January's Craft: Cork Birdhouse

So my plan to do one craft project a month is going okay…. I’m counting this one finished though the glue is still drying.

This month I made a cork birdhouse. And I’m going to tell you how to too!

Fair warning... this takes a bit of time.

What you’ll need:

A birdhouse (You can build one yourself, or you can take the easy way out like I did.)

Corks! (Drink a lot of wine!!! Okay, so we had most of these in an old school leaded glass ice “bucket” and most of them are from Lambic beer.)

Wood Glue

Cutting implement and cutting surface (I used an exacto knife and a scrap piece of cardboard.)

(A nail is optional for securing the chimney – I felt better with the finishing nail holding it up.)

Step One: Halve A bunch of your corks! 

Flat surfaces will work best, so the flat half of the cork will adhere

Step Two: Pick a side and Arrange!

 I took pictures each time so I'd remember how they went back on (this is before the glue) but you get the idea. Make sure it fits!

Step Three: Glue and let Dry!
Now that you've got your layout figured, get to gluing!

 REPEAT STEPS 2 & 3 FOR ALL FOUR SIDES!

 I set mine to dry in the window with the longest sunlight of the day. (Ignore the bowl of tea lights and eyes... I don't have time to explain right now)

Step 4: Shingle the roof and apply the Chimney!
I made roof shingles by taking the cork halves and cutting slivers from the length.
The Chimney is a champagne cork glued on  (you can still see the glue in the picture below) and then secured with a longish finishing nail!