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!
Wheelbarrow For Backyard — Best Wheelbarrows for Backyard Use
Buying Guides
Marcus Linden

Best Wheelbarrows for Backyard Use

A backyard wheelbarrow does not need to be the contractor-grade beast you see on building sites. For most home gardens, you want something light enough to manoeuvre between raised beds, tough enough for one cubic metre o

Read More »
Garden Cart For Heavy Mulch — Best Garden Carts for Heavy Mulch
Buying Guides
Marcus Linden

Best Garden Carts for Heavy Mulch

A wheelbarrow is fine for one or two trips. For shifting a cubic metre of mulch from the driveway to the back garden, a four-wheel garden cart is faster, kinder on your back, and dumps where you ask it to. The right cart

Read More »
Leather Garden Gloves Thorny Roses — Best Leather Garden Gloves for Thorny Roses
Buying Guides
Rosa Calloway

Best Leather Garden Gloves for Thorny Roses

Pruning roses without proper gauntlets is a guaranteed afternoon of bandaids. Modern goatskin and pig-grain rose gloves run from the fingertip up to the elbow, taking on hawthorn, blackberry and even unmaintained old cli

Read More »
Garden Kneeler Bad Knees — Best Garden Kneelers for Bad Knees
Buying Guides
Rosa Calloway

Best Garden Kneelers for Bad Knees

Anyone past 50 who still gardens hard knows that knees do not last forever. A good garden kneeler is the difference between an hour of weeding and giving up after fifteen minutes. The best ones flip into a seat for highe

Read More »
Cold Frame For Winter Lettuce — Best Cold Frames for Winter Lettuce
Buying Guides
Harriet Greenfield

Best Cold Frames for Winter Lettuce

A cold frame is a small bottomless box with a clear top that protects salad crops, brassica seedlings and cool-season herbs through winter. They cost a fraction of a greenhouse, take up no headroom, and let you eat fresh

Read More »
Mini Greenhouse For Seedlings — Best Mini Greenhouses for Seedlings
Buying Guides
Rosa Calloway

Best Mini Greenhouses for Seedlings

A mini (or “portable”) greenhouse is a 4-5 shelf framework with a clear cover that fits on a balcony, deck, or against a wall. They are perfect for hardening off seedlings, protecting tender plants from frost, and giving

READ  MARBLE TEA LIGHTS
Read More »

Back to top button