/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

Accidentally posted this in the wrong thread, here goes. So I've found a number of tutorials online for Sakura's bird wand but they either come out looking a little shoddy or the supplies/equipment/experience are beyond my capabilities. My thoughts so far are to to attach a wire base to an oak dowel, cover in paper mache, then model magic or some other kind of clay, sand it smooth, gesso, and paint. Then, make the wings out of foam perhaps and attach to the head (gorilla glue?). This is my first prop so I'd love to get as much advice as possible.