Upcycled Hinge Butterfly

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Have you ever wondered what to do with an old door hinge? This upcycled hinge butterfly craft is the answer! These sweet butterflies are perfection to let fly around your yard, potted plants or home. I hope you have fun painting these winged creatures.

I was sitting and my line of sight was on the hinges of a door and they just looked like butterflies to me! Am I crazy? Don’t those flappy plates beg to be painted as wings? I literally couldn’t wait to get my paint brush out after I made this sighting. 

The best thing to do if you want to create a door hinge butterfly is look up butterfly pictures on the internet or in a book so you can see what a real butterfly looks like. Of course you could always go rogue and just make up a butterfly – there are no rules in hinge painting. 😜🤣

To get your butterfly ready snip some lengths of wire (the sturdier the better) and thread them through the hinge gaps. Twist them on the underside to secure each set of legs. FYI – a butterfly has 6 legs in case you were wondering! Next do the same thing but bottom to top to create antenna! Needle nose pliers are your friend here, use them to wrap the wire tight. You can wrap the wire around the nose of your pliers to create curly antenna.

It took me a few attempts to figure out the best way to paint these butterflies and once I settled on a style it was so relaxing to create some pretty yard art. The video walks you through the process but here are some tips so you can transform an upcylced hinge butterfly too.

Tips to Paint a Butterfly 

1. Pick a butterfly image to copy or dream one up in your head.
2. Start with a solid base color and dry in-between coats.
3. Use a soft bristle paint brush and acrylic craft paint. I used these paints specifically.  
4. Using small strokes, paint your color on in a feather like manner. You will want to layer the paint. That might mean letting it dry and going back over it. Mix in a touch of black or a touch of white to vary the shading. 
5. I painted some metallic gold over the orange for additional highlights.

1. The tip of your paint brush handle can be your friend! Dip it in the black paint and use it like a pen to draw lines in your wings.
2. Go back over the black with the orange and gold to soften it. 
3. Again – use the end of your paint brush dipped in the paint to make small dots and circles based on the butterfly pattern you are painting. 

Below is another butterfly design I did that is perfect for your first attempt. I have my new friends hanging out in the backyard for now, tucked in a potted plant and on an outside chest. You could nail these hinge butterflies to a fence, hang them or set them on a coffee table. They make for beautiful decor and great conversation. I hope you have fun with this upcycle craft. I’d love to see your butterfly creations! 

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