Natural Perches and Play Gyms with pics!!!

[Oogies Mom]

The branches are from a magnolia tree. The base of each play gym is made of plywood, painted with acrylic paint and coated with a high gloss finish. The birds don't touch this part but their poop does, so with the gloss finish I can easily wipe it clean or spray poop off on it. For Daisy's gym only one screw was used and that was to fasten the main branch to the base. I used a wooden dowel pin to attach an additional branch to the main one and then secured it more with jute. At the moment her toys are tied one, no eye loops on hers. With Oogie's gym, since the branches are much bigger, I used a dowel screw to add the additional branch to the main one. After that I added the jute. His toys are secured with eye loops. On a side note, Oogie's gym is on wheels so there's no worry about scratching the floor. Daisy's perch can be placed directly on the floor or on a tabletop, so before I screwed the base on I used a counter sink so the head of the screw sits deeper into the wood and thus can't scratch any surfaces.
You can see photos below and more on my flickr site...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessica_hinsvark/sets/72157624313726299/

Daisy's Play Gym

Oogie's Finished Play Gym

 

[Sophie's Mama]

How cute are those! Great job! We made a play gym this past weekend but used PVC, I prefer the natural ones!

 

[Oogies Mom]

Thanks Sophie's Mom! Got any pics of the one you made? I'd love to see it

 

[antoinette]

Wow that looks fantastic, a job well done
Bet you saved a ton of money as well
AND you enjoyed every minute

 

[wildheart]

Ah I love it! That is such a cool 'swing' on the side as well.

Did you bolt the bowel to the tree and how do you clean it? Sterrjie keeps on throwing hers on the floor so I am looking for ideas.

 

[Mel]

Wow great job - It's so colourful I want to play on it!! Mine looks so boring now.

 

[Spiritbird]

You should be proud to be so creative for your bird. I always admire people that can do things like these stands. Are you going into the business?

 

[Aussie Ben]

So awesome, great handy work! I particularly like the beautiful bases. It is great fun making gyms and then watching them explore. There is sooo much for Oogie to do on there, I bet he loves it.

 

[aliciamarie]

I absolutely LOVE the little colorful rings hanging from some of the branches. I also love the wooden colorful blocks! Where did you get those!? Would love to add some to Nora's gym!

 

[Chris Winkler]

WOW what an awesome job. I am not anywhere as creative. Have you thought about selling them? I would bet you would do very well on eBay

 

[Chris Winkler]

OH I just realized this is an older thread and she has not been here in a while..

 

[Boo]

Oh my gosh they both look amazing!! I love them! And I bet your birds do too

 

[missylynn]

LOVE them!! Mind if I steal ideas from you? I made a perch just yesterday, and already my kids have knocked it over and split the wood. BAH! So I need to start over anyway. Perhaps this time I will put 20lb weights on the bottom! Lol!!

 

[lorri]

OO I like your creation that will keep your little one entertain for hours