Buck wall mount

Charlene Stothers from Blairgowrie shared her interpretation of a buck wall mount. She decided on a springbok because of its symbolism.

You will need
• template (see below)
• craft foam
• wood glue
• modge podge
• masking tape
• decorative paper
• varnish
• florist‘s wire
• copper wire (or yarn), to hang
• scissors
• pegs
• paintbrushes

To make
1 Copy the template onto foam and cut one head piece, two ears and two horns.
2 Score the head in the middle and bend in half – this will ensure that it holds its shape. Score the tabs on the side of the head – you will use these to affix the head to the mounting shield.
3 Thread florist‘s wire through the horn pieces, to make them sturdy.
4 Paint the foam pieces with modge podge and cover with decorative paper, smoothing out any air bubbles. Neaten the edges by folding the decorative paper over them. Leave to dry.
5 Stick two foam pieces together using masking tape to make an A3-sized piece. Cut out a mounting shield from the foam and reinforce by sticking on masking tape in a cross shape.
6 For the hanging mechanism of the wall mount, make a loop with the copper wire (it should extend across the width of the shield) and stick down firmly with masking tape, to reinforce it.
7 Decoupage the shield, both back and front, and neaten the edges. Leave to dry.
8 Assemble the head by sticking on the ears and horns – hold in place with pegs and leave to dry.
9 Once dry, put a length of masking tape onto the back of the tabs (located on the sides of the head), apply glue on the front of the tabs and carefully glue the head onto the mounting shield. The masking tape will hold the head in place while the glue is wet. If necessary, use weights to ensure that the tabs sit flush against the mounting shield. Leave to dry.
10 Paint on at least two coats of varnish, leaving each coat to dry before painting on the next.

Visit her blog at www.charlenestothers.weebly.com