Calling this idea a craft is a stretch. But it is fun and the idea itself could lead to other creations. I love bird nests. I love what they represent, I love the structure of nests and the engineering capabilities of birds. Some are truly masters of building. And they’re made from whatever the birds can find. The ultimate in upcycling. After I made my wooden bead “wreath,” I had a few extra beads, no plans for them, no ideas, so they went to live in a baggie in my junk craft supply closet…..otherwise known as the place where odd crap goes to die.

I posted a photo of my wreath creation in one of my Facebook groups. You know the kind, where we all share photos of inspiration and our latest design ideas and/or problems and spend way too much time. One of the members (Thank you, Linda Ryan!)  said my wood beads reminded her of tiny quail eggs. And so a seed of an idea was planted. It rattled around in the back of  my mind for a couple of days and then inspiration struck, as it usually does…..late at night while trying to locate Mr Sandman. He hates me and doesn’t visit very often. On the plus side, not having regular visits from Mr Sandman allows my mind to wander down interesting paths, or as Mr B puts it….the pathway to his personal hell. He fails to enjoy my late night inspirations. Come to think of it, he doesn’t particularly enjoy my daytime mental meanderings either. Sigh. This idea though…..oh man, this one is good!

Bird’s nest. I could make one. Out of twine. And decorate it with bits from the yard. And then the rare, wooden bead bird could lay a couple of wood bead eggs in it. WOWZER! And thus I have a new spring decoration. A twine and bead nest. How did I accomplish this, you ask? Another 5 minute craft. OK, that’s not exactly true…. once you get your supplies it’s a 5 minute project, but gathering your supplies does entail a walk outside, (unless you are like me and have moss and bark in baggies in your closet of death) and collecting a couple of stray feathers from a pillow. And actually forming the nest out of twine. But the rest of it is 5 minutes or less.

Here’s how I did it... I found a length of twine balled up on my workbench in the garage. (The same place I hoard save wire and other bits and bobs. I wrapped the twine loosely around the bottom of a mason jar and then slipped it off. I had a loose coil of twine. Which I then “fluffed” and pulled into a nest shape, plopped it in a shallow silverplate saucer thingy, and went out into the yard to look for nesting material. Spanish moss is perfect for this. If you live in a part of the country that doesn’t have spanish moss hanging from trees, it’s readily available in bags in any craft store.

I grabbed a strand of spanish moss and picked up a twig with lichen and a bit of bark. (I was out of bark in my moss baggie, so had to search a bit for just the right piece.) Those all went into the nest to give it a more natural appearance. Then I robbed one of my feather pillows of a couple of those pesky feathers that always escape and poke me. For once I was glad my pillows shed them. Next I went to the dead end closet, I mean, my craft closet and took down that bag of left over wooden beads. Grabbed a couple and put those in the nest. VOILA!  I like it. Those beads do look like little eggs. Maybe. If you squint and the light is just right.

You can create your own version of a nest with twine, thick string, ribbon, or fabric strips. And eggs of….well, whatever roundish thing you can find. Marbles. Small round rocks. Old beads from necklaces long forgotten. Or “real” faux eggs from the craft store. Add moss or lichen from your yard. Pine needles. Bits of straw or hay. Fallen leaves. Pieces of cotton. Anything that would add softness and texture to your little faux nest. Place it in a little saucer, shallow bowl or a tray to help it maintain its shape. Think of the seasonal possibilities. Acorns instead of beads for fall, Barbie doll heads for Halloween….um….maybe not. Tiny mercury glass ornies for Christmas.  Have fun with it. Get your kids involved. Or throw a party for your girlfriends and have them bring their own ribbon and supplies. Or you supply the twine…. and they bring the wine. You get the idea. Make a bunch of little fabric scrap nests for a spring luncheon. Or for your spring table.

Moral of this story? Use what you have, let your mind wander, you never know what path it will take and you might end up with something fun. This was fun for me. I laughed at myself more than once. But now I have a twine and bead nest. So there. Happy almost Spring everyone. Thanks for stopping by My Suburban Sanctuary. And remember: You don’t have to live in a large, fancy house to create a home. You deserve a sanctuary. Create the home you see in your heart, no matter where you live.

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