It started with a rabbit. And a pocketwatch. There are so many iconic images from Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, but to me it all starts with the rabbit. Yes, I think caterpillars, vials of potions, cards, roses, tea parties and top hats, even flamingos and croquet. But I have a thing for rabbits…
(In case you just fell down the rabbit hole – you are currently on a Blog Hop. There was a challenge presented by Staci and Genea to create a piece inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Twas brillig – the idea, that is!)
This is the rabbit I pictured in my piece – a Japanese carved ivory netsuke ( as noted below) Its a full moon hare – myths of the moon hare abound in cultures across the world, between cultures and over time. But thats another story for another day. This story is a white rabbit… The round shape had me thinking of the gears IN a pocketwatch, and the face of a pocketwatch. Suddenly it was not a rabbit WITH a watch, but a rabbit IN a watch.
Ivory Manju Netsuke – Rabbit in full moon shape
Kyoto School, Circa 18th Century
The pocketwatch casing I decided to use – I have a few – was open on both sides. I wanted to be able to fill the space and keep the weight of the piece down. But I had to create a back that would be completely sealed as I planned to pour resin at the end stage. What you see here is a antique glass lens holding enameled gears & vintage gears embedded in resin and layered with paper. The sticker on the lens is original – I left it as it reminded me of the Mad Hatter’s hat size stuck in the brim of his hat. I have fabricated copper wire into a prong setting – as the lens is too small to fit completely.
The polymer hares after baking, awaiting an acrylic stain to add the patina of time. ( The owls are for a mixed media piece inspired by the Greek Goddess Athena…)
The lens in place – epoxy putty as the bezel. It was a sticky mess, like sculpting with molasses. Once cured it had to be sanded and painted. You can see on the right the prongs supporting the piece from the inside. The paper created a visual barrier seperating the front items and the back items.
The rest came together quickly. The hare, gear and watch parts, and an antique enameled watch face from my favorite antique store in Austin TX. ( I live in DE. Long distance!)
The entire piece is currently filled with resin. Lets see how it cures over night, and hopefully I can add an update in the morning! I haven’t addressed how to wear this piece yet. That would depend quite a bit on the wearer, I think. Velvet ribbon; choker length? Chunky chain, worn long over the chest? What do you think ?
Saturday morning: resin for the win!
Thanks to Staci and Genea for hosting the Hop! I had a great time with this piece; I had a chance to play, to think outside the box, to experiement. Please take some time and see what my fellow participants have creatied! Curiouser and Curiouser!
Ginger Bishop
www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Staci Louise Originals (hostess!)
www.stacilouise.blogspot.com
Genea Beads (hostess!)
www.geneabeads.blogspot.com
Jenny Davies-Reazor (Thanks for stopping by!)
www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Heidi Post
www.expostfactojewelry.blogspot.com
Donna Bradley
www.strandedbeads.blogspot.com
Linda Hanes
www.craftygallindadesigns.blogspot.com
Birgitta Lejonklou
www.lejonklou.blogspot.com
Libellua Jewelry
www.libellulajewelry.com
Lori Anderson
www.prettythings.blogspot.com
Linda Florian
www.lilysofthevalleyjewelry.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell
www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Nicole Valentine Rimmel
www.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Jo in Wonderland
www.joyblonde.blogspot.it
Jenny Davies-Reazor 
LOVE it. I love that you showed your sketches. Looks so much like mine.
The full moon hare, the watch face, its perfect. I think you should make it pocket watched style on a long chain. That way you can check the time (IE: stare at your beautiful creation!)
It was cool to see the resin putty. You really finished it nicely, it has a very old look to it.
thanks for participating.
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Thanks Staci – The epoxy putty is great if you can deal. I was hodrrified at first. Had to leave and attach it later with coarse sandpaper… May hit it will silver paint to make it more uniform…. Fun hop! I think chunky chain too…
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Jenny, what a great piece. You do such great work. This was a fun challenge. Loved looking at all the pieces.
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Thank you Linda! Glad you could come over! I sure had fun experiemnting on this piece! Not production work thats for sure!
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I really love your piece, it’s so original!
I’m a partecipant from Italy, I really enjoyed this hop 🙂
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What a fabulous piece, and so unique!!!!
I thouroughly enjoyed seeing the process from the design sketch to the finished product.
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WOW! What a wonderful piece! I have found a kindred spirit in resin designs! I love love love the little rabbits too. Great watch piece.
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Thanks Linda ! we did think alike, yet it came out so differently! THe resin pix has been updated! A perfect pour!
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So many iconic images combined into one–very creative.
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Oh wow! How cool is that! I love the rabbit and putting it in a watch, brilliant!! Really really cool piece.
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Your rabbit turned out sooo cute! I really love your thinking process on this!
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Thanks! The netsuke inspiration – well I pictures that moon hare netsuke and the whole piece was fully formed in my mind! My grandfather, and now my Dad, have a collection of antique ivory carved netsuke. Not that one of course, but I have a life long love of the medium…
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He can’t be late if he’s IN the watch! How adorable. Very clever and well put together 🙂
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O…M…G… Jenny, this piece is SO incredible! I love your beginning sketch and how you told us the story of how the piece came together. I love that you took the empty casing of a pocket watch and created a special white rabbit to fit inside. I am just blown away by the creativity in your piece and how it all came together perfectly! Wow!
Thank you so very much for participating in our hop!
xo Genea
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What an original idea! I love it! I enjoyed seeing the brainstorming drawing too! Awesome!
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I love your rabbit in a watch! I also enjoyed your brainstorming/designing/creating on paper. Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait to see what you do with the rabbit!
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Your piece is wonderfully whimsical.
I agree that it was great to see your sketches too!
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Wow! You seriously put a ton of thought into this piece and it totally shows. Thank you for sharing your sketches, thought process, and steps to create this wonderfully unique piece. It definitely speaks of Alice.
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Love this blog about your creative process in this challenge. Thanks so much for share it in such detail. It’s a perfect pocket watch for any of the characters in Alice.
Lynda
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So creative to put the rabbit IN the watch. I love seeing all the stages. Wonderful.
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This is the coolest – all I can say is WOW!
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gorgeous rabbit and the way You put the parts together ..very much Alice …cant wait to see it finished !!
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Well thought out and creative idea! Wow! I am learning to work with resin (finally over my fear of it) and this inspires me.
Zan
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I am blown away. Your talent is matched by your creativity. I hope to be half as talented as you are one day. I love how truly one of a kind this piece is.
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Gee shucks. Thank you!
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I sure can tell how much work that was! I am glad you showed all of the steps, or I would not have known how much work it was. What a great one of a kind piece! —Diane V.
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Love your piece! Great design and execution- love the rabbit 🙂
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I really enjoyed seeing your sketches and candid notes, that’s an inspiration in itself! Your resin pendant is phenomenal! You made your own rabbit!! So cute! The watch parts look just right. I agree with Staci that a chain would be the thing!
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I love this piece – the rabbit is divine!
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Kick ass design!! I love it! Thanks for sharing the sketches and your thoughts about where it came from…a little peek inside the noggin’ is always cool.
Take care!
Jen
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You have a hearty constitution, Jen. Many people would be daunted at the prospect of looking inside MY noggin!
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Holy Cow this is amazing!! What a unique design and it turned out perfectly – way cool!!
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Brilliant!!! Absolutely love the watch.
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