3-D Folk Art Bird Nest Cookie - Part 1: Shape and Decorate Cookies

As you may or may not know, each quarter I shoot about eight videos over the course of two days, and I love to try to wow with at least one 3-D cookie project in each shoot. Well, this time that project is this whimsical (and hopefully wow-worthy) 3-D folk art cookie bird nest! Since this project is relatively involved, I decided to break it into two videos for easier viewing - this one covers the cutting and decorating of the ten primary cookie components, with a focus on the more time-consuming/difficult parts (the base dome and the bird on top). The second part of the video (coming in a couple of weeks) will address the assembly. I will also be releasing a companion video that will show how to make all of the dimensional royal icing flower and leaf decorations, as they require rather unique constructions.
But back to the immediate video . . . It’s loosely inspired by the fired bisque work made by St. Louis artist Stephanie Barken, whose art can be found at Green Door Art Gallery (www.greendoorartgallery.com/st.... As you’ll see, I departed from her structure pretty considerably, but I hope mine has the same smile-inducing quality!
CORRECTION AT 20:41: The tool I'm using is not a "tracing wheel"; it's a "pastry wheel" for cutting pie dough! (Clearly I was exhausted when I did the voiceover!) :) Anywho, the overarching point remains the same: I like to adopt tools from other disciplines when cookie decorating!
RELATED VIDEOS:
3-D Folk Art Bird Nest Cookie: Part 2 (Assembly): • 3-D Folk Art Bird Nest...
Royal Icing Folk Art Flowers and Leaves: • Royal Icing Folk Art F...
How to Contour Cookie Dough: • How to Contour Cookie ...
How to Make Royal Icing (with Consistency Adjustments): tinyurl.com/nx7xhmq
How to Dip Contoured Cookies: • How to Dip and Decorat...
How to Make 2-D Royal Icing Transfers: • 2-D Royal Icing Transf...
MY MOST COMMONLY USED TOOLS:
Many are here in my new Amazon store: www.amazon.com/shop/juliamusher
OTHER SPECIALTY TOOLS:
6 to 6 1/4-inch fluted round cookie cutter (for base): tinyurl.com/y25syosy
4-inch hemisphere cake pan (for base dome): tinyurl.com/y5jf2ahl
2 7/8-inch (about 70 mm) hemisphere silicone mold (for nest): tinyurl.com/y68qugle
3 7/8-inch fluted round cutter (for top edge of nest): tinyurl.com/y23ey47q
Ateco plain round cutter set: tinyurl.com/y4hrfr7o
Ann Clark 4-inch bird cutter: tinyurl.com/yylnnvly
PME basketweave-textured rolling pin: tinyurl.com/y33ef9dx
Ateco teardrop cutter set (for wing/feather templates): tinyurl.com/y3rjhuur
RELATED RECIPES:
Cutout Cookie Gingerbread: tinyurl.com/y2ovc4np
Royal Icing: tinyurl.com/zx7a9jk
COOKIE QUANTITIES AND DIMENSIONS; ALSO COLORS USED ON PURPLE NEST SHOWN IN VIDEO:
1 (6 1/4-inch) fluted round, for base (AmeriColor Eggplant with Electric Green border)
1 extra large (4-inch) hemisphere, for base (AmeriColor Wedgwood Blue with details in AmeriColor Royal Blue, Turquoise, and Peach)
1 (4-inch) fluted, contoured ring with 2 1/2-inch hole in center, for base (AmeriColor Eggplant with Electric Green border)
2 small (1 1/4-inch) hemispheres, for base and under nest (AmeriColor Electric Green)
2 medium (1 5/8-inch) hemispheres (AmeriColor Royal Blue with Turquoise stripes and Peach dots)
1 large (2 7/8-inch) hemisphere, for nest (AmeriColor Eggplant with AmeriColor Royal Blue and Electric Green details)
1 (3 7/8-inch) fluted ring with 2 1/2-inch hole in center, for top edge of nest (AmeriColor Eggplant with Electric Green border)
1 (4-inch) bird with wing cut off (AmeriColor Wedgwood Blue, Royal Blue, Turquoise, light Burgundy, and Peach for body, wings, and feathers, with Chefmaster Buckeye or Harvest Brown for beak)
TEMPLATE DIMENSIONS:
Wing: 2”L x 1 ¼”W teardrop
Tail feathers: ½” to ¾”L teardrop, two sizes
TO PURCHASE MY STENCILS:
confectioncouturestencils.com
TO JOIN MY STENCIL OF THE MONTH CLUB: tinyurl.com/y23whksb
TO PURCHASE MY 4-HOUR VIDEO COOKIE DECORATING COURSE, MY BOOKS, OR APP:
www.juliausher.com/store
TO JOIN COOKIE CONNECTION, MY ONLINE COOKIE DECORATING COMMUNITY:
cookieconnection.juliausher.co...
TO HANG OUT WITH ME ON THE WEB:
My site/blog: www.juliausher.com
Facebook: tinyurl.com/j6nm6te
Instagram: / juliamusher
Twitter: / juliamusher
Pinterest: / juliamusher
CREDITS:
Music by: Kevin MacLeod, www.incompetech.com
Videography/Editing by: Two5:7North (www.two57north.com), Grant and Ashleigh Murphy

