Dictator in a Box

[UnRuli]

Unfortunately, no he does not pop out.

[julea]

That's amazing. You must be so patient. How long did he take to finish?

[UnRuli]

I can't even begin to venture a guess as to how long it took.  I know it wasn't exactly a speedy process tho'.  The hardest part was finding springs that were strong enough to hold but would still bobble the moving parts if bumped.  When I sprayed it with clear acrylic spray I sprayed the entire thing at once and at first I thought I'd ruined the fabric shirt sleeves, but after it dried they looked better than they did originally.

[KarenLouiseM]

I looked everywhere for springs like that last year - and then settled on doing a bobble head instead because I couldn't find anything.

I just assumed you had reworked an actual working jack-in-the-box.  Now I am even more impressed!

[UnRuli]

I looked everywhere for springs like that last year - and then settled on doing a bobble head instead because I couldn't find anything.

I just assumed you had reworked an actual working jack-in-the-box. 

Nope......the box is made of wood.  As for springs, I went to the hardware store and bought a variety of springs then took them home and figured out which ones had enough length and tension.  In the end one of the arms and the body has a narrower/lighter spring inside a stronger spring (one by itself wasn't strong enough and the next step up was too stiff.  I think I spent more time on the springs than on the hands and face.......although nothing took as long as the glasses because it took a while to get the right amount of shrinkage and the right amount of curl.  You see, if you cut shrinky dink with scissors you bevel the edge and it will shrink with curvature (if you want it flat your best bet is to use an x-acto blade making sure to hold it perpendicular to the cutting surface).  The lenses of the glasses do have curvature to them and then I painted the rims on and put on wire earpieces.

[KarenLouiseM]

Wow - I am even more in awe knowing how you did it! 

(I spent HOURS trying to figure out the spring thing - me and some hardware folks who looked at me REAL funny )

[scorch]

a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

[BonEsInspired]

wow....amazing!
What a fantastic job. I bet people would pay big bucks for this!!

[craftewoman]

I just discovered your work tonight! I had to stalk you to look at all of it, and in the end I came to this piece! I love it! It makes such a statement, and is very well done.

[poppi]

I like the bombs hiding in the back, nice job!