How to Make a Teacup Bird Feeder

By Tuula McPhee (This post may contain affiliate links.)

Want to feed your feathered friends in style?

How to make a repurposed teacup bird feeder

It’s so easy to make a teacup bird feeder for your garden from a thrifted teacup and saucer. It can also be used as a tealight holder if preferred.

I found this vintage set a while back at a garage sale for $1.

Even though I love birds I’m not using good china.

You’ll also need:

– a tealight (if you want to use it as a tealight candle holder instead of a bird feeder)

– a 1/2″ copper plumbing cap

– a 4 foot piece of 1/2″ copper pipe

– a sanding block

– any old teaspoon

– a glue especially for outside projects

You could use 3/4″ copper pipe and cap if you think you need more stability. For me 1/2″ works perfectly.

I use Marine GOOP adhesive for all my outdoor garden art projects. It’s meant for boat repair and is UV and water resistant. It can be found at most big box department and hardware stores.

I’ve heard that E6000 works good for outdoor projects as well, but I’ve never used it myself.

To glue the teacup to the saucer place some glue around the rim of the bottom of the teacup.

Yes, I’m a little messy… but thankfully it doesn’t matter.

Place the teacup in the centre of the saucer and press down lightly, gently moving the teacup a little to make sure there is good contact with the saucer.

Then use painter’s tape to keep the teacup in place while the glue dries.

After about 30 minutes it’s safe to remove the tape and to move on to the next step.

First the plumbing cap needs to be sanded and scratched up good.

This makes for a better grip when it’s glued in the centre of the bottom of the saucer.

Use painter’s tape again to hold the cap in place for about 30 minutes.

Then remove the tape and let it cure for 24 hours before using your new bird feeder.

When it’s cured test the strength of the cap by trying to twist it with your hand. If it loosens at all, either too much glue was used or more sanding of the cap needs to be done. There’s also a chance that you may have to sand the spot on the bottom of the teacup where you want to glue the cap.

When your teacup bird feeder passes the twist test it’s time to put it in place.

Push the copper pipe into the ground at least 8-10″. The deeper the better, especially if you’re feeding bigger birds.

Use a hammer, with a wooden block to protect the top of the pipe, if you need to.

Then place the plumbing cap onto the pipe. At this point I decided to glue on a stainless steel teaspoon

Now your teacup bird feeder is ready to be filled with bird seed.

How fun is that?

This is such an easy project that will add a touch of whimsy to any spot in the garden, and feed the birds at the same time.

A tip: When removing from the copper pipe wrap your fingers around the copper cap and twist up. Don’t try to lift it by turning the saucer. This puts undue pressure on the glue between the cap and the saucer and could cause it to loosen.

I think a grouping of these in various colours and heights would look great… as bird feeders or candle holders. Just please not at the same time. We wouldn’t want to singe any feathers.

If you’d like to make another easy version check out my hanging teacup bird feeder.

Don’t forget to pin it!

Thanks so much for reading, and until next time…

keep on keepin’ on!

XOX

Here are some other projects in case you missed them.

Repurposed Cheese Grater Lantern

Repurposed Vintage Sink Planter

How to Make a Purse Planter
How to Make a Teacup Lampshade

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Comments

Lynn Raye says
July 27, 2015 at 11:20 am

This is such a cute idea!
I am going to try this for sure.

Reply
- tuula@thriftyrebel.com says
  July 28, 2015 at 1:56 am
  
  Thanks so much Lynn! I hope you do.
  
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Fran says
July 27, 2015 at 11:58 am

I'm on my way to buy some copper pipe as soon as I leave this comment. We have lots of cardinals around, but all of the feeders I leave hanging from my trees are a target for squirrels. I think this one may be the one that stumps the squirrels–and it's adorable! Thank you so much for sharing! –Fran 🙂

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AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa says
July 27, 2015 at 12:36 pm

I love this and have one in my yard that a friend made for me. I didn't know how easy it is to make one of these! Thanks for the instructions so now maybe I can make one as a gift for another friend.

