At first, it was all about the birds. I was just trying to do a good deed—build a feeder, help them get through the colder months, maybe attract a few cardinals to my window. I wasn’t thinking about creativity, design, or joy. I just wanted to give back to nature in a small, practical way.
That’s how I found Bird Feeder Art.
The course seemed simple enough: build and decorate a bird feeder. I thought I’d follow a template, hammer some pieces together, and call it done.
But what I didn’t expect was how fun it would be. How peaceful. How it would awaken a part of me I hadn’t tapped into in years.
I Didn’t Realize How Much I Needed It
I’m not a “crafty” person. I work in an office, live in a city apartment, and most of my hobbies are digital—podcasts, streaming, scrolling. The idea of sitting down with paint, brushes, and wood felt… foreign. But I figured I could do one weekend project for the birds.
As I started the course, something shifted.
I slowed down. I paid attention to details I usually rush past. Choosing colors became surprisingly meditative. Adding little painted flowers and dots to the roof wasn’t part of the plan—but I couldn’t help myself. I was having fun. Like, real fun.
It Wasn’t Just a Project—It Was a Mood Shift
I ended up spending almost an entire Sunday afternoon on my feeder. No TV. No noise. Just quiet focus, a cup of tea, and a soft playlist in the background. For the first time in a long time, I felt completely present.
That night, I realized I hadn’t thought about work, deadlines, or emails all day. It was the calmest I’d felt in months.
The next morning, I hung my feeder on the fire escape outside my window. A few days later, a small chickadee showed up. I almost cried.
Why I Stayed
After that, I signed up for the next course. Then the seasonal designs. Now I keep a little “craft corner” in my apartment—something I never thought I’d have. It’s become my go-to way to decompress. I’ve even gifted a few feeders to friends and family, and every time, it sparks joy and conversation.
So yes, I took the course for the birds. But I stayed for something I didn’t know I needed:
- A creative escape that doesn’t require perfection
- A way to reconnect with nature, even from a city window
- A hobby that brings real, tangible joy
- A reminder that you don’t have to be “an artist” to make art
To Anyone Who’s Thinking About It…
Just start. Even if you don’t consider yourself creative. Even if you think it’s “not your thing.” You might be surprised, like I was.
Helping the birds is a beautiful goal—but helping yourself in the process? That’s the real gift.