Create a Bird Feeder out of your Old China Cups and Saucers at Low Cost
Edited by Maria Quinney, Eng, Robbi, Christine dela Cruz and 6 others
Bird feeders can add style to your garden beds with re-purposed materials. In this Wiki How To we will be learning how to take items from your house and transition them to yard art.
How to do it
You will need:
- 1China CupAdvertisement
- 2SaucerAdvertisement
- 3E 6000 Craft Glue
- 4Spoon
- 5Small Copper pipe fitting
- 6metal or wooden dowel
Steps
- 1Wash the cup and saucer for any debris
- 2Apply E 6000 glue to bottom of the cup
- 3Attach the cup to the saucer and put a small layer of glue around the edge of the cup to ensure no moisture gets in between the cup and saucer once outside
- 4Apply a small amount of E 6000 glue to the spoon and attach to the saucer
- 5Once applications are dry after about 24 hours, tip the item over and apply glue to the copper fitting in the middle of the saucer. Allow to dry and set again
- 6Pick a setting in your yard. Mount the dowel in your lawn and attach the bird-feeder to the dowel.
Things to Note with China Cups and Saucers
- 1Consider that not all China cups and saucers are of good quality. Some of these China cups and saucers are not made of food-grade materials. In other words, they are just developed as decorative pieces and not to be used for food. When using these as bird feeders, you need to make sure that you are using the food grade ones too as you do not want to be causing health problems with them.Advertisement
- 2Avoid China cups and saucers that contain lead. This is one of the most common components of China ware that are said to be poisoning, especially when it's mixed with food and drinks. Lead is often used because it said to be the one that makes Chinaware look glazed and shiny. It is also said to make these home wares more durable.
- 3Pay attention to China wares that have some corrosion of glaze. You would see this after washing. It appears as a white powder residue. When you see this, consider that it's unsafe to use it as a bird feeder because they may be able to eat it with their food and cause poisoning.
- 4Stay away from China cups and saucers that are brightly-colored. These types have a higher lead content and over time, they have higher tendency to corrode and create that white powder residue.
- 5If you insist on using non-food grade cups and saucers as a bird feeder, do not let the food linger in there for a long time. The longer the food gets into contact with it, the more that the food is able to absorb the lead content.
- 6Never heat or microwave these cups and saucers before using as a bird feeder. If you have done so, consider using other pieces instead. Heat will cause certain chemical reactions that turn the different components of the cups into something toxic.
- 7Find other alternative uses to your old China cups and saucers if they have been proven to be a non-food grade, instead of using them as bird feeders. You may just use them for decoration instead.
- 8Stay away from cheaper China cups and saucers as those are usually the ones containing harmful chemicals. Consider the shops that you buy it from as well. Read labels as they would often contain information on whether or not the product can be used for food.
- 9Take into consideration the glue and other chemicals that you use to create your bird feeder. Sometimes, even when the China cups and saucers are good and do not contain harmful chemicals, chemical reactions with other substances can make it a non-food grade.
Tips Tricks & Warnings
- Bring the bird feeder inside in inclement weather as well as winter to ensure it does not crack.
- Mount in a semi-protected and sheltered area such as under a tree or under your home roofing overhang.
- Too much heat can induce chemical reactions within your cups and saucers. Eventually, it may not be safe to use for food. Avoid putting it in areas which are directly hit by the rays of the sun.
- Do not overcrowd the cage with cups and saucers as that will become uncomfortable for your pets. Only use pieces which are necessary.
Questions and Answers
My glue won't stay stuck on the bird feeders?
Hi I have tried to make bird feeders from cups and saucers (the hanging ones, so the cup is glued on its side) but find that no glue is strong enough to hold it. Which adhesive is best? Thanks.
Liquid Nails gives a strong, water-resistant bond for everything in your China bird feeder. They also come in single-use tubes so you don't waste any adhesive. This adhesive will be able to keep your bird feeder together; just give it overnight to dry and achieve its full potential before you put it outside or handle it by the glued parts.
Do you know how to make a bird bath out of a China cup?
The bird feeders are nice but a bird bath would be great for the smaller birds that visit my yard. I have tried: I have made a bird bath out of an old glass bowl. I think it was caused by: I just think it would be nice to have a matching China tea cup bird bath and bird feeder or make a fountain out of an old China tea cups.
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What is the best glue to make the teacup bird feeders, and what kind of spike do you mount them on?
I am not sure of the best glue to use, and I don't know what to mount them on??. I have tried: I have not tried anything yet, I was going to make one for my sisters garden.
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If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
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Article Info
Categories : Repurposing Crafts
Recent edits by: Donna, ronandlouise, Calob Horton
