Backyard Butterflies

Rita Hill showed how to brighten up the winter garden with some colourful butterflies and dragonflies.

You will need

• metal spoon beads
• 0.9mm tie wire
• bamboo stake
• hammer
• drill
• long-nosed pliers
• safety goggles

Making your butterfly

1. Take the spoon outside and place it on a brick. Put on your safety goggles, and then flatten the head of the spoon with a hammer.
2. Cover the spoon with masking tape to prevent the drill bit slipping. Mark the position of the 9 drill holes - 4 at the top, 2 in the base of the spoon and 3 in the handle (see spoon diagram). Drill the holes and hammer down any sharp metal edges. (Tip: if you don’t have a drill just use a longer piece of wire and wrap it securely around the spoon.)
3. Cut the wire to the desired length for the first wing. Thread the wire through the relevant hole and secure it by wrapping it around a few times. Start threading your beads.
4. Make another wing the same size, some smaller wings and some antennae (see wing diagram). If you cover the wings with coloured pantyhose you can then paint patterns onto the fabric and stick sequins on as well. Be creative and have fun!
5. Drill a hole in the top of a bamboo stake; thread a piece of wire through the hole and wrap around the body of the butterfly until secure. (Tip: if you use short stakes you can put the butterflies and dragonflies into pot plants to brighten up your verandah or porch.)

Further information

Old metal spoons can be purchased very cheaply from second-hand stores. Beads are available from craft stores or bead shops, and cost from $2 a packet. Tie wire is available from hardware stores. Bamboo stakes in packets of 20 cost approx. $5.50, from garden centres and nurseries.

Copyright 2003 CTC Productions