Oriole Nest Vase from Plastic Bottle

We're celebrating the Oriole Nest in my Spring Nest Series. We were thrilled when an Oriole built her nest right outside our bedroom window a few years ago. 


Their nests are an amazing work of art to behold. I wish I had snapped photos of it. Instead, here's my human-made version and the tutorial: 



I cut a plastic bottle at an angle to make this second artistic "study" of the interaction of our own Nests and Nature.


Orioles like to suspend their nests in a twig fork about 20-30 feet up from the ground. I mimic that effect with found twigs glued to the top of this plastic bottle nest


Orioles weave their nest out of natural plant fibers and will even use pieces of string that you leave draped on shrubs. Here, I simply glued spanish moss on the outside of the plastic bottle.


Orioles are attracted to sugar water, oranges, fruit, grape jelly, and meal worms. I'm sure ours were attracted by our hummingbird feeders.


The Oriole will guard her eggs for about two weeks. We were never able to see the babies since her nest was deep. But it was fun watching her sway with the branches in the breeze as she kept watch over her nest. 


In memory of that lovely vision, I added a blooming bit of branch to my "Oriole Nest Vase." 


This series is in honor of Earth Day and Mothers Day. Use your Oriole Nest Vase as a beautiful centerpiece or for display on a mantle or shelf. 

Make spring crafts inspired by the color palette from this project with the free designer papers for download in this post:







Remember to R3:  Recycle, Reuse & Repurpose. With Love.  {free R3 gift tags here}




Nests symbolize Nurturing, and 
I'm nurturing a community of creative women right here at I Gotta Create! 


If you would like to be featured in my new Inspiring Creative Women series, then join my latest link party to be eligible. {Be sure to link back and follow the other party rules if you'd like to be considered.}





{I host a weekly linky party. Come find out more here! I'm sharing my Oriole Nest Vase with...Monday:  CraftomaniacMaking The World CuterMarvelously MessyProject QueenThe Girl CreativeThe Gunny SackAlderberry HillA Round TuitSkip to My LouCherished Bliss, Northern Cottage, Our Delightful Home;Tuesday:  Not Just a Housewife, Sew CraftyTip JunkieToday's Creative BlogUncommonOopsey DaisyGingersnap CraftsWednesday:  The 36th Avenue, Somewhat Simple, Blue Cricket DesignIt's OverflowingNest of PosiesSavvy Southern StyleSomeday Crafts, The Trendy TreehouseVery Merry Vintage StyleWhat We Wore & MadeThursday:  Shabby NestFriday:  Finding FabulousMy Simple Home LifeRomantic HomeTatertots and JelloThe Shady PorchThirty Handmade DaysFaith Trust & Pixie DustNaptime Crafters, Too Much Time on my HandsClassy ClutterStuff & NonsenseCraft Junkie TooSaturday:  Be Different Act NormalFunky Junk InteriorsFrench Country Cottage,  Sisters of the Wild West, Sew Country ChickSunday: Nifty Thrifty ThingsUnder The Table and DreamingMy 1929 CharmerSew Darned Crafty}

14 comments:

Maureen Wyatt said...

That Oriole nest turned out awesome! I've only ever had one in my yard and spent many hours studying it with binoculars. ~ Maureen

Seaweed and Raine said...

What a gorgeous vase! How cool would that look on a mantle filled with blossoms? :)

Mandy said...

Love your nest!

Jill said...

What a great little nest! Looks so natural!



Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

I think your oriole nest turned out great! We always look forward to our orioles here on the farm! Nice job! (And cool new series!...lookin forward to that!)

Unknown said...

I love this idea - making a "nest vase" - so sweet & useful, too! I am pinning it right now!

Alison @ Oopsey Daisy said...

A nest vase is such a beautiful idea!!

Our Pinteresting Family said...

What a creative idea! I had no idea that their nests looked like that. :) Megan

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

How exciting to be able to watch the orioles nest! I see the orioles ALL the time but not the nests UNTIL one year we had a TERRIFIC storm that actually BLEW a nest down...I kept the nest and put it under one of those great glass cloches(LOVE IT). I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE your version! It is so clever and thank you for the instructions and inspiration to make it!
Have a fun filled weekend,
Donna

Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon Designs said...

I had no idea that orioles had such beautiful nests! I love your take on it and love that you are inspiring us all to reuse to help the environment!

Take care,

Trish

cathy@my1929charmer said...

I guess I've never seen an oriole nest, because I would of known how beautiful they are. Your version is so very pretty and inspiring to help reuse our environment. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best Par.tay.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! Featuring you this weekend! XO, Aimee

Katalina Jewelry said...

Love this, Christina! You are so clever in your use of recycled items!

Heather said...

Beautiful - so realistic too! Thanks for sharing this at It's a spring thing linky party - I pinned it to our group pin board!