Heart Cloche

$30 - $40 (based on 2020 prices)

Makes one display

 

2020’s mad scientist theme gave me the chance to create some bizarre experiments for my eccentric doctor. This heart cloche, in turn, was one of them, utilizing old hardware and ample amounts of blood to fabricate an odd industrial prop which gained a lot of praise from visitors.

• One plastic cloche with detachable base and handle (roughly twelve inches tall)
• One plastic heart large enough to fit within the cloche
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in metallic copper
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray high gloss coating
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat black*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in grasshopper*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in hunter green*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in olive*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in orange spice*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat red*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in surf blue*
• One 3/16” wooden dowel
• One blank pieces of 8” x 11.5” copy paper
• At least four tablespoons of black tea (e.g. Darjeeling, Earl Gary, English Breakfast, etc.)
• One pan large enough to soak the copy paper
• One 4 oz. bottle of all-purpose tacky glue*
• One 0.3 fluid ounce bottle of red food coloring*
• One 4 oz. bottle of clear, all-purpose tacky glue gel*
• A random assortment of bolts, nuts, screws, springs, and washers
• One 8 oz. can of oil-based interior wood stain in Jacobean*

1. Disassemble the cloche and, on a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, apply an even coat of metallic copper spray paint to the base and handle. Although I only used one coat, you may want more depending on your desired coverage. Keep in mind, though, that this is the base coat and much of the copper will be covered by the other paints.

2. Begin the aged patina by building up layers of green paint: grasshopper, hunter green, and olive. You want the metal to appear oxidized, so focus your application on the areas that would be exposed to the elements and work from dark to light. I found that applying small amounts of paint to a stippling sponge and patting it lightly on the surface works best. You may want to practice on a piece of cardboard first, though.

3. Complete the aged patina by applying a light speckling of orange spice and surf blue to the surface. Akin to step two, use a stippling sponge for this application and keep its coverage to a minimum. You want the colors to accent the oxidization and not be too overpowering. Also, give the base and handle a flecking of black paint. You can do this by either quickly flicking a paintbrush or using an old toothbrush and strumming your finger across the bristles. Since this process flings paint everywhere, it’s best to perform it outside.

4. Measure and mark the center of the base, use a 15/64 drill bit to make a hole, insert the dowel into the opening, and repeat the painting process in steps one, two, and three. It may prove more efficient, though, to perform this step fist and then paint the entire base at once.

5. Boil enough water to completely submerge the copy paper and pour it into the pan. Add the tea. The longer you allow the tea to brew, the darker the stain will become. Likewise, greater amounts of tea will produce a richer stain. I found that a combination of English and Irish Breakfast brewed for over ten minutes produces a nice, deep brown. Submerge the paper into the tea mixture and soak it until it reaches the color you desire. I soaked mine for eight hours and scattered the loose-leaf tea over the top of the paper to add spots. Remove the paper from the water and allow it to dry.

6. Once the paper has dried, trace the outline of the base onto the sheet, cut it out, and glue it in place. To make the paper appear even more decrepit, crinkle it and create holes before adhering it to the base.

7. Beginning with a base coat of black, build up layers of red paint to give the heart a more lifelike appearance, especially if the version you bought was cheap and poorly painted.

8. On a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, give the heart two coats of high gloss coating to make it appear wet. This will help make the item appear more realistic.

9. Use a 15/64 drill bit to make a hole in the bottom of the heart and use the opening to position the organ on the dowel. Depending on the height of the cloche, you may need to adjust the heart’s position so it properly fits under the enclosure.

10. Detail the heart with a random assortment of bolts, screws, and washers. For a sturdier hold, use superglue. Also, to ensure the prop fits under the cloche, you may need to position certain pieces, cover the prop with the cloche, and make readjustments as needed.

11. In a plastic container (because the food coloring will stain, use something disposable or that you won’t mind dying), pour in your desired amount of clear glue gel and slowly add red food coloring to the solution until it achieves the sanguine hue you desire. To give the blood further density, add blue food coloring and mix well.

12. On a newspaper-lined surface, apply the blood glue to the base and heart. You can use an old spoon or plastic utensil to dribble the liquid or pour it haphazardly for a gory mess. Try to cover as much of the heart’s surface with the glue to make the organ appear even more lifelike.

13. If you have any remaining bolts, screws, or springs, utilize these items to adorn the base and give the prop extra visual interest.

14. On a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, paint the cloche with the wood stain. I discovered that applying a thin coat and patting it with paper towels produces a hazed appearance. Likewise, brushing the rim with a swift downward motion creates the illusion of grime buildup.

15. Reattach the handle to the cloche and then reattach the cloche to its base. If you plan for a more permanent display, you can glue the item down.

*You will not use the entire bottle’s content for this project.