PE - Onion Dome from Byzantine List

[Wanda Pease]

Sorry for the cross posting, but I picked this up on the Byzantine list, and
can think of several people who might be interested in such a project here.
There are probably several other methods of achieving the right shape and
style, and I'd be interested in seeing what others came up with.  This has
the advantage of having been tried and worked for Lady Zhenia.

Improvements?  Suggestions?

(Thank you Zhenia for permission to cross post to other lists.)

Regina Romsey (AnTir by way of Drachenwald


-----Original Message-----
From: New Saje [mailto:jesa at direct.ca]
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2000 11:33 PM
To: SCAbyzantine at egroups.com
Subject: [SCAbyzantine] Pavilions and Things


  A while back I wrote about creating an "onion" style
dome for the top of my Byzantine Pavilion. I had hoped
someone might have suggestions about this puzzle.
   I've continued to work on the problem myself and
thought I'd send along my discoveries and hopefully
help anyone else wanting this sort of embellishment.
   I studied the "onion" style golden domes on the local
Russian Orthodox Church until I was quite clear on the
actual shape and then found the wire frame from a
lampshade that was the closest.  With some additional
lengths of clothes-hanger wire and my soldering gun/iron,
I had the shape almost perfectly.
   I decided to cover the wire shape initially with papier
mache, to fill out the shape more fully. This posed rather
a problem - particularly in AnTir - the rainy Kingdom - and
I knew something else had to cover the papier mache or
my golden dome would melt.
   I used a medium weight cotton canvas - dyed an old
gold shade - cut into narrow strips and then used the
same process as papier mache - but used silicon - the
stuff you use around the bath-tub.  It's certainly water-proof.
I painted the silicon on with a brush (rather than dipping)
and layered the dome. I also painted a finish coat of silicon.
   It dried well, but maintained a little flexibility which I like.
Next problem was the gold colour - to look like real gold.
I decided to try a metalic gold car spray paint. It adhered
to the silicon and canvas - and is also quite water-proof.
  With good drying time between coats, and several sprays
later, I am now the proud owner of an "onion" style dome
for the centre of my Byzantine pavilion roof.
   (I tested the water-proofness by setting the sprinkler on
it overnight - was perfect).  I've also sewn a quilted carry bag
for my creation - all this effort shouldn't be damaged.  :-))
   Hope this inspires someone else.
         My regards,    Zhenia

  **Three candles that illume every darkness:
           - truth, nature, knowledge.**



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