Upcycle A Candy Jar Into An Enchanting Garden Addition That'll Attract Colorful Birds

Whether you've inherited a pretty piece of finely cut glass, or have stumbled across one at a junk sale, it could be time to upcycle it. While candy dishes can be transformed in a number of ways, bird lovers might be particularly interested in creating a bird feeder. Just like how you can flip old dishware into an adorable bird feeder, with just a few other components — and some really strong glue — you can create a new eating outpost for your neighborhood birds in no time.

To make a lidded dish bird feeder, thrift a glass candlestick and purchase heavy jewelry wire along with a tube of Loctite Glass Glue or Gorilla Max Strength. Both of these adhesives maintain a strong bond on glass, even when exposed to extreme weather. Give your glassware a good scrub with soap and water before letting it air dry to avoid getting lint on the surfaces. Remember that the cleaner the surface, the better the glue will adhere to your glass. Coat both the base and the top of the candlestick in glue, and press it onto the center of your candy dish. Similarly, place the center of the lid on top of the candlestick. Give the glue plenty of time to dry — and cure — before moving on to the next steps. Many glues, including Loctite and Gorilla Max Strength, take about 24 hours to fully cure.

The easiest hanging method is to wrap wire around your candy dish's bulb-type lid handle in order to form a loop. However, this might make the feeder a bit imbalanced when it's hanging. To correct this, you can add more seed on the side that rides higher. However, for those wanting a more secure option – or those using lidless candy dishes – you might want a drill holes instead. This requires getting a thin, carbide-tipped drill bit, a roll of masking tape, a cup of water, and a rag.

While drilling glass can be intimidating, with the right process you can do it successfully. Place a piece of masking tape over the spot you'll be drilling. Wet a rag and drip water directly onto the tape. Drill at the lowest speed possible without putting pressure on the drill. This is also a genius way to use a Dremel. Remember to periodically stop so that the drill bit can cool. Then add more water and continue the process until you've pierced the glass. Repeat on the other side of the handle, or, for lidless dishes, make four holes along the lip at opposite points. Then, simply send your wire through the holes and hang.