DIY: Making a Birdseed Wreath

As the Holidays start to wind down, don’t forget about your feathered friends! The cold snow is blustery outside, making it more difficult for small songbirds to  maintain their body temperatures. Feeding the birds dosn’t have to be the same old routine, when you can create the meal yourself!

I am going to use our special holiday blend to make my wreaths, but you can use any seed you wish. If you use a bigger seed (i.e. sunflower) you may need to slightly increase dissolved gelatin levels used.
I am going to use our special holiday blend to make my wreaths, but you can use any seed you wish. If you use a bigger seed (i.e. sunflower) you may need to slightly increase dissolved gelatin levels used.

Making a birdseed wreath is an easy and fun project to do with kids, or on your own. Not to mention, if your wreaths don’t work out we have an easy way for you to cheat!

Materials:

  • (4) Cups of Holiday Bird Seed (or seed of your choice).

Our Holiday Bird Seed is fun and colorful and is on sale for only $2.99 a bag!
Our Holiday Bird Seed is fun and colorful and is on sale for only $2.99 a bag!
  • One Box of Clear Gelatin (1 oz total)

Gelatine can be found in baking isle in your local grocery store for around $1.29 a box.
Gelatine can be found in baking isle in your local grocery store for around $1.29 a box.
  • (2) approx. 6″ Bunt pans (your choice of size and shape)

No bunt pan-no problem! I purchased these at a local thrift store for .99 cents each.
No bunt pan-no problem! I purchased these at a local thrift store for .99 cents each.
  • (3/4) Cup Water
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Small Saucepan and Large pot for mixing seed

The mixture cleans up really easy-so no worries for your pans!
The mixture cleans up really easy-so no worries for your pans!
  • Raffia ribbon ($2.99 for a large bag found at all of our stores)
  • Cookie Sheet

Step 1: Mix 1/4 cup water and two .25 oz packets of gelatin into the small mixing bowl. Mix with a spoon and let set for one minute.

It is very important to mix the gelatin well and to let it sit for one minute before moving on-otherwise your seed will not set properly.
It is very important to mix the gelatin well and to let it sit for one minute before moving on-otherwise your seed will not set properly.

Step 2: Boil 1/2 cup water. Pour into setting gelatin and stir until dissolved.

Dissolve the gelatin into boiling water fully as you stir.
Dissolve the gelatin into boiling water fully as you stir.

Step 3: Pour dissolved gelatin water into large mixing pan. Immediately begin to pour and stir in 4 cups of measured birdseed.

Poor seed slowing into dissolved gelatin mixing as you go.
Poor seed slowing into dissolved gelatin mixing as you go.

Step 4: Continue to turn seed into gelatin, making sure all seeds have been coated.

Stir seed until it has been fully covered in dissolved gelatin.
Stir seed until it has been fully covered in dissolved gelatin.

Step 5: Spoon mixture into bunt pans. This recipe makes about 2, 6″ wreaths. Use wax paper to push and compact seed.

Compact seed into mold by presing firmly with wax paper. Smooth out bumps and holes on back as well.
Compact seed into mold by presing firmly with wax paper. Smooth out bumps and holes on back as well.

Step 6: Place in refrigerator for 4 hours.

Your seed will be firm yet slightly maluable. Be sure not to pick them up before they go through the drying process.

Step 7: Remove from pans onto cookie sheet. Turn upside down and use a bit of force when placeing on cookie sheet-they should pop out easily. If you used metal bunt pans you may need to soak bottoms in hot water for 1 minute to release the wreath.

If you have used metal bunt pans, you may need to soak your wreaths in hot water for one minute to help them release from the mold.
If you have used metal bunt pans, you may need to soak your wreaths in hot water for one minute to help them release from the mold.

Step 8: Set in a cool/cold location for 24 hrs to dry (I set mine outside and it worked fine). Note: The refrigerator is too damp to allow complete drying, choose an area such as your garage, basement or outside instead.

It takes about 24hrs for your wreaths to set. Don't try to move them as you will cause the gelatin to pull apart.
It takes about 24hrs for your wreaths to set. Don't try to move them as you will cause the gelatin to pull apart.

Step 9: Tie raffia ribbon around top half of wreath. Try to spread ribbon out so it is not just pulling on one spot.

You can make your raffia as simple or complex as you wish. Try tying a bow, or using red raffia for extra color. I choose raffia because it will decompose naturally and birds can use it to make nests in the spring.

Step 10: Enjoy watching birds eat from your creations!

The birds were camera shy...but love the wreath. It has even held up through our recent rain and bad weather!

Note: You don’t have to use a bunt pan if your don’t want to make a wreath. You can also use small cake pans, bread pans to make bird seed blocks.

Setting a block of seed in an area of cover will make birds feel at ease when feeding.
Setting a block of seed in an area that is protected will make birds feel at ease when feeding.

If all goes well: I have seen so may birds eating off the wreaths I put up last week including Chickadees, Nuthatches (Rose-breasted too!), Titmouse, Downy/Hairy Woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens and even finches.

If all dosn’t go well: We still have our Holiday Birdseed Wreaths for sale, and they are on special for only $9.99!

Lets face it... sometimes buying is easier than making!
Happy Holidays, and have a safe and Happy New Year!