The Uncuckoo Clock ( No Time like the Present)

I deconstructed an old assemblage that wasn't working. Here are the materials planned for the final product, although changes are bound to occur. The large black item is the base for a bell jar, its upper component long since broken and lost. Gothic arch cut out and and cigar box cut up with Terry's amazing saw.
Oh, and these, I forgot to put these in the first photo.

It turned out I had to take the little wooden handle off, as it interfered with the knob with the flower on it (you'll see why I changed it later). I turned the wooden disk over, I like the red on the other side better even though it is more distressed, as in having a chunk missing out of it. changed my mind on the background (several times actually). I replaced the green paer with the star paper. The birds have been glued to heavy paper reinforced with thin copper wire which I taped down with acid free tape.

The final piece and...

The reason I didn't want the knob hitting the wooden handle. Wheeeee!

Birds of the Antique Centre

Nelly Alvarez Aranda

This is some of the enchanting work of Nelly Alvarez Aranda. Here work combines materials and techniques, and much of it is on the theme of the interaction of humans and the natural world. If you would like to see more of her surprising and delightful work, her blog is dibujos en el agua 

The Lapwing

This lapwing doth run away with the shell on his head.

said by Horatio of the character Osric, who is sent to propose the fatal duel with Laertes. 

It's the strangest place to insert comic relief, right before it all falls down. The phrase refers to the fact that lapwings were said to be so eager to to hatch that the leaped out of the nest with the shell still adhering, therefore Osric, with his considerable posturing, is thought to be wet behind the ears.

The lapwing is so called for its trick of leading predators from its nest by dragging one wing along the ground as if it were injured. This blog is being given over to the birds for next while - please let me know if you are posting any birds, or if you see any, and I will link to them.

In the mean time, here are some birds observed recently:

a fiercely contemplative bird, on Random Shots

A gentler contemplation on A Room of One's Own