Thread: Comfort Birds

Greetings All,
WoodCarving Illustrated magazine (Holiday/Christmas 2011 issue 57) ran an article about a carver who has spent a great deal of time carving small stylised birds which he calls “Comfort Birds” which he sells to raise money for various charities run from his local church. I have been in touch with Frank and he is thrilled that others are interested in copying his efforts as seen in his email pasted below. I have introduced the birds to our small carving group here in Bendigo and they have decided to adopt them as a long time spare time project and as the birds accumulate they will be donated to the local Bendigo Hospitals to be given to patients in Highly stressful situations such as cancer, and other traumatic medical conditions.
The birds donated so far have been well received by both patients and their families So with the blessings of both Ian () Robertson, “Admin” and Frank Foust “Mr. Carver” USA, I am posting this in the hope that others will adopt the project for their own local hospitals and/or Oncology clinics. The birds are simple and easy to do, are good practice, and for the whittlers amongst us, make great “take anywhere projects”

Warning!.....Be careful who you show these birds to or you will find yourself inundated with orders, the ladies invariably find them extremely cute.....LOL....


Well, here they are, my version of the “Comfort Birds” meant to be held and fondled in a worrying or stressful situation just like the old time Hippy “Worry Beads” guess it beats twiddling your thumbs or chewing your nails ?They are made from different timbers chosen for their grain patterns and tight structure to allow the desired finish..


My scroll saw and the knife shown are about the only tools used, then a lot of sandpapering and polishing with ultra fine steel wool, followed by a couple of applications of 50/50 mix of Turps and Boiled Linseed Oil which was allowed to dry, then the birds were buffed with a soft rag to get the soft patina to make them pleasant to handle. I was pleased to find that the members of our little carving group have voted to make the birds an ongoing spare time project and as a few birds become available they will be given to the staff at the Oncology centre to be distributed to patients that they feel will benefit from such things. Hope it all works out as intended..
Regards
John

Hi John -- This is great news that you are using my pattern to make Comfort Birds to give to others that are in need. What kind of wood are you using? Do you have access to different kinds of wood? I am surprised of all the people want to make these bird and give them away, and had 50 responses from the article. I am working on my 1445 bird, all the money that I receive from the birds in last 2 years goes to our church mission fund. There are many great people want to help, and many hurting people.

Frank Foust
607 S. Main St.
Muncy, Pa. 17756 U.S.A.