DIY Hanging Tailor Bird's Nest
Introduction: DIY Hanging Tailor Bird's Nest
Spring is here!
Flowers are blooming and baby birds are chirping!
In this tutorial, we will look at how to make a Tailor bird's nest!
I don't know too much about this bird, but I saw its' nest and was just in awe of God's beautiful design!
The Tailor Bird makes its nest out of leaves and sews them with little bits of string or twigs it finds.
Let's get started!
Supplies
Polymer clay (I am using Super Sculpy)
Sculpting tools you feel comfortable with
Wool or fabric scraps
Loose random pieces of string
White glue/hot glue
Aluminum foil
Paint brush
Metal mesh
Sculpting wire
Needle and thread
Acrilic paint
Step 1: Starting the Leaf
Let's get started with the leaf!
To get the structure of the leaf, I bought this metal mesh at a local Hobby Lobby, and cut out a sheet then, started to form it in the shape I was happy with. Make sure you have plenty of room for the baby birds you will be adding.
Next, grab your sculpting wire and shape it to the back of the leaf. Then, with your needle and thread, start to "sew" the sculpting wire into the back of the mesh leaf. I don't know if this is the best way to do this, but it ended up working well.
Please note that the thread will NOT ignite with fire in the oven. Most polymer clay is baked at a low enough temp that it will not ignite.
Step 2: Covering the Leaf With Clay
Now let's just cover the whole leaf with clay inside and out, and smooth it out as much as possible.
I also added some thin strips of clay around the edges, and then shaped and blended till I was happy with it.
Step 3: Adding More Detail to the Leaf
Let's start off by adding some of the veins.
I added another snake of clay on top if the sculpting wire, just to give it a little more depth.
To do the other veins that stick out from it, I rolled out a few thin snakes that came to a nice point at the end, and then placed, and blended in on the leaf.
Also, now is a good time to make the stem. 177
Just add a nice tear drop shape, blend, and then add a hole!
For some more details, I just took one of my tools and cut some smaller lines next to the bigger lines to give it some more veins.
Then shape the sides and add some holes for the string to go through.
One thing I learned while threading the holes, was it is much better to make the holes bigger than smaller. Otherwise, you might have a tough time threading them..
Oh! Now you can bake according to your package instructions!
Step 4: Onto the Baby Birds!
I really struggled with this part...
It took me 4 tries and I still didn't get the perfect look or size I was looking for.
My advice to you is to just keep trying!
Now, back to the birds!
Start by making a small ball of aluminum foil.(it makes the bird lighter and saves your clay)
Then wrap your clay around and blend till you are happy with the size. (I personally think I made mine a bit too small) Now start to pinch out a little tail and add a small mound for his head.
Next, pinch out a nice triangle shape and blend in on the head for the beak.
For the wings, I looked up a reference photo to try and get them as close as possible.
I rolled out a thin snake, shaped out the wings, and blended the insides in.
Step 5: Finishing the Birds
Now, let's add some more detail!
I took one of my sharper tools and started cutting out a nice feather pattern on the wings.
Also added some different textures to the back and stomach. You can experiment and see what you like best.
Add eyes, by rolling out small balls and placing them close to the beak on the head. For eyelids, roll out a very thin snake, wrap around the eyes and gently blend in.
Now for the fluff!
To make the fluff, I just took a sharp tool and swirled it on the clay and what I got from that, was a nice fluff that you can place in bits on the birds head, and around the neck.
I didn't worry about adding feet, because it would just be covered.
Add any other details you would like, then bake to your package instructions.
Also, I made 2 of these,but one was just a little bit fluffier. 987