Simple Modern Bird Feeder DIY

You guys! I tried macrame! It’s just 14 knots worth and a super easy project, but it was really fun. I know that macrame is also technically retro, but since it’s made such a big come back lately, I’m rolling with it and calling this DIY a Simple Modern Bird Feeder.

I love that as the weather warms up, the birds come out to sing. This bird feeder is a great way to welcome in Spring and invite the birds to linger at your place a little longer.

It has a simple, minimalistic look that makes it a great complement for any porch or tree.

And don’t worry if you’re a macrame newbie, it’s suuuuper beginner friendly. Like I mentioned before, it’s just 14 knots and you’re done. So easy!

I’ve got a quick video at this end of this post that shows you how to do it step by step.

But first, I want to share some details I can’t share in the video, like the material sources and some nut free bird seed ideas, if you have allergies like us.

Supply Notes

Some of the materials you’ll need you can find around the house like a terra cotta plant saucer, school glue and cotton twine. You’ll also need a wooden dowel and some wooden beads.

I got everything from Michaels, except for my hexagonal beads which I got from THIS Etsy shop. Most craft stores and some big box stores should carry these supplies as well. The square beads are just wooden cubes that I drilled holes into. All the beads came with holes that were too small, so I used a 5/16 inch drill bit to widen them.

I also used Elmer’s school glue. I wanted to use something that is non-toxic and safe for birds. I admit that I am not **100%** sure that this is bird safe, but after googling it and reading a bunch of threads, it seems like the best and safest option. I tested it to see if it would hold the dowel to the saucer and I am happy to report that it holds up really well once it’s dried. I’ve had the bird feeder outside under our porch eaves for a few weeks and the glue is still holding strong.

Just be prepared for the glue to take about a day to fully dry and cure.

Peanut Free Bird Seed

If you have a peanut allergy like my daughter, the type of bird feed you use might be a concern. I didn’t realize this before we had to deal with allergies, but peanuts are in so many bird seed mixes!  Of course, we won’t be eating the bird seed, but with kids it’s nice to be on the safe side. She’s also contact allergic so touching it is a concern for us as well and I like to keep our home a safe haven for her as much as possible.

I searched all around and had the best luck at a local animal feed shop. Corn feed, black sunflower seeds, and millet seeds seemed to be the easiest to find. I’ve also seen some individually packaged safflower seeds at Home Depot with a cross contamination warning.

 

The birds unfortunately don’t seem to care for the corn as much (I think it’s more of a chicken feed) but the sunflower seeds and the millet seeds seem to work great. Plus, the millet seeds come in a pretty little stalk. 🙂 

 

One more thing… In the video, I don’t add a bead to the bottom (first) knot but in the finished shots there’s a bead there. It’s totally optional. I just added it afterward because I think it helps the feeder look more balanced.

I also reallllly tried to capture the birds eating out the feeder, but couldn’t ever get my camera out fast enough. Okay…enough talk. Let’s make a bird feeder!

Click play to get crafting! 🙂