Props for my Books

The props are coming along. Here's some photos which show work in progress and yes that is real gold leaf I've used!
​This ear has a special purpose in my books, but I can't tell you what it is...yet!

Before and After Shots

I also used a watch mechanism and some "borrowed" bling.

You may remember in a previous blog I mentioned the blue/green paua shells from New Zealand, around the base. I said that they would polish up quite brightly. What do you think? 
The small round stone inside the ear is an opal, their colour changes when viewed from different angles and in different light. 
Opals colours come from the reflection and diffraction of white light entering the stone. The light bounces around the tiny silica spheres within the stone, causing the diffraction of light and the 'prism' or rainbow effect.