A siren call

I am a big fan of mermaids, I have been since I was a child.  Since I am newer to altered art, I have not yet had the chance to use the theme in my work all that much.  Today I changed that.  This was made for a private swap,  I hope she likes what I have crafted, it is going to be a tiny bit hard to send away. 

This all started with a cork coaster.  The background is paper that was altered with a shaving cream technique.  I spritzed with glimmer mist and then added a bit of tissue tape to finish the edges.  I created layers of beachy stuff including a large slab of beach glass, which the centerpiece is perched on.  The mermaid was a charm I purchased at a big box store.  To give it some character I painted and wiped off several acrylic paints.  I did the same on the small charms to imitate a patina.  A bunch of shells and charms were added around the mermaid to create the scene.  There is a teeny tiny lobster in the corner that is too cute. 

In order to give the piece texture, a ton of distress stickels were used.  I layered two colors, frayed burlap and peeled paint. This filled in a multitude of glue oozes too.  The seaweed is actually a felt floral border I purchased on clearance.  I snipped the flowers to alter them and make them look more like leaves.  I had some little sticker bubbles that I added glittery stickels too, providing a bit more sparkle and bling.  Adding bling is the theme over at this weeks challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show so I thought I would send my mermaid along.  I got a two-for on this one because the challenge over at Linda's for Grungy Monday, was using distress stickels!

The coaster was finished with two eyelets and a bit of silk ribbon I colored myself.  You would not believe how heavy this little guy is.  Hopefully the recipient will enjoy!