1. I use a #2 bass hook. You can use a regular straight,
#2-#8, but bend it where the eyes will set, to form the beak.
2. Start your thread at the hook eye; wrap to the eye bend
(where the eyes will be), back to the hook eye, then back
up to the birds' eye. Figure 8 the dumbbell eyes in place.
3. Continue your thread to the hook bend, and tie in the tail.
Tail is formed with two feathers ends together, side by side
(forms an upside down heart!)
4. Add a third feather overlay.
5. Tie in the chenille (color to match the bird)
6. Wrap the thread forward to just in front of the eyes.
Wrap the chenille up the hook (a very short body) to
the wing placement.
7. Wings are two feathers, concave side up, top feather smaller
than base feather...can be different colors...tie them on the
sides of the hook, facing up and forward (bird needs lift to fly!).
8. Continue the chenille to the eyes and figure 8 them,
then wrap once behind the eyes, and once in front of the
eyes to form the head. Tie off the chenille. Continue
the thread to the hook eye, and tie it off.
9. To place in the ornament: Tie a piece of fine gold wire behind the eyes.
10. Maiden voyage!
11. Take a deep breath, and "encourage" the bird, beak first in to the ornament.
12. Make sure you hang on to the wire! Once he's in there
past the hook, he'll pop around and fly, suspended by the
wire. Slip the held end of the wire through the hole at the
center of the metal top, pop the top in place, and wrap the
wire around the loop, to the proper length. If you need to
take him out for any reason (usually to replace a wing ripped
off in trying to get him in there in the first place...I'm
sorry...I digress!), use your long nosed tweezers, and work
him beak first back out. ~ Betty Hiner
