Here's a new silver birdie that I've just finished which was inspired from my cartooning class. He's called "Jump for Joy!"
In my class we were looking at expressions and all my drawings of birds had open beaks as it's difficult to show expression on a shut beak. But I'd never done an open beak in metal clay before - so why not give it a try?
Add to that that my cartooning teacher is always trying to get me to create wings that look more feathery or at least fingerly and thus we got an open beak and open wings to show off his finger feathers.
Yes - there also seems to be an element of surprise in the little guy - so I think someone or somebird has just told him some wonderful news. What do you think? I'm off to my cartooning class this afternoon so I'll take him along and see what my teacher thinks!
And for all you Joy's out there - how great that people will jump for you!
Our parrot Harold loves to watch childrens television in the morning. We allow him one hour of PBS Kids programing on Mondays through Fridays so he watches Curious George first and then Sid the Science Kid (and yes, he is sad on the weekends, coz they don't play then!).
He just loves all the noises - especially the high pitched ones - and joins in squalking and singing and strutting around his cage.
So I am in and out of the kitchen when these are playing - but of course, not watching them! However, I away seem to hear Sid the Science Kid sing this one song...... Every morning, when he gets to school and is in the playground he "sings":
"I'm looking for a friend.... I'm looking for YOU!"
and each time, he finds a friend! Good old Sid.
This latest bird that I made is also looking for a friend. He's a big bird - 2 inches from tip of beak to tail - much bigger than I normally make - and I think he's looking for YOU!
I haven't named him yet... maybe he should be Sid? What do you think?
Oh, Oh. Look what I found - Sid's song on Youtube! Now you can all see!
As I was talking to my nephew on the phone the other day, he mentioned he had seen Wallace the woodpecker on my facebook page...so I told him I had a song sparrow to add too...but didn't have a name for him.....so Peter came up with "Sam" - so here is Sam the song sparrow.
Many sparrows don't get much attention as they are a little drab in color... but on close inspection, they do have lovely markings and they sing with such a sweet voice. Here's a little sample:
Remember my "birds with words" series I did recently? Will this piece is a little different as the gift bearer gets to write their own words.
I've created a little bird who holds a message. He's designed to sit at your desk or bedside and the person who gives the birdie, writes their own little message on the roll of paper inside. It can be anything you want - but it is a lovely reminder for the recipient of your feelings towards them.
So it's a gift for anyone. Male or female, friend or lover or colleague.....whomever! You make it appropriate to that person with your own message.
A friend recently commissioned me to make a bird feeder necklace for her friend. I just finished it this week. I've made one very similar in style to this which is what she had seen but this time changed the birds a little bit.
I have one myself that I wear alot - and it always gets lots of comments.
As I haven't shown you a little video in a while, I thought I'd add this short youtube of feeding the birds. In this case, someone is hand feeding hummingbirds! Great idea! I want a go!
What do you think? Could you hold still long enough?
This blog tells you the stories behind my silver and aluminum creations - namely: why the design came to me; what inspired me; what story is connected to the piece; how the piece starts a new story etc. The stories add so much more to the piece and continue to develop as the piece goes to it's new owner.
I also tell you a little about my life in the wine country of Sonoma County, California and my husband writes once a month about what is happening in our vineyard that month.
I hope you'll come back regularly. I look forward to your comments.
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