Making peg angels tutorial

A few of you were interested in my little vintage peg angels. So I thought I would show you how to make them...

To start off you will need the following ...

Some vintage pegs (I finished my stock and was lucky enough to find some copies in a local store). 

Gesso (found in most art and craft stores),

Ink (I used my favourite red ink from the Calligraphe and a mix of acrylic ink with grey gouache for the hair and face),

Scissors,

A paintbrush

A fine nib for drawing the eyes and mouth and what ever words you would like on the body

An old, irreparable book if you find it a bit too tricky to write the words on yourself

Here we go!

Start by painting a 'dress' onto your angel with the white gesso. You could use an acrylic paint if you like ... or even stick on some fabric instead...

If you are sticking on words from a book, place them while the gesso is still wet as it works great as a glue.  If you click on the picture, you'll see I used a vintage prayer book - seemed more fitting for angel messages...

If you are writing the words on, wait until the gesso is really dry (about 1/2 an hour) before you start or your nib will get clogged up.

Next, paint in the hair. I painted a 'playmobil' style as the pegs had a similar shaped head :-)

Then draw in the face. I like them with eyes shut and mouth open as if they were singing...

Draw your wings onto a piece of fabric like 'tarlatane.' Mine is from a ham curing bag that I found at our local supermarket in the preserves section. It's easiest to fold the material in half and draw one wing only - guarantees they are even on both sides once cut out.

Then make a line of glue along the middle crease in your wings and stick them on to the back of the angel.

Let your wings dry for at least half an hour before you turn your angel over and pick it up. Oh yes, these ones roll so prop something solid next to them so you don't ruin your work.

They are wonderful for closing a special package, decorating your tree or as a gift in itself with a wee Christmas message on it! My hand written ones are singing the chorus of 'Deck the Halls.'

If you would like to find out more secrets - don't miss Seth's Secret Sunday where more than 200 artists reveal their techniques and inspirations. You can find the SECRET SUNDAY button on my sidebar.

Blessings to all...