Actually I don't know if any of us drill holes to drain water. Never really thought about it. Huh, well I don't, mine you can take off pvc and clean it, or take down the hanging tyoe and clean it...Good question...

Well, you could drill a couple of holes and put a small piece of screen over them to keep the seed from falling out. Could either glue the screen down or just set it in if it's heavy enough.

Thanks. I wasn't sure how much drilling the teacup could take, or the saucer for that matter. I'm thinking my best bet would to get pvc to put into ground to then "plant" post in as my feeder is mounted on an old wooden post. ~Ellie~

I have known people to put their teacups on top of bud vases that fit over a small pipe or rebar. That way you can easily take it off to clean it or store it for the winter. Someone else on a long lost post suggested using the screen section too to keep the seed above the bottom of the cup where the water could accumulate.

Hope to see pictures of your finished teacup feeders!

I like water in the tea cup and seeds on the saucer and a spoon glued down to perch on, if I have a cup and a saucer. I love the screen idea for seeds in the cup,though.
So many tea cups, so little time,too many squirrels..

Oh...I meant to tell you too that I would probably use a diamond tipped drill bit like you do for glass...I used the arrowhead shaped ones from Lowes...they work really well on china and pottery!

Just some info about how I make the teacup feeders. I don't use them as birdfeeders but use the clear glass teacups and saucers and put a tealight in them for around the patio. Look very nice at night with the candle glowing.

Anyhow we use 2 part clear epoxy to glue the cup to the saucer, then glue a copper end fitting to the bottom center of the saucer. The copper pipe then fits into the end fitting and isn't glued, just a friction fit. The pipe can be removed for winter storage. If the cup and saucer needs washing I can easily remove it.

We've made and sold many dozens of these. They cost less than $2 each and sold for $8. Most of the cost was for the copper pipe. Only took a few minutes to make a bunch assembly-style so it wasn't bad profit. I've heard of people selling them for $25 but I think that would have to be in a really high-end shop. The ones I have for my garden use rebar cause the price of copper went way up a couple of years ago.

I have a few but haven't put them out yet - I'll try to remember to post a pic later. I'm really busy trying to get on top of this gardening so not spending a lot of time on the net.

In case anyone makes these it's a good idea to sand the places you are going to glue just to rough up a bit.

I just sold 4 at the Farmers Market - I charged $15 each.
The copper pipe at Farm & Fleet ( like a Lowe's ) is $8.99 for a 10' section. I cut it in half and got 2 out of one piece. I'm happy ! As for drain holes , I haven't drilled any . I strongly hint to a buyer that it would be very nice under a shelter. It hasn't stopped a sale yet !

Luckygal that's a neat ideal... Thanks...

My teacups are just waterers(-: I have a large bird feeder /squirrel feeder they can perch on. They work well as water dishes(-: I love Kudzu' idea though with the spoon. I might try that one!

Lucky gal..like your ideas on the copper fitting..we havent made any yet, but are collecting cups & saucers now.
Kudzu, like your idea of the spoon. I'd like to borrow it too!! I agree..too many squirells !!! Drat those fuzzy rats!

I've looked for little spoons for mine but couldn't find any..

I don't drill any holes in my tea cup feeders. I use silicone glue to attach a flange onto the bottom. Then I insert a piece of rebar into the ground. I use a piece of plastic plumbing pipe and screw it into the flange, then slip the pipe over the rebar. When I need to empty any water, I simply lift up the pipe from the rebar, tip it, and pour out the water. Then slide the pipe right back over the rebar. Also makes it handy to unscrew the feeder from the pipe when you want to give it a good scrubbing.I also like the spoons for perching. Sometimes I've found a package of really cheap ones to use.

hi all, thanks for the great ideas. when i made mine i had all the things i used right at home so didn't want to go shopping for copper pipe, rebar, ect... so i put it on what was once a table leg or bed post or spindle type thingy. I guess i didn't think about the water thing then, but since it has rained every day for a week i just thought of it... maybe i will have to redo it so i can empty as needed...did i mention how much i love this forum?! ~Ellie~