Wicker Lantern - session 3

After three sessions together, the group, lead brilliantly by Vic at Paper Village, had covered one bird in white paper which meant that the lantern was ready for decoration. Vic had us paper cutting discs of tissue paper which were then glued onto the bird.

Vic is the queen of paper cutting - check this one out...   

Then we set to work covering Mildred; a very sticky business.

More fun awaits us tomorrow...for now, rest....

Wicker birds - part 2

Bird suspended and being strengthened with
grip ties at the joints!

Shake your tail feathers - but not these ones which have been strengthened and fortified!

I'm looking forward to joining Vic and the rest of the lovely volunteers this Sunday - Vic, at Paper Village, has a way of pulling together a great bunch of creative folk!

Wicker Birds - lanterns part 1

Vic at Paper Village has got involved in making three lanterns for the Bedminster Paper Lantern Parade, December 8th 2012, and needed a team of volunteers to help make and decorate the lanterns. I happily volunteered and we had our first session today.

The bird designs were waiting and after Vic gave us a quick intro we set to work, taping, bending, shaping and sticking, forming 3D shapes from lengths of willow.

Top tip - make sure you can get your shapes out of the room you are building it in! 

Here are the pics of the birds in their cage like shapes, in construction and hanging safely out of the way in the shop.

Working from a plan we tried to make the 1D 3D

Creating the 3D shapes with rings of bound willow

Giving Mildred (we named her!) some support!

Birdy 2, fine details stuck in place

The body of bird 3

Bird 2 gets a fashion shot - I love the framework shadow

Mildred takes to the air...

UP they go, out of the way

UP they go, out of the way

UP they go, out of the way - detail

Looks a bit Alien and pod-like from this view

Mildred flies....

Can't wait until the next session, paper and decoration starts!

To whet your appetite have a gander at the pics from last years' parade here, courtesy of Mark Simmons Photography.

Mark Simmons Photography

More birds with houses

Paper from Paper Village in Bristol

Handmade paper from Paperchase, bird from Paper Village

Here's the link to a tutorial on these houses and a thanks again to Claire Leggett for the idea.Click here for template

Paper bird house pattern

Last year I posted about these paper birdhouses, here, inspired by the project on artist Claire Legget's blog here.

I made another one recently for a friend's birthday and I had to remind myself of the dimensions etc...so I've made a pattern including dimensions for all the pieces. Claire gives instructions on her blog at the link above.

my latest paper birdhouse

Now you can have a go too!