How to Make a Stork Out of Wire
Fashion a stork out of wire to celebrate the arrival of a new baby. Storks have long been held as symbols of good luck in Europe, and parents say that they "had a visit from the stork" when a new baby arrives. Craft storks are a twist on this myth and can be fabricated from wire. Wire storks can be use as an armature -- or internal structure -- for fondant cake toppers, or they can be enlarged to serve as party signs.
Instructions
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Cut a 12-inch piece of 20-gauge aluminum wire using wire cutters for the stork's head. Cut a 10-inch piece of wire for the stork's long, thin beak. This type of aluminum wire is pliable for sculpting and thick enough to hold its shape.
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Wrap the 12-inch wire into a two-dimensional circle. Twist the ends together with needle-nose pliers to secure them. Fold the 10-inch wire in half to form the beak. Twist the ends onto the circle with the pliers to hold them in place to create a beak that is about 2 inches wide at the head. The beak tapers to a point.
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3
Cut a 24-inch piece of wire to form the long neck. Fold it in half. Hook the wire onto the circle head so that the beak is facing the side and both sides of the 24-inch wire hang down evenly over the circular head. Twist the entire length of the folded 24-inch wire to hold the head in place and to strengthen the neck.
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Cut two pieces of wire that are 30 inches long for two wings. Shape each piece into teardrop wings and twist the end wires of each wing together to secure. Lay the two wings side-by-side on your workstation so that the rounded parts are touching. Cut a 4-inch piece of wire and connect the two wings. Twist the wire once to hold them together.
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Twist the bottom of the neck onto the remaining 4-inch wire that's holding the two wings together. Cut a 24-inch piece of wire for the long leg. Fold it in half and twist it once to form a small loop at the fold. Hook the loop into the 4-inch wire that holds the wings and the neck. Secure the pieces by wrapping the 4-inch wire at least three times around the neck, wings and leg.
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Cut a 15-inch piece of wire to create the bottom of the stork. Wrap it into a circle and twist the two ends together with the pliers. Cut four 6-inch pieces to make spoke supports for the bottom.
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Lay the bottom circle on your workstation. Place the four 6-inch pieces evenly on the circle like spokes. Twist each spoke into place on the circle, leaving the other ends free.
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Lift the body and head of the stork by the long single leg. Stand the leg in the center of the bottom circle with the spokes. Twist the free ends of the four spokes around the bottom of the leg to secure it. Reshape any parts of the stork if necessary so that it stands properly and the wings are open.
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Tips & Warnings
Trim any excess wire from the stork with the wire cutters.
Secure the bottom circle to the leg with extra wire if it is not sturdy.
This project can be used as a party centerpiece or sign. Scale down this craft to form an armature for a cake topper or clay or paper mache project.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
