The Flower Power Brooch.

[Dennis]

Inspired By is a competition for adult learners, which comes up every two or three years. The idea is to make a piece inspired by an exhibit at the V&A Museum or Museum of Childhood. Some will be selected for exhibition at Morley Gallery London and there will be prizes in each category. Mine was not chosen this time, but I thought you might like to see it anyway.

Starting with the Jack in The Boxes at the Museum Of Childhood, I decided to vary the theme by using a spray of flowers instead of a pop up figure. They are on a spring and can be retracted by pulling on the flower below, allowing the lid to be snapped shut.

The brooch can be worn open as a decorative piece, or closed so as to invite an inquisitive friend to spring the catch.
There is a double pin for stability.

Materials: silver, Stainless steel for the pins and spring, Swarovski crystals.
Dimensions: Height when open 55.0 mm, width 27.0 mm, depth front to back 4.5mm, but made to look larger by altering the perspective. Dennis.

[enigma]

Very cute Dennis! and so nicely made.

[china]

Now that's very out of the box.

[TDA20]

Such a lovely idea Dennis and beautifully done

[Dennis]

Thank you everyone. Dennis.

[mizgeorge]

I love it Dennis! What a wonderfully grown up take on a childhood favourite - and how perfect for spring

[TDA20]

Dennis, out of interest, what did you use for the texture on the box?

[Maria]

Dennis brilliant. I have also been having a go at making a box at the weekly class I’m currently attending. I found the hinges particularly challenging and now just have the catch to master. I love the mechanical aspect of it.

[Dennis]

Thank you George, TDA and Maria.

The roll texture is made with net curtaining done twice, which gives a kind of diffraction pattern.

The distorted perspective gave rise to quite a few headaches. The lid with its hinge was cold connected with three screws to avoid a final soldering operation.

The show is on at Morley gallery London now and being a national competition, there are some extraordinary complex exhibits. there is even a ring with a humming top. Dennis.