Where to get toy making supplies?

[gibson2503]

For all of you who have made your bird toys, where do you get your supplies? Everywhere I have found online, it would cost me more to make than to buy.

 

[ChrisWink]

I buy most of them on eBay.

 

[WilliamKenyon]

like chris said you can go onto eBay to get the partsin bulk. However if you are buying them from there be sure that they are bird safe products as wood beads could be made of treated pine and little metal clips could have lead content in them. I hope this helps.

 

[Allee]

Have you tried My Safe Bird Store, they sell a wide variety of safe toy parts. If you wait for their sales they aren't quite so pricey.

There are some innovative and cost effective projects in the DIY section too.

 

[Flboy]

Also, hobby lobby, decent prices! Also, a 40% off anything coupon good for anything!

 

[rosembers]

I purchase a lot from CA Bird Nerd. Awesome lady and awesome online store!!! Very affordable prices and huge variety. She sells on Ebay too, but I just make purchases from her website. She's very conscientious about bird safety too!

http://www.cabirdnerds.com/

 

[GreyNickels]

I utilize common local store items the most. Whenever I get a coffee out, I ask them for an extra cup. No one has ever even questioned it, let alone said no. Going to a fast food restaurant? grab extra straws, paper ketchup cups, I've even asked for extra clean french fry boxes, or chicken nugget boxes.

Dollar store- baby toys, or measuring cups/ spoons. And lots and lots and lots of the crinkle shredded paper and muffin papers. They would also have paper plates, and paper lunch sacks.

Paper 5oz dixie cups (not the waxed ones, the plain paper ones)

if you have a scroll saw or band saw - plain pine boards from home depot/ lowes. They even have SS quick links at lowes.

Pine cones. This past fall my kids and I spent over an hour walking around the local mall. All of the pine trees in their landscaping are the good woody kind. We just make sure not to grab the ones with pine tar on them, and bake them in the oven.

You can get sisal and jute from hobby lobby. I also get popsicle sticks, and mini vine wreaths there.

The biggest items that I buy online are munchy vine balls, and finger traps. I like to check Windy City Parrot for stuff before I look elsewhere. I have always had stellar customer service there, and they have free shipping over $49, (easy peasy!) or $6 flat rate for anything less. I just get a bag or two of food, and I'm easily over the free shipping limit. I generally need to order our food online anyway, why not get free shipping!

I also have amazon prime, and sometimes, although rarely, you can find some good deals there, and shipping would be free if you or a loved one has prime.

 

[GreyNickels]

Also - do you have a Pet Supplies Plus in your area? I love them! is seems like they ALWAYS have bird toys on sale, and I totally buy ready made toys when on sale and local.

But I also found one of these veggie baskets in the hamster section Super Pet® Veggie Basket | Food & Water Accessories | PetSmart

Our green cheek conure gets a basket full of salad every couple of days, he LOVES it!!! not only unstuffing the basket, but we buy an organic salad mix, and it lets us give a variety without doing any work. Just open the box of salad, stuff, and hang! I love watching him decide which piece he's going to eat next! Usually the grocery store had several different kinds of mixes, so you can really keep the variety up.

don't underestimate the whole kebob thing either. I think they love to shred veggies. Way more ends up on the ground, than in their crops, but it keeps them busy!

 

[Mallory]

I mostly use My Safe Bird Store. Yes, they are expensive but if you're clever you can make toys much cheaper than store-bought. Recently I made my first order from Noah's Ark & Novelty and they did a great job as well. Lots of different things there, plus lots of interesting plastic parts.

My trick to saving money is to use hemp rope which is extremely affordable, stock up on things my birds like in bulk, and use some cheap/free items. The biggest trick I use though is to use renewable/reusable toy parts. Things like stainless steel chains and bells, plastic parts, foraging boxes, etc. are reusable and just need a good washing. My starling loves to throw around and poke through small objects, but he can't shred, so he gets only washable plastic parts, bells, and cheap items like plastic streamers and cupcake wrappers. Straws are another big hit around here. I do go a little overboard because I love making things for the birds, but my money goes a long way compared to getting store-bought toys and I can make personalized toys I know my birds will love.