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Celebrations: Spring Butterfly Feeder Jar

Tuesday, March 14, 2017 7:49

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(Before It's News)

Spring is around the corner and I'm already enjoying the warmer weather and blue sky. I've been busy in my garden and in preparation hope to attract butterflies this year with a sweet little butterfly feeder.

It’s a Butterfly Feeder Jar. Or in this case, a Butterfly Feeder Wine Jug. I can’t wait for the butterflies to flutter around for a little drink of sugar water.

Here’s how to make a butterfly feeder jar.

Start with a clean glass jar or jug. Whatever you use, the lid must fit tightly because in the end, you’ll be hanging your jar upside down.
Prep your surface by wiping it down with rubbing alcohol
Plan your design using Adhesive Stencils (I used Martha Stewart Stencils)
Dab Martha Stewart Glass Paint in Opaque Gloss onto the stencil.
Gently peel the stencil while the paint is wet.
Continue until your design is done.

Let your paint dry thoroughly. If air drying, the glass paint completely cures in 21 days. To speed things up, you can bake your glass in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. IMPORTANT: Place your glass object in a cool oven then heat to 350 degrees. Let cool completely in the oven.

Once the glass is cooled, you can continue and finish up the feeder.

Drill or nail a hole into the jar lid. I used a nail to make two small holes in my lid since I was planning on using string for the feeder. You can make a larger hole and use a piece of sponge or fabric. Whatever you use, the fit must be really tight. The goal is to have your sponge, fabric or string inside the jar and the rest hanging outside of the jar. When you fill your jar with sugar water and turn it upside down the butterflies will come and drink from the strings.

To hang your jar, make a simple twine or string netting. Tie four pieces of string to the top of your jar. The strings should be at least four times the height of the jar. Knot the strings alternating every other one.

Fill your jar with butterfly nectar. To make the nectar, use 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Boil the sugar water for a few minutes, stirring while it’s boiling. Let cool and pour into your jar. Turn your jar upside down and make sure it’s not leaking. The strings will eventually be soaked with sugar water.