HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN TIN LID BIRDS UPCYCLE

I have a fun project to share.  This is one of those projects that just kind of happened.  Sometimes my projects that just happen don’t go so well, and others. . .well, you be the judge.

I love this little tin can lid bird!

If handling a tin can lid scares you, you can substitute a canning lid or use a can opener that doesn’t leave sharp edges.

Tin Lid Bird Upcycle Birds In A Row 2

I gained some inspiration for this project when I saw the cute denim bird that my friend and fellow blogger Beverly @ Across the Blvd. made for her burlap and denim wreath.   It is so cute and you can see her project HERE.

I looked around my craft supplies, and I found a stash of tin can lids.  I  knew I’d think of something to do with them eventually!   I couldn’t resist doing a little embossing with the wings.   I made the birds and then wondered how I was going to display them.

I turned back to my supply stash.   I was determined to start and finish this project in an evening.   I found some beautiful paper and thought about using it as a background for the birds, but I didn’t have a frame large enough for all the birds to fit nicely into.  Then I spied some left over vinyl chalkboard contact paper and knew that I had found the solution.   Score!    Love a project that can not only be completed in one evening, but you also have everything you need in your craft supplies!

Here is a quick tutorial:

Supplies I used for this project:

  • 5 tin can lids
  • craft paint 
  • paint brushes
  • 38 gauge embossing foil
  • embossing stylist
  • aluminium foil
  • scissors
  • tooth picks
  • jewelry wire
  • silver spray paint
  • glue gun / glue sticks
  • foam board
  • vinyl chalkboard contact paper
  • brayer
  • Bistro chalk Markers
  • removable mounting squares
 
I painted each tin can lid a different color.  Then I embossed some wings.  (You can find info on how to emboss in Post 3 of my Basics of Embossing series found on the menu bar under Metal Embossing How-To).   I cut some beak triangles out of my metal scraps.  
Tin Lid Bird Upcycle Birds In A Row 3
In order to make the bird feet, I took toothpicks and wrapped a small piece of jewelry wire at one end.  I secured it with a bead of hot glue.   I spray painted all of the bird feet with silver spray paint.
Tin Lid Bird Upcycle Birds In A Row 4
I had a few scraps of tin foil left over from my Shabby Easter egg project, so I cut some thin strips and made two tufts of hair for the larger birds.  I glued these to the back of the unpainted side of the lid.  Then I glued the wings and beaks on each bird.
Tin Lid Bird Upcycle Birds In A Row 5

While the bird feet were drying, I cut a piece of foam board to the size I wanted.  ( I always keep foam board in my supplies because we use it so often for school projects.)  

 
Using the brayer to smooth out the contact paper, I attached the chalkboard vinyl to the foam board. 
Tin Lid Bird Upcycle Birds In A Row 6
Once the bird feet were dry, I used the hot glue gun to attach feet to the unpainted side of the tin lids. 
 
Using Bistro chalk markers, I drew a tree branch with budding leaves and wrote Welcome Spring across the top.
 
To finish, I attached a square of the removable mounting squares to the back of each bird and stuck them on the chalkboard.   I decided to use the mounting squares because I plan on using this chalkboard for other things and I figured I could remove these when I was ready to change things up.  
Tin Lid Bird Upcycle Birds In A Row 7
So I actually ended up with 2 projects in one.  I have cute spring display chalkboard  and I have a faux chalkboard that I can use to display other things!  
 
I have asked Mr. Hobby to make me a frame for my faux chalkboard – but I’m sure it will take a while.  Perhaps the frame will be finished and attached by the time I’m ready to re-make this chalkboard display into something else.  Hope so.  
Hope you have a great week and Thank you for stopping in!
Best Garden Stepping Stones
Buying Guides
Rosa Calloway

Best Garden Stepping Stones

Stepping stones turn a worn dirt track through the lawn into an actual garden path. The right stones are wide enough to walk on naturally, slip-resistant when wet, and integrate visually with the rest of the garden. Conc

Read More »
Best Solar Wall Lights Fence — Best Solar Wall Lights for Fences
Buying Guides
Rosa Calloway

Best Solar Wall Lights for Fences

Solar wall lights for fences sit between pathway stakes and full security lighting. They’re a low-effort way to brighten side passages, light up steps, or create ambience along a deck rail. Modern motion-sensor versions

Read More »
Best Solar Spotlight For Trees — Best Solar Spotlights for Trees
Buying Guides
Rosa Calloway

Best Solar Spotlights for Trees

Up-lighting a feature tree transforms a yard from day-functional to evening-worth-sitting-in. Solar spotlights eliminate the wiring concern; modern units are bright enough to genuinely illuminate a 5m tree from below. We

Read More »
Best Solar String Lights Garden — Best Solar String Lights for Gardens
Buying Guides
Rosa Calloway

Best Solar String Lights for Gardens

Solar string lights have transformed cheap garden lighting from low-quality novelty into genuinely useful outdoor ambience. Modern LED solar strings run 8+ hours per charge, last 5+ years, and the warm white versions loo

Read More »
Best Suet Feeders for Winter Birds
Buying Guides
Rosa Calloway

Best Suet Feeders for Winter Birds

Suet — rendered fat mixed with seeds and grains — is the highest-energy bird food available. In Australian winters and US/UK winters, suet feeders attract species (woodpeckers, treecreepers, robins) that won’t visit

Read More »
Best Hummingbird Feeders
Buying Guides
Rosa Calloway

Best Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbird feeders are mostly a US/Latin America thing (Australia has no native hummingbirds), but the spinebills, honeyeaters and silvereyes that visit our nectar feeders here use the same designs and the same syrup re

Read More »

Back to top button