making bird's feet

[David_Aaron_Sercel]

Paul,

Yes, I have used this same technique on a life sized Yellow-crowned Night Heron. The only differences were that I used 1/8 inch brass brazing rod for the legs and toes rather then the 3/32 that I use on songbirds, and, because of the thicker rod that I used for the toes, I had to carve in a claw at the end of each toe using a micro-motor with a diamond bur. Also, I used an epoxy with a longer drying time because the feet were bigger and I needed more time to work on them.

David

David I've been to your site before but must have missed the tutorials, excellent work!

[Donna_T]

No Dave, I don't have a tutorial for this process. I experimented with several different things and then took a bird carving class in Wichita, KS from Bob Monroe and this is the technique he uses. It works better than what I'd tried and I was much happier with the results.

when you get the ribbon epoxy worked (kneeding and working it until you get one smooth color) you flatten it out and starting with the toes, work it around each toe and then the foot. I end up licking my fingers quite a bit to keep the epoxy from sticking to them as I mush the epoxy in place.

Does that make any sense?

Donna T

Donna get a glass of water to put your fingers in. Please read the label on that ribbon epoxy. Bad Stuff. You might want to try Kulis Karvit, it is a lot less toxic. I dont mean to be rude, but that stuff scares me.

[Donna_T]

Hey Hugh,
It's not rude at all. I appreciate the thought. Licking my fingers to keep ribbon epoxy from sticking to them is just a bad habit---and obviously one that I need to break. However, I don't make birds very often--one or two a year. Next time, I'll keep water close by and use it.

Thanks for the warning.

Donna T