1.5 inch freehand Shield kite, cocktail napkin.
I’ve wanted to do something with the butterflies on some cocktail napkins for several weeks.
After doing several kites from templates, I decided to brave making one off template (freehand) to avoid getting some stray lettering onto the sail.
This little beauty is the result. I’m very pleased with how well it turned out, and how well it flies.
Posted in Freehand, Miniature Kites, Shield
2 inch Sotich Hata, balloon tissue
This is my second Hata, but the first this size.
It is a bit different than my other miniature kites, so far.
My first Hata was larger than the spars I currently have to work with, so it is framed with monofilament (which is heavier and more flexible than the other spar material).
My spars fit the 2 inch Hata fine, so being lighter, I used them. However, being stiffer the kite was too flat to fly. I hadn’t left room to tie the bowline that I’ve used on my Eddy and Shield kites, so I tried bending the spreader to create a dihedral, as shown below.
Bending spreader to create dihedral in flat kite.
Fortunately the immediate results were perfect, the kite flew great.
I’ll see how the dihedral stands up to my current storage method.
Posted in Hata, Miniature Kites
2 inch Sotich Eddy, balloon tissue.
My new templates (I made one for each kite and size) are allowing me to better see the graphic layout of the sails before I cut them out, and while working on yesterday’s kite a graphic element caught my attention.
The 2 inch kite is one of my favorite sizes, but many times severely restricts the graphics that can be utilized. I was tickled that this ribbon fit the kite so well.
Enjoy.
Posted in Eddy, Miniature Kites
3 inch Sotich Eddy, balloon tissue.
Yes, the tissue has more than red and purple balloons.
Posted in Eddy, Miniature Kites
4 inch Sotich Eddy kite, balloon tissue.
Here’s another 4 inch kite.
I like the Eddy shape better than the shield shape in this size.
It may not work as well with the graphics I can find printed on flyable materials, but it just feels better to me.
What do you think?
Posted in Eddy, Miniature Kites
4 inch Sotich Shield kite, balloon tissue.
I’ve finally made a template for a large shield kite.
I’m not certain I like a miniature kite that is so big, but time will tell how they’re received.
Posted in Miniature Kites, Shield
3 inch Sotich Eddy kite, balloon tissue.
Now that I’m getting my tools in order, I’m starting to remember the fun of churning out one project after another.
These aren’t the 15 square foot kites I made in days gone by, but miniatures have their own challenges and rewards.
Posted in Eddy, Miniature Kites
3 inch Sotich Shield kite, confetti tissue.
That’s it, I’ve made a kite three days in a row, even if it is just miniature kites.
Actually, I finished a large kite as an experiment using wrapped rods today as well. I’ll post details when I can test it.
Posted in Miniature Kites, Shield
2 inch Sotich Shield kite, striped cocktail napkin.
Three kites in a row.
I’m getting my tools and work area organized, so maybe I’ll be able to continue the streak.
Time will tell.
Posted in Miniature Kites, Shield
2 inch Sotich Eddy kite, snowflake cocktail napkin.
Look at that, two kites in as many days.
This is another 2 inch Eddy kite from a snowflake cocktail napkin.
I’ll be mailing it off to my dad later today, to test how well I need to package it to survive USPS.
Posted in Eddy, Miniature Kites