As Beltaine approaches, this would be an excellent project to welcome in the returning sun.
Circular compact-type mirror (approx 2 ½ in diameter)
3x3 in share of oak (½ in thick)
five minute epoxy adhesive
coping saw
vise
electric drill with 1/8, 1/4, and 1/16 in bits
medium flat and flat mill files
large pin fixture
small screw eye
2 jump rings
3 in gold chain
sandpaper
shellac (optional)
small piece of .032 in copper
fine emery cloth
electric drill buffing attachment and polishing compound
tin snips
hammer
long-nosed pliers
ten feathers - two groups of five in sizes from 3 to 1 inDraw a circle of equal diameter to the mirror on the piece of oak. Clamping the wood in the vise, cut as close to the lines as you are able with the coping saw and file the edges smooth with the medium flat file. Then sand the edges, face, and sides of the disc with the fine sandpaper until they are equally smooth.
Draw a straight line for the diameter, and going upwards at intervals of ½ in, draw lines parallel to the diameter, extending the lines over the sides. With a ruler, measure 1/4 in into the center of the wooden disk at each ½ in interval. These are where you will drill holes for the feathers. Depending upon the diameter of the feather, drill either an 1/8 or 1/16 in hole at each point. The quills should fit snugly in each hole. On a diameter perpendicular to the first line, drill a 1/16 in hole in the width at the bottom of the disc.
Apply a coating of shellac to the sides of the disc and allow to dry for two hours. Only when the first coating is completely dry should you add a second coating. (If you prefer a rough finish, omit the application of the shellac.) Apply a small dab or epoxy to the quill ends and insert them into their proper holes (the largest feather in the topmost hole and so on). Insert a small screw eye in the bottom hole.
Draw a circle of one inch diameter on the copper. Drill a 1/4 in hole at the center of the circle and an 1/8 in hole at the top. Cut the circle from the copper with the tin snips and flatten out with the hammer after cutting. File the charm to shape with the flat mill file and flatten with the hammer again. Polish with the fine emery cloth and buff with the drill attachment.
Insert an open jump ring through the top hole in the charm, and place the second jump ring through the screw eye in the bottom of the disk. Attach the last link on each end of the gold chain to the jump rings and close them with the needle nosed pliers.
Apply the epoxy to the back of the mirror and attach it to the front of the oaken disk. Epoxy the pin fixture to the back of the wooden disk.