WTL: Washi Birds

For this swap, you will make one hand-crafted bird for one partner. Here are some details, but if you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

• Size should be between 4 and 8 inches from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail (unless there are feathers which extend a bit beyond that) OR if you do it facing you instead of a side view, it should be between 4 and 8 inches at the largest point. Remember mailing when you design it--the bigger it is, the more it will cost to mail.
• Media can be anything you want, but it must be decorated with Washi Tape.
• It can be any type of bird--think outside the box! Turkey, flamingo, parrot, penguin, etc.
• Your bird must be sturdy enough that it won't bend or droop when hanging. (see suggestions below)
• Your bird must have a hanger of some sort on it. If you punch a hole, make sure it is clean and not ragged. (see ideas below)
• A separate piece for the wing(s) (in other words, not just drawn on the bird, but a separate piece of card board with the wing decorations on that, then attached to the body. They don't have to move, but can if you want.)
• You can decorate the back the same if you want, but it is not necessary. However, since washi tape has a tendency to pull off if it isn't secured well, I recommend that you fold the edges of the tape over onto the back, then cover the piece when you are finished with a clean paper where you can write your name, the date, and swap information on it.
• If you like, you can give your bird a name. :) I usually write a short little story about the birds to send to their new homes.

You can add other embellishments as you wish, but just make sure there is a good amount of washi tape on it. This is a great chance to try some fun combinations!

If you need ideas for how to make the shape, you can Google images for the bird you want and ask for silhouettes. They will give you a good idea of the actual shape to start with.

To make it sturdy, you might cut your shape from a clean cereal or cracker box for the base, then either paint it to cover the images (since washi tape is so transparent) or cover it with card stock or printed paper.

For the hanger, you could use ribbon, wire (with beads?), twine, an ornament hanger, etc.

Once your washi tape is on the bird, feel free to stamp/emboss on it, add glitter-glue, googly eyes, beads, feathers, ephemera, ribbon, chain, etc... Really, the possibilities are endless, and the fun is pretty much over the top!

Pack it carefully for mailing. After all that work, you would hate for it to be damaged in transit!

I plan to host a series of these birds, because I have fallen in love with them!!