The  Pop-Up Hamper measures 14"x14"x24" and you can buy it at Kmart, Walmart, Freddy's, and also on-line I believe. They are very inexpensive, costing $5.00 to $10.00 each. You also need "blanket binding" and "stick-on Velcro", as well as a perch.

The hamper has a big front pocket on one side. Cut that off as closely to the edge as possible. Then using the piece you cut off, make a round circle pattern to make the top (I used a big round platter as a guide). Then sew the blanket binding all around the outside edge of the circle. Put 1" pieces (8-10) of the Velcro on the blanket binding. Make sure that you have both pieces of the Velcro hooked together and then press the circle top to the hamper. That way the Velcro matches up perfectly. I have not had any problem with the Velcro coming undone and I usually open up the top only half way to put Beauty in or out. That way I don't have to worry about matching up the Velcro pieces. It is really easy and makes a great carrier.

For the perch I used 3/4" PVC pipe, one10" piece, two 5" pieces, two 3" pieces, as well as four PVC "T's" and two "corners" -- I think they are called 90's.  I also used two 3" end caps and 2 plugs. Glue the plugs to the bottom of the caps to make food dishes. Use two T's to hold the food dishes and act as legs as well, and use the 90's as the other legs. See the pictures to make the directions easier and clearer.

WARNING: The Pop-Up Hamper is NOT sturdy enough to be used as a car seat and it cannot be seat belted easily.  It would offer little protection in a car accident and it would collapse under pressure. It is perfect for taking your bird on walks and other supervised outings, but it should never be used as a car carrier.

Nancy Coats and her husband, Lee, designed and created a feeding station for their two Solomon Island Eclectus parrots named Sweet Pea and Carmine. They were tired of the mess that the birds made with their soft foods and this solved the problem beautifully. The mess is completely contained in this easy-to-clean feeding station. The birds actually enjoy visiting their special restaurant now. If you have questions, you can Email Nancy at this address: nancycoats@animail.net

These dimensions are for 2 Solomon Island Eclectus Parrots. You can adjust dimensions to fit the size of your bird(s).

• 2 pieces 1/4" plexiglass* - 20"highX19"wide (sides)
• 3 pieces 1/4" plexiglass* - 20"highX27"wide (front, back & top)
• *Have all edges and corners smoothed out.

• 8 clips (2 for each corner)
• 2 hinges for top (may be hard to find)
• 1 hasp to hold up top (may be hard to find)
• This hardware is used for glass & plexiglass shelving.

Purchase a 6" or higher perch with cups & places to put toys, etc. Line/Design has the best perches for this 1-800-767-4208. They have enough cups and holes in the sides of the perches to add toys/key rings, etc. You can also purchase a perch for one bird with toys already on one side. They clean up and sanitize well.

• Check the phone book in your area for a plexiglass supplier. Ask to have 5 pieces of plexiglass cut to the dimensions you need and make sure they smooth out all the edges and corners. Make sure the feeder is no taller than the length of your arm (from under arm pit to the top of wrist). Otherwise, you won't be able to reach in and clean it easily. Also the lower the table you have the feeder on, the easier it will be to reach in and clean it. Having your birds at eye level when you're sitting down is about right.
• Hardware (metal connectors, chrome or brass) can be found at your local retail fixture store or call KC Fixture 1-800-862-0899 http://www.kcfixture.com/page27.html

• Assemble two sides at a time and tighten 2 clips to each corner of the plexiglass. There should be about 1/2 inch space in each corner for ventilation. Clip all 4 sides together.
• Clip the front hasp in the middle of the top piece. The other part of the hasp clips to the top of the front of the feeder. This holds up the top of the feeder.
• Clip the two hinges on the back of the top piece and the top of the back piece.

