Fingerbobs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLjLB1Hijvw

I had a blast from the past which reminded me of the birds i've been making.

European stonechat

I've become a birdwatcher, its official! I got really excited yesterday as i walked up the dunes we live on in Perranporth, i spotted what i thought was a bullfinch. So ran home, grabbed my camera and went back to the spot i spied him. (I presume he is a he as he was protecting a female and a nest). I used the zoom lens on my Canon 400D and managed to get loads of shots of the bird, shot home and looked in my book. It wasn't a bullfinch as it had a white patch beneath its black capped head. I went on the web and found a brilliant site www.birdguides.com
(and joined) which showed a local find of a European stonechat. It is a beautiful little bird and really tuneful.

Robson + Mason Haberdashery

This blog has some great links and thoughts.
http://www.robsonandmason.blogspot.com/

How cute?

Peanut bunnies by makeitawesome at http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=5035975

Jen Renniger

Jen Renniger

http://www.pleasebestill.blogspot.com/

Just a beautiful blog with georgeous pictures. She has posted a picture a day, take a look.

Ann Woods georgeous birds

http://annwood.net/blog/

My current work

Inspired by the abundance of wildlife that visits my garden, i have took time out to really observe the birds that feast in my hawthorn tree, discovering the characteristics and personalities of the various species and the individuals that return day after day. The one legged seagull that gets bullied by all the others but still manages to survive, has been named 'stumpy' original and possibly very personal but he really doesn't seem to mind as long as he gets fed. The laid back crows that saunter along the fence and then just help themselves regardless of who is about. The theiving magpies that tend to frighten everything else away (except the doves and crows), such beautiful creatures but really mean, they know our dog's feeding time and sit on the fence until Mac takes a break and walks away then they dive down, fill up and return until they've stolen it all. The little Dunnocks prefer to feed from the ground and tend to come around mid-morning when everyone else has been and gone, so i put seeds and friut out for them, occasionally i get the dried mealworms for them as a treat. Once a month I make a load of cakes for them all, despite it not being a special occasion.

Bird cakes

3 Blocks of Lard

Wildbird seed

Dried fruit

Bacon

Melt the lard in a large pan and add all the ingredients until the lard can't absorb any more. Spoon into cake cases and any other throw away trays or pots, press down firmly and put in the fridge to set. Once set you can store in a cool cupbard or shed, take out as use as required. The appreciation and amusement you will receive is priceless.

Feeding the birds gives me the opportunity to really study, draw and photograph them. I am using the findings to produce 3d digitally printed soft sculpted birds and birdhouses to match their characters.

Birds of Safari

A selection of birds that visit our garden, in particular the Hawthorn tree.

Hawthorn Tree of Safari

This is the tree that inspires me, i like to sit beneath it whilst making my birds.

The Hawthorn has many purposes and many myths, it is used in Magic and often referred to as the May tree and the Goddess tree.

Making soft birds and birdhouses

Digital print layout for 4 cockney sparrows. Inspired by the pearly Kings and Queens of the east end of London. Cutting out the pieces.

I machine stitch the main body.

Birds and birdhouses in progress.

Empty bodies ready to be stuffed and embellished.

Fimo and wire legs

Sparrow decorated with vintage mother of pearl buttons, sequins and beads.

All the decoration is hand stitched.

The finished cockney sparrow.