I spent 100 hours sculpting this

[@alispagnola]

Lol that ruining a sweatshirt is also art. Who wants to see the sweatshirt get progressively worse in future videos?

[@maxximumb]

Yes and after a year (or any artistic period of time) you should hold a raffle. The winner gets the sweatshirt framed and autographed. Please don't limit it to the US only. Surely enough money could be raised via the raffle ticket sales to ship the prize internationally.

[@brianchandler7957]

Meeee!!!

[@sapphiremoonaj]

Me

[@ireallyreallyhategoogle]

Yes please, and wet in the air is called humidity.

[@LuckyGuy-sx3jq]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤yeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssss

[@Elfdaughter]

So... just in case anyone wants to try carving a giant bird - what most people use for carving into, and what most model makers use, is a type of foam called XPS foam. The foam that you picked up first is Polyisocyanurate rigid foam. Not as easy to use... as you found out!!

[@Reptile_Gecko]

Ye XPS is also VERY common for making animal enclosures, why? Well it has a ton of different resistances like with heat, and especially once sealed. Plus, the ability to carve it and stack pieces for more height allows people to make some really intricate pieces very easily (just time consuming even more so with certain products like silicone or expanding foam if involved).

[@professordeb]

She used EPS, not Polyiso, which would be next to impossible to work with,

[@GoogleUser-yj1wy]

Its a lobster 🦞

[@beaverc2884]

Apparently you don't watch a lot of artists here on KZbin because they all do it the same way she did. Minus the spray glue.

[@Elfdaughter]

Yes - with XPS foam. Considering I am ONE of those artists (although on Twitch now, I don't upload to KZbin any more)@@beaverc2884

[@malicemadden]

Ali, I’m an Australian Paramedic. Here you need a 3 year university degree to be one. I’m a “smart person” who specialises in injuries and even I rush and hurt myself sometimes when doing things requiring tools. THANK YOU for leaving that part in the video. Also, don’t be so rigid with your deadline- we don’t mind waiting extra time for your videos!!!

[@RobynFoxx1]

🥹💖 this is incredibly sweet of you

[@Calap12345]

Mali madden thank you for you service risking your life to save our Aussie lives

[@laurenjerzak8526]

It worries me that you get so worried about your deadline. Please dont work yourself so hard that you end up not wanting to post at all like ive seen other channels do. We love you and your work! This was awesome.

[@Domillow]

Some one who agrees with me

[@say_wo0]

real!!!

[@LeonardGreenpaw]

The algorithm gods DEMAND YOUR BLOOD

[@stoneforest2639]

Yes! Breathe!!! The viewers forgive!

[@kimberleyhosmer5997]

Amazing! Congratulations! I’d love to see you get that in an art gallery!

[@XxHeManWomenHaterxX]

I’m glad you included the injury. It’s important to learn that NO project is worth hurting yourself over. If something feels sketchy, it probably is! And you should stop and wait to do it the right way, thanks for the lesson and I hope your finger feels better❤

[@daniel4647]

Username doesn't check out at all.

[@Silver_pAwz1]

@@daniel4647fr 😂

[@andrewsnyders0411]

I totally didn't expect that last montage of the bird balancing on things to be that satisfying. Most satisfying is definitely the bird on the piano. Thanks so much, Ali, for this epic video. Your poor small bird which kept breaking must be payback for every time you forgot your mask!

[@glennllewellyn7369]

Spoiler Alert! Don’t read this chaps comment! Heh heh heh…

[@msprincesss115]

yes, but could have been better if she didn't forget to spin the bigger bird around too.

[@BobSuzanne]

Thanks for leaving in the ER visit. With all the editing on the internet these days, it can feel like art projects, home renovations, and anything else magically come together quick, easy and flawless. I love your channel because you show the ups and downs of every project. You often learn as you go too, so it's kinda inspiring that anyone can just try to make whatever they want. Keep going Pal-y!

[@flymypg]

I love seeing brains that work like this. Mine doesn't, so I need folks like Ali to fill the gap! As an engineer, initially I was shouting at the screen, thinking of glues, supports and stuff. Then my internal scientist took over, seeing this as an experiment rather than a product, greatly increasing my enjoyment of Ali's process. Ali really puts the 'A' in STEAM. This is what schools should do with their students!

[@cityseabird]

Love this comment. Changing perspectives, giving credit, and I totally agree that Ali's way of working is what children need to see and experience.