Put the feeder on a formica table or something that can be wiped off and sanitized. Make sure the back is near a wall so the birds will feel safe. Also make sure they are not in direct sunlight. There is no bottom to this feeder because it will clean up a lot easier. Just put newspaper on the bottom and throw it away after each feeding. The first time you place your bird(s) in the feeder, lower the top "very" slowly, inch by inch, so they are not startled. They will watch you lower the lid down for the first few days. They will eventually feel comfortable and sing/talk between eating and playing and can remain in the feeder for 2-4 hours. Your birds can now eat all kinds of messy foods and all will be contained in the feeder. Use grapefruit extract & water, or vinegar & water, to clean up. Dry with a paper towel. Enjoy!

Felicia says, "A few notes before getting started. This may be obvious for the "do-it-yourselfers" out there, but for those of us who are not, here are a few things to know before you shop for supplies that will save you 2-3 trips back to the hardware store! LOL"

PVC pipe comes in two types. One is meant for cold water only and one for both hot and cold water. For perch making, of course, it does not matter which you use. But, if you purchase schedule 40 PVC pipe (cold water only), make sure you also purchase schedule 40 fittings, otherwise, they won't fit together. Schedule 40 is white, the other is off white (I think its schedule 90) so it makes it easy to match them up. Also, I used a metal floor flange for the first perch I made. I was not concerned about the possibility of metal toxicity because my birds do not have the opportunity to chew at the metal on the base. If you prefer a PVC type flange, they are available but they are harder to find and a little more expensive. I found one at Lowes. I have both types pictured. If you cost out supplies per perch, it only costs around $5-$7 to build one of these.

• 3/4 inch PVC pipe (usually sold in 10 ft sections. They cut it in half to fit into my car)
• 3/4 inch PVC Tee piece
• 3/4 inch PVC male adaptor (screw threads on one side)
• Two 3/4 inch PVC caps
• 3/4 inch floor flange (metal or PVC)
• 4 wood screws (for metal flange)
• 3/4 inch thick 2 ft.x2 ft. plywood (I had them cut it into four 1 ft.x1 ft. pieces and had enough for 4 perches)
• 1 piece of self-stick vinyl flooring (1 ftx1 ft.)
• Strong, all purpose glue (I used Elmers Stix All)

First, I made the base. If the plywood is rough on the edges, use some sandpaper to smooth it. Take the backing off the vinyl flooring square and stick it to the wood. Although it is self stick, I also used a little glue to make sure it stayed put. Use a utility knife to cut off any overhang of vinyl over the edge of the wood. If you are using a metal flange, place it in the middle of the wood and mark the screw holes. Use a drill bit one size smaller than the screws to drill starter holes on the marks. Screw the flange to the wood. If using a PVC flange, you simply glue it down on the vinyl and give it at least 24 hours to dry before proceeding.

To make the perch (refer to photo). Cut the PVC to desired lengths: 1 piece for the vertical of the T and 2 pieces of equal length for the horizontal of the T. I used a jigsaw but a hand saw works too. Fit the 3 pieces of pipe into the Tee piece. The bottom of the vertical pipe then goes into the male adaptor. Place the caps on the ends of the horizontal pipe. I did not find it necessary to glue the PVC pieces because they fit tightly together. Screw the male adaptor into the flange, and, you have a table top perch! I used my RTX (like a Dremel) to make the PVC rough for easier gripping but rough sandpaper would probably also work.

Here is another easy to make, inexpensive tree stand for your Eclectus. If you have a small unsprayed tree that dies, instead of discarding it, give it another life as a tree stand. Your Eclectus will love you for it!

Says Nancy G: I made this tree stand for *Coco* out of an apple tree. I cemented it into a large pot purchased at Wal-mart. I then added the ropes and toys and cross branches. I first made sure that the apple tree was never treated with pesticides. Coco enjoys the tree stand, especially after her shower. I change the toys around when she gets bored with them. I move the tree around and sometimes attach her Boing so that it hangs down from the ceiling. I must admit that her Boing is still her all-time favorite perch. One day I'll have one in every room of the house -- a worthy Eclectus goal! :) If you have questions, let me hear from you. nannerz00@rogers.com

This Boing & tray is really easy to make.  I purchased a large, sturdy Boing from http://www.stuffforbirds.com for only $15.00 and a child's snow saucer from Kmart for $5.00.  I then placed three equally spaced holes in the edge of the snow saucer for the heavy sisal rope used to hang it. Stainless steel chain, heavy wire or large cotton cord could be substituted for the sisal rope. I attached the ropes to the top of the Boing and added a Planet Pleasure toy as well. Your bird's favorite toy can be substituted to tempt them to climb and play on the new Boing.  I made this Boing, tray and toy for less than $30 and it looks and works as well as the costly model seen in bird magazines. As you can see in the picture, "Beauty & Sara" are quite happy with this inexpensive model made by their Mom.

