Being asked to create a “Twist” for a big birthday  is always a bit nerve racking, what if I can’t get it right, create a recognisable form, find the right mount or even worse they don’t like it! 

Thankfully I didn’t experience the first  of these issues with Aqua, the forth remains to be seen when the gift is received!

My second seahorse, I decided to experiment with a slightly different wire. Still made of chicken wire, I used a heavier gauge with a more silver tone. It was harder on my hands and more difficult to form but I was pleased with the finished result.

I came across the mount when Martin and I were planning a wildlife pond for the garden. We were visiting a local aquatic centre when I spotted a large box of wood for use in aquariums. The wood in question was bogwood! 

Bogwood is usually oak that is in the early stages of fossilisation. The wood of ancient trees has lain in peat bogs and has been preserved from decay sometimes for hundreds or even thousands of years. The iron salts and other minerals in the peat react with the tannins in the wood giving it a distinct dark brown or almost black colour. The resulting wood is not only very dark in colour but very hard, making it resistant to weathering and the beautiful shapes and colour tones make ideal as bases for my “Twists”!  I couldn’t resist buying several pieces one of which has become an unusual base for Aqua. 

Happy birthday Helen, I hope you are pleased with your gift.