Recycled Bird Feeder

One of my favorite sounds in the world, along with my dad's laugh and Corinne Bailey Rae's Put Your Records On is the sound of birds chirping. The quintessential springtime cacophony can be lost in the low hum of city sounds outside our back door.  I can see myself seriously taking up birdwatching as a hobby. Is that super dorky? I think it'd be fun. 

Low on funds, but in want of a bird feeder to attract more fine feathered friends to the vicinity, I set out to create one from recycled materials. It's quirky and cheap, the only thing I paid for was the birdseed. It'd also be a great craft to do with kiddos! 

You'll Need:

recycled half-gallon milk carton

knife

scissors

colored pencil 

hot glue
fishing wire 

paint (if desired) 

1. Cut a hole in the milk carton, about the size of the label on the front. I had to make an incision with a knife first, then use scissors to cut the rest.
2. Cut a small hole underneath the larger hole-- just big enough to insert colored pencil. Don't worry if the cut is too big.
3. Push colored pencil into small hole, top of pencil first so it touches the back of the milk carton. Reinforce with hot glue.
4. Cut length of fishing wire longer than you think you'll need. Wrap wire around the top of the milk carton several times and reinforce with hot glue.
5. Let dry. Test the colored pencil stand and fishing wire by holding the bird feeder by the wire and putting light pressure with your fingers on the colored pencil. Hopefully nothing gives. If not, reinforce with more hot glue.
6. Paint a funky design on milk carton!
7. Let dry.
8. Fill with birdseed, hang and enjoy.

Happy birdwatching and listening! 

Madelyn