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    Home » Upcycle And Repurpose Projects

    Thrift Store Decor Bird Nest DIY

    Published by Pam Kessler | 692 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article. - 8 Comments

    Today is Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday (it is Wednesday, right?) and since we're all staying safe at home and the thrift stores are closed I dug into my stash to create a simple project made with craft supplies you just might have on hand.

    Except for the bird which I bought at Michaels a few weeks ago.

    Simple thrift store basket repurpose

    But you can easily substitue any bird or chick you have around the house. Not live ones, that would be weird.

    Totally off topic, but I cry a little bit when I think of all the stuff just sitting on the thrift store shelves just waiting for us to come buy it. That little Pyrex dish just cannot understand why no one is coming by to rescue it right now.

    But, just think how much stuff is going to be at the thrifts when we get back to normal. All those people organizing and decluttering their houses right about now will be a boom for us thrifters and garage salers. #silverlining

    So back to my project, this is what I started off with.

    bread basket

    It was sitting in my garage where I had thrown it after coming home from the thrift a few months ago. I had to knock off a few spiders, but then I could get to crafting.

    And yes, I buy stuff at the thrift store with no idea what I will do with it.

    It's a simple little woven bread basket you'd find at the dollar store for probably a lot less than a dollar. I think it was 10 cents at the thrift store.

    (This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)

    Upcycle A Thrift Store Bread Basket Into Bird Nest Decor

    Supplies:

    supplies for DIY bird nest

    • Inexpensive shallow round basket
    • Brown Excelsior (moss would work equally as well)
    • Birds (these were from Michael's)
    • Craft Paint
    • Small Paintbrush
    • Spray Adhesive (can also use a hot glue gun or E6000)
    • Small Bowl (not pictured)

    Instructions:

    Paint the rim of the basket.

    I used Waverly Inspiration Chalk Acrylic Paint by Plaid in Ballet Slipper which is a very light and airy pink. There are other paints in my Supplies photo above, but I only ended up using the one paint.

    Theoretically you could paint the entire basket, but I was sort of going for a natural look with just a touch of color.

    painting basket

    The bowl I chose to form my bird nest was picked because it's roughly the size I wanted my nest to be. Don't worry I'm not using the neon yellow bowl in the end product, it's just a form.

    making DIY bird nest

    Sheesh, I love me some bright colors, but I'm not that crazy.

    I grabbed a handful of excelsior and started created a ball form with it.

    forming sisal for bird nest
    And then I put it into the bowl and used the sides to form the nest, leaving an indent in the middle for the bird to sit.

    forming DIY bird nest with bowl

    (notice all the mess on the table there, this excelsior stuff is MESSY)

    Spay the adhesive on the inside bottom rim of the basket and place your nest firmly in the basket.

    using-spray-adhesive
    To be 150% transparent, I wasn't super impressed with the Low Odor Spray Glue I bought. Yes it is low odor (yay for not asphyxiating myself indoors), but I didn't think it was as sticky as I would like. If I'd do the project again, I would just use a glue gun.

    Glue Tweetie Bird to the nest and you are done!

    gluing bird to decorative nest

    Not bad for ten minutes of your day. Now you can get back to binge watching Netflix.

    spring bird nest decor

    But before you get too involved in Tiger King, don't forget that today is Thrift Store Decor Team Day so pop on over to see what my friends have put together for you!

    thrift store decor team

    Painted Stripe Basket Makeover - Our Southern Home

    Cookbook Organizer - Petticoat Junktion

    Herb Saver From Decanter Tantalus- Sadie Seasongoods

    Floor Lamp Solar Lamp  - My Repurposed Life

    Thrift Store Decor Bird Nest DIY - House of Hawthornes

    thrift store decor makeovers


    Spring bird nest from repurposed thrift store basket

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carol

      April 20, 2020 at 10:26 am

      You've inspired me to see what fun projects I have right under my nose. No thrift store shopping for awhile. 🙁

      Reply
    2. Kathy A

      April 13, 2020 at 2:19 pm

      Enjoyed your tutorial; I never thought of painting the basket rim. I have made several like this; my newest is a heart shaped shallow basket with a bottom lip, pansies, and 3 "robin's" eggs! Great for spring or with Christmas greenery and cardinals! Gotta love cheap baskets!

      Reply
    3. Sarah Ramberg

      April 10, 2020 at 12:46 pm

      You made me mist up a little when you talked about the little Pyrex dish who was all alone and scared at the thrift store!!

      But also, this is SO cute. And thanks for the head's up about your opinion on the low-odor spray adhesive. It caught my eye in the photo, but good to know you were less than thrilled. Definitely appreciate that kind of honestly from a fellow maker!

      Reply
    4. gail

      April 08, 2020 at 10:57 pm

      ohhhh Pam! This is so much cuter than I expected when I saw the before photo. I love, love, love how it turned out. Great tip about the bowl.
      pinned!
      About the thrift stores--I shop peddler's malls and I'm afraid they will go out of business before we get back to normal. I feel for the owners of all the booths whose stuff is just sitting there.

      Stay #healthyathome

      gail

      Reply
    5. Diane

      April 08, 2020 at 11:12 am

      Your cute project lifted my spirits! Thank you Pam! 🙂

      Reply
    6. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

      April 08, 2020 at 9:54 am

      Such a fun and easy way to add a little spring decor! It's adorable!

      Reply
    7. Tania

      April 08, 2020 at 7:46 am

      So cute, love those little birds!!

      Tania

      Reply
      • Pam Kessler

        April 08, 2020 at 9:06 am

        Thank you!

        Reply

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