, cute, cute.

Here is a link that might be useful: MY BLOG
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Cait, luckily I tend to do the GE a bit thicker than I should, so it takes longer to cure. I put stuff outside after 24 hrs, but sometimes for another day I can make a piece come loose with pressure. Particular the long skinny pieces. But normally, I just use a razor blade and run it around the rim of a piece and loosen the glue. They come apart easy then. I put the tall cobalt one out back today in my Blue Garden where the bottle tree and other pieces are. When I had to move stuff and rearrange after the house painting, I decided to get all my cobalt and blue together in one area. The little mini totem with the crystal swan and the tall green 'n crystal totem are joining others in my brick planter along the back patio. I'll try and get a photo of them together. In the future, I know I can't resist cobalt glass and luckily I don't find it that often. These are pieces I've collected the last couple of years. I'm still on the hunt for a red vase to finish a special totem. And I might make another 'pottery' one like my teapot totem and matching birdbath. I sure like the colorfulness. But I am telling myself to only buy what I am going to USE AT THE TIME and stop buying every single piece of glass that makes me go "ahh, that might work on something". My counter is looking a lot less cluttered now. Still a work in progress tho tho. More lead crystal and cobalt to use. I can't gift totems around here. Not a soul I know would take them. Only you guys appreciate them. Cait, if you want to come pick up the hummingbird one, its yours. I could really enjoy having you in Phx instead of OZ. Sylvia, thanks for telling me I shouldn't second-guess myself. Perhaps not in this case anyway, everyone seems to like what I made. And I LOVE your translation of purple moon to luna morada. Am going to keep that saved.
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1st, I'll be posting one of the teapot totems later today, just need to add the drips & final beading. THIS is my best one yet! 2nd, I'm fortunate to have a flea mkt right near me - auction every Wed. What doesn't sell is usually left for "free-time". Occasionally, someone will buy a whole row & I'll pay 25-50 cents for a teapot. (I get all my "junk" this way) The picture is not my whole stash, just needed to lay some out to get started. For totems, you don't need lids - that's what usually breaks & no one wants just the pot. 3rd, nonacook - I'd love to know what to do w/ lids too! I do have one windchime in mind.
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She really turned out pretty! Isn't it amazing how a few pieces of glass can remind you of someone's head? he-he I like your copper chair, bench and wheelbarrow too! TFS!
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Comments (8)
I'm so full of envy over your teapot totem! I love teapots & saucers & do not have one totem of them yet. I keep taking them inside & having afternoon tea in them! Vickie
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akup_a
14 years ago
I love your lady! Her hat is just perfect. She's top notch in my book. Can she come have akup_a tea with me?
Vickie
susiewantsroses
14 years ago
STUNNINGLY IMAGINATIVE AND BEAUTIFUL.
concretenprimroses
14 years ago
Great transformation demo. Are you going to keep the same base as in the first piece?
kathy
proudmary56
14 years ago
WoW! That is BEAUTIFUL!
Marlene Kindred
14 years ago
WOW!! I LOVE your garden lady...such vibrant colors and her hat topper is just wonderful!
sorie6 zone 6b
14 years ago
How did you get her topper to stay on her hat.? She adorable. TFS.
gisele57
14 years ago
She is gorgeous!! I just love her.. I wouldn't change a thing on her. You have an artist's eye. :o)
biddlebeach
14 years ago
That is great! way to go!
lmcnickle
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all very much for your compliments, it is my very first totem that I've actually glued together. It takes commitment to glue one and I have several that I've stacked but are not positive I like.

Kathy, I wasn't sure about the base...too much or not? It's such a neat old lamp base and it looks really good with cobalt blue as well!

sorie6, the "feathers" on her hat already had a base that they were attached to so I just glued it on top of the blue plate.

This forum has turned me into a complete "junkie!" Yes, I'm totally addicted! My husband thinks I've gone off the deep end adding a card table to the livingroom to display all my glass treasures! Lisa
sunnyca_gw
14 years ago
Big change from a rather "stern looking garden lady" to a fun & whimsical one!! Nice work!! Jan
luna_llena_feliz
14 years ago
You certainly found the perfect topper. I just love it!
laurastheme
14 years ago
I LOVE HER! What did you use to glue the metal to glass? I have trouble with the GEII silicone bonding to metal.
Purplemoon
14 years ago
WOW, those are some unique pieces you put together. She is one interesting gal and definitely needs in our inspiration album. You have quite the eye for creating!

hugs, Karen
lmcnickle
Original Author
14 years ago
I used a combination of adhesives..GE II to glue the glass pcs to the iron candle holder and liquid nails clear interior/exterior to glue the marbles to the metal scrolly base and the base to the plate. We'll see which holds up the best although I'm a little hesitant to put her out in the harsh elements! I'm not sure how long to let her cure before exposing her? I've also decided she needs a name...maybe Gertie or Tillie or Rose? I'm so excited, I'm going to be in the inspiration album!!
jlily
14 years ago
Congratulations for designing such a refined and beautiful totem lady. She is a real winner. Jlily
Purplemoon
14 years ago
Hmmmm, Gertie sounds like a dance hall girl and then there's Miss Tillie who's a bit proper....so which kind of gal do you suppose she is?
LOL
hugs, Karen
goldenpond
14 years ago
You Totem builders never cease to amaze me with new and creative ideas on them That is fun,kinda reminds me of a dr seuss lady with the squilggly thing on top,love it
janniegrannie
13 years ago
This is so cute....just shows that sometimes a girl can improve one's self....
socalliegal
13 years ago
I like the name Tillie for her....I love her plume of feathers so to speak for her hat...she's so cute...I wonder if you could find almost the same metalic leaves flowing to make a scarf about her neck, to keep the interest factor going.
grandmathyme
13 years ago
You know what they say that the difference between women and animals is our ability to accessorize!

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