[@5stringaustin]

I commented something similar on another creator channel the other day. I absolutely love watching extremely smart and talented people take on something that they have no clue about. Watching them develop from “Wtf” to “That’s flippin’ awesome”

[@rozimohdnor]

@@cityseabirdlol.l,k

[@carolbuzelim]

Me: you can find the gravity center and calcula… *ali put weight at the wings and try* Me: that works too hahahahaha

[@otisbates1934]

As someone who has used this foam a lot building pieces for the theatre, I feel your pain. For future reference, there is a specific type of glue for foam that comes in a tube like caulking. I too once-upon-a-time tried to glue together foam with spray glue and ran into the very same problems.

[@ReviewyCA]

Just gotta say, thank you for the injury warning! I was able to cover my eyes just in time :) This is why I struggle to watch cooking shows sometimes - every time they bust out the mandoline, I have to turn away in case they slice off a knuckle.

[@Loan--Wolf]

my ex brother in laws mother would pass out when she seen blood and i cut the knuckle to the bone needed help cleaning it she was a champ she at least managed to get the 90% on it before she hit the ground

[@tinameyers6836]

I cut about bone deep into my thumb when I was using a mandolin so I get your fear of them 😅😂

[@ARI_CREEPYPASTA_FAN_2.0]

@@Loan--WolfEx Brother in law?

[@Loan--Wolf]

@@ARI_CREEPYPASTA_FAN_2.0he was maried to my sister now he is not they dont have kids so no longer my brother inlaw

[@hazzard_destroyer]

10:12 you having it in the video also helps show people why not to do that and be safe when using tools ❤️

[@GenericSweetener]

I think the bow is looking for nichrome wire (same stuff that's in toasters), which has a really high resistance making it heat up

[@uggima1]

Yeahhhhhhhh entirely fair to not know anything about nichrome with a resistance of ~2ohm/meter vs galvanized "wire" at like milliohms/meter?

[@ireallyreallyhategoogle]

Ya, it wasn't a problem of being conductive enough, it was too conductive.

[@Thats_Mr_Random_Person_to_you]

Yh and is the reason the adapter shut off as its short circuit protection kicked in (least it had some and it works).

[@gs4945]

Also cool how Ali's community is knowledgeable about this stuff. @GenericSweetner. Most comment seem constructive and helpful.

[@ireallyreallyhategoogle]

@@gs4945 Who are you replying to?

[@JonSanders]

The finished result - at that size - really does look magical. Makes me appreciate the toy a ton more than I already did.

[@markross4730]

Your combination of brains, perseverance and childlike joy is unbeatable! Thank you for sharing them with us.

[@ExtraAmorace]

I loved these balancing birds as a kid,its so cool to see it in this size!

[@kmwwrench]

Your level of stick-to-it-iveness is almost beyond comprehension. But that big balancing bird IS fabulous. Congrats on another successful project.

[@martykasa7864]

Breaking in the new place, outrageous style ... I love it.

[@OctopusWhoSeesAll]

Truly a Spag’s christening.

[@hazzard_destroyer]

The amount of joy I had/got when the bird successfully balanced was just so much! It really is Beak performance!

[@CodeytheArtist]

I am smiling like such a kid right now because I used to love getting these balancing toys from the arcade prize counters as a kid and the way you brought those awesome childhood memories back to me is incredible! You did an amazing job, Ali! You are always so fun to watch, the flaws and all! While I hope your finger heals alright, I'm so glad you were able to pull this off! Well done!!! 😊

[@ollieoopsie]

Every single time I watch one of Ali’s videos I think, this is the kind of person I want to be. Someone who makes whatever crazy ideas pop into their head. So thank you Ali for being so cool and showing us all of your awesome stuff!! I think you’ve inspired me to make more stuff of my own!

[@magdalynrobinson7]

this is definitely on the board of her best projects

[@OmegaSparky]

@8:37 Harbor Frightening to the rescue! Also the wire that broke is special wire - NiChrome. It's resistive and doesn't corrode when it is heated up to glowing trees hot. Some hardware stores might carry it.

[@JenkinsUSA]

Check the craft stores also.

