Luv Birds Art Project

These "Luv Birds" are made out of 3 - 4" gourds.  I've had these gourds for about a year and have been trying to decide what to make with them.  I came up with the bird design because they look like a bird shape to me, with the stem of the gourd as the beak.  They are kind of silly and fun - perfect for a kids art project.

I painted the entire gourd except for the stem with pearlized paint - but any acrylic paint would work. 

I used Crayola Model Magic orange air dry clay for the feet - just shape two small rounded triangles and put them right next to each other.  Press the gourd onto them sideways so that they will stand up on their own.  Usually the clay will just stick to the gourd, but you can also glue them on.

Clip the stem with scissors to the desired length and paint the beak.

Once the gourd is dry trace or draw a heart shape onto each side of the gourd for wings.  I used a fine point brush for the heart outline, then I used a toothpick dipped into paint to create all the dots which create patterns/flowers on and around the 'heart wings'.  Just have fun and play with different colors.  Go slow and allow the designs to dry before moving on to another color or the other wing.

I used a sharpie to create the eyes and then contrasting feathers were glued on for the tails.

Wouldn't they make a fun valentine for someone special?  They make me smile!

Embossed Foil Bird Wind Spinner

A fun and easy Spring or Summer Art project using embossing techniques.  

Materials:

Foil catering container lids - I found mine at a party store

Brass snap swivels # 12

Coated brass wire - Wal Mart craft section

Wood and shell asst. beads - value pack at craft store

Soft surface such as a catalog, magazine or newspaper

Scissors, markers, ball point pens, hole punch, bells (optional).

Use these foil catering lids to make the birds:

Create a bird pattern and trace it onto the foil lids, then cut out the bird.

Place the bird onto a soft surface like newspaper or a magazine etc.. and use a ball point pen to emboss designs into the foil.  Discuss different ways to create pattern and also if they want to make a realistic looking bird or a more abstract bird.  Different patterns should be used in the design of the bird.

 Using a hole punch or sharp instrument punch a hole in the top and bottom of the bird shape and attach the swivels.  Attach a section of coated wire to the swivels and add the beads and shells.  Create a loop by wrapping the wire around itself a few times and trim.  The bottom is created by looping the wire over the bottom bead and then wrapping the wire around itself and trimming.

Ready for display indoors or outdoors!