Sunday, November 24, 2013

Garden totem pole bird feeders



I made seven of these for my  Rotorua Daily Post Creativity Column which appears on Saturdays  in the second section fortnightly. 
For those of you who haven't seen it, here is the lesson.
Start by collecting old glass plates and jars. 
Second hand shops are good places. 
Put flat backed marbles on top of the glass items with glue.

 Don't be surprised if you have sliding down challenges. 
This is not an exercise in perfection so if it looks a bit wonky and whimsical,  so much the better. 


 Assemble them up to eight layers high, any higher and you risk them toppling over.


Use a silicon gel type of glue with a gun to assemble them. 
This glue is waterproof and should be ok outside. 
Leave inside  for four days to cure and set before putting outside. 




Try to choose a sheltered out of the wind place for your totem. 
Put them on top of wooden poles concreted into the garden if you are worried about cats. 
The marbles and glass will glitter in the sun

See Pinterest for lots more examples of glass totem poles. They are really an American idea that I have adapted.


A good tutor of mine at art school said if you are going to make something, make it in multiples so they bounce off each other. 
A grouping will be more attrative to the viewer and sell far faster than something on its own. 
It's advice I  have always followed. 

Fill these with bird seed,  honey water or lard and see if you  have  winged  visitors. 
My husband is going to erect some poles to put them on top of out of reach of the cat. 

Mosaic and painting classes
Monday to Wednesday mornings, 9.30am to 11.30am 




                     Amber and her Beginners Mosaic Fish


Beginners Mosaic Mirror 

                               Beginners Mosaic Pot


 Beginners Mosaic Classes Four Week course. 
 $250.00 per person including materials. 
Pay all at once or $62.50 per week. 
Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday mornings.


Childrens and Young Adults  After School Painting and Mosaic classes
3.30pm to 5.00pm for one hour sessions, Monday to Friday except Thursdays 
 







School Holiday Classes for Children Monday to Friday, except Thursday 
Book your children or teenager in for mosaic or painting classes. 
These are small classes for gifted and really interested people. 
This  is not a drop off,  baby sitting service. 
All students  must be focused  and willing to produce work to exhibitable and photgraphical level, using artist quality materials. I make this easy by giving them lots of attention, encouragement and time.
$25.00 per hour including materials. 
Maximum number of people is six, minimum one. 
To make a mosaic you will need minimum of three hours. 
You can make a painting in one or two hours, depending on complexity 

 


Book your creative child or young person in. 
All lessons individually tailored, no-one's work will look the same. 
This is an exclusive Rotorua, New Zealand service which has been running for the past twelve years, set in my garden and studio.





 Email: jkeen@clear.net.nz
Any age suitable any time before 5pm on Mondays to Fridays, except Thursdays.
Phone 07 346-3435

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