Although this blog is no longer active (Agosia Arts still is!), it remains a useful repository for some of my early musings. My goals were to : 1) provide a peek behind the scenes at how my work is produced; 2) document my problem solving process; and 3) encourage others to try new things. If you have questions, email me at catibbets@agosiaarts.com. Thank you for visiting!
Creating Bird Beaks for Cloth Dolls with Polymer Clay
A hummingbird beak in process.
I recently finished making a batch of beaks for some new bird figures. I've switched from leather (visit this blog tutorial or YouTube video) over to polymer clay because it works better for slender and small beaks, both of which I do more often now. The interior is made from wire and aluminum foil for strength and only the exterior is clay.
Making an owl beak.
I wish the process was faster, but I still have to take some time to sculpt the basic shape, cover it with clay, then add the final "skin." Because birds have very different shapes and sizes of beaks, and I'm usually working on many species at once, it is impossible to use a mold. I also have to mix clay to get an appropriate color for each individual. Often males and females have different coloration, so even if the two beaks are similar in shape, I still have to work clay for two batches.
As you can see here, I bake as many beaks as I can at one time. This represents a lot of future work and I may not finish all these dolls at once. I tend to get tired of working on so many birds at one time. On the tray here I have beaks for three cardinals, a jay, a hummingbird, three owls and a set of six woodpeckers!
If you'd like to see the basic technique, watch the video:
As you can see here, I bake as many beaks as I can at one time. This represents a lot of future work and I may not finish all these dolls at once. I tend to get tired of working on so many birds at one time. On the tray here I have beaks for three cardinals, a jay, a hummingbird, three owls and a set of six woodpeckers!
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