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Donna Wilkes says
July 27, 2015 at 12:45 pm

A tea party for the birds. It is so lovely, Tuula. A line of them down a garden path would be nice.

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Cheryl in Wisconsin says
July 27, 2015 at 1:34 pm

Thanks, Tuula!

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Junkchiccottage says
July 27, 2015 at 2:41 pm

Super cute. I have a few of these in my garden and it is fun to see the little birds sit and eat out of the tea cup. Have a great week Tuula.
Kris

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Vicky Hunt says
July 27, 2015 at 3:06 pm

Love this Tuula and I might just have to make a couple for Christmas gifts this year! Have a delightful week!

Hugs, Vicky

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Linda @ A La Carte says
July 27, 2015 at 3:37 pm

What a great tutorial! I think I can do this with your great instructions!
hugs,
Linda

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Feral Turtle says
July 27, 2015 at 3:47 pm

I love this Tuula and no drill bit to contend with. A fantastic idea. Cheers.

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Little Vintage Cottage says
July 27, 2015 at 4:08 pm

Aww that is so cute!

Tania

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Cheri, the Quilting Nanny says
July 28, 2015 at 12:03 am

I have a nice "zoo" in my backyard, guest appearance this morning by a flock of 9 quail! I love these… I see a trip to the thrift store on 25% off Wednesday! I have HARD ground, so standing them wouldn't work, but I bet I could make them to hang in the tree or bush! Gonna try! Great Idea!

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Sheila Phillips says
July 28, 2015 at 12:07 pm

I love this! A few months ago I found a batch of wood spindles. I spray painted them in fun, bright colors and affixed a huge nail to the bottom (as a stake) and cups and saucers to the top (in this same idea). I love that you added the teaspoon. I planted hens and chicks in mine. Some of my cups and saucers are matching sets and some are stray cups and saucers that I put together.

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- tuula@thriftyrebel.com says
  July 28, 2015 at 10:25 pm
  
  Great idea Sheila! What a great way to repurpose stray cups and saucers. I'm sure they look wonderful filled with hens and chicks.
  
  Reply
Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures says
July 28, 2015 at 1:45 pm

This is something I've always wanted to try. Darn, where are all those teacups and saucers I used to collect? Great tutorial and tips.

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Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says
July 29, 2015 at 10:07 pm

Super cute and easy. I have way too many cups and saucers. Great way to use these.

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Doreen@househoneys says
July 30, 2015 at 11:49 am

What?? No drill? Hubby will love that 😉

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Roberta says
July 30, 2015 at 6:33 pm

Hi, what a clever idea! I love it!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing the tutorial!
Un baiser
Roberta
La Sportina
ideeroberta.blogspot.it

Reply
Have a Daily says
August 3, 2015 at 3:56 am

Hi Tuula, I have planned to make one of these since last year, but never take the time to do it. The cup you used is absolutely darling! Love the color and the floral image inside. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

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Stephanie says
August 3, 2015 at 1:30 pm

As a tea cup lover this is something I would enjoy having in my yard 🙂 You have given the perfect instructions for making our own and I am truly grateful, Tuula 🙂

I will be featuring this tea cup feeder with Roses of Inspiration this afternoon. Hugs!

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Julie's Lifestyle says
August 7, 2015 at 2:22 pm

I really love this bird feeder tea cup that you made Tuula! You are so clever and creative. I hope you have a Happy Friday and weekend.
Julie xo

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Mel says
June 5, 2018 at 9:11 am

Wouldn’t it get very dirty with bird droppings, seed hulls etc.? Birds are susceptible to disease and feeders need to be cleaned. This very pretty but how do you clean it?

Reply
- Tuula McPhee says
  June 10, 2018 at 11:17 am
  
  Hi Mel. I have found that birds don’t tend to do their business on things they’re eating out of, whether by design or just coincidence. At least that’s the case here. I clean my bird feeders with an outside hose when needed, which honestly isn’t very often, and I always wear plastic gloves that are designated for outside chores only.
  
  Reply