NAIDOC Week & Reconciliation

Celebrate indigenous culture with our NAIDOC Week craft ideas.

Black Swan Collage

This Black Swan Collage is inspired by the animal featured in the book “Cooee Mittigar – Story on Darug Songlines”, written by Jasmine Seymour, illustrated by Leanne Mulgo and published by Magabala Books. This is a great craft to extend learning on seasonal changes depicted by the behaviour of Australian animals. This activity has been created by Michelle Napanangka Earl, Indigenous Artist & Basket Weaver.

CleverPatch™ recommends educators, teachers and event organisers work in consultation with their local Aboriginal Communities (start locally and extend out geographically) when planning activities & learning experiences. Any creative or art making activity that mirrors or replicates Aboriginal cultural experiences should always be undertaken in consultation with the appropriate owners of that cultural property.

Some materials and products may contain terms that reflect authors' views, both current or past. These views may not be considered appropriate today and are provided in a historical context. These views are not necessarily the views of CleverPatch.

  • Step 1Print the template provided to help create your swan collage. Cut out the pieces of your template. Adult supervision recommended when using scissors.
  • Step 2Glue or trace the swan shape onto the back of a sheet of the Dot Painting Craft Paper. Allow to dry if needed before cutting the template shape out of the patterned paper. Glue the swan with the design facing up onto the centre of a coloured sheet of cover paper. Allow to dry.
  • Step 3Repeat Step 2 with the cloud and beak shapes and glue them onto the same piece of paper. Allow to dry.
  • Step 4Apply glue to one side of the nest template piece. Place the shredded craft paper on top of the glue to secure, creating a nest texture. Allow to dry. Apply glue to the undecorated side and place it underneath the swan. Allow to dry.
  • Step 5Loop the yarn 15 times around your hand. Remove from your hand then cut the yarn into varying short lengths. Apply glue to the bottom half of the artwork then gently press the yarn cuttings to secure; this will become the water. Allow to dry.
  • Step 6To create a reed for your artwork, cut a chenille stem in half. Take one piece and bend one end to create a loop. Use glue to attach to your artwork. Fold the remaining piece in half, then bend the ends away from each other to create slight curves. Glue the centre of the folded length to your collage at the base of your looped chenille stem piece. Repeat to create multiple reeds for your collage. Allow to dry.
  • Step 7Your Black Swan Collage Artwork is now ready to display!

Materials used in this activity

CleverPatch Junior PVA Glue - 250ml
Optional
Product Code: 10364
EACH $5.49 (inc GST) $4.99 (ex GST)
36 or more $3.84 (inc GST) $3.49 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Chenille Stems - Tinsel - Pack of 100
Optional
Product Code: 10826
EACH $7.69 (inc GST) $6.99 (ex GST)
6 or more $5.38 (inc GST) $4.89 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Shredded Kraft Paper - 250g Pack
Optional
Product Code: 11842
EACH $14.29 (inc GST) $12.99 (ex GST)
5 or more $10.71 (inc GST) $9.74 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Plastic Ruler - 30cm
Optional
Product Code: 12295
EACH $1.65 (inc GST) $1.50 (ex GST)
30 or more $1.32 (inc GST) $1.20 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
CleverPatch Cover Paper Assorted - A4 - Pack of 275
Optional
Product Code: 13652
EACH $18.69 (inc GST) $16.99 (ex GST)
8 or more $14.95 (inc GST) $13.59 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Product Code: 15518
EACH $3.84 (inc GST) $3.49 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
Product Code: 17136
EACH $5.49 (inc GST) $4.99 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
Indigenous Designed Dot Painting Craft Paper - Pack of 40
Optional
Product Code: 20636
EACH $16.49 (inc GST) $14.99 (ex GST)
5 or more $10.71 (inc GST) $9.74 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value