I’ve been wanting to make a sieve bird feeder ever since I found two vintage sieves that I shared in this Finds of the Week post, which seems like an eternity ago.
I really needed to take a break from wind chime making so I decided now was as good a time as any.
After a quick look into my now organized craft room stashes I found everything I needed to make my strainer or sieve bird feeder.
I found a vintage aluminum pie plate, a necklace from my necklace window valance, a saved handle from a long ago deconstructed tiered stand, and of course my vintage sieve.
I’m also using some silver-tone split rings, which I always have on hand, to put this bird feeder together.
I marked where I wanted the four holes to be on both the sieve and the pie plate, and then I drilled them.
Since I’m a totally winging it kind of gal I just did this by eyeballing, but you could certainly measure if you like.
I did measure and mark the centre hole where my handle will go.
First I used the 3/32″ bit that I always have on my drill for wind chime making. When drilling a larger hole into metal it helps to start with a smaller bit, and then move on to a larger one.
Like I did here.
I added jump rings through the holes in the sieve and the pie plate.
It was a little challenging to get them around the rim of the pie plate, but pliers helped.
I took the necklace apart with pliers and divided it into four equal sections. I chose this necklace because it has very strong links and I think it’ll be able to carry the weight of the feeder.
Before I added the necklace sections I decided not to use the big links at the ends. It made them just too long for my liking.
After I attached the necklace sections to the jump rings I laid the sieve on top of the pie plate to match up the holes to add the sections to the pie plate jump rings.
The pie plate sort of acts like a roof, giving the bird feed a little protection from the rain.
I attached the handle through the hole using the screw that came with it and it’s done.
I hung it out on the back deck and added some mixed bird seed to the sieve. It holds the seed very nicely, and when it gets wet I think it’ll dry out much faster than a traditional bird feeder because it has drainage and aeration.
These three large chandelier crystals add some bling, but they also act as some weight at the bottom to help balance the feeder.
This is the first hanging bird feeder I’ve made and I’m curious to see how this one compares to the traditional store bought ones that we already have out for our feathered friends.
I rushed home from work last night to take these pics before dark so I haven’t had a chance to see if any birds have discovered it yet.
I’m hoping they like it. Fingers crossed! 🙂
If you enjoy feeding the bird you might enjoy making a quick and easy tiered stand bird feeder.
Don’t forget to pin it!
Thanks so much for reading, and until next time… keep on keepin’ on.
XOX
Diana says
March 22, 2016 at 7:24 amOh my, Tuula–super duper upcycle. The birds are gonna love it, and they’ll feel so special eating from this beauty. It’s like a formal dining room for them!!
Tuula says
March 22, 2016 at 6:31 pmThanks Diana! I hope they agree. We do love our birds. 🙂
Dona says
March 22, 2016 at 8:18 amUt oh. I see one of these in my future!!! If yours works well, and the birds love it, I’m going to try to make one myself. Have none of the things I need, but that won’t stop me!!! Thanks for this great idea, girl!! Dona
Tuula says
March 22, 2016 at 6:36 pmThanks Dona! As soon as I’m able to catch a pic of some feasters I’ll be sure to post it. Unfortunately we have a winter storm coming so that’s probably not going to happen for a few days at least. Such is March here in Ontario.
Gail @Purple Hues and Me says
March 22, 2016 at 8:59 amYour garden must look absolutely gorgeous with all the beads and crystals flowing in the wind! Beautiful upcycle!
Tuula says
March 22, 2016 at 6:37 pmThanks Gail! I do like to have a lot of fun pieces outside… even for the birds. 🙂
Feral Turtle says
March 22, 2016 at 10:40 amJust beautiful Tuula. Love the sparkle you add to your art! Happy Spring!!
Tuula says
March 22, 2016 at 6:41 pmHappy Spring to you Karen! I figured even birds could use a little bling. Our snowless ground isn’t going to last. Winter’s coming back over the next few days. Oh well, we knew it wouldn’t last. That’s par for the course in March. 🙂 Hope your spring is snow-free.
Kira Brennan says
March 22, 2016 at 11:26 amSuch a neat idea and with such a gorgeous result! I think I may hit the nearest thrift store to see if I can find the tools to build one of my own! I’ve been meaning to just buy a bird feeder, but good ones are rather pricey, so the DIY option looks like a great route!
Tuula says
March 22, 2016 at 6:43 pmThanks Kira! I have way more fun making the many of the things that I could buy, and that way they’re totally unique too. There are so many cool things to repurpose into bird feeders. I’ll be sharing a few more ideas in the future so stay tuned.
Tina says
March 22, 2016 at 12:03 pmI can’t wait to see how the birds like their sparkly new feeder. I am always amazed at how you use things to create your chimes and feeders. Amazing.
Tuula says
March 22, 2016 at 6:48 pmThanks Tina! Making these things brings me so much joy. Unfortunately, I’ve had to take my bird feeder in after only one day. 🙁 Old Man Winter is making a comeback over the next few days and it sounds like it might be nasty. I want to save my bird feeder for the pretty spring days to come. I know they’re coming… hopefully sooner than later. 🙂
Kelly Deal says
March 22, 2016 at 12:49 pmLOVE this project Tuula! I think I have everything in a plastic bin to make something like this! Thanks for the inspiration!
