Feeling Cagey Part 2

WARNING:  Liable to cause addiction!!!  This post is part 2 of a series about a vintage object that we all seem to have an affinity for… BIRDCAGES!!!  Whenever I spot one, they never fail to cause a gasp and make my heart go pitter-patter. 

First, let’s view the rare and unique.  I found it by chance one day as I was browsing in a local antiques shop.  Way down low on a dusty shelf, I spotted him. To my surprise and delight, I found out….

 He’s a clock!!! That’s right, with each tick he slowly turns to mark the seconds. The white band of numbers tells the hour and the lines mark the quarter minutes. I quickly plunked down my money, and have been smiling ever since!!!

Now, what do you think this treasure is??? No, it’s not a clock this time, but close.  It’s a German automaton. Automatons were made by clock makers as a way to show off their skills. The more functions they could integrate, the more desirable the piece.

 I’d wanted one of these for a while and had never come across one until one fine day I was perusing the Coconut Grove Antique Show in Miami, and there he was.  Funny thing, the dealer said he’d have to give me a discount as it did not work and I’d have to find someone to repair it. But ever since the day I brought him home he’s never failed to open and close his beak as he whistles his happy tune, flaps his tail feathers and turns his head from side to side. Oh, how I do treasure him!

 Birdcages are so versatile as they offer something for every taste. 

 If you lean toward a more traditional look, you might like this little cutie.  Its the keeper of books and ….. what?!

 Why I declare, has someone moved in to share the cage? Ah well, after all it is a “bird” cage, right?

 There is no end to the possibilities when it comes to where to place them. Way up high on the kitchen cabinets is this lovely trio. The larger on is made of bamboo and has a pair of cute little porcelain feeders. The other two are made of brass and date back to the early 50’s.

 Next, the boudoir is home to my girly –girl, frou-frou cage. It’s all decked out with flowers and bows.

If you look inside you’ll see my collection of old poetry books topped off with a folding lorgnette from the early 1900’s.

 Oh, and I can’t forget this little sweetie. The little bird is a saccharin keeper from back in the day before we knew it could kill us! (LOL)  He even has a magnet to hold his serving tongs in place.

 Now let’s do a little shabby chic. These babies were in need of some freshening, s-o-o….

I first spray-painted them white to lay on the first layer of shabby goodness.  Then things got really fun.  I took some wired ribbon, an old stretch pearl ring, a nosegay of flowers and tinkered some more.  Finally, I put in a few pieces of blue and white porcelain, ( but you could add plants, or candles or whatever suites your fancy). TaDa!!!

 Go ahead, peek inside.  I put in a pie bird and cup, and see the sparkly little chandy? I made it with some floral wire and a couple of bobeches. After all every home deserves a little bling.

Now, this is for all you DIYers out there. I present my "Time to Read Lamp". It's just a cute little bookshelf accent that makes me smile.

The birdcage is drilled through and the lamp kit just fits inside. Since the cage has a hook at the top it can be hung by a chain or if you like it can be mounted on a candle base as I did.

Well that’s it for today, but if you heart is still racing for more click here and check out my other lovely chippy shabby cages out on the porch. Now if you think that's all my cagey beauties, you are sooo wrong!!! Join us for our next post: "Lady Sings the Blues" 'cause I've got a couple more tricks to show you. Happy 4th!

 

Patti

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