Making ships in bottles

Ships in a bottle

 or more like a canoe in a bottle .

The working station for these ships can be very small and elaborate without the need of vast space. Many times I take my ships out to the local happy hour or the library to work on. The materials can really vary and the amount of materials use is small. It is a lot like making sushi, the actual ingredients are very in expensive but the skill to manufacture is intense.

The forming of the main two rafts are carefully ribbed and cover in paper treated with oil to mimic the look of old wood. Both rafts are build side by side keeping in mind that each body set will fit through the mouth of the bottle. 

The two rafts of the Canoe along with the weaved mast

 Holes are cut into the raft to stick in the paddlers which will be  elaborate paper dolls using ink jet print outs and a combination of balsa and digital printing. The ribs that connect both units have to be stronger enough to support the weight of the mast. However since the ship is actually being build weight reversal  hence it is going to be floating in a solution of oil, the heaviest part will be at top and the body is the lightest.  The effect is impressive but nerve racking due to the large risk of the wood damping and growing moss.

Wooden ribs with the paper layering

I use little bits of wax to build "hands" to hold the ever so delicate forms.  And they are so delicate. If one is to be having the shakes" just the vibration alone can send the pieces flying out.

The other side of the rig before stain