Elaborate board for a simple xiangqi set

Picked up this very basic xiangqi set for very little.

Simple wooden pieces ...

... but what wasn't clear from the listing is that the Chinese characters were made with a metallic paint. 

The board that came with the set is the bog standard paper board.

The fact that metallic paint was used for the characters on the pieces triggered the flow of creative juices .... how about making a really elaborate board with the paper board at its heart?

Step one is simply take a rectangular piece of plywood, considerably larger than the paper board.

Step 2: adding edges to the plywood.

Step 3: adding a second edge around the centre, where the paper board will be.

Step 4: getting slices of tree branches, and using those for the 'feet' of the final board.

Step 5: painting the entire board with copper paint.

Step 6: gluing the paper board on to the more and more elaborate board. 

Step 7: getting four metal dragon figurines.

Step 8: gluing the metal figurines in place in the four corners of the board.

Step 9: putting the pieces on the now-completed elaborate board.

What do you think?

Really pleased with it!