Decorative birdhouses

Decorative birdhouses made mostly out of recycled materials.

One sign spring is near are birds looking for a place to build a nest. We made some decorative birdhouses to use as decorations to bring the feeling of spring indoors. The birdhouses are made with mostly recycled materials.

The birdhouse itself is made from either a one pint or a one quart size milk carton. The one pint size is perched on a one-inch diameter by four-inch high tree branch. The first step is to paint the milk cartons.

We used a crackle medium to get a textured look. The process for this is to first paint a layer of acrylic paint in color of choice and let it dry. Then apply a coat of crackle medium. After it dries another coat of acrylic paint is applied in a second color. As the last coat dries it crackles exposing the first color.

A hair dryer can be used between layers of paint to hasten the drying time. Also, while waiting for the paint to dry other parts of the project can be worked on.

For the roof we used old wood shingle pieces. These are cut at random widths from about a half-inch to one-inch wide and about two and a half inches long. Cardboard cut to similar sizes could be used in place of wood shingles. These are placed on the slopes of the milk cartons at the top.

We used a hot glue gun to put all parts together but craft glue could be used. If craft glue is used extra time should be allowed for drying before adding more items.

Popsicle sticks and twine are used for the fence around the bottom of the tall birdhouse. The fence posts are cut about one and three-quarters-inch in length. First a length of twine is glued around the painted milk carton about one and a half inches from the bottom. Then the posts are glued three to a side. The fence can be painted white or left wood colored.

The holes for the birds are one-inch in diameter. They are cut out with an X-Acto knife. For the tall birdhouse we cut two holes on front and back and one hole on each side. For the short birdhouse we cut one hole in the front. To edge the holes we glued on twine. We also made bows from twine and glued them to the top of each hole.

For nesting material in each hole and around the base of the tall birdhouses we used wood moss or excelsior moss. We also glued some to the top of the roof to cover the center of the milk carton. Small silk flowers and leaves were used on the roof as well as the base of the pole under the short birdhouse.

The bases for each birdhouse are rounds cut from large tree branches. They measure about 10 to 12 inches in diameter and about one to two inches thick.

To finish the look we placed mushroom birds, one per birdhouse in one of the front holes.

In the past we have made birdhouses like these for table decorations for large get-togethers. To dress them up a length of ivy, silk or real, could be circled around the base. We have also made birdhouses to be sold at fundraisers for non-profit groups that we have been a part of.

If this project is used with children the holes in the birdhouses can be precut by an adult. Adult supervision is also suggested if using hot glue guns.