Sweet tiny wire nests! So pretty added to product, collage, or even hanging from a delicate chain or ribbon and worn around your neck. Nests to me always represent motherhood, so I am especially fond of them. Above are photos of a couple on my Nest and Home bottles that were sold through my Etsy shop.
I use 24 guage wire, (brass, silvertone or sterling silver) and little cultured pearls or pearly-looking beads. You can find the little pearls through most jewelry/bead suppliers. I also have several different colors I found on jewelry from a thrift store.
Thread the beads onto the wire.
Turn, bend the wire around the beads threading back through itself here and there. You can’t mess this up, the more kinks the better. You can wrap bands of wire tightly around gathered rings of the nests for additional reinforcement a good idea when making nests for jewelry.
Using round-nose jewelry pliers or needle-nose pliers, bend, kink and twirl the wire further. I had a gold-tone leaf charm that I sanded down to the silver colored base and attached it with another small piece of wire.
Here’s the finished nest with extra wire curls extending and tucked into yet another watch case! {LINK}
You can patina your eggs with a golden-brown permant marker dabbed here and there as I did with the ones attached to the bottles.
that is such a cute idea and with minimal amount of supplies. Thanks!
Love the blue eggs, and the one in the watch case… sooo pretty!
That is just the sweetest thing! Too precious for words!
That’s so cute! Love this idea.
How adorable… and creative! Well done!
Adorable!!
Cathe, if this isn’t the cat’s pajamas, I don’t know what is. Brilliant!
I love my vintage bottle with the tiny nest. It is so perfect with my decor. Love Love Love it! Thanks Cathe. You do great work.
oops I am on Bruce’s computer so his name popped up….It’s really me Tania!
Very pretty! I often wondered how the nest is done.Thank you for sharing this.
By the way, my name is Mei and I love to make wire jewelry too.
So pretty!! I will definitely try that. I would love to make a pendant for a necklace and a little nest would be adorable!
You are so talented..very pretty.
sandy toe
Those are so cute. I really love it on the bottles.
I love the little bird nest and I’m looking forward to trying one. Thank you for sharing the idea.
Also thanks for the email-me button. I really like how it looks on my blog!
These are so, SO darling! I love them! Thanks so much for sharing this with us, I’ll be linking to this post.
wonderful post
wonderful blog
beautiful photos of beautiful projects.
Thanks for the tutorial!
Those are adorable…really cute. Thanks for sharing.
What a clever, clever idea and so well executed. The little bird nest is adorable.
I’ve been wanting to try these. Thanks so much for a great little tutorial!
It’s always really nice when artists share there idea’s. Thank you.
thank you so much for this little workshop. wonderful artwork
They’re gorgeous! Such a simple idea but the results are exquisite. Thanks for sharing the tutorial.
Thanks so much for sharing how to do this, I must give it a try!
-Heather
Great tutorial – you make it look so easy! I’m definitely going to try this on the weekend!
So cute thanks for sharing:)
Wow nicely done! I enjoy your creativity very much.
The best!!! Too cute!!!
Cathe – Another fab crafty and creative demo! You ROCK!
Whitney
ps I hope you are feeling all better.
Hey Cathe! I just saw these and it reminded me of your nests. Maybe you could make them too. They look delicious!
http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Mini-Bird-Nests.html
And you think if “I” tried to do this, it would look as adorable as yours?? NOT! I’m gonna try but I know it will be a twisted mess…
Man, those are just precious!
my daughter is getting married in June 2010. SHe is using a garden theme for her wedding. Your birds nest are wonderful and would make the perfect bridesmaids gifts if small enough to fit on a necklace, bracelet, or brooch. What do you think? Would you be able to come up with something like that?
I made something similar and glued it onto a hairpin, for a friend once. I think, since my name just so happens to be Robin, I should make another one for myself
Thanks for reminding me/sharing
-Robin Lynne
http://www.robinlynne.org
love how simple and beautiful this is! I am just amazed at what you create! And I love your old bottles, such a great use!
Ooh, I love the nest in the watchcase. I’ve seen several tutorials for making nests but yours looks easiest. I’m going to try it!
Thanks!
Your nest is just so cute.. How clever..Love the little blue eggs.
Just love your blog..
Stephenie
Cathe, again, an amazing artwork tutorial! Even I may be able to make this…although before the lesson I wouldn’t have tried it!!
Betty’s Bags: I thing these would be so adorable for a wedding…what about starting now and making enough for wedding favors??
These are super cute! Thanks for sharing it.
I love it!
I’m so glad I found your site through another blog! What great ideas here…thank you for sharing!
Oh, I love these! Feel free to share a tutorial at Make & Tell Monday! Here's the link to this week's post.
http://the6oclockstitch.blogspot.com/2009/03/etsy-deals-and-craft-tutorial-party.html
Jump in every week if you like!
You can also enter to win free ad space for next week's "Etsy Deals" Post. Details are in my post from today!
These are just beautiful! Thank you for sharing how you did this!
-Michelle
So CUTE!! thank you so much for sharing this WONDERFUL little tut!!
Have a LOVELY weekend!
