Saturday, December 15, 2012

Champagne Cork Angel - Ornament Tutorial

At the invitation of my friend, Lynne, I took up the challenge of documenting the construction for one of my ornaments:
CHAMPAGNE CORK ANGEL ORNAMENT











Every year for 6 years now I have taught an Ornament Week at the Pear Tree Gallery.  I have never thought to post the instructions on line...but as a teacher I take good notes and think I can pull off a tutorial for the season.

Let us start with the gathering of supplies:
I use what I have in my stash
so feel free to alter this list as needed.
Wire

SUPPLIES

Wire
1 piece about 8 inches of medium craft wire
2 pieces about 5 inches for arms and hands
1 piece 6 to 8 inches for String of beads
      (this can also be thread or thin ribbon)

Fiber
1 piece of 12 inches Tinsel Cord
Variety of yarn for the Hair

Craft Items
1 Champagne Cork (body)
1 wooden bead (head)
1 pair of wings
1 brass Fastener
Assorted Beads (7 to 11 depending on size)
Fiber and craft items

Glue
Silicone or white Craft Glue
       (just a dab, so use  what you have)

Hardware
Wire cutters
Needle Nose Pliers (optional)
Scissors
Awl or Drill with Small Bit
Toothpick for wrapping or gluing
Yarn for Angel's Hair

Hardware

Glue





  Assemble Parts

Tinsel Cord Loop
1. Remover Cord Stuffing (set aside for hair)
2. Tie ends
3. Optional,  fray
Tinsel Loop and Cord stuffing for hair.

Halo, twist at least 1/2 inch so halo stands up.
  Hair/Head/Halo

1. Fold 8" wire in half
2. Twist Loop for HALO (we will shape later)
3. Fold 6 to 8 approx. 5 inch strands of yarn













4. Insert yarn into open wire - push it in SNUG and continue to twist wire.


5. Insert wire into Bead Head, slightly pull hair into   bead. (You can use a dab of glue to secure hair inside bead).
Set aside, allowing glue to dry.
We will style hair later.

 String of Beads and Arms

1. Select your beads. The beads can be holiday colors, metallic or letters.
2. Audition these beads on colored wire, thread or thin ribbon, (7 to 11 beads)
3. Adjust number of beads if needed, center them on the 6 to 8 inch wire.
4. Wrap or loop wire through first and last bead to secure.

 Arms and hands

1. Fold in half
2. Form loop for small angel hands, sometimes I use the needle nose pliers to crimp a thumb in the hand.
3. Twist wire for arm
(CAUTION - WIRE IS SHARP)







4. Attach (wrap) one hand to one end of the string of beads.


 CHECKLIST FOR CONSTRUCTION OF YOUR
CHAMPAGNE CORK ANGEL ORNAMENT

1 CORK FOR BODY
1 HEAD/HAIR/WIRE
   (you can clip and style hair now)
1 TINSEL CORD LOOP
1 DOUBLE WING
1 FASTENER
1 ARM AND STRING OF BEADS
1 ARM




Construction

1. Drill and Glue, Tinsel Loop, Fastener and Wings.

I insert the Fastener into the hole in the back of the metal wings, slightly pry open the fastener prongs and insert Tinsel Loop ... having already drilled a hole high on the back of the cork, place a dab of glue over the hole so you can find it, now force the prongs of the fastener (holding the Loop) into the pre-drilled hole.


 2. Drill and Glue, trim neck wire if needed.
      Insert neck wire into top of cork.





 Don't trim the neck with out the head in place. 


3.  Drill and glue, Trim arms if needed, insert arm with beads first.  Repeat with 2nd arm and attach string of beads to 2nd hand.

4.  Check halo, use needle nose pliers to shape halo if needed.


Make sure wings and halo are in the position you want, handling may have moved these items. Fluff hair, trim if needed. Hang your CHAMPAGNE CORK ANGEL ORNAMENT high on the tree, she likes to oversee her surroundings. Enjoy!!!

4 comments:

  1. Copying and printing . . . now I have a purpose for drinking wine . . besides just for the taste :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Paula, I have tweeked this post so you may want to print it again. Thanks for following!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great tutorial. Easy to follow and great pictures. I love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary, Thank you .... it was time consuming but I am glad I went through the process.
      Have a great Holiday and take care of your daughter and those boys!!!!

      Delete

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