wondering specifically about the safety of pipe cleaners and brass metal (cup hooks or clips to attach to bars).

while straightening up a little today, i came across the drill (well, i knew where it was so i didn't discover it lol, just decided to put it away). decided i would get busy and drill some holes in some toy pieces for future use - checkers, plastic milk and soda lids, popsicle sticks, plastic baby spoons, legos. so i have all this stuff to make toys with, but aside from hemp twine no idea what to use to hang them. most of the toys i've made so far include using link a doos to hang thru a looped handle (think baby keys or rattles).

i have scooby string (plastic string used for braiding/beading), hemp twine, leftover wire stringers from destroyed toys. just looking for inexpensive (and reusable) ways to make toys i guess.

any suggestions/help?

kris

Hmm.. just of the top of my head with the pieces you have there...I'd take some hemp and loop it at the top so you have like four hanging strands...you can attach it to a higher perch and have it hanging below to another perch or use a clip to attach it..

I would string you odds and ends and tie some knots in between... maybe even take some paper towel loosely braided in about 5 inch strands and tie those on at intervals down each hemp strand.. attach a couple of the spoons so they dangle at the end and you'll have a nice inventive lil noisemaker lol

You might also try using leather and just plain ol' shoe strings. You can also purchase Stainless Steel wire on spools. Its kind of expensive but it lasts a long time. Also you can get raffia paper and use it for string things as well. Strips of material as well cut into narrow strips can be braided or knotted. Just make sure they're cut so the strands are not too long to get feet and legs tangled.

We use a lot of leather for Casey's toys only because she is terrified of anything that resembles hemp/twine/sisal etc. We just buy it at Parrotdise Perch, it comes in packages of a few feet for a few dollars and just string different things on it. We've tried their coconut rope (I think it was coconut?) but it looked too similar to the sisal so of course Casey ran away screaming, lol!

Looking at the toys our friend made for Casey they use a lot of the stainless steel wire as the base of the hanging toys and a lot of sisal.

Hope that help!

I use alot of sisal rope and cotton rope purchased at the bird store or the craft shops( they are great for finding toy making supplies!) And I get stainless steel chain and clasps at the hardware store

Just in regards to the pipe cleaner inquiry...I'd pass on those. I don't think the metal inside is safe.

I searched high and low for inexpensive stainless steel chain to hang some toys and you know where I finally found it? The plumbing dept. of my local Ace hardware store.
It's the chain used for the older toilet guts. I think it was a buck and a half for a 11" piece.

I use shoe string, leather, sisal, cotton rope. The leather and chains are the best for me. (hmmmmm.... that sounded kinda kinky didn't it?) Not for ME but for my BIRDS. Honest.

hahahaha had a good giggle Berlie..

your mention of sisal reminded me i had bought a giant roll of it and it disapeared lol..gonna have to find it before i get creative in making new toys our Kiwi LOVES it