inspired ideas

String Nest

Hey, Mama Bird! Let's build a nest. It's as easy as it can be and all you need is a bit of string, some glue, saran wrap and two bowls of the same shape and size.



Begin by cutting lengths of various strings. Try using at least one very natural twine. Add ribbon for a bit of color. You could also try using textured yarn...and for extra fun, string beads onto the bits to add a dose of whimsy.

Wrap the outside of your first bowl with saran wrap.



Wrap the inside of the second bowl and set aside.

Drag your bits of string one at a time through a little bath of glue, using your fingers (oh, did I tell you this was messy?!) to squigee the excess glue.

Arrange the gluey string along the bottom part of the saran wrapped bowl. You can do this artfully or randomly...how ever you please.



Add layers of other gluey string in the same way...





Use the second bowl (with the saran wrap covering the inside of the bowl) to cap the nest. This will push down any stray pieces and will help to shape the nest a bit.




Let the bowl on bowl with a nest inside business set for about 45 minutes...long enough for the glue to set but not enough time for it to dry.



Carefully remove the top bowl. Extra carefully peel back the saran wrap outside the nest. Extra, extra carefully remove the nest from the inside bowl. And with all the care you can muster, unpeel the saran wrap from the inside of the bowl. You want to be sure that you don't lose the nest shape in all this unwrapping.

Set the nest aside on parchment paper to dry completely.