Another Homemade Toy

[jodeg]

Got busy on another bird toy and made this one tonight -- will make 2 more so each P'let has one (of course!). I took a close up picture of the "base" -- it's a tin cookie cutter of a hand. Got 3 of them at Michael's for 79 cents each. I got the blue plastic doo-dads at a place called "Value Village", kind of like a Goodwill Store, but better. I got about 50 of these things for $1.00 -- I have no idea what they are, but thought they'd be good in a bird toy!

They play just as well with the homemade toys as the store bought ones -- but homemade is SO much cheaper!!

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp215/jodeg/000_1242.jpg?t=1254795215

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp215/jodeg/000_1241.jpg?t=1254795506

[Jinx n Noodle]

Cool, very creative :)

[jimpierce]

that is really good.


Why is it I can tackle toys for my Ekkie and Sennie with no problem but I have a heck of a time for Cricket!!

[mighty mouse]

Very impressive! How long did it take you?

[enborgle]

Wow! Did you drill through the fingers to put the leather strips through?

[jodeg]

Thanks, everyone!

It took me about an hour, but I had P'lets flying all around me and landing on me and the stuff on my work table, scattering it everywhere, so that added to the time! lol!

I have an inexpensive drill and some of my husband's old drill bits to use for drilling holes, but I couldn't manage the hand. He drilled all the holes for me. He said the ones in the fingertips were a pain, but he did a great job. He said de-burring the holes was the hard part. I put a small bead or doo-dad on each side of the hole to make sure the P'lets don't get near it, just in case it's rough. I'll probably stick to wood or plastic from now on, just to be on the safe side.

Also, I had to drill a larger hole in each of those blue plastic things so the twine would fit through -- that added to the time.

Someone has mentioned to me that TIN might not be safe for birds (if they chew it up). I wouldn't recommend anything tin for larger beaks, just to be on the safe side. My 3 don't chew on anything hard, so I'm not too worried. They are more interested in chewing on softer stuff, like kleenex, paper towels, and FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! They do love bells, but they only bang them to make them ring, they don't chew on them. In the case of this toy, they'll probably chew more on the TWINE than the beads and doo-dads! :rolleyes:

[Birdluvr]

Very nice! Great idea you're so creative!

[jodeg]

I decided, just to be on the safe side (because of the tin), to re-make my "hand" bird toy. I'll use the one pictured outside their cages, so I can keep an eye on them.

I found a plastic hand mold (cake mold??) at Hobby Lobby which will work perfectly, and only cost 2 for $1.00 -- can't beat homemade toys!

Will post a picture when I get one finished.

[jodeg]

Here's the "hand" bird toy - remade - think it came out okay and will be safer for them.
http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp215/jodeg/000_1244.jpg?t=1254870584

[Jinx n Noodle]

I like it better, it's more colorful :)

[rickfam]

Wow-that is great!

[ParrotletsRock]

Very 'handy' with the toys eh?...lol ( sorry couldn't help myself). Those are very cute....the prices they charge in the stores are terrible!

[jodeg]

Thanks! Yes, at these prices, if they turn up their little noses....er....beaks at these toys, not much money has been spent! When you spent $10 or $12 on a little toy and they won't EVER go near it -- YIKES! :eek: Plus, they play and have fun just fine with these "cheap" toys!

[Jinx n Noodle]

Because they know that the toys are made with love :)