[@parkermcclintock8292]

There should have been some spare wire when she ordered it most ppl don't think about it and throw it away

[@wayuptown]

Right on. The problem was the resistance of the wire was not enough = too much current = 💥

[@Tilla00]

I just found your channel and I'm already looking forward to starting a marathon. I'm sick, so your content seems perfect to get my mind of how meh I feel ❤️

[@HenkJanBakker]

Got a piece of wisdom for you. Why do you care what we think of you? Not in a dismissive way mind you. You know we love you right? We love what you do including the dumb stuff. As a matter of fact it's endearing you have the guts to show your mishaps. You are my hero for showing what you show and the utter creative monster you are. Never doubt us.

[@BeansAndPotatos]

Never doubt yourself*

[@californiasomething]

Thank you for leaving in the injury, people can learn from your mistakes. You are amazing and your videos are awesome.

[@GalacticGoddess46]

I am in awe!!!! What a fantastic piece to have on display in a house big enough... you just move it around according to your whims!

[@kate1830]

Wow Ali!! I really love this one! You persevered to bring it to a balance... beautifully symbolic

[@celtygames2004]

I love watching your content. You show that art can be quite literally anything and I love that. I also love that you show all the mistakes that can happen in art but stay positive throughout the whole thing. It really shows that art is a process and isn’t always perfect when making it.

[@MJZearen]

Hey Ali, pants pal-y here. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to like this video but I already did. What an amazing, outrageous project! From fans of balancing birds everywhere, thanks for making this giant dream soar!

[@lunachopin69420]

7:40 I laughed so hard I worried my cats 😂 It’s been a rough (time) thank you for THAT, this morning is starting off right 😂 💕

[@scooteroo1701]

you can buy a roll of nichrome wire to replace what you broke on your foam cutter (its also used for hot wire tables) and for quick carving of foam you can use wood rasps of all sizes to go fast and take big chunks or slow and take small chunks. If you ever carve foam again that is.

[@michelle_mitch_p]

I get so excited when you upload ❤❤the fact you share those moments just shows how much you care about being who you are. Never change, never change for anyone. The best projects are those that make you work for it. You’re incredible how you are. Perfection is an inperfection.

[@TawnyOwlWings]

Thank you for always showing us when it goes wrong!

[@jesseuguccini]

This was incredible. One of my favs. ❤

[@JasperwasperB3]

I was expecting something amazing and holy cow it did not disappoint! Even through all the struggles of materials and tools not cooperating (and the ER trip and an additional handful of plastic bird doctor visits for that stubborn wing) you really made something magnificent!! I could honestly gush about how awesome this project is for hours

[@dakel20]

Hey Ali, next time, use a hot wire cutter from Hot Wire Foam Factory. They're super durable, easy to re-wire, and very well made. The proper wire to use as well is nichrome.

[@angriestjoker]

I’m glad how much of the failures and post adjustments/on the spot purchases to solve issues you include. In hindsight, watching these would have made the long nights making my first ever cosplay prop so much easier. We all fail, but the end product will always be worth it 👍🏼

[@kingsknight2112]

I have done my share of carving foam. I use a sawzall, belt sander 60 grit and a hand rasp. It’s messy but you can shape out really fast. Then you can finish with 120 sandpaper

[@jasonshepherd3002]

Thank you for being so GENUINE!! I love your positivity! You are such an inspiration !

[@Camping814]

17:16, Christine painting the new place's trim? Cool video! I use a Hot Wire Foam Factory Kit for cutting foam on projects, it's served me well for a few years. Glad your finger is OK, that could have been a lot worse. Thanks for keeping that in as a safety reminder.

[@xingcat]

I make abstract art, and the past couple of months have been dealing with some things that have knocked me entirely out of art-making, lacking motivation and excitement over it. Your videos randomly popped up on my KZbin home page the other day, and your excitement for making all your giant artworks have led me back into my (also very makeshift) basement studio, and I managed to complete a couple of works that have sat in depressive idle state for at least a few weeks. Thanks so much!

[@marloespeters8404]

🎉 Have fun creating nice and awesome things 🎉

[@gamerdragon4721]

8:07 for future reference and for anyone else who doesn’t know, the wire used in foam cutters is called “nichrome wire” nichrome being the name of a VERY SPECIAL AND SPECIFIC METAL that produces a lot of heat without melting or short circuiting when an electric current is ran through it!! >:P

[@lisamchugh9303]

😮😊balancing it on your head made it so worth it!!!!❤🎉

[@punishedprops]

That's some spectacular foam sculpting Ali, great job!

[@alispagnola]

I used your video about the gear to figure out the gluing!

