Phil and I love to feed the birds at Two Holt. However, we can't fill big feeders and leave them outside because those feeders attract bears in the area. So we put out smaller feeders like this one... After seeing several teacup bird feeders on the Internet, we decided to make our own version because nothing says "cottage" quite like tea time! First we gathered our supplies--a cup and saucer, spoon, Goop glue, sandpaper, copper pipe, and a copper cap. We wanted to reuse some of the things left behind by the previous owner of Two Holt so we used a cup, saucer, and spoon we found in the cabinets. Phil lightly sanded the bottom of the cup and the part of the saucer where the cup would sit to help those areas hold the glue. He spread the glue on the areas of the cup and saucer which would touch. After pressing the two together for about 30 seconds, he placed a book and an antique iron on top to apply pressure until the glue set. Then he waited 24 hours, an important step to ensure the adhesive dries and hardens. The next day Phil glued the spoon on the saucer. The spoon will serve as a perch. Once again we waited 24 hours for the next step so that the glue on the spoon was set. We bought a 1/2 inch copper pipe and a copper cap. I suppose we could have left the copper in its natural state and let it age, but we decided to spray paint the cap and pipe black so that it would match somewhat with the iron wall art and with the black window box already in our side garden. Phil used the Goop glue to glue the cap on the bottom of the saucer. Shortly after beginning this project, we found this sweet teapot on clearance at Kirklands. At less than $5, we had to expand our project to include it. We hopped over to Hobby Lobby where a sale was on all decorative glass. We spent a few dollars on this strand of crystals. I only need one, but the strand was just a dollar more than buying a solitary crystal and the individual crystals were too large for this project. Our last stop was Home Depot where we purchased another copper pipe and copper cap. Can you envision what's coming? We sanded the bottom of the lid and the top of the teapot before applying the Goop glue and permanently sealing the teapot. We snipped off one crystal while leaving a bit of the line to glue in the spout. We wanted the teapot to tilt a bit in the Birdy Tea Party display so we glued the cap just under the spout instead of on the bottom of the teapot. We will put a portion of the pipes into the ground and leave a few feet above ground on which to place the feeder and teapot. Look for the pictures of it in Two Holt's garden this spring.
6 Comments
Lynn Miller
1/16/2014 10:25:36 am
I love hearing your news of Highlands. We have a summer home on Mt. Laurel but I have to admit I am enjoying the Houston sunshine for the time being.
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Sharon
1/16/2014 11:36:21 am
Lynn, thank you for dropping by our Two Holt blog. Where is Mt. Laurel?
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Lynn Miller
1/22/2014 06:51:14 am
It's up past the Mt. Laurel Tennis Club off the Dillard Road just before the Summer House if you're coming from town.
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Sharon
1/22/2014 12:26:50 pm
Oh! I know just where it is now!
Larry Elder
1/16/2014 01:32:53 pm
How creative! Looking forward to seeing this yard sculpture-bird feeder in person this year.
Reply
Sharon
1/19/2014 06:55:17 am
Larry, we're looking forward to seeing you and Susan when we return to Two Holt. :)
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Phil & SharonMarried 40 years and hoping to enjoy many more! Archives
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