Intermediate Arts And Crafts: Building A Hanging Bird Feeder
If you have already built the simple platform feeder using wood, as an intermediate Arts and Crafts person you may be ready for a bigger challenge. Building a conventional bird house and feeder can provide years of backyard bird watching, not to mention increasing your arts and crafts skills in the process. As your first project, you will need craft tools, additional art and craft supplies and wood to complete this more complex bird house and feeder combination. In fact, you’ll need a bit more for this art Deco project as it has 4 sides to the feeder system as opposed to just 1 or 2.
Art And Craft Supplies
Pick up your art and craft supplies from your local hardware or craft store. Basic items and craft tools you’ll need will include:
- 4 pieces of 11 X 2 X ½ inch plywood
- 4 pieces 8 X 2 X ½ inch plywood
- 1 piece 8 X 11 inch screen mesh
- 4 pieces 18 inch chain or wire
- 4 eye hooks, 1 meat-hanging or S hook
- 4 small clamps
- Waterproof glue
- Drill and drill bit
- Miter Saw
Building An Art Deco Bird Feeder
Begin by mitering all plywood pieces so each long piece fits into each short piece at a 45 degree angle as you would a picture frame. (The screen mesh will be placed in between the bottom and top frames once formed.) Continue making each 8 X 11 inch frame with all the plywood. Next glue each corner of the 2 frames with wood glue or Gorilla Glue, letting the glue dry to a complete bonded process.
Once dry, lay one frame on a table top and squeeze out a single bead of glue in the center top of the wood, making a thin line around the entire perimeter of the frame. Now take the screen mesh and lay it on the frame’s top, which should fit perfectly. Don’t’ worry if some of the glue spreads through the wire mesh as it will be attached to the top frame later. Next take your small clamp to hold down all the corners, leaving on until completely dry.
Putting It All Together
You are now reader to drill. Create small holes with the drill and fine drill bit at each corner of the feeder. Next, screw in all 4 eye hooks and attach a piece of thin chain or wire to all of them. Now bring each chain strand or wire piece together above the bird feeder center, holding the bottom hook with the meat hook. The top hook will then let you hang your new feeder on a tree branch or pole of your choice. Fill with birdseed and let the show begin.