Learn how to make a neat hummingbird ornament from a single peanut.
By Deborah L. Dill, Easton, Maryland
Every year, since 1993, I have taken a nut of some king and made an ornament that I share with many people. Last year's hummingbird was a huge hit with everyone.
Here's how to make your own hummingbird ornament.
- Select unsalted peanuts that are not broken and have no visible cracks.
- Use a white spray primer to help the paint stick and eliminate having to put two coats of paint on the nuts.
- Spray paint or brush the nuts a light yellow green. I used Krylon Ivy Leaf.
- When dry, hold the nut and sponge on a slightly darker green acrylic paint on the head and back.
- Take a round toothpick and cut off 1/2 inch of the pointy end for a beak. I painted mine a metallic gold with acrylic paint since this was a Christmas ornament.
- Drill or poke with an ice pick or tiny nail a hole in the head portion to glue the beak in with white school or tacky glue. Let set. (Placement of the beak gives the birds different looks.)
- Paint a patch of red under the beak.
- I used a glitter glaze to cover the red and the back to make it sparkly for Christmas.
- Wings are made from a 1 x 2 piece of green tulle netting and a six inch piece of gold thread. Tie the thread around the netting to gather it to form a wing. Tie the top of the thread to complete the hanger. Glue the wing on the back.
- Use black dimensional paint or black acrylic paint to dot on two eyes above the beak.
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