[errol]

finished this guy up this morning. put him on an old ,old fence post with barbwire. Made the barbwire from #12 copper wire and the barbs also. Then put glue on the wire, sprinkled a little sand on it to make it look very old and rusty, then put a couple of burnt umber washes on it. Reworked the post to make it look old and half rotten.

[markken5889]

wow Errol - absolutely fabulous job! Do you mind if I steal your barbed wire technique?

-Mark

[Ashbys]

I saw him two days ago sitting in my front yard.!

Nice

Ash

[errol]

Thanks fellows for the kind comments. MarkKen, Its not that hard with the barbwire, On this base I used #12 copper wire for both the wire and barbs. Just cut 2 pieces of wire the length you want to use, twist them together for a few inches, (I use 2 needle pointed pliers) cut 2 lengths of #12 copper about 1 1/2inches long for the barbs. I use a 10 penny nail driven in a part of my bench to wind the barbs one turn. then slip these 2 onto your wire, and continue to twist the wire a few inches and put on another barb. I used 4 barbs on this one. after you have installed the barbs and finished twisting the wire put some 5 minute epoxy on the barbs to hold them. then put on some glue on the wire and sprinkle fine sand over this. let dry then paint with a few washes of burnt umber. the sand makes it look rusty and old. thats all there is to it.
Errol

[markken5889]

Sounds great Errol - can't wait to try it! Thanks so much!!!

-Mark

[Gear Dog]

Very nice work, I really like how you detailed it with the barb wire.

[AlArchie]

really nicely done , Errol! Now THAT"S a bluebird!

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Nice piece. Is the flower carved?

[errol]

Lynn, the flower is carved from some scrap basswood. I carved each petal then super glued to copper and epoxied over.the stem above is #16 & # 18 copper wire soldered together and the buds is made using a hot glue gun then touching them with my burning pen on low, then painted.

[chpster90bu]

Great job on the bluebirdie, Errol....and the props as well! Really makes a nice scene. Lots of detail in this piece! Bonnie