How to...

Create a bird feeder

Supplies:

 Long piece of bamboo trunk

 Smaller pieces of bamboo (for bird perches and nails)

 Tape measure

 Marker
 Goggles
 Outdoor working gloves
 Metal rod with pointed end

 Hand drill with various drill hole attachments

 Power saw
 Mallet and chisel
 Electric sander

 Strong string

 Sunflower kernels

Steps:

1. First determine the exact measurements of the bamboo trunk you have. Using your tape measure, measure from the bottom of the trunk and mark off 4 1/2' towards the top. Once you have made the 4 1/2' mark, put on work gloves and goggles. Bring over bamboo piece to power saw and align the blade with the mark. Saw completely through, with a clean and smooth cut avoiding any jagged pieces flying up.
2. Next you want to take your pointed metal rod and punch through the first three sheath linings (this is found at the "joint" of the bamboo body) removing as much as possible . By doing this your are allowing the bamboo to dry out and prevent it from molding. Bamboo molded is going to be your worst enemy! Once you have punched through the lining sheaths, you have to determine where to put your smaller pieces for the bird perches. In the first section of the bamboo mark one point in the center on any desired side. Then mark two points in the next section of the bamboo. Make sure these points are lined up for when you have to drill. Then mark one for the next section. Mark these interchangeably to give your bird feeder personality.
3. Once you have established where your bird perches are going to go, its time to drill the holes. Using your hand drill, attach the 1 1/2" in diameter hole attachment. Make sure that it is screwed on tightly, you do not want the screw to fly off. Make sure to have goggles and gloves on. Grip and hold your bamboo piece still, line up the drill with the marked area and begin drilling through the first point. Do not go all the way through for the first section. Once you have made a clean drilled hole, move onto the next section. Drill through one holes, almost going through the other side. In doing this you are perforating the other side in the process of drilling that side as well. Turn your bamboo body to the other side and drill through that perforated area, creating two holes lined up with on another. For the third section, just drill through one marked point. At this moment you should have a total of four holes drilled for your perches.
4. Next you have to create the bird perches. In order to do this, take about 4 smaller pieces of bamboo measured at 1 1/2" in diameter and measure 8" for the sections with only one hole and 12" for the sections with two holes drilled. Using the power saw, cut off the remaining parts of bamboo you are not gonna use and toss aside. Once you have each smaller piece created, measure 2 1/2" on each end then you will begin using the mallet and chisel. You are going to take the chisel and split the smaller piece in half. Make sure to split the piece up to 2 1/2". Don't split all the way through! Then take each piece over to the power saw and carefully saw through the marked 2 1/2", creating a scooped out appeal. Go over to the sander and make sure the exposed ends are smooth. 
5. On the opposite end for the 8 inch small pieces, drill 5 holes on one side with a medium drill bit screw then flip it over and drill a 1" hole with hole attachment for the seeds to fall through. For 12 inch piece, drill the 5 holes and 1" in the center of the piece. Once you drill the holes for the system of seeds,begin to push the pieces in the respectable places. Make sure the 1" hole is facing upward and the 5 holes facing downward. The 12 inch piece should go all the way through the body of the feeder.
6. Take the stick pieces of the bamboo from the beginning and clip the ends, making two nails. Make sure no leaves are included. Go over to the sander and sand each one down until they resemble the size of the medium drill bit screw. Take the body of the bamboo and drill two holes in the sides of the second section. Drill the hole all way through to the smaller piece. Take one nail and hammer it to snug with the mallet. Do the same for the second nail.
7. At this point,your bird feeder is almost done. It time to make the top of your bird feeder to protect it from the weather. Cut a section from the remaining bamboo with the power saw. Cut from the middle of the section into the middle of the next section, leaving a "joint" in the center. Cut the top at a 45 degree angle, giving the feeder character. Next you are going to drill a medium hole in the sides of your top, making sure they are lined up. Then take the strong string and feed it through the holes. Tie each end tight. Now put the cover on top of the feeder and twist. It should fit nice and snug.
8. To test the feeders capabilities, pour in sunflower kernels down from the top. The kernels should flow all the way through to the third section and out on each perch. Find the nearest tree high enough from the ground and wait for the birdies to arrive!

