Nutcrackers are one of the most-loved Christmas symbols, and two best friends have made their very own seven-foot-tall amazing versions using everyday objects.
Mums Jessica Heys and Sally Cowan constructed their festive craft projects as part of « Wellbeing Wednesday », a day they set aside for getting together, walking their dogs, and « putting the world to rights » while doing crafts.
Sally, who is chief officer for Black Country YMCA, said this Christmas the pair decided on something more ambitious than making mugs and cards.
She said: « We had wanted to make a life-size nutcracker for a couple of years, and last year went to see the Nutcracker Ballet for inspiration, but alas the Christmas of 2023 was not our year.
« We struggled to find the right parts, we garnered arms (the inners of a carpet role) but had no idea for the body or head. But 2024 was the year, and following a trip to B&Q, and a blueprint drawn on the back of the kids’ homework, we set about our most ambitious project. »
To construct the nutcrackers, named Claus and Hans, the friends used pieces of work surface for the bases of the models and used pipes for the legs and arms. The legs were supported by pieces of wood attached to the base.
Ms Cowan added: « The bodies are plastering buckets (£7 each) and the heads are smaller buckets (£1 each). We skillfully mastered the power tools to cut a ‘pelvis’ (a thin piece of plyboard) to fix the legs to the bodies, and then repurposed a bit of pipe and an old broom handle for the shoulder joints.
« Back to the power tools we drilled some holes at the top of the arms for the shoulder joints and then stuck it all together with a bit of skirting board adhesive (as that’s what was lying around) and super glue.
« We needed another circular piece of wood for the head to rest on, and there we have it. The body was complete. Now to decoration. »
Ms Heys, a doctor, and Ms Cowan were helped by Lottie, aged eight, and eight-year-old Matilda. Ms Cowan added that spray paint was used, along with hand painting some areas.
She said: « We took two approaches to the faces, Claus is hand painted but Hans is a vinyl sticker face. We think they both look handsome and each have their own unique personality.
« The hair on Claus is but of an old throw, and Hans had a couple of hairstyles. At one point he looked like Guy Fawkes with flowing black velvet locks (fabric we had lying around) but it didn’t suit him so we opted for a more mature white hair do.
« It’s been a really fun project to do in the run up to Christmas, it’s probably cost £60 each to make the nutcrackers, but now we know what we are doing we will more efficient and are looking forward to making another one next year. »
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