Earth Day is an occasion when we are asked to consider what we can do to help our planet. A great place to start is by finding ways to recycle, or as I like to call it –upcycle, the items we might otherwise throw away. And, if you can find a way to remake those items into useful tools to help our feathered friends, even better. Let’s make a birdfeeder!
Like a lot of people, I am a sucker for great packaging. Califia Farms delivers most of their beverages in these beautiful hour-glass shaped bottles, which are surprisingly sturdy. As soon as I saw them I thought they would make a great vase or storage container, but when they asked me to try to think of a craft with a tie into Earth Day, a birdfeeder was the obvious answer.
This project will take around ten minutes to create the basic structure and you can spend as much (or as little) time as you want on decorating the outside. I used some simple paint dashes to dress up mine, but feel free to dress yours up in a big way. Some types of birds are especially attracted to things that are brightly colored and sparkly (HELLO GLITTER!) while other types of birds are scared off by unfamiliar objects. Consider what types of birds you want to attract before you decide how to decorate the bottle.
Let’s get started!
* Califia Farms beverage bottle
* Wooden spoon
* Strong twine
* Box cutter or sharp knife
* Permanent marker
* (not pictured) Decorating supplies: paint, markers, glue, glitter, etc.
* (not pictured) Bird seed
Here is the best part of the craft: drink up!
Califia Farms’ line of almondmilk has a cult following, but their sweet-n-sour lemon limeade is my favorite. It’s fabulous on it’s own, or sometimes I like to add a splash to sparkling water. It also makes for a great summer cocktail mixer, but let’s save that for after we are done with the craft project. Just trust me: it’s tasty stuff.
1. Peel the label off the bottle.
2. Wash and dry the inside.
3. Decorate the outside however you see fit. Here I am using regular acrylic craft paint (it’s waterproof). If you want to go all-out with extra trimmings and glue, just make sure your bird feeder can be hung in a way that it is shielded from the elements (under a roof overhanging is a great option).
4. Allow the surface to dry completely.
5. Use the permanent marker to draw a rectangle that is as wide as the spoon, but slightly taller. Repeat on the opposite side.
6. Use your blade or knife to cut the sides and top of the hole and fold outward.
7. Insert spoon. Is there a small gap space above the spoon? Good. If not, go back and make the hole slightly taller. Keep in mind, larger bird seed will require a larger hole.
8. Tie two pieces of extra long twine around the lid.
And here we go! Fill with birdseed and hang in a prominent location for everyone to admire your ingenuity. The screw-on cap makes it easy to refill often. The birds (and the environment) will appreciate your efforts.
This is a sponsored post but all opinions shared are my own. Thank you to Califia Farms for inviting me to celebrate Earth Day with them. And thank YOU for supporting the brands that make this site possible.
You’ll find Califia Farms in Whole Foods nationwide, as well as major chains like Kroger, Safeway and many other grocery stores. You can use their store locator to find one nearest you! If you are interested in trying Califia Farms for free, visit their social media channels to participate in giveaway programs: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Happy Earth Day!