Homemade Birdfeeder

Recently, I found the neatest idea in the magazine Birds and Blooms.  A reader wrote in and explained how he took old salad bowls he no longer used and made a hanging bird feeder.  He drilled holes in the middle of each of the four bowls and then hung them on what looked like a flexible metal rod (the article said, but I forgot what kind it was :) 

I loved the idea and I started thinking of different ideas on how to make my own bowl bird feeder.  At first, I didn't think I had any bowls I wanted to give up, so I went to Target and looked at terra cotta saucers I thought would work--but, at almost three bucks each, I thought this was too expensive.  Plus, I didn't know how much a flexible metal rod would cost me.  So, I came home that night thinking the next time I was out at any discount stores, I would try to find some cheap bowls.  Then I realized I have these old wooden salad bowls....

 we bought these several years ago and have never used them.  I didn't feel guilty about using them for this project because one has a chip around the top.  After consulting with my dad, he suggested I use rope instead of the metal rod--he too thought the rod might be pricey.  So off we went to the local hardware store and for $2.49, I bought an 8 foot piece of rope.

My dear husband drilled holes in the center of each bowl....

 then threaded the rope through the center and tied a knot at the bottom of each bowl....

 next, we tied a loop at the top and hung it under the overhang.  The bowls are a little tilted due to the unevenness of the knots, but I LoVe the look!

 Filled with seed and ready to go....

I'm anxious to see the birds will enjoy it as much as I will enjoy watching them!!  ;-)