[@susancharlton8598]

I literally teared up at the end. I had a blue one of these when i was a kid and I was obsessed. Thank you for being my kind of weird.

[@gs4945]

I am addicted to your channel.... Thanks. Please keep in the self injuries not because we like them but because it's important to remind people to be careful when using new tools.(Hopefully this was the last injury). Thanks for feeding my addiction.

[@lindseydrummond5658]

You’re an incredible woman!! Funny, Smart, Genius Creative! A true true Engineer!!! I loved this video so much! More foam projects haha

[@chasingbutterflies2011]

I am now the proud owner of 6 balancing birds because my son and I watched this video (and Amazon, buy 6 instead of 1, lol). I had never heard of this toy before! He loves fidgeting with them, seeing how many he can balance on his hands at once, or balancing one on the dog's nose, etc. We loved watching the progression of you figuring out how to make the huge one!

[@seananderson5850]

If you're having trouble to knowing/remembering what to remove, a lot of makers will "black out" the portions that are being removed. This could be a simple black squiggle on the surfaces being removed.

[@poppyasher]

He's fabulous, he's amazing. He's a sight to behold. I want to see this bird lurking in all his gravity defying glory in the background of every single video now, like an easter egg!

[@martykasa7864]

Love it. Now, scale it up even bigger. : D

[@brianjay9811]

Now, the next time you accidentally create two outlines, remember to place small X's on the lines you wish to ignore...

[@ConfusedBurger-fo6vq]

Watching you "art so hard" is one of the only things on KZbin that makes me laugh out loud. Thank you so much for your content, but thank you more for your amazing attitude! Love ya, me.

[@TheBlister69]

It would be SO much fun living with a person this determined and obsessed. I’d get more done

[@teresaellis7062]

Your chaotic energy is a delight. Thank you for sharing that part of you. 😍

[@thomasmascio8808]

Awesome job Ali and you can always take my philosophy in that it is only a real project if blood is spilled!!! Hope your finger okay and can’t wait until your next project

[@southernfriedheathen994]

Loved seeing someone like me tackling those "what in the world are you doing now?" kinds of projects. Aaaaand, thank you for giving me the idea and inspiration for my next "what was I thinking?" project. I'm off to the hardware store for pink foam. I want a giant Creek Pebble Coffee Table and I'm not paying $2,000.00 for one. Here we go 🤞

[@pinkbirock343]

this video put a smile on my face, i had a miniature balancing hawk and i thought it was utterly mind breaking, love it.

[@markmark2961]

I really love when people showing the strugles and thought process what takes to make what you want to do, it is so much more realistic! I also love the fact, that you care about your health and used respirator (I hope with the proper filter for that toxic fumes lol) thank you for the video!

[@DeanCovert]

Thanks for leaving the injury in! I've been hurt (mostly minorly) at work so many times by rushing (one time did require an ER visit and the glue)

[@BlisterJazz]

love the video! An electric bread knife is the perfect tool for cutting foam. I did a project once where we had to carve alot of foam as well and it was a complete game changer. Cant wait for more videos

[@GuitarBoy1395]

seeing the big one balance gives me a level of serotonin that I didn't know I needed right now.

[@Phoebetheboss]

The amount of times the baby bird broke is kinda hilarious. Thanks for taking the extreme effort to make this sculpture!

[@baobaodraws6207]

I'm only 2 minutes into this video and the absolute joy radiating off of you is infectious.

[@jamiejackson1190]

You are so smart! I love your content, like other youtubers they don't show their downs.I love how you never give up and you are so energenic 😀.you are so powerful you are a queen 👸

[@Nejaee]

Man I would LOVE to go to an art show of all your different sculptures and creations you have made over all this time. Someday someone is going to make a museum of you and it'll be amazing :)

[@ucincilin]

This one made me so happy, congrats on achieving the bird dream! And thank you for leaving the mistakes in, showing both sides have great value andd just makes you a wise person alongside a smart one.

[@mm-jn1gz]

Had an engineer friend at work whose last name was also Spagnola..he was awesome (i hope he still is) and so are you! love all your creative chaos! LOVE IT!

[@elizabethevans1103]

Had me in stitches, unlike your finger. Cried with laughter at your balancing attempts. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@alwaysforanimals]

This is my favorite project you have ever made! I hope the giant bird gets to live out its days and not get ruined from the elements like some of her other projects! I kinda want the bird too

[@Vampiress16]

❤🎉 That was awesome! Congrats on the success of this amazing project. It was amazing how you persevered through the difficult times and even some setbacks- including your injury! And for a moment, it didn’t seem like everything was going well. But you did it! I’d be very proud ❤

[@veronika6879]

Thank you for keeping it so real!! Watching you struggle and persevere motivated me to keep on going with my own project I'm struggling with!! P.S. VERY cool mega bird!!

