Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Li’l Birdie Mobile

Hello there, all the wonderful people! I know I’ve hibernated too long – given its summer, too! But honestly speaking, I really missed this wonderful place called Blogland, and here I am!
I took flight from here few weeks (or was it months!) ago as it was becoming more and more difficult to keep up the steady flow of posts and updates with a full-time job and all, but as time passed I realized that this was something that I really enjoy doing and couldn’t do without. The last straw was when some lovely ladies from the blogosphere wrote to me asking if was alright; and I instantly knew I had to be back to where I belonged. Thanks a lot for that gals!
Now about the bird mobile that the title speaks of. I love birds and mobiles – who doesn’t? So here’s what I made the other day – a birdie mobile!
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I always wanted to try my hand at clay modeling, but it all really started when I found some ready-to-use Paper Clay at a mart. Now I don’t know if its available in US as well, but its a great recycling idea and moulds well, too!
Here’s what you’ll need to make these beauties:
- paper clay (or any variant) – natural air-drying or oven drying
- skewers
- acrylic paints, varnish
- yarn of thread, needle
- glass pebbles (optional)
Here’s the cute birdies, in natural terracota hue
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The first attempt at moulding the birds was not quite bad, I’d say. They did turn out prettier as I went on. Remember to pierce a hole on their back all the way through their bottom when the clay is wet though, or you wouldn’t be able to thread them when dry.
I also made few pretty clay balls, and pierced a hole through them so I could knot them into the mobile, too.
Now, I love terracota pottery and all, but I had envisioned these birds in pastel colors, so I painted them white! Cute already!
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Love them in Sepia. Here’s how I set them to dry..on skewers and screw-drivers, no less!
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Once dried, I set upon to perform my favorite part – painting! You know how i go berserk with paints.. I forgot to take a pic of the colorful birds before threading them, but LOVED them. Here’s a shot of one of my fave birds:
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Once the colors have dried, thread the birds and clay balls in the yarn alternatively spaced by knots in between. I also stuck some glass pebbles in between in the technique shown here. Here’s a long shot of how it adorns a plain wall in the living room.
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I’m surely gonna make more of these cute things. So lovely!






15 comments:

farah said...

hi sonia welcome back and you always come with a bang. well great work this time too. the birds are cho chweet. great work. do hop across to my blog sometimes. would love to have your comments pouring in

Sonia said...

Farah, I admire just how well you make my day by commenting without fail. Thanks so much for that, on to your blog now!

CREATIVE KHADIJA said...

Its really smart idea.so good

Unknown said...

This is really gorgeous! You are very talented.

Bumblebee and Sophie said...

The way you painted the birds is so cute and whimsical! It would be so fun to see what other animals or shapes (snowflakes? apples?) you could mold to create a totally different feel to the project:-)

FineArtPainting said...

love this and as well as some of your other crafts here....

found you by digging into google images ... page after page...

help my readers find you more easily and do link up your tutorials here:
http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-tutorial-linky-party-9/

rose

Vijay said...

Here a friendly visit,

Hope u like my blog..

Pls do follow my blog if u really like it means..

Satya said...

hi sonia,

i chanced upon your blog ... i am amazed to see this lovely of yours ... u got such a beautifull space with lovely creations...my SIL is also a craft person and new to blogging i will tell her about for sure ...

if u get time do visit my blog

Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com

Unknown said...

such a creative and lovely blog!

following back from friday blog hop!

it's me,
vhen

http://shyvhen.blogspot.com

Haddock said...

Are they not kinda heavy (I mean the birds)

Sonia said...

@zeshuregi, Vhen, Tammy, Satya, MAubrey, Sophie, fineartpaintning: Thanks you so much for visiting and the sweet comments!
@Haddock: Clay is heavy so these birds are kinda on the heavier side..I used a high duty hook (l.5kgs) to hang the mobile..so far its doing well..

Surya Kiran Ganti said...

Nice Post.. Seems interesting..

Surya Kiran

S said...

the birds look soo cute!!

Val in the Rose Garden said...

Hi Sonia!

This is Val from Collecting the Moments. I realize that it's been two years since you asked for this tutorial, but I wanted to make sure you got it. Hope you are having a fantastic December!

http://goddesshobbies.blogspot.com/2009/04/butterfly-mobile-how-to.html

Christmas Blessings and happy New Year!!

Aparna said...

Hey there....
Can you pls tell me where can I find paper clay in bangalore???
Thanks a ton..

U are doing a wonderful job...

Aparna

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