Ships, Folk Art, and Whimsey in Bottles

This is a bead winder built in a blown bottle purchased from Pier 1. The winder has a base plus four levels with wood arms crossing eachother on each level. There are alternating red and blue tassels hanging from each arm of the cross pieces on each level. The tiers are connects with antique mercury beads strung on threads and passing through each arm to form a diamond shape between the tiers. The beads are double beads of red, silver and blue giving a striking colorful pattern. The final crossarm comes to the top of the bottle with virtually no clearance. It is held in place by a costumed tapered wood stopper with a large ball mounted on the top outside the bottle. Under the base and inside the bottle is written one of the base pieces: "Greg Alvey" and on the other base piece: "2012 KY."