Sometimes Sparkle Cellos Have to Happen

When we last met our half size (damaged beyond all reasonable repair--trust me) cello, it was being covered with plastic jewels.  Turns out sorting fake jewels by color is strangely enjoyable and a somewhat addictive activity.  Only Mona tired of that task quickly.  Aden and Quinn and I felt as if we could have sorted jewels forever.  (It probably qualifies as one of the chores the Terrible Trivium from The Phantom Tollbooth would have devised, so best we moved on no matter how soothing it seemed.)

I duct taped the sides of the cello to cover holes and got a basic coat of black spray paint on most of the body before using titebond to attach jewels.

I started with the sides, then moved on to the front, back, and finally the scroll.

Quinn inspecting my work

After I got all the jewels glued on I decided to coat the whole thing with something called Mod Podge, which I've never used before but seemed like the kind of stuff that might help seal it and make it less likely that random jewels will start flaking off.

I wiped the excess off, and for the most part it dried clear

I still need to get some good photos of the cello is its full sparkly glory in direct sunlight, but here it is finished, and on display in my store window.

I have to say, I'm rather proud of it.  I think I would do it differently if I were to do it again, but overall the effect is pretty nice and as a display it's gotten a lot of attention and people have photographed it as they walk by.

So there's that.  I just wish so many cellos didn't come back to me broken that I have to come up with more and more recycling ideas.  But for now Sparkle Cello can keep the Cello Toy Box and the Cello Lamp company.  (Ah, well, at least this way they don't need new strings.)