This upcycled water bottle bird feeder is easy to make with an empty glass bottle. The bird feeder attachment is intended for a plastic soda bottle. I personally don’t think those are very attractive. My intention was to make a pretty wine bottle bird feeder using a wine bottle with a screw cap.
[ctt template=”8″ link=”8cUWs” via=”no” ]This upcycled bottle bird feeder is easy to make with an empty glass bottle and a bird feeder attachment. Add some copper wire for a stylish feeder![/ctt]
That did not work so well, unfortunately. The collar on the wine bottle prevented the attachment from screwing onto the bottle securely. Drat!
So, an alternative is a glass Perrier or S.Pellegrino sparkling mineral water container. The attachment fits perfectly on either of these. The glass Perrier bottle is a pretty green color with an interesting shape and I chose it for this feeder. How do you make an upcycled glass water bottle bird feeder? Follow the easy steps below.
This is an easy bird feeder craft inspired by a post on Better Homes and Gardens.
Glass Water Bottle Bird Feeder How-To
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Materials Needed:
- Soda bottle bird feeder attachment
- 6-gauge copper wire (about 3 feet)
- heavy-duty pliers
- jewelry pliers
- empty glass screw bottle
- metal ornament (optional)
Originally, I had not intended to add an ornament to the bird feeder but while out shopping at JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores, this Hildie & Jo metal leaf pendant for a necklace caught my eye. Minus the red circular disc, I think it is perfect for this project.
The 6-gauge copper wire is pretty malleable. You definitely need a wire that is pretty easy to bend and wrap.
There are plastic bird feeder attachments but because several reviews mentioned that they broke easily, I chose this metal one instead.
The labels on the Perrier bottle are easy to remove by just soaking in soapy water. Unlike so many other bottles, no glue residue is left on the bottle. There is no need for Goo Gone adhesive remover.
Remove the cap from the bottle and the metal ring left from the cap before beginning the project.
Directions:
Make a tight curl on one end of the copper wire using the heavy-duty pliers. Grasp the end and twist into a curl. These are lineman pliers, which we used, but you can use any heavy-duty pliers. Use a piece of thick fabric to cover the wire to protect it from marring as you manipulate the wire. I used a little rectangle of thick felt.
Hold the copper wire just above where the screw cap threads connect to the neck of the bottle close to the opening. Remember, the bottle will be hanging upside down in the end.
Wrap the wire around the bottle 3 or 4 times toward the base of the bottle. The wire doesn’t have to be wrapped too tightly. I found this a little awkward until Dave held the bottle firmly for me and then, it was much easier to manipulate the wire. Before continuing, screw the attachment onto the bottle and make sure the coiled wire doesn’t hamper its placement.
Remove the attachment. Bend the wire in a curve over and across the bottom of the bottle. Then, form a large curl that resembles the shape of a ‘figure-9’ with an open loop.
Right where the loop of the 9 intersects, I cut the wire. Okay, I didn’t actually cut the wire; Dave did, but I could have done that myself…
Adding A Charm
It’s not necessary to add a metal charm but it adds a little interest. My intention to add the leaf charm using some bronze colored wire was squelched. I thought there was some bronze wire in my jewelry making supplies. Well, there is not. I noticed the jump ring holding the leaf is relatively large and easily slips over the wire. So, there is plan 2.
Before adding the leaf, I remove the red disc. There is a proper way to open and close the jump ring.◄Click here for step by step with pictures on how to do this correctly in a previous post. If you open it the wrong way, it will weaken the ring.
I’m not sure what metal this charm is so, it seems a little protection is a good idea. Two coats of Rust-Oleum Clear Durable Top Coat should protect it from the elements. This semi-gloss spray paint is for indoor/outdoor use.
After giving the charm a couple of coats of the spray paint on both sides, front and back, the charm easily slips over the wire. As I slid it down the coiled wire, I realized to keep it from sliding, the charm probably does need that wire I don’t have!
That’s okay. I can add it later after picking up some the next time I visit or ordering online at JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores.
Black Oiler Sunflower Seeds
This bottle with the attachment is perfect for the black oiler sunflower seeds. You can fill with regular birdseed but we think you get a better quality of birds with the black oilers. These are a staple in our feeders. You can find some other ideas for bird feeders and how to lure these interesting creatures into your backyard ◄ click here.
Add The Attachment
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After you fill the bird feeder with seeds, screw on the bird feeder attachment. Hang the feeder on a metal shepherd’s hook
and enjoy watching your feathered friends!
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