DIY: Suet Wreath

If you like to feed the birds over the winter, you can make your own suet! I found this project on the KAYTEE.COM website.

Items you’ll need for this craft:

Bundt cake pan – You can use mini Bundt cake molds if you want to make multiple wreaths for multiple gifts.
4 cups Kaytee bird seed – Choose a seed that fits with your region to attract birds in your area.
Cranberries
1 and 1/2 packets of unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup warm water
1/3 cup corn starch 
3 Tablespoons light corn syrup
Thick ribbon
Gift wrap – If you’re making this as a gift, you’ll want to find a box that fits the wreath and wrapping supplies to make it festive.
Kitchen items – You’ll need a drying rack, medium-sized sauce pan, spatula, stove, refrigerator, and measuring utensils. This craft requires heat and cooling, so children will need assistance and supervision if helping with this craft.
Nonstick cooking spray.

Spray the Bundt pan mold liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Place the cranberries in the pan how you would like them to look on the front of the wreath. Set aside for use after the mixture is ready.

Measure out four cups of bird seed in an easy-to-pour container. Set aside and have this ready for when the mixture is ready.

In a medium-sized sauce pan on medium heat, whisk together the packets of unflavored gelatin and warm water. Whisk until it is dissolved. 

Add in the corn starch and light corn syrup, as shown in the image above. Whisk until there are no lumps of cornstarch left. 

The mixture will start to form a thick paste after all the ingredients begin to bind. The paste should be smooth and thick.

Once the paste is formed, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the four cups of bird seed that was set aside from step three. Tip: spray your spatula with nonstick cooking spray before mixing together to make clean up easier! 

Carefully add the combined mixture into the Bundt pan mold, making sure to pack it down and keep the cranberries in place. Evenly distribute the mixture so the wreath will be balanced when it sets.

Pack the seed down with the spatula. Once all the mixture is in the pan, place the entire pan in the fridge. Remove it from the fridge when it’s hard to the touch. This should take no longer than an hour.
After the wreath is hardened, take it out of the fridge and gently remove the wreath from the pan by flipping it upside down onto a cooling rack. Let it dry completely before adding ribbon or handling it too much. It’s best to let it dry for 12-24 hours. 

Tie a thick ribbon around the wreath and then to a tree or feeder hanger. Bring it outside and carefully hang it where the birds will see it. If you’re giving it as a gift, wrap it up gently and give the gift as soon as possible so the wreath materials stay fresh for the birds. 

SOURCE: KAYTEE.COM