heron legs/feet

I bought a small heron roughout to learn on, but it has a dowel like a shore bird! I want to find the legs/feet somewhere, anyone have any ideas/sites? thanks

Yep, Hi-Ho, I'll email 'em to ya! did you get that pattern I sent out last week? It had a dowel leg st up too, but I have some info on feet and legs here, somewhar!

Al

I just got the plans today Al Thanks! Those are great! After I do this small one, will tackle the full size, I have wanted one since I saw a couple in a carving show in Denver, they are really beautiful birds! Like I said tho, too outstanding a bird to just have a dowel like a smoothie shore bird!

Hi Ho,
When we made herons as a club project, we bought some brass rods and made legs for them ourselves. For the size the pattern was that I sent you, the legs were about 6-7' long. We put a slight bend in them about 1/3 of the way. Leaving about 1/2 to 3/4' (the amount that will be inserted into the bird) put a drop of super glue on the 'leg' and wrap heavy buttonholetwist thread round and round and round it. About every 1/2 ' put another smidgeon of super glue and continue wrapping the thread until the final 1/2 to 3/4 ' of the rod which will be inserted into the base (no feet). Oh yes, I forgot, when you get to the knee (they bend backwards compared to our knees) wrap 2-3 layers of thread to make them 'knobby.'

We then took two part epoxy ribbon and just kinda lightly smeared it over the thread. This will not completely cover the thread, but gives it a bit more texture. When dry, I think we painted it first with raw umber, then kinda dry brushed with two or three other colors, including burnt umber, black/brown, and ochre....to make them mottled. When we got them mounted onto a base, we poured 2-part 5 minute epoxy over the top to make it look like they were wading in water. Habitat of grass, rocks, even cattails etc. were used too. We got scraps of basket weaving reeds to use to make the grass and cattail leaves. When wet or warmed, you can twist or kink them to look like rushes and tall grass.

Ummmm, what have I forgotten? The short portion of the leg is the upper part close to the body. It's been 3 years since I did them, but hope it helps. They are not professional quality, but better than dowels. Sorry I can't remember the size of the brass rod, but it was about the size of the lead core of an old fashioned pencil. We used brass cause it wouldn't rust and bleed through the thread, epoxy, and paint.

Donna T

Thanks Donna! I had hoped to buy a set for this first one, but looks like I might have to make them...too many irons in the fire right now and trying to shortcut and shouldn't do that with carvings I guess! :

[mdallensr]

Dave, the folks at Beaver Dam Decaoy have (or had) pewter legs and feet for herons. They sold part of their business, but it was the tools and accesories part, not the wooden decosy blanks.

beaverdamdecoys is where I got the small roughout and that was from Gary, the one that bought them out? the email I used was beaverdam....I wonder if he has the whole thing now?? ???

[mdallensr]

I think they split the business. I have the 'new' catalog somewhere. It has a sticker on the front with the new owner. The beaverdamdecoy site lists the eyes and feet but doesn't show them. I'll get back to you tonight. Mike

[mdallensr]

Dave, try 800-991-7114. He's the new owner of the carving supplies part of the business. BVD may still be selling the feet and eyes. I usually make a trip over there this time of year, to buy their Santa turnings, but I don't need any this year.

OK thanks!