Paper Mache Birds: Easy DIY project

At least when they are covered with paper and glue! Good morning and happy Friday. I’m feeling a bit silly this morning so please excuse my giddy jokes… Do you remember those cute little paper mache birds I showed you in It’s Time for Spring?

Well, I was so in love with them that I decided to make my own. Just in time for Easter too! This tutorial will be easier than you think.

First, as with any paper mache project, grab some paper. He he. You can use newspaper, junk mail, or in my case, an IKEA catalog (don’t worry, I read it first!).

Tear out some pages and wad/squish them up in your hand to form the body of the bird. I used two pages, you can use more or less to create a bird body size you are happy with.

To form the head, use masking tape to create a bird head shape with a little point for the beak at one end of the wad ball. (Who knew there was such potential for a little ball of wadded paper?)

For this bird size, use about 2/3rds of a page, folding it to create a long flat tail, and wrap it in masking tape. (Here’s a little trivia question, do you know which character is on my band aid? “Brownie” points if you do!!)

Here is a look at the two pieces, it’s amazing that this will turn into an adorable little bird, right now it looks like an adorable little, dissected mummy bird…

Next, attach that tail to the bird with some more tape.

The next items you will need are mod podge (50% water, 50% glue works too), wire cutters and needle pliers for extra help, and wire. I used some wire that came in a framing kit. Make sure your wire gauge is thick enough to hold up your bird body.

To create the two little legs and feet, snip off about an eight to 10 inch piece of wire. I created three little toes, and thumb by looping the wire at the bottom.

You have a couple of choices here, you can leave the wire exposed for cute, little, skinny legs, or twist the toe loops for skinnier toes and/or leave the overhang of the wire and twist it around the leg for a thicker limb. Which I did on the second set of legs. Both have held up just fine!

Here is the second set with the wire twisting up the legs. Make a little L shape at the top of the wire to attach to the body.

Turn your little bird over and wrap a piece of tape underneath, position the legs, and secure with tape.

I actually did not have to fiddle with them at all, they stood up all on their own. You might need to test yours and make some adjustments before your start the next step. If your bird seems unbalanced, make sure your bird legs are the exact same length.

Here’s a pic with bird #2! Notice I have one looking straight ahead and then my shorter bird looking down. I wanted to give them separate identities. Being a twin myself, I know how it feels to look like someone else.

Now to cover the bird. In this step you may use whatever paper you like, I used paper towels. It only took three for both birds. If you choose to use paper towels, your bird will have more texture. If you want a smoother look, use newspaper, craft paper, or printer paper. Make sure you have your mod podge ready and maybe a brush to help smooth down the pieces of paper. This part may get a little messy and sticky!

Take a strip of paper, dip it into your glue/water mixture, and start wrapping your bird body.

Keep adding layers to better form the body. I added extra for the belly and at the top of the legs. You can also curl your bird tail feathers under if you like.

My birds had trouble standing up with wet paper towels all wrapped around them, but after they dried completely, they were back to normal. Remember, you can wrap the legs in tape and then decoupage them, or leave the wire exposed for added whimsy. I have seen them done both ways and they are both equally adorable!

The last step is to paint them. I painted mine with a high gloss, white, spray paint. I waited a few days to make sure they were completely dry before I spray painted them. Here they are, meet Bird 1 and Bird 2.