While on holiday I picked up a few small models of mermaids which set me thinking. So I looked around and discovered Model zone sold even smaller ones.
I found a perspex container that I had received as a present containing soaps etc and painted the inside of the base blue using glass paints.
I looked out an old shell I had collected years ago on the beach and cleaned it up and added a glass stone.
Next I needed something to represent water. After searching I discovered Hobbycraft sold packets of E-Z Water for woodland scenes. This is 'non toxic, low odour product which requires no measuring or mixing and hardens in minutes.' Sounded about right for me to have a go with.
So armed with a heating pot (which is for cooking individual puddings in) and a pair of pliers I set about melting the globules to make water.
I dropped in to the tank a few sequins and small blue shells that I had found in The Works for making cards along with crushed glass and glass stones for the bottom of fish tanks.
Unfortunately I didn't heat enough water globules the first time to cover the whole base. The packet was absolutely spot on when it claimed the product to be quick drying and before I had heated extra the first lot had set hard so giving a permanent line across the bottom.
I added a small pearl star, the shell and more sequins, and determined not to make the same mistake filled the small bowl this time. I'm not sure what the problem was but the water started pouring well but seemed to cool as it ran along the sides of the shell. This meant that I ended up with an uneven layer that didn't cover the whole base. Undeterred I heated a third bowlful and poured it into the missing corners and allowed it to overlap the shell on one side. I was hoping that this would look as though a wave was lapping into the shell. I'm not sure it was totally successful.
I think layering the sequins and tiny shells gave it a bit of depth as did painting the base darker than the sides. On reflection I think I should have painted it much deeper blue on the bottom and much higher up the sides. I added the mermaids afterwards. I had intended to partly submerge a couple of them to make it look as if they were swimming but after a previous attempt with heat and small figures I thought better of it.
The overall effect is not too bad and I learnt lots, so I am happy. The water was a bit disappointing since I thought it was going to be clear but as you can see it turned out rather yellow. Still next time I know to try adding a bit of colouring to the water itself.
