I watch the birds daily on the trees and listen to their songs when I sit on the back porch. A fat squirrel runs through the yard, splitting his time between chiding the birds, gathering food and just playing. However, he is always on watch for the neighbor’s cat.
Throughout the summer, I have been throwing odd bits of bread outside along with bits of fresh of fruit. However, for the most part I have just watched them forage from the natural bounty in the yard.
Now winter is fast approaching Colorado Springs. There has already been one minor snowfall in the city and the mountains have had several inches fall. If I want the birds and squirrel to stay in the yard I need some feeders.
While browsing through Pininterest I came upon an image (here) of this coffee cup feeder hung on shepherd’s hooks in the yard. I looked at the image and re-created the feeder to the best of my ability using cups and saucers from a local thrift store. However, I wanted the birds and the squirrel to be able to use the branches in the trees as natural perches so I fashioned hooks using old wire coat hangers to hang the feeders.
Here is how you can create your own fun bird feeders.
The Feeder Materials
- · E6000 Glue. I imagine there are other glues available on the market for glass on glass, but this is what I had available. $3.99 from Michaels Arts and Crafts.
- · Coffee Cup of Choice. I got three from the thrift store for $1.00 each.
- · Saucer. Again from the thrift store. I selected three dessert plates for $1.50 each.
Instructions
- Make sure that the cup and saucer are both clean and dry. I let the cups soak in hot water for 30 minutes to remove all the adhesive.
- Plan to work outside if you use E6000. The fumes from are strong so ventilation is important.
- Run a bead of glue approximately the length of the cup from the leftmost level area towards the center. It is best if your bead of glue is shorter than the cup to alleviate glue mess.
- Place the cup on the saucer along the bead of glue and then carefully pick it back up.
- You should see a trail of glue along the cups side. Place another bead of glue following the existing line to the edge of the cup.
- Again, place the cup on the saucer along the bead of glue. This time, leave it in place propping it up as necessary until the glue begins to set.
You can move the cups a couple of hours after gluing but do not use for at least 24 hours.
Total time: 20 minutes.
Total Cost Each: $2.50
The Hangers Materials
- · Wire Coat Hanger
- · Wire Cutters
- · Needle Nose Pliers
Instructions
- Cut desired length of wire from coat hanger using wire cutters. Press as hard as possible and the bend wire back and forth until it breaks.
- Use the needle nose pliers to bend decorative spirals and curves into one end.
- At the same end, create a hook large enough for your coffee mug handle.
- On the opposite end, use the needle nose pliers to bend a hook the desired width.
- (optional) Bend a small hook in the opposite direction of the existing hook.
- Using the flat part of the pliers, press both ends of the small loop in toward hook.
Total Time: 10 minutes
Total Cost: $0.00
