One of my favorite movies as a child was Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland.” I was enchanted by the crazy antics that ensued at the Mad Hatter’s tea party, and always imagined how fun it would be to happen upon an “un-birthday party” in the woods. Now that I have my own yard, I’ve decided to create a Mad Hatter inspired garden area, where my kids and I can picnic and celebrate un-birthdays.
As part of my theme, I’ll need lots of tea cups. I thought it would be fun to have cups not just on the table, but also hanging from the trees. I’ve seen several versions of teacup bird feeders, and knew I wanted to make one. Here’s how I did it.
Project estimate:
- Tea cup, on hand or $1
- Saucer, on hand or $1
- Chain, on hand or $1 and up
- Super glue, on hand
- Paint, on hand
Total: Free or $1 and up
Step one: Glue the cup to the saucer as pictured. Angle it slightly so the seeds can “pour” out.
Step two: Paint a design on the cup. I chose my cup because of the pretty pattern it had, but you could use a stencil, instead. I used glass paint; other options are nail polish or spray paint.
Step three: Run a chain or cord through the cup’s handle, and hang your bird feeder!
You could place your feeder on a post or stand, instead. I’m planning to make several (and let my kids paint them) to hang in our “mad hatter” garden. My new bird feeder complements my teapot bird bath perfectly! Now I just need a Cheshire cat….
8 Comments
Samantha D
Very cute! Great project for kids too!
Sam
The Kitchen is My Dance Floor
Cynthia Howe
After looking at this, your bird bath, and your dessert stand. You could do a dessert stand or cake stand in this theme for your garden as well. My mind has flown to all kind of things, and tipping some of the cups as well would be fun as long as you keep the project level. After all it is a mad hatter and not everything is neat and orderly. I think I would epoxy glue for more stability in that case. I might also be crazy enough to not paint and use colorful cups, saucers, plates, and tea pots.
morena
Cynthia, I like your thinking!!
VICKI
I like the idea, BUT, super glue will not last! Nor epoxy. I suggest GE silicone II, outdoor. It’s available at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart in the paints dept. A smaller squeeze tube goes a loooong way. Sand the area you will be glueing slightly 1st for better contact.
I’ve made “junk-yardart” for years and all of us will agree…
This will last for years!
morena
Thanks for the tip, Vicki! I will add that to my shopping list.
Vintage Boutique
Nice idea of bird feeder cup plus it is very easy and simple to execute. Just one thine about the glue, do you think it can stand the test of time or it might give up.