|
Make a turkey feather wreath and angel ornament
Forget the headache the holidays can create, the long lines, the money you'll spend, and the glares when you buy the last item on the shelf.
These simple craft ideas will boost your spirits, even banish the blahs. Call a friend, recruit a son or daughter and have fun making these gifts of nature together. — Chasiti Kirkland and Sharon Boney
Turkey Feather Wreath
You'll need:
- one 10-inch straw wreath form, sold at craft stores
- 50 to 60 tail feathers from a jake or gobbler (make sure the curvature of the feathers is the same)
- a pencil for pilot holes before inserting feathers
Here's how:
- Sit the wreath on a hard surface, place the first row of feathers about two-thirds of the way down the wreath form. Keep the feathers about 4 inches apart.
- Place the second row about a half-inch up from the first row, and offset the second row a half-inch. Place the feathers closer together in rows.
- Make about four rows of feathers. On the top row, consider using the feathers of a jake because they are shorter and will give the wreath a fuller, layered look.
- Attach a ribbon to the base of the wreath, and it's ready to hang.
Quick tips for the perfect wreath
- Consider using feathers from each subspecies to add color.
- When you're finished with the wreath, give it a once-over. You may need to use leftover feathers to fill visible holes.
- To protect the wreath from wind and weather, it's best to hang it from a door shielded by an overhang.
- To store, cover the wreath in bubble wrap, then place it in a box.
|
Angel Ornament
You'll need:
- eight tail coverts
(the feathers closest to the tail)
- one 25 mm wooden bead
- black yarn
- a hot glue gun
- scissors
- fine-point markers or acrylic paint
Here's how:
- Form three of the feathers in the shape of an upside down V. Secure with hot glue. The feathers are the angel's body. It is not necessary to remove the down.
- Insert the V in the hole of the wooden bead and glue the bead to the back of the feathers. Fill the hole of the bead with glue.
- Remove the down from two of the remaining feathers. Cut them short and glue one on each side of the bead. These are the angel's wings.
- Glue three feathers around the angel's head to form the halo. Again, strip the down from the feathers and cut them short.
- Cut strands of yarn into 12-inch strips and glue them to the head. Braid the yarn for a creative flare.
- Create the angel's face with markers or paint.
- Glue ribbon to the back of the angel and hang it from your Christmas tree.
Tips for a heavenly angel
- If you decide to use acrylics to paint the face, you might want to apply them with a toothpick.
- Wrap your angel in tissue paper before storing it in a box.
Check out a full range of do-it-yourself
outdoor projects from Get in the Game:
Two-layer solar fence
Win the Muskrat Race
Turkey Feather Wreath and Angel Ornament
Build Your Own Box Blind
Sporting Clays Clock
Get a Grip on Your Scope
Turkey Jerky
Building a Clemson Ram Pump
How to Clean a Muzzleloader
PVC Fishing Jugs
PVC Canoe/Kayak Cart
Turkey Tote and Spur Shield
Office Camera Clip
Ghillie Suit
LED light
Wall-mounted bat house
One-board bluebird house
PVC canoe cart
Hunting Blind
Tube call
Deer skinning trough
Wood duck box
alibrating sprayers
PVC target stand
Portable box stand