This year as I was decorating our Christmas tree I came across an ornament that I’d completely forgotten. Have you ever done that? This little bird-in-a-teacup made me smile as memories came flooding back into my head and my heart. There may have even been a little overflow from the eyes as well. Decorating my tree is an emotion filled experience!
A couple of years ago I made several bird-in-a-teacup tree ornaments as gifts for some very special women who worked with us in Freedom Session and this is one I kept for myself. When I saw it again I was reminded of this dear group of women. I wondered, “Do they still have their ornaments?” and, “Do they think about me when they hang them on their trees?” I am a sentimental old gal, yes?
Looking in my photo archives I found some pictures that I took of the ornaments before I wrapped them to give away. I didn’t find enough pictures to give you a real step-by-step tutorial but I think you’ll get the idea of how they are put together.
The list of supplies for these ornaments includes small espresso cups and saucers (very plentiful at thrift stores by the way), glass glue (I like E-6000), dried moss, craft store birds and eggs, jewelry making wire, jewelry making pliers, beads, drop crystals, craft glue, and glitter.
I started by using glass glue to attach the teacup to the saucer.
After allowing that to dry overnight I wrapped wire around the cup and handle and made a loop over the top of the cup to hang the ornament from the tree.
The wire was “artfully” twisted and looped in a somewhat haphazard fashion. No perfection here!
The hanging wire was twisted into a loop at the top and then another wire was added that had been looped on two ends with a sparkly bead placed in the middle between the loops. A ribbon was added for extra color.
I attached one drop crystal on the wire near the cup handle for additional sparkle.
Finally, I glued some moss in the cup, glued the bird to the moss, dabbed a little glue on birds head and back, and sprinkled him with glitter.
Here is a close up of some more of my artsy twists and turns!
My bird-in-a-teacup ornament adds a nice bit of color to our Christmas tree . . .
. . . and reminds me of old friends who are now far away.
As I place the ornaments on my tree each year I am reminded of Christmases past and all those who have been a part of my life . . . and I am blessed.
Thank YOU dear readers for the part you play in adding fullness to my life. I pray that no matter how you spend this Christmas season you will know that you are important and you are loved.
Blessings,
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, NiftyThriftyThings, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, Sunday Stillness
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
Patti, I just began following your posts & enjoy them bunches! Thank you sooo much for sharing this darling idea of a birdie in a teacup! I want to do that with some of my many cups & saucers. This involves two of my very favorite things–birds-on-the-nest & teacups! Have a blessed Christmas!
Patti,
These “bird~in~a~teacup” Christmas Ornaments are the ‘perfect’ gift for some amazing Christian Women in my life!!!
Thank you for sharing how you put them together!!!
I’ll be collecting ‘cups and saucer’ throughout the year!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Patti! These are the sweetest ornaments, ever! Memories make Christmas…
Oh how sweet! My friend and I used to give tea parties…..very fancy affairs I might add. These would be so precious to make and give to her, as well as to my daughter and granddaughters as we have had many tea parties together.
This also reminds me of something I used to make. I did the same thing only used a very small clay pot and saucer, but I hung it with jute twine, and it was on it’s side, rather than sitting upright. They are cute too, and I’ll have to make some of each again, one of these days. Thanks for sharing, Patti, and remember YOU are important and loved also. 😉
I learn something new every time I come here!
What a blessing you are!
This is a beautiful idea for special girlfriends for Christmas! Unfortunately it’s a little late for some of my gift giving, but I am certainly going to do this one for next year. I already have some cup and saucer sets I can use. (And it will help me with my downsizing plans!) Thanks you for sharing this wonderful craft/memory.
What a cute ornament!
Beautiful and thanks for sharing. Your blog is wonderful I just found it recently and have enjoyed all of your posts.
Many Christmas Blessings,
Candy