I am often inspired by vintage creations that I see or find. With my Etsy orders I send a little something extra with each order. One of the items I tucked in some boxes was a handmade bunny.
They were super simple to make, so I thought I would share.
Bunny heads cupcake picks. These are vintage, but some cake decorating stores carry similar items.
For this project you will need bump chenille, florist wire, a cupcake pick head, pipe cleaner and embellishments. I also used a hot glue gun.
Wrap the pipe cleaner around a pencil to make the bunny body. I just wrap it round and round to form a coil. I used about half a pipe cleaner and saved the other half for the bunny arms. I used two "bumps" of the bump chenille for the legs.
These are the bunny parts unassembled. I slid the pencil out of the pipe cleaner coil. I bent the bump chenille so the top of the V would pop into one end of the pipe cleaner coil. Bend the pipe cleaner into a V so you can find the middle and glue that at the base of the neck.
Here is the bunny assembled. I hot glue the legs, arms and head into place.
I add a loop of florist wire for hanging. I hot glue it to the top. I love hot glue.
Embellishing is the fun part. I use ribbon and millinery flowers for embellishment.
Here are the finished bunnies. I always have to play around with a project. I had a couple of fatter patterned straws on my work surface and used a couple of those cut down for a body instead of a pipe cleaner coil. I added a skirt to one bunny. They all got little ribbon bows and flowers. It is fun to see the variations on each bunny.
Easy peasy. Perhaps some of these bunnies will be hopping into your Easter crafting.
Can't wait to play with my vintage cupcake picks on Friday when I'm officially on spring break with the girls! Thank you for sharing your "trade" secrets. Easter hugs!
Posted by: Kim Kenward | March 27, 2013 at 05:48 AM
Thanks for sharing the creating process. That little gal's skirt blends beautifully with her complexion.
Sheryl
Posted by: Sheryl Remy | March 27, 2013 at 05:48 AM
Oh Laurie, these are too cute! Thank you for the tutorial - it is so neat to see how you put these treasures together. What a great inspiration you are!
Posted by: Maureen | March 27, 2013 at 06:00 AM
One word: Pinning!
Thanks for sharing some of your secrets. Shouldn't you be getting ready for Texas?!
Erica
Posted by: Erica | March 27, 2013 at 06:42 AM
Thanks for the tutorial! I do love my bunny that was in my package :-) It's so much fun to find a little extra goody along with your creations.The straw body ones are darling too.
Have a great day :-)
***Have my coffee in my hand
Posted by: Doreen | March 27, 2013 at 07:48 AM
Your creative process is fascinating to me -- how all those random parts come together to make something so fun & happy.
Hot glue loves you too. :-)
Posted by: Into Vintage | March 27, 2013 at 08:38 AM
When you found some of those bunnies at an estate sale I thought they were kitties. Oh,well. You make it all seem so easy and those are so precious. I love the one with the skirt. That is a great little bonus you send along for your buyers!!
Posted by: Annette | March 27, 2013 at 09:10 AM
I haven't found little bunny heads but will enjoy making these when I do. They are so cute and would be fun to attach to almost anything for Easter. Thanks for showing us!!
Posted by: Mary B. in Oklahoma | March 27, 2013 at 12:32 PM
These are cute. I will try to make a few. As you know I am NOT good at finding vintage heads so I thought I could use a wooden bead for a head and make chenille ears and paint the face.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Janet Johnson | March 27, 2013 at 04:22 PM
These are adorable and I'm sure your customers are delighted with the little bonus! I never would have thought of gluing the hanger on the top with hot glue. You always amaze!
Posted by: Kathy | March 27, 2013 at 10:23 PM
These are so cute! Thanks for sharing!! xo Heather
Posted by: Heather | March 27, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Oh! Those are so darling Laurie! Thanks so much for sharing the how-to's with us. Hoping I can find vintage picks and get to play too.
Happiest Easter to you!
Posted by: Sally | March 30, 2013 at 03:17 PM