[@kimberland8910]

You are amazing, truly a artist, you should have a showing of all your pieces. KZbin needs a love button for sure.💟💗💟💗

[@Flameouslife]

Your videos are the reason youtube should consider a love button

[@cintiacastro-melendez138]

I normally see your videos with time, I enjoy them so much, I love the engineering involve in your pieces, they are so well design, and decorated with such a good taste and creativity. The way you master the techniques always amazes me. You are definitely and inspiration and a great teacher!

[@JuliaMUsher]

Oh, thank you so very much, and happy holidays!

[@HeyChanelle]

I actually gasped when I saw the thumb nail. I love making biscuits but I don't have the patience to take my time with them. This is amazing!

[@nirzaberry5141]

Truly a work of art.

[@steimbergkarla-elena1983]

WOOOOWW!!!the finished product in the pictures is a WORK OF ART! Made for display who would actually eat such a thing?!!Its too GORGEOUS!

[@rdnnews]

Bravo Julia, I can truly say you “Wowed” us again I’m not going to take this one on, you have such an eye for this. Thank you for sharing!

[@octavioluna1066]

I have little following her channel and I find her works beautiful, I congratulate her for bringing us this art in cookies. greetings from Mexico.

[@BlackBellyDanceCandy]

Your the best Julia, glad you have more videos coming out.

[@asherrogers2687]

Possibly THE FINEST sweet artist I've seen. You are so detailed with your work but also in your tutorials and it's much appreciated! AMAZING!

[@barbaraaidefahmerembao4553]

Tus trabajos son arte purooo💝💝💝💝💝♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@JuliaMUsher]

Thanks so much!

[@WedartStudio]

Your creativity is amazing! I`m happy to discover your nice channel, very well done! 😊🌐🌐😊

[@nancyjones1060]

Anything you do is exquisite.i love what talent and creativity you have. I love the bird in the next .thank you just beautiful😄💕

[@brandyjne]

I love your artistry ♥️

[@chefsabbaa7896]

Wonderful tutorial as always.

[@carmenromanfiorentini6151]

¡¡¡¡¡ PRECIOSO trabajo !!!! Tienes unas manos maravillosas ..😘😘

[@maryannecross2379]

WOW! Absolutely Awesome 👏👏👏😁

[@Oliverisloved]

Wow! So incredibly impressive!

[@annd.h.1336]

Julia you are incredible!!

[@SusansEasyRecipes]

Love it! You are so talented!🌺🌹

[@monaandersson3644]

I love watching you amazing work explanied so clearly. Look forward to upcoming stuff 🤩

[@Regina-vh5di]

Happy New Year 2021! Health, good luck, happiness!

[@JuliaMUsher]

Thank you - wishing you a great 2021 as well!

[@IronMan-yg4qw]

your cookies are so beautiful.

[@whozzit74]

I can't even...WOW!!!!

[@SoniaBDorsey]

I absolutely love your creativity. Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@katywuste9054]

You’ve improved on the painting, it’s simply exquisite

[@maryjones0147]

OMG those birds, Julia, please, you need to donate your brain to science, you are a total genius. hahaha amazing. Thanks soooooo much for sharing.

[@pamelaadams3845]

And wow you did!! Such a inspiration Thank you!!!

[@sangeetart2317]

Just awesome

[@ninaburduja]

BELLOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@ellaconner9452]

Beautiful! Would love to have that at a tea luncheon and have you over to enjoy! ❤️. C u on the next video. TFS

[@pilarmunoz9529]

Que maravilla de tartas y galletas de 🇪🇸 un saludo

[@gabrielap.8786]

WOW!!!!!! Amazing...... great work 👏👏👏

[@aspirinDLYboga]

спасибо.

[@yassminanaim4422]

💖💖💖❤❤❤👌👌👌

[@simonethonon9387]

superbe