Making & Painting Victorian Birdhouses [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Joyce Rice (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1999

The eleven projects in this book range from simple cottages and churches to more elaborate townhouses. Anyone who can cut, hammer and glue can build every house in the book.'

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Birds have it tough, suffering through harsh winters and long migrations. The very least we can do is build them a house. These titles show a wide range of birdhouse styles, ranging from the practical and utilitarian to the decorative and fanciful. Gerhards, who has written several do-it-yourself titles for beginners, provides practical instructions for traditional birdhouses. Birds are particular about the size and shape of their home's door opening, the inside dimensions, and its height off the ground. Gerhards gives the housing requirements of a variety of birds, which will be helpful to those wanting to attract specific species. Clear step-by-step instructions explain how to build and hang a number of different types of houses for birds ranging from bluebirds to ducks and owls. A plan for a platform for nest-building birds is also included. These designs are well within the capabilities of most hobbyists. Numerous hints for attracting and observing birds are included, and instructions for feeders and information about different foods round out this highly recommended title. Rice's book contains examples of colorful and beautiful birdhouses designed more as knickknacks for people than homes for birds. It's possible that birds might take up residence, but only one door size is given, and there is no information on modifications for different species. The houses lack ventilation openings and cannot be opened for cleaning. Rice's designs and painting techniques are impressive to look at and would make pretty decorations around the house. Collections serving avid crafters should consider this title, but those who are truly interested in observing and caring for birds should choose Gerhards's book.AJonathan N. Hershey, Akron-Summit Cty.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1st edition (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891348816
• ISBN-13: 978-0891348818
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words from the author, Joyce Rice, September 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Making & Painting Victorian Birdhouses (Paperback)

The reason for writing this book came from all the requests to purchase one of my birdhouse creations. I make one of a kind birdhouses and had no desire to mass produce them. I am a self taught artist and woodworker. Whenever I made a birdhouse I would draw the design on the wood, cut it out and then draw and paint the design on every individual birdhouse. It took me a year to write this book because I wanted to make it possible for everyone to own one of my original birdhouse designs. With precise prints and painting instructions I felt poeple could make many birdhouses, by changing around the window treatments and house designs, or the eleven birdhouses in the book could be made exactly as featured showing all sides from start to finish of all the houses. I wrote this book using an old fashion typewriter and took all my own pictures. I toiled over the prints of each birdhouse for many hours so the majority of them could be made with basically the same width of boards. I tried to make this as simple as I could to demonstrate painting stones, bricks, flowers, stained glass church windows, and frilly curtains. I have been told by people who purchase my book that it is one of the most thoroughly explained and pictured birdhouse books they have ever found. I am very pleased because it was what I wanted people to feel when they opened the pages. The birdhouses in this book have been put on display in an art gallery and public functions and have received rave reviews. I hope the people who buy my book get hours of enjoyment making them and displaying them, and the answer is yes I do put mine outside for the birds to enjoy. I explain in the book how the houses can be built to remove the back for cleaning. I wanted my readers to feel they had ended up with a true masterpiece when they were finished, a birdhouse they could keep of give as a gift. This probably explains why it took me a year to write it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Birdhouses, December 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Making & Painting Victorian Birdhouses (Paperback)

I purchased 3 of these books, one for myself, one for my daughter and one for my daughter-in-law. Everytime I would see beautiful birdhouses like these, I would think,I would love to try and make them, now I can. The directions are so well done it seems impossible to make a mistake. The church will be my first project. Thanks again.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prettiest little houses you'll ever see., September 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Making & Painting Victorian Birdhouses (Paperback)

Most of us can cut and nail boards but who would of thought I could build something that looks like art. Houses look great and the birds can't wait to move in.