Hand-Painted Birdhouses with Style
Painting sunny sunflowers and some green grass gave this birdhouse a sunny garden look. I added a gold spigot for the new perch. Using a spade bit in my drill, I cut a hole slightly smaller than the spigot, then simply screwed the spigot in place. For added stength I coated the threads with some E-6000. Can anyone guess what the roof tiles are made from? They are canvas shims! Those are the freebie scraps of wood that come with a painter’s canvas! Painting them bright red took the little birdhouse from cute to bidding war worthy!
I apologize right now for the condition of this picture! Obviously this is the only picture I took of this cute little abode. The birdhouse was a $2 find at my local Goodwill. The roof was detaching and it was painted an ugly 90’s hunter green and burgundy. I gave the house a good cleaning, then glued and nailed the roof back on. After a fresh coat of primer and white paint, I hand-painted the red bird and branch design onto the curved birdhouse sides. Then the roof and base were painted a solid red. The perch is a curtain rod screw (that holds the rod in the curtain rod bracket). Then the house received a little green ribbon and a silver bell on the top. So simple, but one of my favorites!
For the next auction birdhouse I wanted to focus on a woodland theme. I scoured my yard for pinecones that were dry and spread open. I glued them onto the roof of an unpainted birdhouse purchased from Michaels. The house got a beautiful woodland scene with a Christmas wreath on the front and a Christmas tree on the back.
Creative Ideas for Decorating Birdhouses
- Mod Podge Wallpaper on the sides
- Mod Podge Fabric to the sides
- Use a stencil
- Dip Dot paint the birdhouse
- Search the web for picture inspiration and trace it onto your birdhouse.
- Use painters tape to create stripes
- Let your little ones decorate the house with paint
- Doodle on the birdhouse
Protect Hand-Painted Birdhouses from the Elements
To protect all my birdhouses from the elements (should they really be “for the birds”), I coated them with a few coats of polyurethane. If you don’t seal the birdhouses they will rot overtime. They may still take a beating after each season, so it’s helpful to be able to have an access panel to clean out the inside and let it air out.
So, how much do you think my pinecone roof birdhouse will fetch today? I hope more than $3!
If you liked this post, you’ll love these other creative bird feeders and birdhouses.
Hey bird lovers! My family loves bird-watching , too. Over the years we’ve experimented with several bird feeders, bird food, and resource books. I’ve created a list of our favorite bird-feeding and watching items on Amazon:
(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)
These are absolutely GORGEOUS Ma’am!!!
For those who may be thinking, “I can not do that!!!”
I have a few more ideas.
after the wallpaper on the sides(on a small scale, wallpaper is really hard to mess up-meaning it’s easy to put on, especially if it’s pre-glued)
Instead of trying to paint the trees,birds, etc., on the sides, what about Decals?
Usually all you do is get them wet & place them wherever you want them….
and decals come in just about anything you can imagine. if you can dream it, then there is either a decal of it or one can be made of it.
Wooden shapes of birds, trees etc. paint these in your choice of colors solid or detailed), then after the paint dries, use exterior wood glue to glue them to where ever you want on the bird house…and you’ll have a 3-D effect!
If you can dream it, you can do it…just remember, there is never any rush to get the project finished.
i LOVE the 2009 – Red & White Bird Silhouette Round House
WOW! what don't you do well? you are so gifted!! Love all the birdhouse's!
I have a birdhouse for you for 2011. . .I found a pair of birdhouse bookends at a yard sale for $2. . .thy still had the Dilly Dally price tag on them. . they retailed for $70. I used one in my house and have another one that I tried to paint and I got frustrated. .I want to give it to you for 2011!! Love the art on 2010.. the tree and wreath .wow!! But my favorite is the bird silhouette. . .
Oh that's great! I love your painting, and I'm sure it'll fetch a good deal more than $3.
Oh, the talent. I am in awe of your abilities! I laughed at the spigot – how clever! I can't decided which one I like better, but what a neat additions to your school's silent auction! This will be the first year I contribute something similar.
And to think i thought the front and roof was pretty…..until I got the the photo of the back. Oh my that is one special birdhouse that would never see the elements if I were there to bid on it to add to my collection. You did an outstanding job as usual. Thanks for sharing. btw they are all beautiful birdhouses.
HI- I stumbled upon your blog today- and WOW. I always knew you were artsy but My goodness! You are amazing. I look forward to seeing all the projects you are up to! Hope you are all well!
So cute! They seem to get better every year!
I love birdhouses! You did a great job with yours. So creative! You will have to let us know how much it goes for…that pinecone roof is awesome.