Turn An Old, Chipped Coffee Mug Into The Cutest Bird Feeder With An Easy DIY

Coffee mugs can be some of the most treasured objects in any home. Not only are they part of most people's morning ritual, but they can also be cherished gifts, fun souvenirs, and family heirlooms. A cracked or chipped mug can mean an end to its functionality as a drinking vessel, but not necessarily the end of its usefulness. You can always take your favorite mug and turn it into a clever way to feed the local wildlife in your yard. All you need is some seed, lard, string, and a stick.

Old dishes are often a fun and stylish way to create bird feeders in your yard, and there are many excellent, clever suggestions on how to flip old dishware into adorable bird feeders. This simple spin allows you to use any mug, new or old, and is especially great if the damaged mug has sentimental value and you can't quite part with it. It's also perfect for cute thrifted mugs you encounter that you don't need or want to use for drinking. You can also DIY a bird feeder on a budget using Dollar Tree coffee cups. Ceramic mugs are just one of the dishware items you can repurpose into creative bird feeders, but you could also create similar projects with teacups, teapots, vintage bowls, and sugar/creamer sets.

To turn a regular coffee mug into a bird feeder, begin by filling the mug ¾ of the way with your favorite birdseed. Tie a string around the hand a few times until the mug hangs on its side. You can use jute twine, fishing line, mini-chain, or wire to suspend the cup. You could also secure it with a carabiner directly to a branch. Place a stick opposite the hand for a perch. Since the mug will be sideways, heating some lard in a pan and pouring it over the top of the seed will keep it from spilling out too much and help hold the stick in place. You could also glue the stick in place with a bird-safe adhesive before filling the cup.

If you want to use loose seed, place a saucer or shallow dish on the cup on the bottom, which will allow the seed to spill out onto it. You can also make a freestanding version by gluing the shallow dish to a garden post or piece of rebar. Or, string multiple mugs along a piece of rope for a large multi-bird feeding station. These mug feeders look especially charming in a cottage-style garden filled with other upcycled outdoor accents, like birdbaths made from vintage dishes or solar lights created from thrifted vintage lamps.