Art Piece: Bird on a Branch

This bird and I are NOT the best of besties. But I am growing fond of him. I named him Louie.

I don't know why.  I just did.

Louie has been an idea in my head for a long time.  And I do like creating art pieces from time to time.  I like using mixed media but you can always find felt, fabric or maybe yarn on something I make that is geared toward the artistic. But this is more in the category of a craft fail for me. Louie just would not do what I wanted him to do.

But I decided to share it with you to give you can idea of some things that may go in my someday Etsy shop.  I have more sneak peeks to give you but I am discovering I am an AWFUL PERFECTIONIST. I am working on easing up a bit. Really, I am.

I really wanted to use a real stick but the hubs scared me when he told me it could break down over time.   Obviously, I wanted to make something I could sell.  So I decided to venture into paper mache (also a short life span...I think) where my knowledge is limited to childhood school projects designing a volcano with a balloon. But does this have me daunted?  NO!  I press on and continue in an area where I have ZERO knowledge.  But I was pleasantly surprised that the stick actually looked real after painting it.

Seriously, like a branch!

But...I did not account for stability.  And it broke.  Dang. So I glued it back together (it actually gave it a more realistic look...I celebrate the positives here) and decided to keep it for me as a pretty Spring mobile. The glue is holding it together but for how long is the question.  Call me a risk taker. But I will cry if it breaks again.
Louie is made of linen and I blanket stitched him closed and his eye is a pretty, little, green bead. The nest is actually made from cloth covered floral wire that I twisted into a nest.

 

I adore the leaves so much!  I fell in love with the fabric and the happy combination they make together.  Be warned:  You may see it again in the future. :) I sewed them together intentionally leaving the edges frayed for a shabbier look. I did the same when sewing the bird.  I stuffed Louie and the leaves for some dimension but they turned out larger then I hoped.

I would have had a tutorial if I had any idea what I was doing.  But I learned a lot from my mistakes, researched more about paper mache and I am excited to go back to the drawing board on this one.

The branch is strung with fishing line tied to a silver ring for hanging.  I actually tied it while I created the branch so the paper mache would make the fishing line part of the piece. It worked really well and seems invisible.

I wish this had turned out like I had envisioned but that is the fun of creating.  Sometimes you don't know what you will end up with but it is still worth it.

Wow. I just reread this post and it is incredibly boring. Sorry to post a snoozer. Hmmmm...how can I redeem it? Oh, here is something fun!!!!  The editor of the magazine I craft for went on a radio program, WTBN-570 AM radio last week and actually mentioned me with some incredibly nice words about me and this blog!  I was so overwhelmed and flattered.  And as I type these words I realize I never thanked her.  Must go do that right NOW. 

Hugs!

P.S.  Today is last day to enter the giveaway from Mama Jill Designs!