Calligraphic Dirds with Suzie Beringer

These little quirky calligraphic birds were developed by Suzie Beringer as another way to use our lettering skills - but they are so much fun to make…flapping wings, bases on springs etc…also, they make great gifts. There are many ways to display them which is part of the fun…the possibilities are endless.

Dirds Supply List

*80 lb plain color card stock 8.5x11” (one sheet should be fine but I warn you - this is addictive so you may want several sheets) 

*piece of Arches Text Wove or MBM (approx 8.5x11”) 

*Black Strathmore Artigan or Canson MeTintes (approx 8.5x11”) 

*pencil & note taking paper for recording ideas 

*Calligraphic supplies….I will be using a pointed pen for most of my lettering but the choice is yours to make 

*ink: white (penwhite) & something dark - your choice 

*glue (I like PVA) 

*scissors 

*X-acto knife 

*bone folder 

*black fine liner 

*white Signo pen (or something similar) 

*needle (to poke a hole) 

Optional: 

circle cutter (I recommend Fiskars Circle Cutter 193800-1001) 

drawing compass; fons & porter chalk pencil 

feathers 

small knitting needle or bamboo skewer 

1/4 inch hole punch 

22 gauge wire + wire cutter (for springs) 

20 gauge wire for legs 

white or cream pearl pen (Nuvo or Viva are two brands I use) 

black pearl pen (Nuvo or Viva are two brands I use) or black Sakura Glaze Pen 

small pieces of handmade paper no smaller than the diameter of your circle…. 

scraps of lettering you are willing to cut up (photocopy it if your not willing to cut them up) 

gold cardstock 

Please do not feel you need to run out and purchase the optional items. I will be demonstrating and using these items and it will give you an opportunity to see if you want to purchase them later.