Do you know what a grapevine wreath is? Its shaped like a wreath but is made from dried grapevines. The vines are hard, generally brown, and are intertwined to form the shape of a circular wreath. These wreaths can be found at any craft store - all year long - and can be used to make all sorts of decor pieces for your home. Take the wreath outside, though, and it can easily become a fabulously unique birdbath that will attract many birds to your yard.
You can make the birdbath as large or as small as you want by the size of grapevine wreath you choose. A huge wreath, of course, will make a large birdbath whereas a smaller wreath will help you create a miniature version. You may be tempted to spray paint the wreath, but if you do, birds might notice the odor of the paint and avoid your new hanging birdbath. Its best if you use the grapevine wreath as-is.
Look through your cupboards for an old plastic bowl that will fit in the circle of the wreath. Or, purchase a terra cotta saucer from a craft or garden store. Make sure the dish you use will fit inside the inner circle of the wreath without falling through. This dish will hold the water and become the actual bath. To hang the birdbath cut three pieces of rope which are five feet long each. Put the three ends together and tie a knot. At the opposite end, grab all three ends of the rope and tie another knot. One knot will hold the wreath and bowl in place; the other will hold the finished birdbath on a tree limb. The type of rope you use is not that important but should not be really large and bulky. Substitutions for the rope, like yarn or ribbon, are not ideal for holding the weight of the wreath. You can, however, use strong twine, such as fishing twine. Its easiest to position the wreath if you first hang the rope. You dont have to hang it from the tree branch just yet; hang it on a doorknob or other object. It will make it a little easier to use both hands to place the wreath. Settle the wreath inside the rope then lift it off the doorknob. Reposition the wreath if necessary. Now place the bowl on top of the wreath and hang the creation on a tree limb or other object outdoors. Fill with water or wait until it rains. You can make the birdbath look much more inviting if you purchase a few artificial grape leaves. Glue the leaves on, here and there, around the birdbath and rope. Wrap a vine of grape leaves around each of the ropes or just glue a few leaves on randomly. The leaves dont necessarily have to be grape leaf imitations. Choose leaves, flowers or vines to your liking. You dont absolutely have to use fake embellishments. Feel free to wrap pine branches around the roping or glue on real, small pine cones. Make something similar to feed the neighborhood birds by cutting a large circle of hard plastic. Punch a hole in the center of the plastic disk, pass the rope ends through it, then tie the ends in a knot. The disk will protect the food from rain. Fill the bowl with birdseed, sunflower seeds or other seeds. Hang the arrangement from a tree branch or other object in the yard. Your backyard doesnt have to be limited to only one birdbath. Make ones with long ropes that almost reach the ground, or make one without roping that sits on a deck. You can even make a tiny version, glue on a craft bird, and set it inside your home for decoration. Instead of filling it with water glue in a small, round mirror to represent the water. You dont necessarily have to use a grapevine wreath to make the birdbaths and feeders. If you own a wreath that will hold up under the elements, and will easily hold a plastic or other dish, youve got the makings of a new birdbath! Hurry, go get out the Christmas decorations! The birds are waiting!
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