Craft a pelican windsock
This paper mache pelican windsock is a great addition to any garden and is super easy to make. Make one today.
Number of players:
What you need:
- Square of fabric
- Pipe cleaners
- Needle and thread
- Toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls
- Newspaper ripped into strips
- Paper mache glue
- Feathers, tissue paper, felt, craft eyes (optional)
- Yellow craft paper
Lay the fabric down flat. Bring the two diagonal sides of the fabric together to form a cone and stitch these sides together.
Cut the end of the cone to allow at least a 10cm hole in the end for the wind to pass through.
Roll the edges of the fabric on the wide end of the cone over pipe cleaners and glue or stitch the fabric down over the pipe cleaners to secure them in place.
Now to the feet: Flatten two toilet roll and cut them in half lengthwise.
Fold each cut piece in half and tape each one together so they don't unfold.
Cut wedges into the feet for the pelican's toes.
To attach the feet to the pelican's body, staple the end of a pipe cleaner to each foot and wrap the other end around the fabric cone's pipe-cleaner reinforced edge. You will need to make a small hole in the fabric to thread each pipe cleaner through and secure it tightly to the cone.
To make the neck and head, stuff a toilet roll full of newspaper to reinforce it.
Blow up the balloon and tape it to the top of the neck.
Cover the balloon (the bird's head) with at least two layers of paper mache (newspaper ripped into strips with paper mache glue)
Once you like the shape of the bird's head, put it aside and let it dry completely for a day.
Once dry, decorate the bird's head with feathers, paint, tissue paper or felt.
Glue the eyes into place and the yellow craft paper into a cone as a beak.
Cut small slits about 2cm apart in the front base of the neck cylinder.
To attach the head and neck to the body, cut a small slit in the top of the fabric cone along the reinforced edge, exposing the pipecleaner.
Line up the top edge of the reinforced fabric cone with the cuts in the cylinder neck.
Fold the cardboard flap between the cuts through the small opening cut earlier and tape the flap over the cone edge to secure the neck to the body.
Hang in the garden for all to enjoy.