Bird feeders don't have to be basic to get the job done. Why not DIY a trendy, clear bird feeder fit for the poshest of birds. Round up some supplies and learn how to make the cutest little bird feeder ever with these tips and tricks from the Crafty Lumberjacks. And don't forget the bird seed!
Materials + Tools
(2) 8''x10'' acrylic sheets
box cutter
220-grit sandpaper
metal ruler
cutting mat
painter's tape
suction cup
drill with step drill bit
heat gun
heat-resistant gloves
waterproof super glue
10'' square wooden dowel
scrap piece of wood
wooden crate or box
white acrylic paint
paintbrush
adhesive vinyl stencil
permanent marker
Prep + Score Acrylic Sheets
Leave the plastic covering on the acrylic sheets to protect from any scratches. Prepare one of the 8’’x10’’ acrylic sheets by placing it on a cutting mat and finding the center of the sheet using a metal ruler (Image 1). Make the peak of the feeder by measuring 2’’ down on each side of the sheet, like a gable, and marking with a permanent marker (Image 2). Next, take the second 8’’x10’’ acrylic sheet and measure and mark (2) 3’’x1-1/2'' rectangle pieces and (1) 3”x10’’ piece to create the sides of the feeding tray. Last, carefully use a box cutter to lightly score the acrylic sheets at each marking (Image 3). Score the sheets approximately 10 times using light pressure.
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Measure and Mark
Prepare one of the 8’’x10’’ acrylic sheets by placing it on a cutting mat. Tip: Be sure to leave the plastic covering on the sheet to protect it from any scratches. Then, find the center of the sheet using a metal ruler. Measure 2’’ down each side of the sheet to create a triangle for the bird house peak and mark the triangle with a pen. Carefully use an acrylic cutter to lightly score the acrylic sheet at each marking. Score the sheet approximately 10 times using light pressure. Once the acrylic has been scored, place the sheet onto a piece of scrap wood to evenly break off the corners.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Measure and Mark
Prepare one of the 8’’x10’’ acrylic sheets by placing it on a cutting mat. Tip: Be sure to leave the plastic covering on the sheet to protect it from any scratches. Then, find the center of the sheet using a metal ruler. Measure 2’’ down each side of the sheet to create a triangle for the bird house peak and mark the triangle with a pen.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Measure and Mark
Prepare one of the 8’’x10’’ acrylic sheets by placing it on a cutting mat. Tip: Be sure to leave the plastic covering on the sheet to protect it from any scratches. Then, find the center of the sheet using a metal ruler. Measure 2’’ down each side of the sheet to create a triangle for the bird house peak and mark the triangle with a pen.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Snap Off Pieces + Sand Edges
Once the acrylic sheets have been scored, line up a scored sheet on top of the edge of the scrap wood and press down until it snaps off (Image 1). Break off all the scored pieces until you have four cut acrylic pieces (Image 2).
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Snap Off Pieces
Once the acrylic has been scored, place the sheet onto a piece of scrap wood to evenly break off the corners. Tip: Line up the scored corner along the edge of the wood and press down until it snaps off.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Cut Acrylic Pieces
To make the acrylic bird feeder you'll need to measure, score and snap four acrylic pieces for the bird feeder.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Drill Hole for Suction Cup
Measure and mark 1'' below the center peak on the acrylic sheet. To ensure the acrylic sheet doesn’t crack while drilling, add a piece of painter’s tape to both sides of the marked spot before drilling (Image 1). Lay the sheet on a piece of scrap wood. Then, use a drill with a step drill bit (Image 2) to make a hole big enough for the back of your suction cup (Image 3). Drill slowly and carefully, checking the size of the hole with the suction cup as you go (Image 4). Lastly, use 220-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough edges (Image 5).
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Add Painter's Tape
Tip: To ensure the acrylic sheet doesn’t crack, add a piece of painter’s tape to both sides of the marked spot before drilling.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Step Drill Bit
Use a step drill bit to drill a hole big enough for the back of a suction cup. Drill slowly and carefully checking the size of the hole with the suction cup as you go.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Drill Peak Hole
Measure and mark one inch below the center peak on the acrylic sheet. Tip: To ensure the acrylic sheet doesn’t crack, add a piece of painter’s tape to both sides of the marked spot before drilling. Lay the sheet on top of a piece of scrap wood. Use a “step drill bit” to drill a hole big enough for the back of a suction cup. Drill slowly and carefully checking the size of the hole with the suction cup as you go.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Add Suction Cup
Once dry, carefully pop in the suction cup and hang on a clean, dry window. Add birdseed and watch the birds from inside.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Sand Edges
Lastly, use 220 grit sandpaper to sand around any rough edges.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Use Heat Gun to Bend Pieces
Peel off the protective plastic layers from both sides of the prepared acrylic sheets. Now place the largest acrylic sheet on top of a wooden crate. If you don't have a crate, any wooden object with a 90-degree angle and some overhang will work.
Line up the larger acrylic sheet along the edge of the crate 6-1/2’’ from the top, leaving a 4-1/2’’ overhang. Wearing heat-resistant gloves, use a heat gun to apply heat by slowly waving it back-and-forth along the edge of the acrylic sheet (Image 1). As the plastic starts to heat and become pliable, lightly press down and manipulate the acrylic sheet to a 90-degree angle using your hands and the crate as a guide (Image 2). Let the acrylic sheet cool before starting the next bend.
Now reposition the newly molded piece on the crate and measure up 3’’ from the first bend, leaving a 1-1/2’’ overhang (Image 3). Heat and manipulate using the heat gun to create the second bend. To create the roof, lay the 3’’x10’’ acrylic piece right in the center of the crate at the overhang (Image 4). Once the center becomes hot and pliable, place it on the top peak of the feeder and bend it to match the angle (Image 5). Hold the piece in place until fully cooled and hard.
