Project by Ileana Rodriguez from Raleigh, N.C.
Ileana uses good ol' household materials and easy-to-find art/craft supplies to make hanging bird mobiles. Although the design is vintage-inspired, this project can be adapted to fit any decor or living space by changing the colors or embellishments that are added to the hanging birds.
Materials:
two 12"-14" long strips of flat, lightweight wood (chopsticks)
wood glue
lightweight twine, fishing wire, or dental floss
spray paint or craft paint
small clamp
2 small pieces scrap cardboard
hole punch
scissors
pencil
clear craft glue
hot glue gun and glue sticks
2 pieces card stock
several 12" x 12" sheets printed paper
sequins
1/4" colored dot stickers
Steps:
1. Paint the two pieces of wood on both sides. Let them dry completely.
2. Apply a small dab of wood glue to the center of each piece of wood. Connect the wood pieces in an "X" shape, and clamp them together to dry. Wedge the small pieces of scrap cardboard in between the wood and the clamp (one piece on each side) to keep the paint from being scraped off. Let the wood glue dry completely. Remove the clamp and pieces of scrap cardboard.
3. Wrap the middle of a length of string over and around the "X" shape several times, and then tie the two ends together in a strong knot. This is how you will hang the mobile.
4. Draw or trace two bird body shapes onto one of the pieces of card stock, making one of the birds larger than the other. On the other piece of card stock, trace two sets of wing shapes, also making one of the wings larger than the other. Cut the bird body and wing shapes out of the card stock. These are your templates.
5. Trace the bird body and wing shapes onto your paper. You want to make four large birds and four small birds. If you are using paper that is printed on one side, cut eight large birds and eight small birds. If you are using paper that is printed on both sides, cut four large and four small birds.
6. Using the wing shape template, trace the wings onto your paper. You want to make four large sets of wings and four small sets of wings. Again, if you are using paper that is printed on one side, cut eight large and eight small wings. If you are using paper that is printed on both sides, you only have to cut four large and four small wings.
7. Glue two pieces of the body shape together to make a double-sided bird shape. Repeat this step seven more times. When you're finished, you'll end up with four completed large birds and four completed small birds.
8. Do the same with the wing shapes--glue two together and then repeat with the other large wing pieces and small wing pieces. When you are finished, you will have four large birds with matching large wings and four smaller birds with their own matching wings.
9. Use the hole punch to make a hole at the top of each of the bird bodies. Make the hole close to where the neck and body meet. Make a hole at the bottom of the small bird bellies ONLY, too. This is where you will attach the small birds to the large birds so they can hang together.
10. Thread a piece of string through the hole, and tie a knot. Do this to each of the bird body shapes.
11. Lightly fold a wing shape in half, and run a thin line of glue down the crease. Quickly attach it to the body of the bird, covering the hole and knot. Make sure the string is placed so that it comes out of the front of the wing, at the top where the wing and body meet.
12. Fold the wing shape over slightly, and make a light crease at the top so the wing hangs down over the sides of the bird.
13. Repeat seven more times so each of the birds are given wings.
14. Give the birds eyes by placing a small colored dot sticker onto each of the bird heads.
15. Equally space six or seven sequins on each side of each wing. If you want, you also can place sequins on the bottoms of the wings.
16. Attach each of the large birds to a smaller bird by threading the string through the hole in the bottom of the small bird belly. Tie a knot to secure it and then trim the excess.
17. Attach one string of bird to each of the sides of the mobile hanger's "X" shape. Tie a secure knot and trim the excess string.
Website: www.indiaromeo.com
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