Teignmouth Day Centre:

All of us at Teignmouth Day Centre Craft Club decided we wanted to make an owl out of scrap and recycled materials. We think the Owl is King of the Woodlands so wanted to make him look regal.

We exaggerated the colours and shapes to enhance and emphasize our interest in this special bird and feel we have given him his own personality and character.

Everyone at the centre has contributed something towards the making of the Recycowl. The frame of the owl is made from chicken wire stuffed with discarded pieces of material. We made the head, wings and body as separate pieces and then sewed them onto the frame work. Finally fixing the owl onto a piece of wood.

We wanted to use as many ancient and traditional craft techniques as possible. The main theme being the woven panels on the stomach and wings. We made simple box looms and also traditional wooden looms, highlighting how you can make stunning textiles from simple tools. We wove in all types of scrap fabrics, old plastic, cassette tape and carpet wools. We crocheted and plaited strands. We then embroidered and sewed on shells to embellish the wings using vintage and junk shop thread. The shells found on Teignmouth beach which already had holes in, ideal for sewing onto fabric, driftwood and reclaimed wood was used for the face and eyes. Old carpet wool had been donated to us for making a tufted rug-work head.

The beak has been made from the gusset of an old suede bag donated for the project.

We wanted an environmental message about habitat and preservation in his eyes. So made the eyes huge with information about the owl written under and onto the wooden lids. It's true what they say about owls being wise!