[@jeannedeperthuis8690]

Your laugh is amazing, and it really ads to the "childhood dream came to life" !

[@fasfan]

I always appreciate when goofs are left in. It shows that the person is human and makes mistakes. That helps make projects like this look attainable. If you make mistakes and still succeed then I shouldn't feel dissuaded when I make mistakes. And finally... it serves as a caution that sometimes things are dangerous we should take precautions.

[@MackSEpique]

Deadlines are flexible, our bodies and mental are not as! Hope you can give yourself more allowance and rest. You deserve it 🥺 (The project and video came out amazing!!)

[@Greenwood13]

This is probably one of the coolest videos on youtube ever. Love this!!! ❤

[@cellpenguin]

I have never known about this balancing bird! But now I want 10. One for each finger lol. Great video!

[@pinni74]

Awesome creation. Possibly one of my favourite videos you have done Ali! 🎉😊

[@Doedee311]

Did anyone else hold their breath as Ali started the take away part of the sculpting?

[@ellievergo6354]

I so did haha

[@BlueMoonFoxi]

I love how optimistic you are even when things don’t go your way

[@MagicBaking]

Amazing result!!

[@mudkip003]

Been following for a while, wanted to say, I love how motivated you are towards your creation of art. You are an inspiration.

[@tomfont3264]

I am glad you left with your sanity and positivity intact❤

[@jonnyturner7114]

You have never ceased to amaze me. I feel special. Thank you for your contribution to life.

[@lunap7029]

I saw the thumbnail and immediately knew what you were doing. Love it! Thank you for bringing back memories!

[@CharlotteHuether]

This proud pants pally appreciates the recognition. I was so excited to see it work! Super creative. Ally needs to have her own museum:The Museum of Outrageous

[@viiranen]

everytime i see ali start on sculting away at the bird my eyes go wide and cold sweat takes over. i am so glad she remembers to put the face mask on though, even if little slow

[@ryananderson8511]

Very cool to see art being created and Ali living as an artist I always wanted to be creative like that

[@rafezetter8003]

bread knife - or those electric carvers are EXCELLENT for carving this stuff.

[@garyschlagheck603]

I love watching your videos. You make me want to be creative. 😊

[@cherishthemessypainter]

This is the first time watching you and wow this is very impressive! Congrats on not giving up because that was definitely a labor of love!

[@say_wo0]

i love watching her long form videos because everytime i start smth,, SOMETHING seems to go wrong all the time :( i feel like giving up most of the time but seeing others with the same flaws as mine feel comforting

[@jackkyle8414]

I love this channel, and I LOVE the art you create. And I'm glad that you left in the part where you hurt yourself. It shows people the consequence of working unsafely, and though I don't want anyone to hurt themselves (you included), I think it's better to make use of that footage so that folks watching this (kids especially) know that working unsafely IS dangerous.

[@MitchMitchellStories]

I can't believe I was holding my breath when I can't ever remember you failing at a task. Great job, great looking bird!

[@carolbuzelim]

I think is adorable the way you apreciate the pants haha ‘Is a balencing bird video, isnt what you want?’ As i could ever dare to have a great idea before you. This video is what i needed hahah

[@WilliamDudley]

The cutting element in the "bow" is probably a piece of nichrome wire -- the wire you bought has too little resistance. The power supply can't drive the low resistance, so the light goes out when you try to use "your" replacement wire.

[@kashmirmoorhouse666]

Your honesty in your videos is a big reason why I keep watching your content!! ❤❤ Well, that and the fact that you are an amazing artist and make amazing videos! You really are something Ali ❤❤

[@naolmstead]

I was reminded several times throughout the carving process why so many woodworkers will use some form of marking to indicate which section of the board is going to be cut off.

[@dellearts]

Just seeing the thumbnail I knew exactly what you were going to do. AMAZING. The child in me is screaming in joy for you. Well, ok the adult in me is too. Amazing work! So glad YT recommended this vid.

[@anamariap8032]

wow the end result is fabulous even after watching the whole video and seeing how you did it i was still amazed when you showed it balancing on your head.