Teacup Bird Feeder DIY
The other day, I came across a DIY bird feeder made from a teacup and saucer. It just looked so delicate, floating across the tops of flowers in a garden. I imagined one or more in my own garden. It just so happens I have a few antique cups and saucers, which I have been collecting for some time. Okay, there is no way I could bring myself to use those beautiful antique cups and saucers for a bird feeder!
It just so happened that I remembered seeing chintz cups at Homegoods, TJMaxx, and even Tuesday Morning! A shopping expedition proved that I was too late for those! I saw virtually none that would be appropriate for my garden. The mind was brainstorming again. Back home, looking through the china cabinet, there was a tempting blue patterned cup and saucer. No, they were Haviland China. Can't do that!
I pulled out a fruit patterned teacup and saucer. Then I came across this lovely little cup and saucer I found on sale at Homegoods several years ago. I love the colors. I had bought the last two of these cups and saucers. The sum total was six dollars. Yes, this would do nicely.
On my trip, I looked for epoxy like the directions for the bird feeder had said, but found E6000, which said it was industrial strength, clear, and glued products could even be washed in the dishwasher. I opted for this instead of the epoxy.
In addition to the teacup, the saucer, and the glue, a one-half inch copper pipe is needed. I bought the ten foot length and had the Home Depot associate cut the pipe in half. I probably could have cut it into thirds, but I was thinking a little taller feeder would keep the chipmunks and squirrels from getting into it. We will see about that.
The other item I needed was a copper tube cap, which is in the picture above and in the picture below.
This project was so incredibly easy. The E6000 glue said to be sure the surfaces were clean and dry. Next, rough up the surfaces a little before applying the glue to both surfaces. Wait two minutes. (Waiting is the hardest part!)
Then I set the cup on the saucer, pushed firmly, and turned the cup and saucer upside down.
The little copper tube cap was sanded lightly on the end and glue was applied to a small area on the bottom of the cup and the end of the copper cap. Then two more minutes of waiting!
The cap was then placed in position, pushed firmly, and allowed to dry for twenty-four hours.
Waiting again!
After the cup was in waiting mode, I chose a spot in the garden for the feeder. The cardinals and finches love this birdbath above and are there often. The crabapple tree is nearby, where they perch frequently. This seemed like the perfect location.
The copper pipe was pushed firmly into the ground as far as I could push it. Then I had to ask Dave for help. It is just about the same height as the bee balm located right there.
You can pin this DIY Teacup Bird Feeder â—„ here.
I think it came out pretty cute, but wouldn't a spiral of three or five in different heights be nice? I will be on the lookout for more teacups so another DIY teacup bird feeder will be on my list of projects...
