making habitat

[brdkrvr70]

Hi Dick. It says "Execute search" at the bottom...not "submit". Let me know how you make out getting there. Lou

[Wildbirdcarver]

Found your warbler without any problem! Thanks for the instructions. Your warbler is terrific...clean, sharp, active, and very well done...congratulations! The pine branches look great also. Are the leaves brass or copper wire flattened out before you soldered them? I have tried to fiqure out how to add one leaf at a time...which just won't work for me! Any tips you can give to making the habitat will be appreciated by me and others. Dick

[brdkrvr70]

Hi Dick, The leaves were made from copper wire. I took a steel block and ground a reverse image of a leaf. I then took a steel rod and made another reverse image of the opposite side of the leaf. I then cut a copper wire in leaf length pieces and put the pieces of wire in the steel, aligned the steel rod and struck it with a hammer. I made over 300 pieces and sellected the best ones for the piece. As stated before. I made the branches from brass and made it rigid by stapling it to a flat board. You can also staple the leaves in place as well. Then you can solder all of them very easily. After soldering, the branches can be carefully bent to look natural without the leaves falling off. Hope this helps. Lou

[Wildbirdcarver]

Lou, sounds like a good way to make the pine leaves. Making the reverse image of the leaf has to be difficult...at least it sounds difficult to me. Will give it a try! Thanks for your post. Dick

[brdkrvr70]

It's kind of tricky, but you only have to do it once. Stamping them out is easy after that.

Been kind of crazy around here. I just became a great-grandfather for the first time. Everyone is fine. Where did the time go?

[Adgraphica]

Hi guys. Other than my introduction thread, this is my first post to the site. I think a lot (sometimes too much) about a base for my carvings and the habitat I want on it. Due to attending various competitions, I got used to making everything out of wood; I got disqualified too many times for this not to eventually sink in. So, here's my contribution to the thread:
Sawdust. It goes a long way. Look at the texture of the sawdust from a sander, saw, or carving tool, and you'll notice that they all vary. I use the fine powder from a sander for various textures, like fine snow, dirt, etc, and the "hairy" sawdust from when I'm rough carving with my foredom tool as moss, baby duck down, the texture of cattails, etc. I'm sure you all will think of other uses, but those are my big ones.
Also, toothpicks are a good thing to have around. Other than using them to mix and apply small amounts of epoxy, they can be sanded down to create pine needles, sea urchin barbs, fish teeth, the list goes on.
As far as leaves go, I like to start with a thin piece of balsa wood for that. Paper is okay, but I've almost started fires with that stuff. After cutting out the design, just lightly burn the outside edges of the veins in with a wood burner, then use sand paper to take out the rest. Sanding the balsa will go fast, and you have much more control. After you're finished, soak it in vinegar for a few hours, then you can bend it without breaking it. Another way to bend it is to use a heat gun on one side. The wood will contract due to the heat, but be careful not to burn down your shop.

I've also read a few threads about Modgepodge and acrylic sealer, and wanted to add a shortcut on that one, as well. If you mix 3/4 white glue and 1/4 water, you'll find that it does the exact thing, only lots cheaper. If you want to use this or any water based adhesive for attaching sand, pour the sand over the effected area, then spray it with rubbing alcohol. Before the alcohol dries, drip your adhesive over it. The alcohol will make the adhesive spread out quickly, and there won't be a glossy finish after it dries.

[Wildbirdcarver]

Thanks Adgraphica for your tips. I appreciate your contribution to this thread. Come on guys and gals, put in a tip even if you think it is common knowledge.

[Steve Sargent]

With all the carving books available, it's surprising that there aren't two or three out there by now on habitat. There would be a good start just from these posts. It would also be great if there were an updated version of Breakthrough's book on habitat. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy the time with your families.

[cedarshavings]

What is a good technique or material for snow?

[Ian Duncan]

I have used both "sandblasting" sand and wood dust mixed with glue and water and painted to make snow. Add a little paynes grey to the white seems to make a more realistic color for the snow. I have also used diamond dust and super glue used in layers , it builds up nicely and has a sparkle like fresh snow in the sun on a sunny day. You can get diamond dust from craft stores, sandblasting sand from auto repair shops