He Creates Owls, Ducks From Pine Cone Seeds

1989 - Volume #13, Issue #6, Page #17

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Kenneth Monty, Eagle, Wis., makes ducks and owls out of pine cone seeds.
"They're rare and different and attract attention wherever we exhibit them. We think they'll be collectors' items," says Monty, noting that his wife and four kids all go pine cone hunting in the fall looking for the three different kinds of pine cones needed to make the birds.
"I work right at the kitchen table with baskets of pine cones we've gathered in the woods. I use an ordinary scissors to cut the pine cones right down the middle because it's easier if you pull the individual seeds out from the core," says Monty.
"My wife and youngsters have a great time pine cone hunting. We carry plastic bags and gather the cones lying on the ground. We make sure we keep the three cone species separated."
After the seeds have been picked from the cones, they're glued individually onto paper mac he duck or owl decoy forms which they buy complete with eyes in them. "I use a hot glue gun. Each seed has to be glued individually into place. It's a long, tedious process but when you complete the owl or duck, it's worth all the work. They're very striking looking."
Monty uses different type seeds on different parts of the bird. One type of seed looks best when used for the feathers while another type is used on the legs and feet. Once the seeds are all glued in place, they're varnished with a clear varnish.
It takes Monty about 5 hrs. to complete a big owl. The large owls sell for $50 each and the smaller ones for $30. "We sell little ducks that measure 10 in. across for $11 and 14-in. ducks for $16. My wife and I can turn out about five ducks that measure 14 in. long in one evening or a dozen smaller 10-in. ducks."
Monty takes his creations to craft shows and flea markets. "They're popular with outdoorsmen and make nice gifts for nature lovers. They attract attention wherever we go because no one's ever seen anything like them."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Kenneth Monty, Eagle, Wis. 53119 (ph 414 594-2556).

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He Creates Owls, Ducks from Pine Cone Seeds AG WORLD Ag World 13-6-17 Kenneth Monty, Eagle, Wis., makes ducks and owls out of pine cone seeds. "They're rare and different and attract attention wherever we exhibit them. We think they'll be collectors' items," says Monty, noting that his wife and four kids all go pine cone hunting in the fall looking for the three different kinds of pine cones needed to make the birds. "I work right at the kitchen table with baskets of pine cones we've gathered in the woods. I use an ordinary scissors to cut the pine cones right down the middle because it's easier if you pull the individual seeds out from the core," says Monty. "My wife and youngsters have a great time pine cone hunting. We carry plastic bags and gather the cones lying on the ground. We make sure we keep the three cone species separated." After the seeds have been picked from the cones, they're glued individually onto paper mac he duck or owl decoy forms which they buy complete with eyes in them. "I use a hot glue gun. Each seed has to be glued individually into place. It's a long, tedious process but when you complete the owl or duck, it's worth all the work. They're very striking looking." Monty uses different type seeds on different parts of the bird. One type of seed looks best when used for the feathers while another type is used on the legs and feet. Once the seeds are all glued in place, they're varnished with a clear varnish. It takes Monty about 5 hrs. to complete a big owl. The large owls sell for $50 each and the smaller ones for $30. "We sell little ducks that measure 10 in. across for $11 and 14-in. ducks for $16. My wife and I can turn out about five ducks that measure 14 in. long in one evening or a dozen smaller 10-in. ducks." Monty takes his creations to craft shows and flea markets. "They're popular with outdoorsmen and make nice gifts for nature lovers. They attract attention wherever we go because no one's ever seen anything like them." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Kenneth Monty, Eagle, Wis. 53119 (ph 414 594-2556).

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