How to create a miniature decorative weather vane

As part of our 'miniature garden' series we're showing you how to create this miniature rooster weather vane made from copper clay in five simple steps!

Miniature decorative weather vane tutorial

By Candy Chappill.

You will need

• Copper clay 50gm
• Spacers 1mm
• Roller
• Needle
• Sanding pad 180 grit
• Firing method
• Brass brush
• Copper wire
• Jewellery pliers
• Wire cutters
• Superglue
• Alphabet beads

Download the templates used in this project here.

Method 

1. Roll out your clay 1mm thick and cut around the cockerel template using a needle.

2. Sand and refine any rough areas using a sanding pad. Be careful as the dry clay is very fragile.

3. Fire and finish your piece. Candy fired hers in a kiln at 970ºC for 30 minutes, and finished with a simple brass brush.

4. Using copper wire, wrap two short strips around a longer strip to make a post with four arms. Trim the arms to around 2.5cm.

5. Using superglue secure the arms in place, secure your cockerel to the top and add alphabet beads to the ends.

And that's it! Sit back and admire your miniature weather vane – a welcome addition to any miniature garden!

Now you've created your miniature weather vane, get stuck into more easy-to-follow tutorials from our 'miniature garden' series!

Miniature bird bath tutorial

Miniature garden gate tutorial

Miniature dog kennel tutorial

Miniature garden wall tutorial

Miniature spade and fork tutorial

Miniature wheelbarrow tutorial

Miniature Victorian lantern tutorial

Miniature paving slabs tutorial

Miniature topiary trees tutorial