Three birds make a garland

dc124: garland

There's a flock of flat paper birds laying to dry inside large heavy books stacked on the floor by my work table. They were to be a garland of birds in the end. But they will have to stay for awhile longer inside the books I'm afraid...for while waiting for them to dry, I came across a picture in a magazine that turned my world upsidedown.

I'd been leafing through a magazine while waiting in the lineup at the craft store, and came across a picture that made my stomache leap and my heart thump at the same time. This picture was everything that I could have ever dreamed of, or imagined, but didn't. Some one else did. I thank them with all that I have to give in the way of happy gratitude. This person connected dots for me; my dots; that have been bouncing around inside of my brain for longer than I admit and with nowhere to go but to continue bouncing. So my garland offering for this drawing challenge will be my version of what I saw in the magazine. I put together three birds which will make my garland. They hang from a swath of old crochet.

Yes, they are unfinished in the photo, but time is of the constraint. I'm showing you their bones (or armature) because the next step is something I've never done before, and if I screw it up my birds are toast. The next step is to coat them in wet plaster, applied with a palette knife (I'll know better when I get to it.)

Meanwhile, here is my list of dots that were inside of my head:
1. Using rose thorns as beaks.
2. Using nails as beaks (I'd not thought of spines yet.)
3. Using a metal hanging hook at the top of the bird that was connected inside to the feet/legs of the bird.
4. Using beads as eyes.
5. Using a cardboard weight chunk of paper inside of the bird shape where the metal bits are attached to make a mini armature. This is the absolute necessary step for my fairy birds which I've been making for years.
6. Using an acorn cap for a hat.
7. Stuffing the bird with soft fibre fill.
8. Putting sparkle on the bird.
9. Having a quote or word, either on the outside of the bird, or tucked into the inside. Every doll, bird, or thing I've ever made has a word or something on or in it. I cannot stand the idea that something that is real (it comes alive as I construct it) would have an empty head or heart or soul. (cue the spooky music) These birds have the words, love, faith, and gratitude inside of their little bodies.
10. Having the wings tied on. I've not done it, but seen it done and had made a mental note to add to my bouncing dots inside of my head.
11. Using plaster of paris. I've had a 25-lb. box of dental plaster (which I purchased for use in making molds) sitting around here for at least ten or more years. BUT I DID NOT THINK EVER, OF USING PLASTER OF PARIS ON THE BIRD ITSELF APPLIED FREELY ON THE OUTSIDE. This is not my idea and is the crucial turning point in my being able to connect all of the above dots together. I thank Debra Smith, whole heartedly for her talent and original art form. And, for giving instructions in the magazine. This year I did think of making snowmen and sewed an armature of stuffed fabric from upholstery samples, and had planned to cover it with paper strips for a paper mache 'look' that is described in the next point (12), but my daughter, when I showed her the armatures and described what I wanted to do with them, asked me about what would happen if mold occurred inside. It stopped me dead in my tracks.
12. I love the look of these birds but am going to take it a step further. For this point number 12, I have been wanting to create paper mache birds with the newspaper or strips of paper from old books showing clearly on the outside of the bird, and with tiny black dots for eyes. So I will be coating the plaster with an outside layer of paper strips and then perhaps a dusting of snow glitter, and I will have successfully (I hope) connected all of these bouncing dots inside of my head.
13. Of course you know that the absolute final step in the making of my birds, is that each bird will get 'banded' with its' own number. I am up to the 130s or thereabouts now.

While I was putting together these birds, I came across this (refer to point number 3 above) which is about three years old and has been banging around in my sewing basket all of that time, and has now lost the original shine of the chicken wire and taken on a dull patina. I never threw it out because I knew some day I'd be able to figure out how to use it. I had faith. Three years later...ta da!

Who is responsible for this drawing challenge fun? Nadine, of course! It was she that took on the role of host and given us this wonderful theme of 'garland.' Thank you friend! If you want to visit the folk who participated in this week's challenge, just pop over to tiny WOOLF where you'll be linked. Thank you for visiting today, and I hope to see you again soon. Norma, x

Hanging out on the chandelier

Well that is it! Finally. The birds have been operated on and I am ready to move on. Boy I will not be sad to see these babes leave the nest. And you will probably be glad to not have to listen to my banter about them.

There is always one bird that I keep from a batch (either it is a good sample reference for myself, or for many differing reasons) and this black one will be staying with me.

And now it is time for a little studio clean up and then on with something completely different. I'm itching to paint or draw. I do plan to start a new batch of very RED birds for Valentines' Day but will give myself a break for a few days, and I promise I won't show and tell birds for awhile.

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope to see you again soon! *smiles* Norma, x

Shimmy Shimmer Shake

The brain surgery on the wee birds went well. I was able to save 8 of the batch and had to say good bye to 4 of them. Here the pink bird is getting his final coat of shimmer. A cap of pink. In the background is a selection of new sparkle that my daughter put into my Christmas stocking this year. Here is what he looked like when complete. As you can see this is bird number 116. I just keep going with the numbers...

Here he's stands inside my velvet box of glitter where he feels mighty majestic.

