Wire Bird Cage

This Wire Bird Cage is a great way to bring the outdoors indoors without the mess!  Decorative blue birds make great additions to Christmas trees or simple home decor pieces.  You could also put a tea light in the cage for a cute candle holder.

Materials:

• 16 gauge steel wire (I used a sepia toned)
• 19 gauge wire (brown)
• Jar lid
• Old book paper/scrap paper
• Matte or Gel Medium
• Glue brush or foam applicator
• Crop-a-dile
• Needle nose pliers
• Heavy Duty Wire Cutters
  
   

Instructions:

1. Tear your book or scrap paper into strips. Using your brush apply matte medium to the jar lid. Lay on a strip of paper, and then brush more medium on top. Using your fingers to smooth the paper down really helps to create a flat adhesion. Apply more medium and then layer more strips over the edge of the lid. Continue until you've completely covered the lid with at least two layers. Let dry.
   
   
   
   
    
2. Using your handy dandy Crop-a-dile punch 6 holes evenly around the exterior of the lid. Position the Crop-a-dile so that you don't punch the holes too close to the edge.
   
   
    
3. Cut three pieces of wire to about 12" long. Using a jar or bottle of some sort, create a gently bend in the center of the wires by wrapping all three of the wires around the object at once.
   
   
    
4. Bend the end of each wire out to create a 90- degree angle. Do this with each of the three wires. Then place one within the jar lid. Insert the wire through two holes opposite each other, and then bend the wire up and wrap around itself to secure. Repeat with each of the wires. You might need to slightly adjust the length of each so that the tops will cross over each other snugly. When you've completely wrapped the wire ends then use your needle nose to bend your cut ends in.
   
   
    
5. Using your 19-gauge wire wrap together the tops of your three wires. Create a loop, cut your wire, leaving another 1/2" or so. Then continue to wrap your wire end around the loop to finish. If necessary, use your needle nose wire to bend your cut end in.
   
   
    
6. Using your 19-gauge wire again, begin to wrap it around the bottom of the wires, about 1" up from the bottom. Then continue to the next wire, until you've gone completely around the cage. Repeat around the top of the cage. If desired, you can repeat this as often as you like to enhance your design.
   
   
    
7. To create the swing- Use the needle nose pliers to curl one end of the 16-gauge wire, cut the wire, and then curl the other end. Using your 19-gauge wire, wrap the end around the top of one of your curls. Leave about 5" and cut. Then repeat with the other side. Position your swing inside the cage and then wrap the ends of your wire around the top of the cage. Add your little birdie.