Reviving wicker object that lost it's wicker

Several years ago I purchased a couple of flamingos that were wicker on a wire frame. Well time has had it's time with them and they are no more than wire frames with a bit of wicker attached.
I didn't want to get rid of them so I searched the craft stores on a way to revive them. At Michael's I found a product called celluclay. I was looking for something that would be harder, but settled for what I could find.
I first spray painted the areas that were not to be mached.
I cut strips of an old t-shirt and soaked in the product that was a little dilute and then adhered it to the frame. Worked pretty well but thought it would take at least 15 coats - thinking cap on - researched the product - can also be used for molding. Hmmm, next step was to mix a thicker base - keeps well in the fridge for a few weeks so had time to work and let it dry in between. With the base coat acting like a base for a sculpture, I was able to mold the thicker mixture on top and it was quite easy to mold into shape. It took a while to dry but with the drought we had this summer and the heat, I was able to do a layer a day until I had the thickness I thought was appropriate.
The beak was hollow but I wanted it solid so was able to use the mache to stuff it and still have the metal exposed.
After painting it the bright pink for the body, and the yellow for the beak, legs done prior to starting, I used about fifteen coats of outdoor urethane spray to protect it from the elements.
Overall it was an easy project, just with I could find the rock hard mache type product that is supposed to be somewhere out there, but I don't know the name of it. If anyone knows, let me know - still have another bird to do this winter.