I'll finish off the rest of the birds now. Some will go to neighbours and friends and family, and I'll put three aside as a giveaway for the wonderful one-of-a-kind International Blogwide Art Event which is coming up and hosted by the lovely Lisa. See you there I hope. I'll be amongst the hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of bloggers, visiting from one artist blog to the other...

Thanks for dropping by today; we'll see you soon, I hope...hugs, Norma, x

Birdbrain Surgery

Last month I started a new batch of birds which I'd planned to give to friends, family and neighbours. I laboured for weeks over these. When I'd reached the stage of wrapping the beaks I realized that the birds were completely unuseable and were destined for the trash bin. They lay silently for a few weeks while I scrambled to purchase some of the gifts to replace them, and make completely new things that I'd not originally planned for this year.

So now today, with the hustle and bustle quietened down I went back to the pile of birds. Out of desperation, I'm attempting brain surgery and this just may well work. I have started on the pink one as it is a special birdie for a special friend which I will see at month's end. So far so good.

But look at the operating table. It is a book I got yesterday from my daughter as a Christmas present. I can barely wait to get started drawing birds again. It's been a few months since I've done that. Now that I have this brilliant book that gives lessons, I am thrilled to dig in. But bird drawing will have to wait upon brain surgery on a dozen wee birds.

Hope you are all having a swell time. See you soon, I hope, love Norma, x

Birds have flown...

I've completed the birds and they are off to the store to eventually live with their new owners. My daughter who is a great photographer, shot these images:







You can see that each bird has its' own number and also a word of inspiration. Now I am ready to begin an altered rolodex card swap. I am so excited about this idea.

One, Two, Three Birds

On my workdesk (well I'm working on the library table presently) are birds, birds, birds.


I showed my birds to a store owner (consignment) and she placed an order for 24 birds on the spot. I've 10 days to make them!


See the fluff on the table in front of them. Those are the armatures of birds. You can imagine they take hours and hours to make.


I make them because I love them. Each has a quote for inspiration, such as: Fulfillment is found in daily life; and, Every moment is an opportunity; and, I am ready for life's surprises. These quotes are on the body but each bird always has a number with a separate word of inspiration that are hanging from the leg. It's my artsy version of 'banding.'

Well thanks for popping in! *smiles* Norma

To see more fabby worktables filled with wonderful things go here!

Bird Construction Zone

On my worktable (ahem! I mean my daughter's dining room table) is the panorama that is bird making in progress!
This pink robin is awaiting a coat of black paint on its' beak; then a light sprinkling of silver acrylic. AND the all important coating of glitter along its' back. Then it'll be banded (number of bird) and will be ready to fly! Well, after the legs get a coat of something that will cover the yellow string and shiny metal, and a hanging thread strung, that is...



Cut, sew, glue, cut, sew, glue, cut, sew, glue...



An early starling joins the fray! Each bird gets its' own armature!!



I am so excited! I finally scrunched up enough nerve to contact a retail outlet to see if they might be interested in selling my birds...and they want to meet me to see them in person. I'm nervous and excited all at once. So I am in full on bird making mode. BUT MY DAUGHTER GETS BACK TOMORROW! (Can you hear the pounding timbal in the background? No, wait, that is my heart!) Time to clean up!

Thanks for dropping by! *smiles* Norma

To see more fabulous artists who show us what is on their workdesk today, drop in here!

A Flock of Seagulls

Make that one seagull, one starling, one dove (use your imagination~he's generic), and two house sparrows.






What's wrong with these pictures! EVERYTHING! And that is why they made it to this post. Because today is 'Failure Friday!' I came across this post and just loved it so. This very day I'd planned on saving some failures in my bag; and so timing is everything here. In actual fact, I've already 'saved' a lot of what is wrong but I keep giving away the birds I make so never have any on hand. First, all beaks get a kiss of silver or gold acrylic. I mean a 'kiss.' All eyes are no longer a seed bead because they roll over. Now I use bugle beads that have a flat plane to rest on. And I've developed a technique for construction so that the eyes don't have to go through the ordeal of being manipulated through a sewing machine phase. Believe me they don't want to have to go through the sewing machine phase. The best 'save' is the seagull feet. I was originally (this is my very first prototype in fact) going for feet that kind of bend back (you know how pathetic bird feet are of deceased birds? The kind that pull your heartstrings) but these are ridiculous. I wanted some bulk in the legs so wrapped them in fabric. Forget that noise. I've figured out the feet on my birds.
Each bird I make has a number (like on real birds who are banded with a metal ring on their leg) as well as a word or two of 'inspiration' such as JOY or LOVE, etc. These are inspirational birds after all. I painstakingly hammered the metal letters to spell the word on used aluminum can metal. Forget it; they break in two in no time at all (by the way for folk who are reading this who have received one of my birds as a gift, I apologize for the breakage; if it's happened to your bird). Now I am going to try banding them with paper. It's a work in progress let's just say.
The glitter is heavy and rubbing bare in some places. Wrong kind of glue. I've got that sorted too! And that dove? Skinny as a rail. Maybe he is not a dove after all. We'll have to see.

So there can be a lot wrong with one's art. Someone once said something like: "Art is just figuring out problems." I like that.

Thanks for dropping by! *smiles* Norma

p.s. for those wondering when their birds will arrive; know I haven't forgotten you!