This all started with me buying some porcelain figurines from thrift stores, repainting them, adding crystal elements and not having a place to display them. For nearly two years, I tried thinking of a way to display them together in some natural environment rather than just individually. I built a small workspace out of one foot 2x4s to use as a solid surface for pounding metal when I looked over and saw a few craft sticks on my workbench. I started thinking "hmm, those look like a dancefloor.". Then the idea started coming together!
Some of the photos may seen random and out of order. This is not a how to. Rather, it's more of a " how I did it" and often the order the pictures were taken is how I was working at the time.
These are the craft sticks placed in tentative order over the 1x1s (which I apparently didn't photograph) to check how many I would need. I cut the rounded edges off them on a mini cut off saw purchased from Harbour Freight.
As I glued each three rows I used a 1 1/2" piece of wood by the two feet length of the floor, covered in wax paper to insure it wouldn't stick, then clamped at each end to make certain the sticks didn't bow upward.
This was all of them laid, rough and I believe this was with one coat of Minwax maple stain applied and immediately wiped.
This was with a second coat allowed to dry overnight.
The rough ends were then cut off to fit the 23" length and six or seven coats of Minwax Polyurethane applied over a week period, sanding between first two and last two coats. This leveled most of the areas that were higher or lower and filled in any gaps that the inconsistency in size there craft sticks had.
This was just a mock to see how pillars would look.
Again, out of order here but these were the sticks I first stained before applying.
Side view once several layers of polyurethane were applied.
These are the raw constructed pillars. They are a little higher than I wanted but I made do. Just dowel rod with a one inch by one inch base and a half inch by half inch placed on top of that. I glued them together using non foaming Gorilla glue, then screwed them together into the dowels. Thickness of base is probably 1/8 or 1/4 wood, the kind you can buy in little six inch by the inch sheets at craft stores. After they were dry, I applied two think layers of drywall compound over everything except the bottoms, which I wanted to remain flat to eventually attach to dancefloor base.
This is a finished example of some of the details. This is made by ModPodge people. They are silicone trays that you put hot glue into, allow to dry and can then use them as accents. I sometimes use plaster if I want a more artifact look. This one was painted with gold leaf, but I changed and just used metallic craft paint as it shined as well, was easier to cover, dried faster, and was less expensive.
This is a close-up of pillar with drywall player applied.
Close-up of base without plaster. Columns themselves were plastered with two coats drywall plaster.
This is a fine example of my Dali-like sketching skills! I really just wanted a general idea of what I had in my mind for the finished product to look like.
These are a few of the figurines that started it all. I had redone these long prior to starting project and they were searching for a home.
She was newly acquired and in this picture is in original form. She's still sitting on a shelf awaiting her reconstructive surgery.
Another of the fabulous four. Don't tell them, but the two in the middle might not make the cut on the dancefloor.
This is an after and before, as it were, of the decorations.
Seeing how the figurines featured purple, I originally thought the pillars would be people too. But I didn't like the way the purple looked so they became burgundy.
The gold moulding on the edge of the bench here is part of the rim of the dancefloor. I applied numerous coats of gold craft paint.
Closer view.
Column painted and base gold applied. Top unfinished.
Painting complete.
I attempted to glue small pearls where column meets base but didn't like it. Also tried painting over pearls but wasn't feeling it. So they were removed. However, since I had placed them at top and bottom of each column, they left their glue imprint behind and this turned into an unexpected nice touch. I painted over the glue with gold.
Another thrift store refurbish. This was roadside-rest souvenir ready with horrible short legs, an ugly brown finish, and generally unattractive. But I saw Liberace-like greatness within. Used some varnish stripper and varying grades of sandpaper and tried different colors of paint until I settled on a Royal Gold craft paint metallic. This one was in numerous stages so you will see photos intermittently until it's complete.
Another sketch of potential outcome.
View of top of pillar and column with glue decorations wrapped and hot glued. I tried using other glues but they didn't dry fast enough and didn't want to stick well to the craft paint. I did add a few drops of clear Tacky glue before hot gluing.
First I drilled small holes in all four corners of top of pillar cap. Then I used jewelry pins, the kind with flat end and placed them through caps then bent them to accept dangling pins. This was my first choice but they didn't have enough pop.
My second attempt became one half of what I finally decided on.
The piano in another state. I searched for something that I didn't have to do a lot of work on to make the legs. Chopsticks glued together worked perfectly. I cut them off and glued them into existing holes after some shaving down.
These are the rough legs, with pencil marks indicating where to carve.
These have been carved and ready to paint then insert.