Create a tassel muscle shirt

Supplies:
    Flat surface to work (no carpeted area)
    An old graphic t-shirt
    Iron
    Scissors
    Marker
    Ruler

Steps:

1. Make sure the area you are working is completely clean; free from any jagged, rough areas.  You do not want your shirt to be crooked!
2. Lay your t-shirt out flat. Make sure to iron the t-shirt as much as possible to give you a very clean, smooth fabric to work with. The arms of the shirt should be straight out and extended on both sides.
3. Next take your scissors and cut about a quarter inch away from the inseam where the arm. Start at the top at the shoulder down following the bottom where the armpit is on the side. Follow the curve in the arm then once you get toward the bottom straighten out. You will have an obtuse arch. Do the exact same to the other side. If you think it would not be symmetrical, take your ruler and  measure a quarter inch at the shoulder. Put the ruler at the inseam and measure away from the inseam. Giving you your mark where you should start to cut.
4. Once you have your two arms cut out toss extra fabric to the side. Its time to start the tassels. Smooth out the shirt flat and take your ruler and mark on the sides. The mark should be about 1 1/2" from the bust of the shirt. Use your maker to make a little tick on the sides.You do not want to draw a complete line. Make sure to put the tick on the reverse side of the shirt. Take the scissors and cut up to the tick mark you have made. Start with the front of the shirt, cut 1/4"  strip sections all the way across cutting up to the tick mark. Turn the shirt around and continue on the other side. 
5. Get rid of any fabric fly aways and your shirt is complete! Enjoy!

    

I chose to do these simply because I wanted to pick things things I am familiar with. I did not want to dive or discuss anything that is completely unfamiliar to me. I chose the bamboo idea because last semester in my 3D Methods and Materials class, we created several items out of various materials and one of my favorites soon became bamboo. Usually in a class of that nature, you would be working with wood but my instructor introduced the material of bamboo. I came up with the concept of making an ordinary object such as the bird feeder out of a beautiful material. As far as a visual representation, I actually made the bird house on my own time. It was tough at first but once I dove into it it became fun to discover and learn. I chose my second tutorial because I like fashion in all aspects. I believe by taking old clothing and a pair of scissors and/or some bleach, you can create something spectacular and completely new.

#CompForArtists2013

First Post Tutorials

Greatings everyone! My name is Dionna Fortune. I am a 20 year old college student at Virginia State University. I am a sophomore majoring in visual arts with the concentration of studio. I would consider myself a very creative person in several ways being I love to turn simple objects into magnificent works of art. For example I like turning plain shirts into wearable art,whether it be to bleach it or to cut it up. I also try to give my artwork my own stamp as well. I eventually want to transfer to an art school and ultimately major in interior design. Once I do that, I want to move to New York and pursue my career living my life.


My first tutorial is how to bleach pants. I believe this tutorial was really helpful back when I first started wanting to do it to my own pants. I feel it is very informative and innovative to watch. It has help me solve my problems when I have trouble getting a clear bleach in pure dark denim and even light denim. I would recommend this tutorial to anyone wanting to give their jeans a vintage look.


My second tutorial is how to cut out a skull onto a t- shirt. This video was also very helpful when I wanted to do it to my own. In ways I feel the quality could have been better to view but overall the points where clear to comprehend. The speaker spoke very informatively with knowledge instead of going off on a random chant.


My third tutorial is DIY your own Doc Martens. I don't own a pair of Doc Martens but by looking at the supplies and creative ways to establish a wonderful pair of boots, makes me want to but several. I believe this blog post is a rest from just going to a video. It clearly lays out everything you need in order to create them.

#CompForArtists2013