Hello everyone,
I know we've made mice and made mice and made yet more mice haha but I heard from enough of you who struggled with the cotton wrapping method that I decided to go back to my spun cotton basics and share a different and I hope, easier way to begin the armature and give you more success with shaping a little mouse.
This is the last spun cotton mouse make-along and it's especially for those of you who have tried and been discouraged or disappointed with the results of your sticky labors :)
Or for those of you who avoid trying new things because you have a fear of failure or your expectations tend to be too high. I SEE YOU! :)
My first spun cotton creation was a bit of a mess by almost any standards but I kept going because I really wanted to figure out this new medium - and my second make was much less blobby than this first little guy which I share today, and things improved fairly quickly from there - so don't let your first attempts at something prevent you from continuing on - those first efforts aren't always the best indicator of where we can go or what our capacity might be. You just have to think about trying any new thing the same way you would exercise - everything requires different muscles and skills and most things can be built up and improved on over time.
I'm hoping to share some make-alongs for accessories and houses coming up - leave your suggestions and ideas in the comments!
Thank you so much for your kindness and support and happy making to you -
xo, Rosanna
00:00 - introduction
02:26 - sharing about my first spun cotton creation
04:36 - supplies
07:40 - supply list slide
07:50 - making the armature with wire, foil, and tape
15:38 - how to make ears with tape
17:08 - beginning to add cotton layers on the body and head
26:37 - drying the first layer of cotton (instructions on drying)
29:38 - adding bead eyes and fabric ears
38:11 - wrapping the legs with cotton and adding the second (and for me, final) layer of cotton -- no talking, just music
45:53 - covering the fabric ears with cotton and shaping the ears (optional or your preference)
47:01 - wrapping the tail and adding final bits of cotton and smoothing everything out
50:32 - adding/sculpting definition for the nose and mouth
51:04 - another drying interlude - you can dry fully or partially before painting
51:45 - painting (I'm painting while damp)
1:00:38 - painting on the mouth details
1:02:53 - making a (tiny, fabric, IMPERFECT) party hat :)
1:06:57 - making a "pom-pom" ball from cotton
1:08:31 - conclusion (celebration of STARTING Something NEW, all our efforts, always imperfect but still valuable)
#diycraft #arttutorials #craftwithme #rosannamakes
follow my art on Instagram and tag me @rosannadellart if you share what you make using these make-alongs 😊 I love to see what you create!
https://instagram.com/rosannadellart?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng==
sign up for my newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/0826907f94cc/join-rosannas-mailing-list
find my spun cotton starter supply kit here: https://sweethavensanctuary.org/shop
cotton punis fiber: https://woolery.com/cotton-punis-from-india.html
organic punis fiber: https://cottonclouds.com/products/organic-cotton-puni-packs?variant=39490555281591
find all the links for the materials I use in the blogpost here: https://sweethavensanctuary.org/rosannas-blog/2024/2/24/make-a-spun-cotton-mouse
chenille pipe cleaners: https://www.amazon.com/Bundles-Zen-Pipe-Cleaners-Count/dp/B015YVS75Y?pd_rd_w=uqO02&content-id=amzn1.sym.80b2efcb-1985-4e3a-b8e5-050c8b58b7cf&pf_rd_p=80b2efcb-1985-4e3a-b8e5-050c8b58b7cf&pf_rd_r=AQ4VAW4PK8PNWEQ9FJVP&pd_rd_wg=FTeUc&pd_rd_r=c4977e91-b7d7-4c7e-bb48-ac79d9f0b499&pd_rd_i=B015YVS75Y&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_3_t
paper covered wire: https://www.amazon.com/Decora-Gauge-Brown-Floral-Package/dp/B010NMXUBA?pd_rd_w=uqO02&content-id=amzn1.sym.80b2efcb-1985-4e3a-b8e5-050c8b58b7cf&pf_rd_p=80b2efcb-1985-4e3a-b8e5-050c8b58b7cf&pf_rd_r=AQ4VAW4PK8PNWEQ9FJVP&pd_rd_wg=FTeUc&pd_rd_r=c4977e91-b7d7-4c7e-bb48-ac79d9f0b499&pd_rd_i=B010NMXUBA&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_1_ec_pd_nav_hcs_rp_4_t
black beads: https://www.amazon.com/1200Pcs-Spacer-Smooth-Bracelet-Jewelry/dp/B09QKRJS7B?pd_rd_w=eaJL6&content-id=amzn1.sym.928be83d-9abb-4025-bc6e-e0aed5aed3c9&pf_rd_p=928be83d-9abb-4025-bc6e-e0aed5aed3c9&pf_rd_r=4A40V4HKTSBBP4K4TGSN&pd_rd_wg=gXQLZ&pd_rd_r=44f4169e-b954-4beb-8732-a8b20a20f452&pd_rd_i=B09QKRJS7B&ref_=pd_basp_d_rpt_ba_s_1_t&th=1
all music by Epidemic Sound