Let's get one thing straight, I do not like clowns. I know, I know. Inherently there is nothing wrong with them. They have brought joy to millions, and up to a point I giggled at their antics but... I remember the exact moment I lost the warm and fuzzies towards these vile creatures. I blame it on Steven King and his character Pennywise. His book "It" was great, enthralling, a real page turner. The 1990 TV adaptation broke me. It may have been my life situation overflowing onto the storyline or some latent deep seeded thing from my childhood but after that two-night event I was done with them.
Side note: I do not take issue with people who enjoy being clowns. I think it is admirable they want to spread happiness to others. Do I have friends that are clowns, no, but that is just happenstance not choice.
On to the piece. As it has been stated in the past, I enjoy a tromp through yard and estate sales. It's the thrill of the find. On this particular Saturday the Estate Sale sign called and I followed the arrows to a large house full of potential goodies. I perused the driveway selections where a couple of children's chairs showed some potential, then into the heart of the house I entered, the garage. This is where the odds and ends are places, and tools, ohhh, tools. It was there I locked eyes with our central character. By his side were five or six porcelain headed dolls and while picking up a poorly dressed bride, considering it my find for the day, the clown said, "Oh, you'll be back". No, thank you all the same and into the rest of the house I went.
My creative juices found nothing else of interest so back to the beginning to ponder over the children's chairs. The only direct route was back through the garage where I was accosted once again by the clown. He was like a predator with candy to a small child. Come here little girl...no, I don't want to work with you...Oh, what fun we will have. Look at my pretty colors, my porcelain skin. We could do wonders together.
I took the candy.
Returning home, with the children's chairs, dilapidated bride and clown in tow, I knew my first priority was to execute my authority and disassemble the clown. What remained was the head, hands, shoes and red striped pantaloons, all in pieces on my workbench. My momentary superiority was shattered when he whispered...What are you going to do with me now?.
Getting down to business I gathered my wire, tools and a gifted ceiling fan globe. I elongated his neck area because the piece was not proportional when I simply stuck his head on the base. Pleased with the look, I added movement using fishing weights connected to a wire dropped into the globe and when the crank is turned his head will slightly tilt/rotate in a creepy kind of way. His pantaloons were used to cover attachment wires and to introduce a bit of softness compared to the rigidity of the glass and wire. The mobile was attached simply because I liked it. He worked up rather quickly, I assume he was trying to make his point.
He now resides in the living room taunting me daily.
Today is Saturday and I am off to see what project I want to delve into... jewelry, embroidery, laundry. Hum, wonder which will win out.
Peace,
Hilari
