I Don't Do Cute!

I really had to get something done for my next workshop (just to take along as another sample, not for them to make) so I decided to cover a bird box I had bought from Paddy a few weeks ago. Bought, I might add, with the intention of painting it - ah well, it is now covered in clay.

These bird boxes come in several different shapes and Paddy will order them for you (0161 798 5115) if you want to have a go at making one similar to mine above. They really are quite easy to cover in clay (Makins Air Dry is what I used as this is what Paddy sells at the moment) but you could always paint one if you wanted.

1. First of all I painted it all over with black acrylic paint. Not necessary but at the time I was worried some bits might show through. Here below is how I covered it - I used my pasta machine but it is not necessary as you can roll the clay out to different thicknesses.

2. Roll out the clay to pasta machine setting #2 (my thickest setting is #1).

3. Cut one long and one short edge (about 5 cm x 10 cm on the one I decorated) and put on one side of the roof. Makins will adhere to the wood so no need for glue and things.

4. Trim (this is a bit like marzipanning a cake).

5. Repeat with the other side but this time SLIGHTLY ANGLE ONE SHORT EDGE - this meets the top point.

6. Texture - I used a Tanda Stamp from the Klimt borders.

7. Roll out a larger piece of clay to a more square shape that will cover the front of the bird box (still on pasta machine setting #2) and place over front of house.

8. Gently push to fit. Remember fingers are your best tools. Use anything you have to push into the point of the roof gently. I used a simple pencil along with my fingers. Trim off excess on sides and placing palette knife up to roof push gently to cut into shape.

9. By gently feeling you can find the hole in the centre. Cut an X and begin slicing away with a craft knife. Smooth edge with fingers and along joins. Texture as before.

The picture above shows the rubber stamp being pressed down to achieve the texture.

10. Cover sides in a similar manner, pieces being approx 6.50 cm x 3.50 cm. I always texture after adding each piece as it helps with the joins when each piece of clay has been added.

11. For underneath the eaves I rolled a long sausage, flattened it, put it through the pasta machine, this time on setting #4. I put a piece on 7 cm long and then another similar piece at the base of the eaves 1.50 cm x 4.50m cm.

12. Roll another sausage the same thickness, flatten as before and cut to 14 cm and fix to front outside edge, wrapping around and continuing under the eaves at the side. Repeat on the other side.

13. Cut a strip (this time setting #5) 2.25 cm x 7.50 cm and put inside the hole (I left the back painted black). Smooth with your fingers to make a nice join and then texture.

14. Roll out clay thinly (setting #5) and cut tiny circles (I used a cake icing cutter), putting one circle at the top and then cutting each in half and affixing to edge of roof. You might need to put a drop of water on the back of these to make sure they stick.

15. Decorate as desired. I put some acrylic paint on mine to try to make it look weathered (the one outside on the tree in our garden is a kind of nil green), made some tiny flowers and a little bird. I also cut a tiny piece of bamboo (skewer), painted it brown and adhered it with some Glossy Accents.

I hope you enjoyed this and will have a go at making one yourself - it is good fun doing it. Just remember if you use Makins Clay that it cannot be put outside or you will end up with a sludgy mess.