Tuula says
March 22, 2016 at 6:48 pmThanks Kelly! I’m so happy that my project has inspired you. I think you’ll have some very happy birds.
Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction says
March 22, 2016 at 4:24 pmThis is so fun Tuula ~ love the contrast between the blue jewelry and the rustic sieve!
Tuula says
March 22, 2016 at 6:50 pmThanks so much Cecilia! I love repurposing things for the birds and gardens. I have a few more bird feeder ideas to come.
Kris @Junkchiccottage says
March 22, 2016 at 5:55 pmSo cute Tuula. You hit it out of the park on this creative piece. So sweet and cute. Love it.
Hugs,
Kris
Tuula says
March 22, 2016 at 6:50 pmThanks so much Kris! We have to keep our birds happy. They do bring us so much joy. 🙂
AnnMarie says
March 22, 2016 at 8:42 pmI think the birdies will love it! It is just so creative and perfect. What a great conversation piece for the birds to spread the news of the new feeder in town!
Tuula says
March 22, 2016 at 9:32 pmThanks AnnMarie! I hope they’re spreading the news far and wide. We love having birds around for so many reasons. They just add so much to the whole gardening experience.
Sadie Seasongoods says
March 23, 2016 at 6:48 amThis is GREAT!! I love the use of the sieve to hold bird seed- well done! Thanks so much for bringing this to Talk of the Town- just love it.
Tuula says
March 23, 2016 at 9:45 pmThanks very much! I love making things for our birds. We love them!
Donna Wilkes says
March 23, 2016 at 9:24 amA another great Tuula creation. The added bling will probably attract more birds. The ones around here love shiny things. Our squirrels would gorge themselves on the seeds.
Tuula says
March 23, 2016 at 9:52 pmThanks Donna! You know I couldn’t resist adding a little bling, so I’m so glad to hear that the birds will probably like it. I put my feeder out and a day later we have a winter storm/freezing rain warning. Hopefully this is winter’s last blast. We don’t have a squirrel problem. I think I’ve seen two in our whole 18 years here.
Betsy says
March 23, 2016 at 10:45 amLucky birds! How clever and creative! Thanks for sharing your step-by-step tutorial at Talk of the Town.
Tuula says
March 23, 2016 at 9:55 pmThanks Betsy! We do love pampering the birds so they enjoy visiting our property. They’re such fun to watch.
Kathleen Charm Bracelet Diva {At Home} says
March 23, 2016 at 10:54 pmWhat a great invention/design. I always love me some bling so I’m especially fond of this feeder:) You are so ingeniuous! xoKathleen
Julia - Vintage with Laces says
March 24, 2016 at 3:53 amWhat a great idea, Tuula! The bird feeder is very pretty. I hope you get lots of feathered visitors.
Betty says
March 24, 2016 at 4:06 amIt’s a wonderful creation, Tuula. We have a terrible time with bird feeders because of the rain (and the squirrels, too). I’m sure the birds will love it.
Tuula says
March 24, 2016 at 7:47 amThanks very much Betty! I hope they do.
Terry Moore says
March 24, 2016 at 5:12 amReally cool bird feeder
Tuula says
March 24, 2016 at 7:48 amThanks so much Terry!
Michelle L says
March 24, 2016 at 1:00 pmHi, Tuula! Ermagersh, I love this cute contraption! So smart to use the sieve for the bottom, so dampness can drip out and not get moldy. It’s beautiful!
Tuula says
March 25, 2016 at 2:21 pmThanks very much Michelle! I do love making things for our birds.
Ann Marie @ Iris Abbey says
March 25, 2016 at 5:36 pmThis is so creative! A few kitchen pieces, some beads and crystals and voilà. You managed to get me interested in how the birds are responding to this wonderful feeder. Have they come yet? Do they like it? I saw your link at Angie’s Knick of Time/Talk of the Town link party.
Tuula says
March 27, 2016 at 10:40 pmThanks so much for visiting Ann Marie. We had some bad winter weather so I took it in for a few days, but thankfully they do seem to be enjoying it now.
Mrs. T says
March 26, 2016 at 6:02 pmSuch a nifty idea. I would never have thought of using a sieve for a bird feeder. Yours came out so nice!
Tuula says
March 30, 2016 at 8:24 pmThanks very much! I do love to repurpose those for the gardens, and the birds.
Carole @ Garden Up Green says
March 26, 2016 at 7:43 pmI really like how you incorporate all these elements to create a bird feeder. This is fantastic I bet the birds are loving it.
Tuula says
March 27, 2016 at 10:38 pmThanks so much Carole! Now that the weather has improved they seem to be enjoying it. I haven’t been able to get a picture yet, but I’ll keep trying until I do.
Carol Cook says
March 29, 2016 at 3:54 amWhat a clever an useful project.
Thanks for sharing at SYC.
Tuula says
March 29, 2016 at 10:20 pmThanks very much Carol! I do love a quick and easy project every once in a while.
Sherry says
March 31, 2016 at 1:31 pmThat’s awesome! Thanks for sharing at HSH!
Tuula says
March 31, 2016 at 9:40 pmThanks so much Sherry!
Sheila says
June 16, 2016 at 7:02 pmI love your bird feeder! So ingenious. I’ll bet that the birds love it.
Tuula says
June 16, 2016 at 10:54 pmThanks Sheila! The birds are enjoying it. Two things I love about it is that it’s so easy to refill, and it drains itself when it rains.