Caged Bird Tag

This tag was created for a swap with the gals over at OWSE.  I started by inking with a foam applicator in several colors and then further distressing with spray inks.  I used gears and a spinner to create a layered embellishment.  The die was my source of inspiration and the subject of my swap.  It is by the one and only Tim Holtz.  I used alcohol inks directly on the bird to achieve a nice rich color and left the cage as is.  A brad is the eye of the bird and a direct application of alcohol ink created the rich red color.  I revisited my original crafty passion of beading by adding wired drops with crystals from a broken vintage necklace. 

The bird and cage were cut from the coolest stuff ever.  I found some vintage craft supplies at an antique show!  I scored four packages of foil sheets that originally sold for fifty cents a package. I paid five dollars for the lot, which included two sets of dried up useless paint.  The foil cut like butter in my die cutting machine. Pretty cool!