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Bend Acrylic Sheet
Prepare for the heat gun by putting on heat resistant gloves. Apply heat slowly by waving the heat gun back-and-forth along the edge evenly. As the plastic starts to heat and bend, lightly push down and manipulate the bend to a 90 degree angle using the crate as a guide. Let the acrylic sheet cool before starting the next bend.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Heat Resistant Gloves
Prepare for the heat gun by putting on heat resistant gloves. Apply heat slowly by waving the heat gun back-and-forth along the edge evenly. As the plastic starts to heat and bend, lightly push down and manipulate the bend to a 90 degree angle using the crate as a guide. Let the acrylic sheet cool before starting the next bend.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Heat Gun
Prepare for the heat gun by putting on heat resistant gloves. Apply heat slowly by waving the heat gun back-and-forth along the edge evenly. As the plastic starts to heat and bend, lightly push down and manipulate the bend to a 90 degree angle using the crate as a guide. Let the acrylic sheet cool before starting the next bend.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Heat Gun
Prepare for the heat gun by putting on heat resistant gloves. Apply heat slowly by waving the heat gun back-and-forth along the edge evenly. As the plastic starts to heat and bend, lightly push down and manipulate the bend to a 90 degree angle using the crate as a guide. Let the acrylic sheet cool before starting the next bend.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Mold Roof Piece
To create the roof, lay the 3’’x10’’ acrylic piece perfectly in the center of the crate at the overhang. Once the center becomes hot and pliable, place it on the top peak of the feeder and bend it to match the angle. Hold the piece in place until fully cooled and hard.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Add + Paint Roof Stencil
Give your handmade bird feeder midcentury flair. Apply an adhesive, vinyl stencil to the inside of the roof (Image 1 + 2). Then, using a paintbrush in a dabbing motion, cover the inside stencil with white acrylic paint to create a nice, even coat (Image 3). Let the paint dry completely, and remove the stencil before gluing all the pieces together (Image 4).
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Adhesive Stencil
Give your handmade bird feeder a midcentury flair. Apply an adhesive, vinyl stencil to the inside of the roof. Then, using a paint brush and a dabbing motion, cover the stencil with white paint to create a nice, even coat. Let dry completely, and remove before gluing the pieces together.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Apply Adhesive Stencil
Give your handmade bird feeder a midcentury flair. Apply an adhesive, vinyl stencil to the inside of the roof. Then, using a paint brush and a dabbing motion, cover the stencil with white paint to create a nice, even coat. Let dry completely, and remove before gluing the pieces together.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Paint Stencil
Give your handmade bird feeder a midcentury flair. Apply an adhesive, vinyl stencil to the inside of the roof. Then, using a paint brush and a dabbing motion, cover the stencil with white paint to create a nice, even coat. Let dry completely, and remove before gluing the pieces together.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Apply Stencil
Give your handmade bird feeder a midcentury flair. Apply an adhesive, vinyl stencil to the inside of the roof. Then, using a paint brush and a dabbing motion, cover the stencil with white paint to create a nice, even coat. Let dry completely, and remove before gluing the pieces together.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Super Glue Pieces + Perch
Use a wooden skewer to apply a thin coat of waterproof super glue to the sides of the tray (Image 1). Then, adhere the sides of the tray to the main feeder piece (Image 2). Next, make a perch by adding a wooden dowel to the edge of the tray with waterproof super glue (Image 3). Now apply a thin line of super glue to the inside line of the roof and stick it to the feeder (Image 4). Tip: Use painter’s tape and a scrap piece of cardboard to hold the bird feeder in place as it dries (Image 5). Let the bird feeder dry for 24 hours.
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Add Super Glue
Use a wooden skewer to apply a thin coat of waterproof super glue to the roof and sides of the tray and glue together. Then, make a perch by adding a wooden dowel to the edge of the tray using waterproof super glue. Let dry for 24 hours. Tip: Use painter’s tape and a scrap piece of cardboard to hold the bird feeder in place as it dries.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Glue Pieces Together
Use a wooden skewer to apply a thin coat of waterproof super glue to the sides of the tray and stick together. Tip: Use painter’s tape and a scrap piece of cardboard to hold the bird feeder in place as it dries.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Add Perch
Then, make a perch by adding a wooden dowel to the edge of the tray using waterproof super glue. Let dry for 24 hours.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Acrylic Bird Feeder: Apply Super Glue
Use a wooden skewer to apply a thin coat of waterproof super glue to the roof and sides of the tray and glue together. Then, make a perch by adding a wooden dowel to the edge of the tray using waterproof super glue. Let dry for 24 hours. Tip: Use painter’s tape and a scrap piece of cardboard to hold the bird feeder in place as it dries.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Secure With Painter's Tape
Use a wooden skewer to apply a thin coat of waterproof super glue to the inside line of the roof, and to the sides of the tray and stick together. Tip: Use painter’s tape and a scrap piece of cardboard to hold the bird feeder in place as it dries.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Add Suction Cup + Hang
Once dry, carefully pop in the suction cup (Image 1). Then hang your new bird feeder on a clean, dry window. Add a little bird seed and watch all the birds fly in for a visit.
Cassidy Garcia
Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Add Suction Cup
Once dry, carefully pop in the suction cup and hang on a clean, dry window. Add birdseed and watch the birds from inside.
Photo By: Cassidy Garcia
Acrylic Bird Feeder: Finished Product Horizontal
The Crafty Lumberjacks show you how to create a stylish and stenciled, acrylic bird feeder with a handful of supplies.
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