Pages

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Dead Duck


Don't be shocked; I warned you in the title.
Mr. Cranky has taken to making jewelry out of found objects, specifically wood rounds cut from fallen branches and feathers collected from the woods around our house. Now he is madly collecting beads and stones and other paraphernalia to enhance the objects. However, he is experiencing a feather shortage, so imagine his glee when he spotted a dead mallard on the road. I won't trouble you with the details of the harrowing driving I was required to execute as we whirled around the 45 mph four lane road attempting to maneuver as close to the carcass as possible. I will also spare you the details of Mr Cranky sprinting to the median with a paper bag and his running leap back into the car with his treasure. We are now the proud (?) owners of one dead mallard, which promises to yield many feathers.
So far, he is making necklaces, but I think broaches and earrings will be next.
Not wanting to be left out, I snagged some to burn images on. I like them plain, but feathers and beads will most likely be added once Mr. Cranky steals them back from me.Here is Woodrow T. Owl looking very shy and subtle.And here is Little Bird, who is well know for getting into everything.

2 comments:

  1. Hi, I found your blog through Gary Rith Pottery Blog. I know you don't know me at all, so you'll probably think I'm snarky, but I don't want "Mr. Cranky" to get into trouble with his dead duck. If the jewelry is to be sold, there could be a problem with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. I'm honestly not a goody-two-shoes, but I work for a wildlife sanctuary. Your are not even supposed to pick up feathers you find on the ground - now, that I find ridiculous, and I pick up beautiful feathers all the time, for my personal amusement. Anyway, here is a link to some info about the MBTA http://alaska.fws.gov/ambcc/ambcc/treaty_act.htm and don't forget to microwave the feathers before using them, to free them of parasites, but you probably know that already! Good luck, and I hope I haven't put too much of a damper on the feather project - sounds really neat.
    Alex Dohan

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the link to the MBTA. I studied it closely and I think you are right, as long as the jewelry is not sold Mr. Cranky is ok with the duck feathers.
    But, of course, everyone knows Mr. Cranky doesn't actually exist anyway...
    And that's not a real duck...
    And it's just a funny story.
    :)

    ReplyDelete

I love comments.