Handmade Gifts 2015: Make a Little Birdhouse Ornament in Your Soul
I found these little Erzgebirge bird push pins on Etsy last January and was immediately filled with tiny wood bird avarice. (You say, “Erzuh-who now?”) And I say, pushing my glasses up my nose, “Oh yes, that’s a term for the Ore Mountain region in the former German Democratic Republic and refers to crafts made there before the fall of the Berlin wall, you big Dumbo.
OK, OK, I didn’t know about that either until I read it in the listing. *waving glasses in figure eight pattern* I un-dumbo you. So ever since I bought them I’ve wanted to make a birdhouse ornament and put some tiny Erzge-whozit birdies inside and keep it for myself. So I did.
I was inspired by this pin but then things got way more involved.
There is a toilet paper roll underneath that wool felt. And there is a cone of paper underneath the wool felt scalloped roof. I added round windows and ribbon and silver gimp trim and glitter. You must have glitter. Finished with a ribbon loop at the top so I could hang it with a wire hook.
I had a handy circle punch that was just the right size to seal off the bottom. I love when things work out like that.
After it was finished I sat under the Christmas tree at night and just looked and looked at the sparkly birdhouse ornament. Totally craft gloating. I also experienced a brief twinge of guilt because it occurred to me more than once that this ornament would really make a very special and appropriate gift for my little grand niece and nephew who just moved into a brand new house.
The house will still be newish next Christmas, right? I’ll make another one.
heeheehee you are so funny and you made me laugh.
Actually I have heard of the Erzgebirge. We went to see them when I was a weeeee tot. My parents have loads of photos of us.
Well, they are from Holland so my dad had lots of jobs with the GAO and St Dept blahblahblahblah
I love these little birdies. This sort of painting is something I really love anyway,
Now I wish I had 4 hands so I could do everything.
Making cute stuff is so fun
Happy Snappy New Year
I actually collect Erzgebirge and Steinbach. Nothing tickles me more than to find little bits of Erzgebirge figures that have been broken off of their original figurine. Those are some of the best bits to use in my art. Isn't it amazing how we make something for ourselves, but just instinctively know where it really belongs, like this with your niece and nephew
Catching up on my reading over here. Love this. And the mice. and the felt birds, and also everything you ever make.
I wouldn't be able to gift that one, either! 🙂
Lucky lucky you, Rosemary! If you figure out how to attach two extra hands, let me know.
Hey, Jennie! I love Steinbach too! Oh the guilt. I'm still keepin' it though. 😉
Hey, Jessica! It is I who loves everything YOU make. 🙂
Grandma G, yep, pulling the selfish card on that one. haha!
OMG that is SO adorable and beautiful!! I must try to make one!
Fun! Love those sweet little birdies and their sparkly new home. Major life mystery – how on earth do you have time to craft for yourself?! Good grief. I continue to live vicariously through you.
Hi, Maggie! Thanks so much! Yes, do. It's not that hard. Start with a toilet paper roll. 🙂
Thanks, Bob! Mystery solved: I neglect all the other stuff I need to be doing. haha.
was that a reference to the song by "they might be giants?" love it! And I absolutely love that ornament. Thanks for sharing the word "erzegebirge." I didn't know what to call that style of ornament (my mom has some), and I love them! Now I have to go make this…
You got it, AHappyCarrot. Not to put too fine a point on it, say I'm the only bee in your bonnet. 🙂 If you make one, show me!
Hey Larissa, I purchased some of these Adorable birds from the shop link you gave us. They are SO cute, but I'm wondering if they're really wood? They are so perfectly round and the big ones are so very lightweight…not that it really matters but I love old wooden animals…so just wondering what you think? 🙂
Hi, Maggie! Mine seem like they are wood and the listing for mine says they are wood. If you think you were sold something different I'd contact the Etsy shop owner to confirm!
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Okay thanks 🙂
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