3D Bilyara Totem

Materials:

• 3D Wooden Flying Birds – Pack of 10 – 16693 • CleverPatch™ Acrylic Paint Tube – 75ml – Black – 16885 CleverPatch™ Acrylic Paint Tube – 75ml – Black – 16885 • CleverPatch™ Acrylic Paint Tube – 75ml – Burnt Sienna – 16884 CleverPatch™ Acrylic Paint Tube – 75ml – Burnt Sienna – 16884 • Aboriginal Art Ochre – 150g – Pack of 3 – 18723 • CleverPatch™ Junior PVA Glue – 250ml – 10364 • Pony Beads – Indigenous Colours – 250g Pack – 19137 Pony Beads – Indigenous Colours – 250g Pack – 19137 • Coloured Elastic – Pack of 4 – 14758 • Cotton Tips – Pack of 600 – 19179 • Jute Twine – Thin – 70 Metres – 14037 • Other materials required: Scissors, pencil, paint brush, cups, warm water and spoon for mixing

Bilyara means Eaglehawk in Barkandji language. Many birds and other native Australian animals & flora are important to the identity of individual Indigenous peoples.

1. Paint both sides of your 3D Wooden Bird by mixing 1 part black CleverPatch™ Acrylic Paint and 1 part burnt sienna CleverPatch™ Acrylic Paint. Allow to dry. 2. After researching Indigenous drawings and totems, lightly sketch out your design onto the wooden bird using a pencil. 3. In a cup, mix well crushed ochre, warm water and CleverPatch™ Junior PVA Glue together to form a thick paste. Use cotton tips and a paint brush to add the colour to your design. TIP: Watch our ‘How to mix Ochre’ video at bit.ly/2ytOI2b

4. Repeat the method in step 3 for the other 2 colours of ochre. Allow 1 side of each piece to dry before fl ipping over and decorating the other side. Allow to fully dry. 5. Cut a piece of thin jute twine 20cm long and thread through the hole at the bottom of the bird’s body. Thread at least 3 pony beads onto both pieces of twine and tie the ends in a knot. This will help weigh the bird down. 6. Thread a 40cm piece of elastic through the middle hole on your bird’s back. Tie to secure. Do not cut the other end of the elastic until step 10.

Take time to research other indigenous language groups and their totemic clan systems. Use the findings from your research to help inspire you when creating your 3D Bilyara Totem.

7. Place the wings on either side of the body. Thread a 25cm piece of jute twine through the holes lining up on the right side and then back through the holes lining up on the left side. Tie fi rmly to secure but make sure there is enough room for the wings to move. 8. With the wings still aligned, you should see 2 holes that line up 2/3 of the way along the bird’s wings. Thread 3m of jute twine through the holes on the right side. 9. Push the thread back through the holes on the left side. Tie a knot at the loose ends of the twine.

10. Pull the wings apart. Pull both pieces of the jute twine evenly, above the bird’s body. Pull the loose end of the elastic up to the top midpoint of the jute twine. Adjust the end of the elastic until it allows the bird’s body to fl oat with its wings sticking out straight. Tie to the jute twine to secure then cut off the excess elastic. 11. Your 3D Bilyara Totem is now ready to soar!