Recently my two daughter's (both 11 years old) and I started making a few toys for our flock. My original thought was to learn how to make a few so that when I started up New Beginnings Program I could incorporate into the program a little bit of toy making. Most of the toys could be used for the birds in the program and possibly some could be sold with any profit being put back into the New Beginnings program. Well that is still my thought but a few things have happened that have added a new element to this toy making.
My sister recently died from a VERY aggressive cancer at the young age of 39. Because of the distance between us I was only been able to visit her a few times. As you can imagine every time the phone rang or something 'new' cropped up in her condition I was left feeling quite overwhelmed and somewhat depressed.
Having suffered from clinical depression in the past I knew it was important to keep myself busy even though during those times I literally had to force myself to do something. Doris of Chewzy Beaks had previously sent me some great toy parts and I had dabbled a bit in a few attempts at making some toys. I really enjoyed it although I have to say that my first few toys were quite pathetic!! Doris heard about the situation with my sister being so sick and emailed me one day and said "I am going to send you some toy parts so that you and your daughter's can make some toys." Well she did exactly that…what a lovely lady! My dining room table became a very messy work station but my daughter's and I had some great times making some toys and actually made some half decent looking ones as well. Catharine Jarvie also gave me some great tips on toy making and I have tried to incorporate both Catharine and Doris' professional toy making skills into my own…LOL…
It was, and still is, a great release for me and anytime I am starting to feel a little down I head to the dining room table. I never know what I am going to make but I just pick up a piece of something and than just let my mind wander and before I know it I have a toy in my hand!!!
The making and creating of each and every toy has been a wonderful 'therapy' for me and helped me get through this difficult time in my life.
And of course, I cannot possibly finish this without saying that God carried me through this time and will continue to carry me through any tough times that may lay ahead. He has led me to wonderful people such as Catharine and Doris and Sandi (my wonderful website lady!) and I am eternally grateful to Him.
This is a crunchy toy with a leather top, coloured coconut sliced circles, crunchy seagrass, sisal and paulie rope with brightly coloured pony beads. There are three sections hanging from the leather top which will keep any bird busy for hours. Length not including link is 8”. (Pear link IS included)
$9.95
Plenty of colourful pony beads, braided seagrass, sisal rope make there way up the kabob all topped up with some more crunchy seagrass and finished with a liberty bell. Length not including link is 9”. (Pear link IS included)
$7.95
Nickel plated 2.0mm link chain holds mini liberty bells, colourful pony beads and cute pacifiers making this a fun toy that has a gentle sound. Length is 11” not including link. (Pear link IS included)
$6.95
A leather top attached with nickel plated 2.0mm link chain. The seagrass and sisal and pulled through the chain and tied around it. Pony beads, stars and cute and bright animal shaped beads have been added which will give your bird lots of things to crunch and play with. Length of this toy not including link is 7”. (Pear Link IS included)
$7.95
An adorable ladybug with extremely long and colourful legs made with bright popsicle sticks and wooden beads. Fun for your bird that likes to destroy pieces of wood. Length not including link is 8” and it is 6” wide. (Pear link is included)
$9.95
My daughter had fun making this one. It is 9 ½” long and 5” wide. A nice size leather butterfly with attached colourful pony beads and finished with a yummy crunchy star. She used seagrass and added some pieces of sisal for added crunch. (Pear link IS included)
$8.95
A whiffle ball filled with knotted crunchy seagrass, hanging pacifiers and nice sounding liberty bells are all attached with a small dowel piece to colourful popsicle sticks. Attached at the top with 2.0mm nickel plated link chain with some plastic rings that your bird can move up and down. A really fun toy!! Your feathered friend will feel ‘out of this world’ when playing with this toy. The toy, not including link, is 7” long and 6 ½ ” wide. (Pear link IS included)
$6.95
This doweling contains three pull toys with lots of munching on each. The centre toy is made with 2.0mm nickel plated link chain that your bird can pull back and forth through the hole. Pacifiers are added on the end for play and plastic rings on the chain can be moved up and down. The two end toys can also be pulled back and forth through the hole but also include crunchy seagrass, colourful beads and blocks. This toy is sure to be a hit! Plenty to keep your bird busy and happy. This toy not including the link is 9” long and 5” wide. (Pear link IS included)
$11.95
A cute ladybug creature sits atop her long dangly legs. A combination of paulie rope, seagrass, wooden stars and brightly coloured pony beads will make this a fun toy for your feathered friend. Length not including the link is 9”. (Pear link IS in included)
$7.95
A whiffle ball with paulie rope, beads, bells, rings and pacifiers make for an ‘out of this world’ toy. This is attached by 2.0mm nickel plated link chain to a small pear link. Plastic rings have been added to the chain for a little bit of extra fun as your bird will manoever the rings up and down. This toy, not including link, measures 6” in length and 5” in width. (Pear link IS included)
$5.95
This toy was inspired by my sister with cancer. Doris, formerly of Chewzy Beaks, helped me to come up with a meaning for this toy as I wanted it to tell a story. The rings represent us. The mat represents God. The leather or seagrass that ties the rings to the mat represent our personal relationship with God. When we have a personal relationship with God we will always be connected with one another even in death so I can rejoice knowing that I will see my sister again.
$12.95
This is a similar toy to the Shooting Star Butterfly except the two bottom holes have nickel plated chain through them so that the bird can pull it back and forth. Bells and beads are attached to make it lots of fun for many hours of entertainment.
$8.95
Yummy yummy braided seagrass attached to a round leather disc with more seagrass and lovely bright beads. A liberty bell hangs on the bottom for a nice tinkle sound that your feathered friend will enjoy. A delightful toy for your special friend. Approximately 4” wide and 6” long (Small pear link IS included).
$4.95
A dancing, fun octopus with a leather sombrero and seagrass hair. This will be a favorite of your feathered friend with the crunchy seagrass knotted legs filled with colourful pearl pony beads and sea creatures. He is just a whole lot of fun! He measures, not including link, 8” in length. (Pear link IS included)
$6.95
A big, fun swing measuring 17” long and 12 ½” wide. The doweling used for the perch is 12” across. Lots to chew…bright colours…even some seagrass and beads added at the bottom for those birds that are skilled at hanging upside down while swinging back and forth!
$14.95
This toy will completely intrigue your bird as he pulls the chain back and forth through the ring. As he pulls the chain the little liberty bell with jingle a nice quiet sound. Rings have been added for some extra fun as he lifts them up and down the chain wondering how to get them off. A simple toy but will hold your birds attention for quite some time. Length, not including link, is 8”. (Pear link IS included)
$4.95
-fancy (blue/white) approx. 20" in length. Has a wooden ball on top. 52" of 1/2" diameter rope was used. (Toy on bottom not included.) $21.95
- fancy (red/white) approx. 26" in length. It has the wooden ball on the top. 60" of 1/2" diameter rope was used (Toy on bottom is not included)
$26.95
- plain (white) approx. 26" in length. Approx. 60" of 1" diameter cotton rope was used. $21.95
$50.01- $100.00....................$10.00
$100.01-$150.00.................. $12.00
$150.01-$200.00.................. $15.00
$200.01 and up.....................$18.00
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