Twigs and Twine
- Christine
- Apr 9, 2022
- 2 min read
Wee hungry birds in my backyard...
The other day, I visited with my long-time friend, Rena. As resourceful makers, we both enjoy fashioning a variety of arts and crafting our thoughts into reality.
As well, we can talk for hours sharing tips, and concepts, and projects. Creativity blossoms when sharing ideas.
Part of that includes textiles.
As you know, I knit and draw and paint and pretty much enjoy trying all the various arts. The feel of the different materials in my fingers is especially pleasing with fiber arts.
Rena said as she works, she sets a container next to her to hold her scraps. That way, the bits and pieces don't become scattered before she can throw them away.
I mentioned that nearly every day I cut ends off pretty yarns and threads of cottons and wools and silks.
I have a wee box sitting next to my workspace to save all the colorful bits.
Part of my workspace...
When I'm done with a project, I put the bright threads out near the kitchen window.
There, I have seed feeders and suet block holders and birdbaths... why not nesting materials? Since so many birds congregate to feast, I thought it the logical place to put building matter.
Out in the grass...
I told her that just the other day, Pete brought in another of last year's nests.
Now that the snow is melting and the spring gales are blowing, he finds the windfallen nests around the farm.
He generally stops whatever he is doing to bring me nature's fiber arts.
I don't always see the threads in the nests while they are occupied. Though I often wonder at nature's artistry while holding them in my hand.
Windblown nests in my house... As Rena and I chatted, we pondered.
Springtime brings Nature's burgeoning gifts to the world... nests building and fruit trees budding and wee chicks hatching and colorful flowers blooming and gravid cows birthing... and... so much creativity happening all around! All there for us to perceive and sense the inspiration.
Please don’t leave yarn, string or fibre out for our feathered friends - this can do serious damage.
Why is yarn bad for bird nests?
The fibers can get tangled in the bird’s legs, neck, or wings, cutting off blood flow and leading to loss of limbs and death.
The birds can choke or form internal obstructions from eating the yarn.
It can tether them to the nest.
Don’t forget about all of the chemicals that went into your yarn during bleaching, cleaning, and dyeing (not to mention acrylic additives). They may not harm you, but a songbird is much smaller than you are.
Your fluffy un-spun fiber is also not good for nests because it changes shape when wet,…