Betsy's EZ Window Perch

This easy-to-assemble Window Perch can be used on walls, windowsills or cabinets. The perch section can be removed or swung out of the way when not in use. The attachment of a water cup is optional.

• 1 - 5" piece of 3/4 " PVC
• 1 - 3/4"  90 degree PVC corner couplings ( slip on type)
• Either a piece of 3/4" Pine Dowel or PVC (sanded or wrapped with Vet Wrap) cut the length you want the perch to be.
• 1- 3/4" Pipe bracket

• 1- 3/4" 90 degree PVC corner coupling
• 1- 3" PVC End Cap (for the water cup)
• 1- 3/4" End Plug to glue on the bottom of the Cap

Place the corner fitting on the 5" piece of PVC. Then put the length of perch material in the other side of the fitting. This will make an L-shaped piece. Attach to the wall using the bracket on the 5" piece of PVC.

To use the water cup, attach the corner coupling to the other end of perch. Glue the plug to the bottom of the end cap, and you're finished!

Creative Wear For Eclectus Feather Designers

It is cut from a child's size medium, long-sleeved cotton tee-shirt.  I tried one of my adult sweatshirts and it was too wide.  You don't want a lot of extra space or too much extra material hanging.

 I cut ovals on the side, leaving the top and bottom attached for the wings.  I liken it to cutting a heart out of construction paper when you were a kid...you cut half the oval out of the folded material.  Does that make sense?

I put the cuff part over his head and pulled his wings through the holes.  I had to trim the bottom edge a little in the front so it did not hang below his thighs.

He wore the same shirt day and night for about a month.  I did not take it off. The shirt was unobtrusive and gave him something other than his feathers to play with.When I did remove it, he had about 20 new green pin feathers popping out!  It was so exciting!  I am very optimistic that he is going to be feathered again someday, probably by summer.

Make your bird's Feather Fashions more form-fitting than loose. It is dangerous to have the shirt or skirt loose enough for a bird to get a toe or foot stuck in the fabric.  It also seems to be less bothersome to the bird if it is a little snug.  I have tried making the shirt both ways and a snugger fit seems safest.

Click Here to see more photos of Eko now that his feathers are growing back in.

Design by Debbie Pierce livnlife67@yahoo.com

Elizabeth says, " Shirts for the green guys and skirts for the redheads"!

Easy Directions For Skirt

1. Find small sized T-shirt
2. Cut off sleeve
3. Cut large oval sized holes on both sides for wings
4. Cut off some of the front, bottom material because most skirts will be too long and will get in the way of feet.
5. Place gently over birdie's head
6. Pull wings through holes
7. Tuck back parts under wings

Design by Elizabeth Zedzian radioactivestorm@comcast.net

I have been making my own ceiling savers or "isolators", as I call them. I have seen them for sale for $15 but I make my own for around $3.

1. Clean all PVC parts well. Use sandpaper to remove writing or just turn it towards the wall when in use.
2. Drill small pilot hole in the center of the end of each dowel.
3. Drill hole larger than diameter of the screw eye in the in the center of each cap. *Pass screw eye through hole in cap and screw into dowel so screw eye turns freely in cap.
4. Repeat with other cap.
5. Press cap/dowel assembly onto pipe and tap on the cap to secure.
6. When hanging heavy objects, a small amount of PVC glue may be used on the last 1/2" of the PVC pipe. *Use glue outside or in an area away from birds.
7. Allow 24 hours for drying outside.

The isolator turns nicely when my bird flaps on his Boing, but it also is stable when the bird steps onto the Boing.