And the story continues...
This is the second piece I completed during doll class. Because we did not have a specific direction, ex: make a clown, there were no requirements to fulfill. After the initial introduction to the process it was up to us to create. My starting off point was the metal box containing book pages. BFF is always on the lookout for interesting items and the box came from her. At one point I took a torch to it to see what would happen, with the end result being that the paint was removed and leaving it a nice gray color. I worked the body of the bird around the box which determined the size. Through slides and handouts the class was introduced to many makers in the doll maker realm and the idea of the bird was loosely adapted from this information. Where the body base is newspaper, the head is solid clay. Our class was stationed next to the pottery building so we had access to the heat box, which is a large wooden, shelved box with heaters enclosed. Everyone in the class made many, many trips, waiting not so patiently for our pieces to dry. Without access to the heat box we would not have had the ability to complete more than one piece.
The nesting material , dyed wool, used in the bird cage atop the head, was found in the grass near the fiber building. It was something I did not know I needed but was ideal for this application.
Digging around in my stash I found what I thought was the perfect item for his leg. It had a nice height and a flat base for the "foot". Body completed, head attached, hole drilled for metal rod placement...dry run...and it quickly toppled over. Weight distribution off. No matter how I adjusted the head, it was not going to stand on its foot. ( Not to mention that the round disc had a pretty good amount of play seeing how it was a wheel in its former live...hum, we will deal with that later...) The base had to be wider. I headed over to the wood shop to dig around in their trash pile but no luck. I popped my head in the bowl turning class and was greeted with enthusiasm when I explained my dilemma. There were 3 lovely gentlemen who discussed, drilled, stained, and glued the wheel tight to get my bird standing tall. It was a joyful moment, people working together for no other reason than to create. When I look at this piece I think of them and smile.
Our winter has been dreary, full of cloudy days and rain, but March is just around the corner and with it sun and warmth. Both my body and creativity will welcome the positive shift. Until then I will just settle into my nest with some yarn, staying cozy.
Peace,
Hilari
