| | | |

DIY Bird Feeder Using a Vintage Snack Set

This week has been spring break and I’ve spent my time getting my home and garden ready for spring.  In celebration of spring, I’m sharing how I’m decorating my flower beds outside with DIY bird feeders that I made using vintage snack sets.DIY Bird Feeder Using a Vintage Snack Set - Learn how to make your own. This is an easy DIY! virginiasweetpea.com

If you like to thrift shop, you’ve probably spotted snack sets for sale.  The cup is offset on the plate to make room for snacks.  I’m sure that ladies used to enjoy using these while they socialized, but times have changed, and people don’t use dishes like these anymore.

Make a bird feeder using a vintage snack set or a cup and saucer. This easy to follow tutorial shows you step-by-step how to make your own.

I’ve tried to sell snack sets in my shop and they don’t move.  Rather than have the numerous snack sets that I own sit in a box in my basement, I’ve repurposed them into bird feeders.  I think these are charming and I hope that my customers have the same opinion.

Learn how to make a bird feeder out of a vintage snack set or a cup and saucer.

My mom has at least twenty snack plates in this wheat pattern.  The wheat sheaves on the plate are gold like those on the cup.  Can’t you see a bird perching on the plate to eat?

How to Make a Bird Feeder Using a Vintage Snack Set or Cup and Saucer

This is a very easy DIY that takes very little time to make.

How to Make a DIY Bird Feeder Using a Vintage Snack Set

Supplies to Make a Bird Feeder from a Snack Plate

Materials  

Snack Set

1/2” Copper Pipe

3/4” x 1/2” Copper Coupling

Epoxy

Pipe Cutter

Measuring Tape

 

Procedure

1.  Use a pipe cutter to cut the pipe to the desired height.  I cut mine at 4 feet.  This was my first time using a pipe cutter and I was surprised how easy it was to use.  If you don’t have a pipe cutter, ask the guys at your hardware store to cut it for you.

How to Cut a Copper Pipe

 

2.  Sand the end of the pipe until the coupling slides on and off easily.

How to Make a Bird Feeder Using a Vintage Snack Plate

 

3.  Sand the bottom of the plate in the center where the coupling will be glued into place with epoxy.

Bird Feeder from a Vintage Snack Set - How to

 

4.  Squirt a small amount of epoxy onto a scrap board.

How to Use Epoxy

 

5.  Stir the epoxy with a piece of scrap dowel or popsicle stick until it turns white.

How to Use Epoxy 2

 

6.  Spread the epoxy onto the center of the plate and also on the bottom edge of the coupling.  Press the coupling into place.  The epoxy will dry in five minutes.  After the epoxy is dry, flip the plate over and glue the cup into place.

How to Make a Vintage Snack Plate Bird Feeder

 

7.  Find a spot in your yard or garden where you will enjoy watching birds eat from your DIY bird feeder.  Push the copper pipe into the ground, place the snack set on top, fill with seed, and then wait for the birds to come enjoy.

How to Make and Easy Bird Feeder Using a Vintage Snack Set - Get the full tutorial with easy step-by-step directions to follow. virginiasweetpea.com

 

I am so happy to find a way to repurpose my snack sets into something that can be enjoyed outdoors.

If you like this project, I would love for you to pin it for others to discover.

DIY Bird Feeder Made Using a Vintage Snack Set - Get the full tutorial with step-by-step instructions at virginiasweetpea.com

33 Comments

  1. Cute and purposeful! What a clever way to use those “snack sets.” I have been thinking of getting some of those plates and teacups for my tea parties, but have not done so since I have lots of cups and probably don’t need any more dishes! However, this is so smart – I may just have to pick up a couple – we feed the birds anyway and this is a cute idea and these “feeders” would be easy to clean!

  2. These are so cute. A neighbor has done something similar in his front yard and I’ve been wanting to try something just like this. Thanks for the great step by step instructions

    1. Glad you like this project, Colleen, and I hope that you can make your own very soon. I couldn’t believe how quickly this went together.

      Paula

    1. Thanks, Wendi! I see snack sets at Goodwill frequently. I like the idea of them but know that I’ll never use them for their intended purpose. A bird feeder is something that I’ll definitely use.

      Paula

  3. Really charming and a nice way to use those stray teacups. Would love to feature this next week – do you have a link party page? I couldn’t find one or if you add links anywhere. If you do just let me know so I can share it. Thanks for linking up to Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do!

    1. I would love for you to feature my project, Cheryl. I forgot to add my share section to the bottom of my post but it’s there now.

      Paula

  4. Absolutely adorable!! This has been on my to do list. I’ve got all the parts I need (except the coupling-that’s good to know!) Can’t wait to assemble mine now I have your tutorial. Thank you!

    1. I’m so glad that you have what you need to make yours, Daria. I’m hoping to get to Lowe’s this week to get supplies to make a few more.

      Paula

  5. I just love this and I know my birds would too…and the squirrels. Pinned to the Merry Monday party board. I’ll be sharing this on my FB page tomorrow morning.

  6. Super cute and something that probably looks so pretty in your garden. I’m sure the birds are loving it too! Visiting from The DIY Collective.

  7. What a great idea! So cute and I love being able to reuse items I have around the house. Thanks for sharing the easy instructions. Pinned!

  8. Great minds think alike 🙂 I posted some projects with tea cups this week as well! Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!

  9. I the vintage idea for bird feeders.
    I’m starting to work on mune.
    I can picture my birds have a TEA PARTY!?

    1. I am so glad that you are making some of these for your garden. I hope that the birds enjoy eating out of them.

      Paula

      1. Have you ever tried drilling holes in it for when it fills up with rain water? I made one and the seeds sprouted and started growling after a rain!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.