Alyice on December 6th, 2009

How To Make Folk Art Bird Ornaments

I had so much fun creating beautiful bird ornaments last month that I decided to make some more this month. Only this time, instead of going with an understated look of elegance, I opted for a folk art look.

I just love the way they came out! I even added 20 multi-colored threads at the base of some birds, making the dangly very full and robust.

Supplies:

Strathmore Paper for Acrylics or Watercolor or Strathmore Canvas Paper
Scratch or photocopy paper
Stencil
White Gesso
Paints: acrylic, watercolor, or oil (your preference)
Paintbrushes
Kramar® non-yellowing varnish—for sealing
Aleene’s Jewel-It®—for gluing
Fine tip permanent marker
Scissors
Hole punch
We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile™ Eyelet & Snap Punch
Eyelets
Yarn or ribbon for hanging
Embroidery needle
Embroidery thread
Black moveable “wiggle wiggle” craft eyes
Miniature bells and/or beads
Seam ripper
Self-healing craft mat

Instructions:

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Paint a sheet of Strathmore paper with gesso.
Let dry.
Paint the paper. Don’t worry about creating a distinct look, go for abstract. Add various shapes and doodles. Blend the colors together, or create distinct lines and curves.
Let dry.
Use scratch paper to sketch out a bird.
Cut out the bird sketch to create a template.
Trace the template onto the backside of your painted paper.
Cut out the bird.
Punch a hole in the top of the bird.
Use the Crop-A-Dile™ to insert an eyelet into the hole.
Place bird onto self-healing mat.
Use the seam ripper to punch a hole into the middle part of the bird’s tail. Make sure hole is 1/4 inch from edge of bird.
Continue to punch holes around the entire bird, spacing holes about 1/4 inch apart; closer if you like smaller stitches.
Thread embroidery needle.
Coming up from back of bird, place threaded needle into the hole at the middle of the bird’s tail, leaving 1/2 inch of thread hanging out of back of hole.
Find the next hole, and place the threaded needle into the hole, going back into the back of the bird.
Continue this stitching motion until the entire bird has been stitched.
When you reach the end of the bird, use the remaining thread, with the 1/2 inch thread you left hanging, to tie a double knot. Then cut off any hanging thread.
Take the bird outside and spray a thin coat of varnish over the entire bird.
Let dry.
Use Jewel-It ® to glue the eye into place.
Let dry.
Use the seam ripper to poke a hole in the bottom of the bird; aligning the hole directly below the brand and the bottom stitch.
Use your scrap thread to create a dangly. Thread needle with a few strands of thread, then pull the needle through the hole. Once the thread is through the hole, pull the ends together so that they are even.
Holding that thread, at the hole, with your pointer finger and thumb, pull through your second batch of thread and make ends even. Continue adding thread, in this manner, until you have desired look.
Once all thread has been pulled through the hole, grab the two sections and tie a knot at the base of the bird.
Pick a single strand of thread, from the dangly, to add the miniature bell. Thread the strand through the miniature bell, leaving 1/2 inch of thread at the end. Tie a knot to hold the bell into place, and let it hang.
Sign and date the back of the bird.
String ribbon through the top hole and tie into a bow or knot.
Sign your Christmas greeting card, insert the bird ornament, address envelope, and affix it with the proper postage.

Now your friends and family will receive a nice surprise and you’ll have turned the boring task of sending Christmas cards into something fun and festive!

Keep Creating

P.S.

When you cut out the birds, the sides will be white–or whatever color your original paper is. You can easily color the sides by running an ink pad alongside the bird, or by placing a latex glove on your hand, then dipping your pointer finger into paint and running your finger alongside the bird.

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Comments (4)

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Gena says:
They are gorgeous!! Love the ‘black” stitching effect!! … I really needd to get into crafting more ….
Posted at 1:59 am December 7th, 2009
Alyice says:
Thanks for the sweet comment. Let me know if you try them, they’re so fun!
Posted at 10:38 am December 7th, 2009
Opal Baker says:
I just found out that i won your twitter giveaway for the 25th RT.Thank you so much.I follow you on twitter as opalbaker.I am emailing you my mailing address.I am so thrilled to have won.Thank you again.
Posted at 3:12 pm December 7th, 2009
Alyice says:
Opal, you are welcome. I emailed you back. Just let me know from the choices I gave which one you want and I’ll mail one out.
Posted at 5:00 pm December 7th, 2009

AlyiceEdrich.com
I'm a mixed media artist and freelance writer. Need web content? Want to commission or license art? Let's Talk.

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All material on this blog belongs to Alyice Edrich, unless otherwise noted. No project, artwork, or text may be reproducted without the consent of the creator. That includes making derivative works for resale. Please use project tutorials for personal use and/or gifts only.