The birds nest is adorable, makes a cool brooch.
Cathe,
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas, and for the wire bird nest tutorial. I have been trying to figure those out on my own, and see i am on the right track. Great idea to start out with the ‘eggs’ on the wire first!
Back to my stack of wire now. ;0)
Blessings,
Barbara Jean
PS Love the button boxes and the wire nest bottles too.
I just made a little one with things I had on hand..Very Cute..Thank you!
I think these projects are so very pretty. Thank you for sharing your tutorial.
Lena
It’s beautiful !!!!
so cute cute cute!
La Table de Nana recommended your beautiful site. I love it, too! xo~m
Those are precious..Monique sent me..she is so talented too!
Beautiful little idea! So creative but you make it seem so easy. I came by way of Monique’s blog as well.
I googled ‘little wire bird nests’ yesterday and found you! Just in time for the first day of Spring! Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial! You can see a picture of what I made with the nest at my blog.
http://craft-dinner.blogspot.com/
Thanks again! It’s just perfect!
They are soooooooo cute! I put mine on an easter egg. Thank you for the inspiration you give me! Hugs…
very cool – i’ve been thinking of making a bird’s nest ring but wasn’t sure how to get the pearls to lay right at the start – you showed me the “trick” – thanks!
Nice creation. I would like to feature this in http://www.handmade-jewelry-club.com.
Cheers
A very belated thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing directions these darling little nests. I was able to make them in necklace and pin form as little Easter gifts for my mom and daughters-in-law and everyone was simply enchanted with their utter cuteness!
Bless you for being so generous!
Sue
(also backdoor_buttercups on Flickr)
In case you’re wondering, I linked this post to my friendly neighborhood forum. (Hands that create dot com. I’m very much enjoying the wire nests. Thanks very much.
Thank you so much for posting this how-to! I bookmarked back in March and then made one last night to give to my mom for Mother’s Day. I think she’s going to love it. It turned out really cute. Thanks again!
finally a clear set of directions..thank you so much!
You are so awesome for posting these wire nests – there are others who charge for this!!! Thank you for sharing so freely!
thank you so much! have wanted to try these for years but never got around to it. your tutorial make it so easy I finally tried it and viola got a great pair!!!! (they are on my earrings page if anyone wants to see them.)
They are so cute!! Thansk for the instructions. I will make them too
Dawn showed us her sweet nest and I had to come over to see how she made it. What a lovely tutorial. Thank you dear gal for sharing your talents with us!!!
Sharon
That's a wonderful tutorial.
Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
Blessings,
Barbara Jean
I love these little nests with eggs! I have seen them elsewhere, but never instructions. I guess I'll have to give them a try..when time permits! Just found your blog thru feathered nest and plan to follow. Keep up the great work. Smiles and Blessings, Nancy
I adore the little birds nests. I found the "perfect" fresh water pearls at second hand store that were, you guessed it, robin egg blue! Then I came home and Dawn encouraged us to come over & I whipped up three birds nest in no time. I thank you so much for the instructions.
Sharon
Just me again. I wanted to thank you for the wonderful directions for the nests. I have made a dozen or so and wanted to let you know that I am having entirely toooo much fun. I am going to post the three necklaces and bracelet that I created while on vacation. I am such a big fan of your blog!!!
Sharon
OMG. This rocks. I have been using 24 gauge wire to do test runs before I used larger gauge. I tried larger beads and 20 gauge wire. After a lot of tears and destroyed wire, I like the results.
Just loved this tutorial, so easy to follow. Here is one of my creations.
http://judithbdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/07/nesting.html
Many thanks for sharing!
Hi Cathe:
Thanks so much for the tutorial for the Little Wire Bird Nests. I love them. I tried making my own today and have written about them and linked back your tutorial in my blog.
I really appreciate that you shared your tutorial and hope you don't mind that I've linked back to you.
Hugs and Blessings,
Donna
I tried this out! http://today-i-made.blogspot.com/2009/08/bird-nest-ring.html
Hello,
someone on All Things Tim yahoo group mentioned this blogpost of you … thanks for sharing the tutorial on how to make these nests.
Your nests on the bottles look very delicate : really nice.
I bookmark also you blog so I can come back with more time to stroll through your postings.
greetings from Belgium
Inge
those are just darling! i've got blue pearls & wire, i'll have to give it a try! thanks!
Oh MY, what precious birds nests and eggs! Thank you SO very much for sharing!!!
~*~ Patty
i love LOVE this. thanks so much for sharing!
Thankyou so much, I love this little birds nest so much – you are really nice to share this Cathe!! Chele x
I so love this idea! Thank you so much for sharing
Posting about this at Dollar Store Crafts (I have found these supplies at the DS!)
http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2010/01/wire-bird-nest/
I'm in love!!! I must make a few, today!
Absolutely darling… love the nests. Must try to make them, too. Thanks for the tutorial!
What a sweet wire bird nest,Spring almost here love this idea ,thank you so much for sharing it with us.
thank you so much for sharing this. i've been so curious as to how to do this and now i know! thank you!
nicole
Love this…. I posted a link to yours! Such a wonderful idea!
