Dollhouse Miniature Bird Cage Tutorial

Make a miniature bird cage with me~!

As promised! I am so happy to share this little project with you. I had a sort of an epiphany last night (is that too strong a word to use?) with this little bird cage.

I guess minor trauma and a trip to the emergency room (LOL see my last post) spurred my imagination and creativity a little bit. I couldn't settle down so I started thinking and creating.

Here we go!

You will need:

• One of these...it is a small cage type thing from a dishwasher rinsing agent. The solid kind made by Future/Jet Dry
  
  
  
  
  
  You can buy Jet Dry Solid at Amazon.com
• Wire cutters/pliers
• Sharp Xacto knife or blade
• Glue - Hot glue or plastic model glue
• A plug/cap from a carton of juice or some other type of cap and a small plastic curtain ring. (the plug is under the screw cap) It is pictured below near the tube of glue, a ring with a little domed cap. Mine came from this brand. I hope you can find these similar products in other countries!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• A small bead
• A bead cap or other decorative finding
• A head pin finding or long straight pin that you can cut and bend
• 
  
  OPTIONAL:
  Various decorative trims - lace, paper lace, scallops etc.
  Plastic Spray Paint
  Small wooden Candle Stick for use as a stand
  
  
  Steps One and Two:
  
  Cut the spokes at the bottom of the Jet Dry Basket as shown in the first photo. Cut the bottom off entirely leaving the spokes free. Now gently push the spokes in toward the center and glue...it is a little tricky but you will get it, just don't burn yourself if you use hot glue!!
  
  
  Step Three:
  
  Cut the ring from the juice plug and glue it to the top of your cage.
  
  
  Step Four:
  
  
  While that is drying, drill or poke a tiny hole in the cap part of the juice plug.
  
  Now insert your head pin from the underside and string your bead cap and bead. Bend the wire into loop and trim.
  Step Five:
  
  
  Glue your cap assembly to the top of your cage...
  et voila!! You now have a serviceable miniature bird cage!
  
  
  
  
  
  But well, if you know me, I just couldn't stop there... oh nononono! We must embellish this little cage and then distress to simulate age. :)
  
  
  Optional final touches:
  Glue trims and lace around the cage.
  
  
  Use your imagination and all that creativity that I know is out there amongst you! Glue some feet on! Make a double decker cage. Gild it! Add wire curls etc.
  Once you are happy with your trims and finishing touches;
  spray your entire project with spray paint made especially for plastic. I used white but you could use black or gold or any color you like! What I had on hand is actually a spray primer for plastic and I was able to use acrylic paint on top of that.
  To distress my cage I used white and ivory paint as a base coat. On top of that I dry brushed gold and then added some rusty colored ink and some black to simulate rust and chipped paint. Top it all off with a gloss or satin sealer and you have a magnificent 'antique' bird cage for your house!
  
  
  If you enjoyed this tutorial or have any questions feel free to let me know, and if you make a bird cage from this tutorial, PLEASE do send me photos or links to photos of your finished cage! I would dearly love to see them.
  
  
  The second tutorial will be ready for you tomorrow! A wicker look basket from a very unlikely source ;)
  
  
  hugs!
  Daphne