Easy-To-Make Wild Bird Feeder

Kids love to learn about nature and a fun way to encourage them to help care for wild birds is to make a simple bird feeder. Bird watching and feeding is a great way to teach your little ones about the many varieties of birds and their habits. Watching the birds bring their friends to this fresh tasty treat is a reward for the kids, as well as, the birds.

Explain to your child that supplementing the food supply of our feathery friends is very important, especially during harsh winter conditions, to help guarantee their survival. Also, please remember that once birds start coming to your home to eat, they get used to the food being there so it’s important to keep feeding them throughout the winter months.

An easy-to-make pinecone feeder is a simple project that even young children can help create. All you need is a pine cone, string, and the food items you will use.


STEP 1: Assemble your materials.

STEP 2: Tie a string around the wider, stem end of the pinecone. Be sure the string is tied tightly so it doesn't fall when the birds arrive.

STEP 3: Mix ½ cup vegetable shortening with ½ cup oatmeal or corn meal in a mixing bowl until well blended. This amount should cover one large pinecone or two or three smaller ones.

STEP 4: Thoroughly spread the mixture over the pinecone with a child friendly knife/spreader or use the back side of a spoon. This is rather messy, so have paper towels handy for hand clean-up.

STEP 5: Pour the birdseed into a pie tin, paper plate or cookie sheet. Roll the pinecone in the birdseed until well covered.

STEP 6: Suspend the feeder from a tree branch where it can be easily seen from a window. Last, but not least, all you need to do is watch for your feathered friends to come and enjoy the meal you lovingly prepared for them!

Thanks to Nancy Keesling of TutuCuteandMoore for sharing this fun project with us.  You can find Nancy on Etsy, where she sells unique handmade clothing and and gifts.  You can also follow Nancy on facebook.

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Meet Etsy Seller Jenny Dale Designs

Today we would like to introduce you to

Etsy shop Jenny Dale Designs

Jenny Dale Designs has been selling on Etsy since February 2013 (happy 1 year anniversary!), she sell nursery art & decor for Children, including wonderful illustrations and poetry. Today she is sharing a little about her shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and I have been creating art for as long as I can remember.  However, it wasn’t until the birth of my son that I began to focus my attention of creating art for children’s rooms and nurseries.  Having taught kindergarten for 8 years, I have a profound respect for children and I believe they are capable, creative citizens.  They deserve to be surrounded by beautiful, thought-provoking works of art.  All of my paintings and illustrations are made with thoughtfulness, love and care. I also write poetry to accompany each one of my prints, giving children and parents a chance to engage in the artwork on another level.  I have been a fan of Etsy for years, and opening my own Etsy shop seemed like a perfect fit for my artwork.

What is the story behind your shop name?
I choose the name Jenny Dale Designs because I wanted a name that was reminiscent of my childhood yet unique to me as an artist.  My middle name is Dale and when I was a child my dad called me “Jenny Dale”.  Although I lost my dad to cancer 9 years ago, each time I hear my business name spoken aloud it is as though my dad is with me - watching over me…smiling…proud.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I have so much fun creating each one of my illustrations that it is hard to pick only a few!  I have a lot of fun creating characters out of birds and owls…and cats!  I have a lot of fun with my cats!

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
When I first opened my Etsy shop, I thought I’d immediately be overwhelmed with sales orders coming in!  Whenever I sell my work at craft shows and festivals I am always incredibly busy, but I soon discovered that selling online is a different ballpark.  There isn’t quite the same sense of urgency, so people tend to take more time to make a decision.  I also find that my listings are sometimes buried in a sea of other items that pop-up in a search.  I’m learning to focus more energy into promoting on-line sales and spreading the word about my shop through social media and advertising.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
As I mentioned earlier, I believe children deserve to be surrounded by beautiful, thought provoking works of art.  Each one of my paintings tells a story through colour, characters and the poetry I write to accompany it.  I also think art should be accessible to everybody.  Rather than offer my paintings through traditional galleries, I choose to sell my prints online and at craft shows and festivals.  People who might not otherwise engage in my art, are able to do so because it is in a relaxed, familiar setting.  As a parent, I know we can’t all spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on art for our homes.  I strive to make my artwork affordable knowing that tastes change and kids eventually grow up!

What do you do when you aren't working?
Most of my time is spent with my wonderful son, James and my loving husband, Mark.  Our days are full of laughter and exploration.  Living near the mountains means I am never far from a trip to the Rockies to hike, snowboard, or just take in the scenery and check out the local galleries.