Hugs,
Yvette
I love birds and nests and the color of robin's eggs. I just tried making my first wire-wrapped nest last night (have had the wire for awhile with the idea in my head. . . just hadn't been brave enough to try) and it 'almost' worked – but not enough.
With your blog I KNOW my next try will come out just the way I want it. Thanks so much!!!
Robin
ksyardbird
These are amazing! I love them!!
~Rebekah
I just made one of these for my M-I-L for mother's day. My first try was…less than inspiring, but my second one is adorable! Thanks for the easy and CHEAP gift idea!
LOVEEEEEE this!!!!
I have been wanting to try to make one of these forever!!!
Thanks so much for the awesome tutorial!!!!!!
HUGS!
Thank you so much for this free tut!!! It's so nice when someone will share their talents and knowledge and experience with the rest of us crafters. I am so excited to give this to my sister for her first baby. This means so much! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Any chance you know approx how much wire you used for each nest? I'm trying to price it for a craft for my mommy group. Thanks! I LOVE this idea!
LOVE it. I wonder if I have any recycled copper I could do this with. Thanks for sharing.
Just beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial. I will link in a future blog post as my readers will surely love to check it out!
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ijust made one–im excited–the thought of starting withe “eggs” never dawned on me–thank ye for theze great instructions
Thank you so much for the post!!!!!!!! I just got back from the local bead store and I made it in sterling for my daughter for Christmas. I can’t wait to give it to her.
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas. I love going through the various web pages and wondering how you came up with each idea. Thanks again..God Bless.
I don’t have a website. What I have is a little jewelry business for which I’m setting up biz cards. My biz name is A Nifty Nest and thus far I’ve used a little clip art of a bird on a nest with a musical note in the air above the bird. The bird looks so happy. I really like the clip, but I’m trying to give my cards a bit more sophisticated look. I’ve made a few of the wire nests with eggs and would like to take one of those and put it in a shiny watch case. Then I would photo that and use it for the logo. Maybe I haven’t looked far enough, but where do you get the watch cases?
Hi Pat. I found most of mine at the Alameda flea market in the bay area, here in California. However, I see them listed all the time on ebay. I would try that, or call a local watch shop if you have one and tell them what you’re looking for. Your idea sounds fabulous!
Thank you so much. I do have a watch guy in a nearby town…looks just like an old time watch maker (well, maybe a little younger)…and he just might have what I’m looking for. I’ll check eBay, too.
I’ll send you a photo if I’m successful…well, and if I’m not.
I love this!!
Hi,
I am having a ‘Do it urself’ fever since the past 3 weeks. I started with crochet and landed up lookin for such an idea.
It is absolutely adorable n will definitely try this one.
These are sooo cute and look great on these projects! Love your web site and all the wonderful things you share for free with everyone. You are an inspiration!
I love these. I’m going to try making some of these this weekend at my art retreat at the beach! Thank you for sharing!
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Little Wire Bird Nests might a neat to give all ladys in my that have childern for asmall mother day happy my mom been dead i guess 8 years but it make neat mom day gift for anyone ty . love you blog i try rember to keep coming back to vist . god blessu ty for shareing . if i make them i send apics of them, i think i have everthing to make them. my heath very bad so i pick agood day to play cant wait ty i dont sale my things i make i give them away asi amon disably ,but i love to share with others
I have loved this since I first saw it, however each time I went to buy it the price would go up. I got all the pieces & now I have the how to part thats!!!
adorable!but i cnt gve it my so small by the way it’s really cute
I love this design! How much wire did you cut to make the nest?
I just had to share that your blog is the first I’ll be following, although I click around ALOT! I just love that your work seemed to promote a certain serenity, an appreciation of nature and of olden styles/days…Thank you for sharing your gift with us! Amazing!
Thank you,thank you,thank you!!!!!
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Thank you, my sis in law is crazy about birds, she will love this!
I am wondering if you sell the nests separate. They are so cute. Would be able to pay just le me know that would be great
I just LOVED these! I made them today with my residents. (I work at a retirement community and the gals just thought they were so cute)
Thank you for sharing your ideas! God Bless!!
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These are so beautiful. thank you so much for showing me how to make them. I am going to try and make a few for Christmas presents. Hope i can make them as pretty as yours.
Hugs and blessings, joey
I attempted to make a birdsnest several weeks ago and it was a bit of a failure. It’s funny, but ever since, I’ve been finding the most lovely ones, and now these tutorials! My nest wasn’t so bad, I just couldn’t get it to hang right. It was a gravity problem, I eventually realized, I was trying to hang it from the wrong part of the nest.
Your nests are beautiful though, and I love the color combinations! If you are interested in all, and want to use as an example of what NOT to do, here is mine!
http://www.sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html
Thanks for these nice tutorials! –Sharyl
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Your nests are really sweet!
love love love love this. thank you!
Who did you learn this technique from?
Your website is cute and I love the look of it all.
Very cute
I just love these and made my first one. Thank you for the great tutorial. Question: is there a place either online or not- where you can get a good deal on wire? Have you ever used floral wire? Thank you again, Pam in Pentwater Michigan- on Lake Michigan