One for the birds

It’s easy to create this simple birdhouse from picket fencing and a ceramic teapot.

You will need:

3 x 1.2m picket fence palings
Teapot
40mm flat-head galvanised nails, exterior construction glue, large brass cup hook, pencil, sandpaper, saw, tape measure, hammer, and paintbrush
Resene Quick Dry
Resene Lustacryl tinted to Resene Tranquil

To get the look: Mark painted the background fence with Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Eternity.

Here's another idea: Block the spout with a piece of sphagnum moss or coir and use as a bird feeder instead.

Step 1
Measure and mark three 200mm pieces from the bottom of the fence palings, as shown.

Step 2
Carefully cut using pencil lines as a guide.

Step 3
Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

Step 4
Measure, mark and cut two pieces of fence paling to fit across the previous three, as shown. Fix with construction glue and nails.

Step 5
Create a second piece, as shown, using three lengths of fence paling measuring 170mm. Again, fix with construction glue and nails.

Step 6
Measure, mark and cut three lengths of fence paling (from the top) measuring 570mm. Attach the other two pieces into position, as shown, using construction glue and nails.

Step 7
Measure, mark and cut two small pieces of fence paling and fix in position, as shown, with construction glue. Allow glue to dry.

Step 8
Fix cup hook in position and apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry to the birdhouse.

Step 9
Apply two coats of Resene Tranquil to the birdhouse, allowing two hours for each coat to dry.

Step 10
Hang the teapot from the cup hook and fix at the base with construction glue. Allow glue to dry.

Words & photos by Mark rayner

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