Comments on: Paper Mache Bluebirds – A 7-Hour Gift Project

By: CONSTANZA LUCIA

CONSTANZA LUCIA — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:09:46 +0000

ES MUY LINDO EL TRABAJO, GRACIAS POR EL PASO A PASO, VOY A PRACTICAR LOS PAJAROS Y LES MOSTRARE EL RESULTADO.
GRACIAS.

By: Jonni

Jonni — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 04:32:59 +0000

Hi Addie. It’s good to hear from you again.

The clip idea sounds great. Wire bent so it would hold on to the pot, and also attached to the birds. Why not?

You might have missed my post “Paper Mache Bluebirds Revisited.” It went a lot faster with the paper mache clay and the stick I used to hold on to them so I could cover the entire bird the first go — without having to let them dry when I ran out of room to hold them. You could easily make lots for next Christmas. Someone suggested sticking a wire on the butterflies so they would go in pots, too…

Can’t wait to see that skeleton. I hope your move goes well, and you enjoy your new home.

By: addie

addie — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 02:19:25 +0000

jonni..
i have a few questions about these birds. could you make a foot-like clip to make them sit on an edge of a flower pot..im thinking ahead for gifts for christmas this year. also…do you think this would be an easier project with the paper mache clay? i cant wait to use that again. i have moved and all of my supplies are packed up in storage. when we get to our home i will post those pictures of my skeleton for you to see.
great butterflies..my girls will love making those with me when we start up again.

By: Jonni

Jonni — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:24:58 +0000

I do hope you’ll let us see your bird when it’s done!

By: Renee

Renee — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:03:26 +0000

Thank you so much for the great guidelines on papier mache. I am now in the process of making a small piece based on an antique bobble-head bird! I absolutely LOVE the oven idea! SO glad I found your blog!

By: Jonni

Jonni — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:56:26 +0000

To make them into ornaments, just get a short piece of wire and bend it in half to make a loop in the middle. Then spread out the two ends so you can tape the wire to the bird before the paper mache is added. It might be a bit tricky to find the spot for the hanger that lets the bird hang horizontally, but a little movement one way or another wouldn’t hurt anything.

Have fun.

By: Donnisha

Donnisha — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:03:58 +0000

How these be made in to an ornament? I would love to make these for my christmas ornament swap. Great job

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:46:15 +0000

Jonni:

Ran the Turkish through a translator. Essentially just saying thanks or thank you.

Love the bluebirds!!! Been looking for a piece of jewelry from a special person. Now I can make my handcrafted bluebirds more special.

Thanks for the detailed instructions.

By: Jonni

Jonni — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:50:07 +0000

Hi Priscilla. What a great idea for wedding invitations! I hope you let us see them when they’re done.

Verathane is found at hardware and paint stores. But if it’s easier to find acrylic matte varnish, go ahead and use it instead. Michael’s should have a finish that you could use – just tell them for a clear matte finish that will go over acrylic paint. In fact, you don’t absolutely have to have any type of finish if you use acrylic paint for the birds. The paint itself holds up well to handling, and they don’t need to be waterproof.

By: Priscilla Aguilera

Priscilla Aguilera — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:47:13 +0000

Hi! First I want to tell you that I absolutely adore your bluebirds. My fiance and I had been looking high and low online for ideas for an invitation to our wedding that would not involve the conventional card and envelope format. It occured to me to make yellow birds (part of our theme) and tie to them a rolled up “message” with our invitation in it, then mail the package to our guests as an invitation/favor. When I found your website I decided paper mache birds would be the way to go, so for the last couple of days I’ve been working on making the paper mache yellow birds. I’m now at the final stage of some of the birds, adding the beak and eye details, and I’ve gone to the store to look for “verathane”. I haven’t had any luck at the local michael’s, so I went online to research the stuff. It seems it’s a brand of wood varnishes, so I’m guessing I’d have more luck finding it at a home repair store. However, I’m still wondering specific what kind of verathane varnish did you use? Thank you SO much! You’ve already been so much help with your wonderfully clear instructions.