I didn’t realize how far I’d drifted from my creative self until I found myself staring at a pile of paintbrushes and wood pieces, not knowing where to start. It had been years—maybe even a decade—since I made anything with my hands. Life got busy. Work deadlines replaced sketchbooks. Emails took the place of evening art sessions. Slowly, I forgot that I was once someone who loved to create just for the joy of it.
Then one quiet weekend, I stumbled across Bird Feeder Art. The concept caught my eye: build and design your own artistic bird feeder. It sounded simple, but something about it pulled me in. Maybe it was the promise of creativity with a purpose—or maybe it was just time.
Starting Small (and Feeling Rusty)
I signed up for the beginner course and expected a quick DIY project to pass a rainy afternoon. What I got was so much more. The lessons were calming, thoughtfully designed, and easy to follow. But I’ll be honest—at first, I felt awkward. Mixing colors, sketching ideas, deciding on shapes—it was like trying to speak a language I hadn’t used in years.
But I stuck with it. Slowly, I began to loosen up. I wasn’t trying to be perfect. I was just creating something real, something mine.
The Turning Point
The moment it all clicked? When I started painting tiny wildflowers along the side of the feeder, not because I had to, but because it felt right. I didn’t follow a template—I just followed my gut. And for the first time in a long time, I was in the zone. I lost track of time. My phone stayed in another room. My hands were messy, my mind was quiet, and I felt completely present.
I had missed this version of myself.
More Than a Feeder
When I hung the finished bird feeder outside, I felt this little burst of pride. And then came the birds—real ones! Bright flashes of color, tiny fluttering wings, soft chirps in the morning. It was like a conversation between me and nature, made possible through something I built with love.
It wasn’t just about attracting birds—it was about reconnecting with something inside me that had been dormant for too long.
What I Gained
- A new hobby that combines creativity, mindfulness, and nature
- The reminder that I don’t need to be “an artist” to make art
- A deeper appreciation for slowing down and creating with intention
- The joy of seeing birds enjoy something I made
Now, I keep my paints and brushes out on the table. I’ve made two more feeders since that first one—and I’m already dreaming up the next design.
Final Thoughts
If you’re feeling stuck, disconnected, or creatively burnt out, let me offer this: start small. Start with something that doesn’t feel like “serious” art. For me, it was a bird feeder. For you, it might be something else. But don’t underestimate the power of building something just for the joy of it.
Bird Feeder Art helped me reconnect with my creativity—and, in a quiet way, with myself. And I’ll always be grateful for that.