This step was what I consider one of the masterstrokes of the project. I planned on propping the piano lid up but it looked too plain. So I thought a Victorian era painting would look nice. So I went to Google images and found a painting with a group of people standing around a piano. Printed it, cut it roughly into the shadow of piano, used clear glue to attach it, then coated it with decoupage in brush strokes pattern.
In red beside the crystal dangles in upper left you will see the original legs for the piano. Just wasn't feeling them.
Planning the decorations for the side of the piano.
Chopsticks legs painted pearl white with gold tips. Funny, I just now got the irony of a piano on chopsticks!
This was probably the single most expensive piece I bought at $6.95 at Michael's. You will see later that I did modify it some. Since Liberace, a fancy piano just isn't the same without a candelabra.
Laying out the piano lid painting.
Decided I needed something to make it appear there were walls without making walls. So since I knew I was making curtains for the back, thought I would create a portrait of the "owner" of the ballroom. This was my initial sketch.
This was a computer generated idea for the piano lid. Those roses were placed electronically onto the picture. Didn't use them like this.
Needed something for the candelabra to sit on since the lid was open. Glued and clamped some leftover thin pieces of wood from making column caps together.
The bottom of the candelabra pillar as well as the eventual top was plaster of Paris poured into a silicone ice cube tray. They worked perfectly for this project. The cap was leftover plaster so it was thinner.
Just taking a photo to see how I was going to like my vision.
Here are the candelabra pillar with top cap and bottom base, unassembled.
Side view of floor while deciding what to do with edge.
Tentatively tacked this flocked white and gold ribbon that came in a box of misc craft items from a thrift store for .91.
Not assembled but I finally decided this was perfect for the stand.
Here you will best notice that I attached more jewelry earring pieces dangling from bottom of piano. I want as much sparkle and varying pop as possible.
Preparing the moulding for edges.
Mock-up of possible finished look.
Decided that the crystal hangings needed to be on all four corners so I added more.
This lady was fifty cents at a thrift store and was dirty as though she had been displayed in a planter. I painted at first her hat and muff gold but decided she needed a complete makeover as she was not as detailed as the others.
!So this is the large portrait for behind the curtains on the dancefloor. These are three free flooring samples from a local big box hardware store. I used Gorilla glue to attach them and clamped them together.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria is a decor hero of mine. So what better way to pay homage to him than to include him as the portrait. I printed this image from Google Images.
Lady Golden Muff's initial wardrobe after modification. She didn't wear this long.
Modification after second coat of purple gloss craft paint.
Needed something small to add to the corners of dancefloor to give it a more regal appearance. Since I blow out eggs, paint them, and decorate them in a Faberge-like manner, I decided I would use these little terracotta pots purchased at Michael's for $.50 each, use bamboo shish-kebobs as tree "trunks" and attach the eggs to them. I switched yet again from purple to burgundy and gold. In later pictures you will see the transformation.
Close-up view of pillars and caps with four crystal decorations and after a re paint of the gold to richen the appearance. Notice they don't all match; this is partially intentional, partly because I didn't have enough of any one crystal and seeing how most were purchased on clearance, it was hard to get more. I'm actually happier with it like this as it gives it unique character.
Had these little non- Swarovski crystal beads so I decided to spruce up the candelabra. Not sure at this point but I may redo them a little neater. But it added yet another layer of individuality to the entire scene.
You'll notice I have taken many pictures in concept form. I think it's important to do this to get a flat perspective without biased eyes. Nearly everytime I've done this I've made significant changes to something, each time for the better.
These are the screws I used to attach the pillars to the dancefloor. Seeing how there are many layers of polyurethane, I was concerned that glues alone wouldn't hold. Prior to painting the pillars I had drilled two holes in the bottom of each one in anticipation of this.
Side view of piano in what is, at least for now, the finished version. The accoutrements on the sides are the hot glue decorations, attached themselves to piano with clear Tacky glue and hot glue (just enough to hold in place while other dried; the angles made it nearly impossible to clamp) and crystal flat backs adhered to center. They go around the length of piano so as to lend uniformity and realism.
Clear flat back crystals, three on each side, of tops of pillars only.
Added a little sparkle to the stand I made for the candelabra. Still not sure on this so you may see an updated version of this later. Since the candelabra isn't going to be lit (hmmm, or is it?) I think it needs something to draw attention to it. Details make the difference.
Side moulding attached and a top view of dancefloor.
Lady Golden Muff in yet another outfit. The lady just can't make up her mind! Is that unusual?
The good King, awaiting his coronation onto the backboard.
Cut to fit. His sword and train to robe were sacrificed for space.
Glue for attaching the King. I used a stiff brush to orient the glue like brush strokes underneath the painting in hopes it would show through. Did a little bit not much.