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Treasury Challenge #28 - Little Cupids

The theme for the EtsyKids Team treasury challenge #28 was "Little Cupids" in prepartion for Valentines day later this week.
Our team members created lots of beautiful treasuries featuring some amazing items, but the winner with 218 views is...

Valentine Tutu Dress by... atutudes $74.95	Pink LOVE Birds Magnet ... WalterSilva $6	Kids Valentines Day Whi... fernandfawn $30	Valentines Pillowcase D... littlepetunia... $24
QUEEN OF HEARTS Valen... thenook $20	Sweetheart Shirt - Voil... sneakypea $32	Fun N Funky Valentine S... ChewChewsClos... $36	Heart Shaped Blanket Ma... TheWhimsicalS... $42.50
Pinboard floral fabric ... HandmadeCuddl... €7.50	Valentines Day Pillowca... lilsweetiebou... $17	Owl Valentine Boy Girl ... weandthebean $10	VALENTINE Heart--HEADB... CuckooBoo $6
Valentine's Day spa... knitwhitscout... $20	Elastic Hair Tie Storag... PolkaDotPinea... $10.50	Provence Lavender fille... LaPetiteMaiso... £4	White Waterfall Dress w... papooseclothi... $67

Thank you HarmonyGirlsClothing for creating such a lovely treasury!

HarmonyGirlsClothing makes beautiful dresses and outfits for little girls. We love adorable party frock that is available in her shop. Visit her shop to see more of her wonderful creations.

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Creative Shoebox Craft

School has just gone back here in Australia after our long summer holiday. That means new school shoes for the kids and as a result I have a lot of empty shoe boxes.

Here are some creative uses for empty shoeboxes.
1. Kitchen cook top.

 

Then make your very own felt play doughnuts from the DIY instructions from The Sewing Loft.

2. Car Garage complete with car ramp and parking spaces.

Team up with some gorgeous vintage cars from Piccolinavigli to zoom up and down the ramp.

3. Doll House. You could make a separate house like below or get creative and make each shoebox into a different doll house room and join them altogether.

This dollhouse is just perfect for some little kittens to play in the garden like these from Joelles Dolls.

4. Pirate Treasure Chest.

Combine this shoebox treasure chest with a pirate activity set complete with pirate map, gold coins and a pirate hat and eyepatch from Mels Creative Wishes.

5. Pencil Tidy.

Use some gorgeous crochet pencil cup organisers from CROriginals to keep the pens neat and tidy and standing upright.

Guest blog post by Mel
Mel's Etsy shop Creative Wishes, handmade Toys For Creative Play.
Mel Blogs at Melinda's Creative Wishes.

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Meet Etsy Seller WeildHairAccessories

Today we would like to introduce you to

Etsy shop WeildHairAccessories

WeildHairAccessories has been selling on Etsy since August 2013, she sell handmade fun and colorful chunky necklaces for children and adults! Today she is sharing a little about her shop and selling handmade items.


What is the story behind your shop name?
I had the hardest time coming up with my shop name.  I was trying to play off my first name, Jodi, and came up with things like Jodi's Bow-dis and Bow-dis by Jodi, but I quickly realized that wouldn't leave me any room for expanding my product line (and it sounded pretty cheesy).  I switched gears and came up with W(e)il'd Hair once I decided to use my last name, Weil.  When I first started selling, I was only making hair products, but I soon added chunky necklaces to my shop and it was easy to change my shop name to include my new accessory line.  Hence, W(e)il'd Hair & Accessories!

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
The time it takes to market yourself and your business.  I have a creative side but not much of a background in marketing and business, unless you count that Introduction to Business class I took my freshman year of college almost 14 years ago!  I didn't realize that I would have to spend almost as much time marketing, networking and advertising every day as I do creating my product.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I enjoyed adding my current range of chunky necklaces to my etsy shop, those are always fun to make.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Standing out from the crowd.  There are a lot of other sellers who create chunky necklaces.  I make sure I post quality pictures and descriptive listings – I feel that this communicates to potential buyers that I take my craft seriously and stresses the quality and durability of my products.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I want my customers to be happy and 100% satisfied with their purchase.  I want them to have a smile on their face and feel beautiful when they, their friend, or loved one wears their necklace.

What do you do when you aren't working?
When I'm not working, I'm mom to a 4.5 year old girl and a 22 month old boy, as well as wife to my husband of almost 6 years.  I also like to go to the gym, read, and watch home decorating shows, food shows and other mindless television.

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
You would think that my daughter, a girl who is up before the sun and wakes me up to ask if she can wear a leotard and tutu, would be a walking model for my products, but alas, she refuses to try on my items most of the time, so my handsome little son is my guinea pig.  He loves chunky necklaces!

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