Supplies

Plywood
Pencil or pen (something to write with)
Jig saw
Electric sander
Sand Paper
Random wooden things (for the butterflies body)
Metal brackets & screws
Sealer coat
Black paint
Orange paint
White paint
Nails and Hooks

Step 1: Making the First Wings

Draw one side of the wings on the wood, then use a jig saw to cut them out.

Step 2: Making the Second Wings

Flip the wings over and trace them, this way you will have pairs of identical wings. Then cut these out.

Step 3: Making the Body

I used a variety of wooden objects to make the butterflies body, like strips of decking, pegs and handles off a skipping rope. You can use whatever you have at hand.

Step 4: Sand Everything

I used a handheld electric sander to sand the wings, rounding their edges and sandpaper to sand the bodies.

Step 5: Put the Pieces Together

Bend the brackets in the vice to the desired angle, making sure the pairs for each butterfly are the same. Screw the body to the middle bend of the bracket, then screw the wings on each side.

Step 6: Paint the Prep Coat

This seals the wood, helping to protect it from the environment.

Step 7: Lightly Sand and Paint the Base Colour

The prep coat can make the wood rough so I gave it a light sand with a piece of sandpaper to smooth it out. Then paint the back of the project with outdoor black paint. I would recommend two coats to help protect the wood better.

Step 8: Paint the Second Colour

Paint the orange now, as painting orange over black, will be too difficult and the colour won't be as bright. Don't worry if the edges are messy, as you will clean them up later. Depending on the paint this may take quite a few coats, I would recommend at least two.

Step 9: Draw the Designs

Looking at reference photos of butterflies, draw your wing patterns. Remember they don't have to be perfect, as no butterflies are identical to another.