Not all birdhouses are made of wood. Some of the very best houses for birds are designed from old leather boots. They are whimsical and eye catching, and they provide comfort and warmth. My dad makes unique birdhouses from wood and leather boots, and they include signs with cute sayings. A portion of his backyard looks like a southwestern bird sanctuary, and the birds love them.
Necessary Supplies
To make birdhouses out of old boots you will need two or more leather or faux leather boots, PVC pipe that is two inches in diameter, medium grit sandpaper, leather sheers or utility scissors, waterproof adhesive, water repellent for leather, two 6 x 8-inch boards, and eye hooks for hanging. If you want to include signs you will also need two small pieces of wood of the appropriate size, acrylic craft paint, a small craft brush and clear acrylic sealer.
Procedure
Begin by coating two old boots with water repellent for leather. Apply it according to product label directions, and allow it to dry completely before continuing.
Next, cut perfect circles in the fronts of the boots. They should be a little less than two-inches in diameter. Cut the PVC pipe to a length of approximately two inches, and sand the edges to make them smooth. Push the PVC pipe into the circular openings, and secure them with waterproof adhesive. Let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.
While the adhesive is drying, paint small signs for the fronts of the birdhouses. Consult the photo for ideas. The acrylic paint will dry quickly. After it dries, coat the signs with clear acrylic sealer.
You can also work on the roofs for the birdhouses. Nails are not required. Glue the end of one board to the bottom edge of another to create the first roof. Consult the photo to see how the boards are connected. Apply adhesive to the sides of the roofs and add the painted and sealed signs. The glue must dry completely before attempting to handle the roofs that will top the birdhouses.
Once the glue dries and the connections are secure, clip the tops of the old leather boots in the front and the back. The slits should be about two inches long. Apply the weatherproof glue to the interior of both sides, and press the tops of the old leather boots against the wood. Additional drying time will be required. Place heavy blocks or something similar on both sides of the boots to keep them upright as the adhesive dries.
Attaching the hangers is the final step. Carefully screw an eye hook just to the left or right of the center of each rooftop. They should be screwed into the top pieces of wood. The birdhouses made from old leather boots can be hung on a plant hook or tree branch using sturdy natural jute twine, rope or a chain. Give it time and birds will begin choosing their new homes.