After attached and allowed took dry 24 hours, I applied Mod Podge in brush strokes to painting. After drying I noticed the printed off piece has faded more than I wanted, but the more I looked at it, the more authentic I think it made it look.
Back view of LGM.
Side angle view of pillar top with flatbacks.
I hate math! Everything about it. So it should come as no surprise that no matter how many methods I tried, I couldn't get the 45 degree angle correct on the moulding strip I was using to create the frame. I came up with a solution you will see later.
Glued and painted. Note the gaps in inside and outside bottom corners. They'll be gone soon.
I waited long to do this step. I didn't photograph it but I did apply a sheet of felt to the bottom to both cover the raw wood and to protect any surface it may rest on. Then I predilled some holes and attached the pillars. Was actually much simpler than expected. Nothing cracked or split. I did use some wood glue and E-6000 glue on bottom of pillars to help hold. They are so firm that I can lift and hold entire thing while holding just one pillar.
Two down, two to go.
Complete.
Here you can beat see the flocked ribbon under the moulding. At the corners where the moulding does not meet I think I'm putting legs, possibly with some mini statues on each one. This will suspend the dancefloor.
Notice how flush the screws are. I wanted then just slightly below the surface of the drywall plaster so I could apply more, cover them, and repaint them, leaving no indication there are screws there.
Drywall plaster applied again to cover screws and holes.
A view from above.
This is one of the eggs. Initially wanted them bright yellow. I often use nail polish to paint my eggs as it leaves a hard, glossy, brush less looking finish. (I will say that using nail polish for these had taught me that price DOES make a difference with this particular cosmetic. The more costly ones go on better, with less, and leave a more even and pure surface.) The yellow wasn't right for this piece, however.
Deciding sometimes takes looking at it from two views. The red and gold was much better suited for the dancehall.
Voila! Notice the gap from this less than mathematically inclined guy, is gone. I used Elmer's wood filler in natural in the squeeze tube. The angle I cut the tube allowed for eat application. When it was mostly dry, I applied more paint and it's nearly indectable.
For the bottom of the eggs trees, wasn't sure what I was going to use. The greenery is sprigs from an old Christmas tree. The acrylic beaded thing is a thrift store bag of junk buy, looks like it probably rests at the base of a candle for decoration. I removed some of the beads thinking I could place them at the base of egg tree.
Another thrift store find. I think it was a shower curtain. I cut the bottom off but left the lacy sheer that was attached.
Quick clamped mock-up.
With sheer down.
With the King propped up behind.
Plaster of Paris, emerald green metallic craft paint, and lime essential oil. This is what is going in the pots to hold the egg trees upright. The essential oil was totally uncessary but thought I would try and see if I could have the piece of art double as an air freshener. Hey, you never know unless you try. This could have been a million dollar idea. It isn't. But it could have. I mixed them in an old bamboo shoots can. But a warning: the oil seemed to expedite the cutting process of the plaster. I had to work quickly, like within a minute for both pots. The craft paint I added to precolor the plaster, making it easier to cover than the original white.
Used a piece of scotch tape to hold it tentatively in place then hot glued the trunk of tree in place. Again, the trunk is made from bamboo skewers, bought at a local Thai market, 100 for $.79. They actually come in useful in a lot of things.
Not sure why I took this picture of the lime oil and paint.
Trees attached. The reason the one on the right is less full is because of the fastness the plaster was drying. No worries, it's all going to be covered anyhow.
This is then after I decided the yellow eggs were not going to work. I'm painting the trunks brown. And it's worth noting that of all the brands of craft paint I use, I've found this Decoart brand to be the best coverage and color. Just discovered this yesterday when painting these. But in the future, it will be the only brand I buy.
Here, somehow, is the picture of the frame with the wood filler. It's a little or of order, but you can see what it looked like after filling and before painting.
After painting the filter. Notice on the right side, near middle and closer to the bottom, there are black marks in the little carved decorations. I'm still contemplating accenting all the carved areas black then painting over to give it that antique look. It will depend how easy a way I can find to apply the marks. My paint pen is too thick and my hand isn't steady enough to do it that way.
Painted with the emerald green metallic, then applied a couple coats of glue in the dark. If I end up putting those acrylic beads in the bottom, I think it will look cool if they appear illuminated from underneath.
Another quick mock-up.
Trunks of trees painted.
Lady Goldenmuff is coming along, faceless.
She has a face.
Used gold cord to add piping around the bottom of her sleeves. Used a light metallic green paint over the blue in a light coat so blue would still show through. Also gold cord wrapped twice around her waist, tied in a bow in the back. Also used cinnamon brown and bright yellow in a lightly mixed pattern for her hair. Flatbacks used around piping on neckline and a single flatback on her belt. May add more around belt later.
