Latest Cardinal

[Claude]

Here's my latest cardinal, all bundled up for the snow and ice storms sweeping across the country.

For Ron: These are a couple of photos of a chubby little cardinal with fat cheeks, 2.5 inches tall, and 1.25 inchs across. He's got his tail straight up, so it's against his back, and he's "sitting upright". I painted him the standard red, black mask, orange beak and black eyes, but I put a little drop of epoxy on each eye so it sticks out a bit and is very shiny. He's wearing a stocking cap, red with white fur and pompom, and a nice scarf wrapped around his neck and hanging down his chest. The scarf is green and white plaid with yellow stripes between the white and green.

Claude

[santagibbs]

Re: Latest Cardinal

Claude you little cardinal is cute as he can be..You mentioned putting a drop of epoxy on each eye.. Sense Curtis was highly alergic to epoxy, we never had any in the house.. I know people use it but do you have to mix it or does the kind you are talking about come with out mixing..and what is the name of what you use.. I would like to know more about epoxy now that I Don't have to be afraid of it..Thanks Charlotte

[Claude]

Re: Latest Cardinal

Claude you little cardinal is cute as he can be..You mentioned putting a drop of epoxy on each eye.. Sense Curtis was highly alergic to epoxy, we never had any in the house.. I know people use it but do you have to mix it or does the kind you are talking about come with out mixing..and what is the name of what you use.. I would like to know more about epoxy now that I Don't have to be afraid of it..Thanks Charlotte

This is the standard clear two-part epoxy sold by Michaels, Home Depot, etc. Comes in a large two-sided syringe-like applicator so you can squirt some out of each of the two tubes at the same time. Squirt out equal amounts onto something - glass can be used, as Lynn does, but I just use a piece of foil or the shiny side of parchment paper. Stir with a blunt toothpick for a couple of minutes to thoroughly mix, and then put a small drop from the pointy end of the toothpick onto wherever you want it. Thorough mixing is necessary, and you have about 5 minutes from the time you start mixing until it sets up too much to use. Basically, it's like the consistancy of Karo syrup until about 4 minutes and 45 seconds, and then in the next 15 seconds, it quickly changes to the consistancy of plexiglas.

Claude

[Gergie]

Re: Latest Cardinal

That is a pretty cool bird. He looks to be ready for the snow we got here in MN today. Great Job!

[squbrigg]

Re: Latest Cardinal

Thats a sweet little critter Claude. Well done. Love the concept.

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Re: Latest Cardinal

Get a bottle of "Treasure Kote" from wallyworld, works great to give the eyes a gloss and is one part, no mixing....a tip from one of the "lazy" ones

[Tom-H]

Re: Latest Cardinal

Claude, A very nice little cardinal. Well done. Plus I really like your description, and I am sure Ron will too. Tom H

[Ron Davidson]

Re: Latest Cardinal

Great job Claude on the cardinal and the description. I could almost see him sitting there.
Ron

[Kenny_S]

Re: Latest Cardinal

Krylon's triple thick Clear Crystal Glaze works also. No mixing, and can be applied with tooth pick also. Get it at Hobby Lobby, Michale's.
Claude he/she be a cute bird!

[steve in houston]

Re: Latest Cardinal

Claude, I love the cardinal. I wish Id thought of that. Anyway very nice!
Steve

[santagibbs]

Re: Latest Cardinal

Thanks guys for the information on epoxy, Treasure kote and clear crystal glaze... What I want to do, is make the baby raccoon's eyes stand out more.. I have a large burning tool that is round but too big for a baby racoon.. so I took an old ball point pen with the pen rectracted and pushed it into the wood to make the circle.. Now if I could use the products that you three guys mentioned would that make a raised eye above the circle.. I don't know if I am making myself clear or not..Hi Ho will treasure Kote raise the eye? I feel like the epoxy will raise it some..Right Claude> How about Kenny's Kyryons clear Crystal Glaze ..can you get that at Wal Marts.

Oh, and can you paint over epoxy or do you have to paint under it..Thanks Charlotte

[Mark N. Akers]

Re: Latest Cardinal

Great job on the cardinal Claude,very creative and cute.

[Claude]

Re: Latest Cardinal

...Hi Ho will treasure Kote raise the eye? I feel like the epoxy will raise it some..Right Claude> How about Kenny's Kyryons clear Crystal Glaze ..can you get that at Wal Marts.

Oh, and can you paint over epoxy or do you have to paint under it..Thanks Charlotte

The epoxy does raise the eye and you have to paint under it.

Kenny and Dave: Thanks for the suggestions about Krylons and Treasure Kote - I'll give one of them a try when I finish up the tube of epoxy.

I usually try to show front and side views (didn't this time) of my carvings - so if any one wants the pattern all they have to do is print out the photos. In other words, you all can feel free to use any of my patterns - and if you need a black and white photo, just ask. If I still have the item, or access to it, I'll take a set pf B&W photos for you for patterns.
Claude

[Kenny_S]

Re: Latest Cardinal

Miss Charlotte, Ibelieve Dave called it Treasure Kote at Wal-Marts. Hi Ho, help!
Yes, all three methods raises the eye and you don't have to use a highlite as the light will shine to make it look like a real eye.