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