The flexi-ply has arrived and the skeleton of the final structure is ready to be put together. I have cleared enough space in my studio to start the construction of the piece, but with a floor to clean and several sections of circle to carry up stairs, it is not going to be easy. My studio wall also needs stripping bare, which then leaves the issue of where to put everything. There will be two dislodged magpies and lots of smaller embroideries lacking a home. I have yet to decide how much of these will feature in the antechamber, but have a lot of research to somehow translate into this final presented format.
The laser cutter failed miserably on the brass, leaving neither imprint nor mark. Because of this I had to approach an engraver in Oxford, who happily told me that the fee for engraving a few words onto brass would be just under £200. I decided to cause myself much agitation and do it myself, spending £14 instead on a battery powered engraving tool (batteries not included). This could be disastrous, but I have warmed to the idea of something so against the grain. Brass plates are usually flawless things, and instead mine will be some unusual hybrid of organic type.
Tomorrow I will be pre-drilling the rest of the flexi-ply (5 sheets), desperately hoping I won’t mess it up. I also have all kinds of paint and wood primer, including sand paper and curtains plus a rail for one of the doors. This week the aim is to get the antechamber built so I can paint it with all this lovely new stuff from B&Q. In the meantime I have finished two more embroideries and finally discovered the benefit of a diary – my practice has never been so organised.
