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.

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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.  
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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.
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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.
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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. 
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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.  
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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!
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