I was looking at the new things i recently made for the boys & realised I'd better photo them before they became mere stubble.
Here's Rio having a nice chew.


These are the branches I got from my friend when he was trimming his old vines.

Here's a wreath i have - I'm thinking of making one for the lads to hang from - have to get the ceiling hook or plant hanger in place. This one was made with wild grapevines [from the farm] & the vines are much finer.

We have wild grapevines growing along the road. So I am guessing they are fid safe? Do you do anything to prepare them for use? I am thinking I might make little Christmas wreaths for their cages.

You could wash them in the bathtub or wash tub. .... Beside the road - make sure there's nothing splashed on them or they were near any parked cars - try the parts behind & protected. I was happy to get these from my friend, as i know he doesn't use pesticides or anything. There are lots of wild grapevines around - maybe you will find some that are more protected, if you're uncertain.

I'd only bake them after you fashion them into a wreath - once dry they are fairly brittle. {I'm not so scientific at the moment about baking - I have the oven on around 250 for about an hour.}


Here's the one Sarah/Jerry gave me/Laker last year - that's small It had seeds stuck to it & it hangs in Rio's cage.

that is SO adorable! it must be so fun to make toys and things for tiny birds!

I think tiny birds' appeal has a lot to be with being small.

Strange - when i was looking into birds they all seemed small ... even the big ones. There is a delicateness even in the largest bird - for me at any rate. But making toys for those big birds must be very challenging.

Looks good, I wish I could get vines. The vines grow very far from me.

Thank you. That is exactly what I was thinking about doing. The vines are on a lightly traveled back road and no parked cars. They do not spray for anything around here but I will wash them well to be on the safe side.

I really like those! I never thought of collecting grape vines outside and we practically live in grape country. Next fall I'm going to plan to collect some. I have always worried about buying them in the store for fear they have been preserved with something.

WOW those are awesome perches! I love them! You always have such creative ideas.

It IS fun making tiny toys

hmmmmm.... There is a budgie at the pet store I work in part time that I have been fighting against temptation for weeks.... I might just have an excuse now... cute little birdie toys LOL