Work In Progress: Beaded Aligators ACEO

Summer Buddies by alwaysartistic

Those of you who use Google Reader to read your blogs may have noticed I blogged about this ACEO when I was about 3/4 done. But then I finished it and then decided to do a Work In Progress post instead. No one had commented yet so I just unpublished the post.

I started out by taping the edges of my Strathmore 140 lb cold press paper down on all 4 sides to my plastic utility table. I then used scraps of paper and watercolor paints to stamp the back ground in various places. And I let it sit until it was completely dry, and then removed the tape and cut to ACEO size - 2.5 inches x 3.5 inches.

They were beaded right on to the ACEO instead of adding the alligators after. I thought it would be more fun and more challenging. I was right. 1 area on the back where I attached a leg looked like it might come undone if pulled on it too hard and so I added some paper in between the loop on the back to make it more sturdy.

Next I cut 2 slits in the background to start my 1st alligator. I tied a few knots at the back to make sure it doesn't come undone, and started beading.

I added the legs, I fastened down 1 top leg and 1 bottom leg leaving the other 2 alone.

Then I started the next one.

Added the eyes and continued...

Here is my sun conure Jessie helping me. He didn't try to go after the beads or anything just sat inside my shirt watching every move. lol

Here they are finished.

A close up!

More images that will be included when I list it.

Here I tried it in one of my plastic ACEO frames without the glass.