I made an ATOM ball for my Sun Conure!

[Maegen Sue Persing]

So I wanted to let you all know how I made my ATOM ball.

Sun Conure size ATOM ball

3 metal hoops-10in. in diameter
15 ft of twisted cotton rope
1 cowbell
1 practice golf ball
1 chain

I went to Hobby Lobby, you can go to any craft store, and bought three metal hoops that were all the same size. I made sure they fit together before I took them home. Just slip them together so it looks like an atom and it should be snug, and thats the start of the toy. I also bought small cow bells and some twisted cotton rope. The cotton rope I actually found as new dog tug-of-war toys. I unknotted the rope and it ended up being the perfect length for going around one hoop, about 5 ft to be sure there is enough for one hoop.

1. Slide the hopes into the ATOM shape. Since the hoops a snug fit to each other, its not nessecary to really fasten them together.

2. Take the chain and open a link and put it on the atom where two hoops meet, that will be the top of the atom.

3. Take your rope and un ravel the end just a bit and tie it to the same place where the chain is. This will later be untied, and retied to the rope as it meets itself.

4. Once tied to the hoops, you can start to twist the rope around the hoop. You almost untwist the rope, so that when you lay it on the metal hoop it wants to twist around it. Once you get the hang of twisting the rope around the metal it goes fast.

5. When you come to where two hoops meet, get the rope to pass around the other hoop on the opposite side. It helps to hold the hoops in place. Then continue to where you started. See Pictures.

6. Once the two ends meet tie them together so that the rope is tied over and under the hoops. This prevents the rope falling off the atom.

7. Simply repeat the steps for the other hoop that is "vertical." For the horizontal hoop, you will have a tuft of cotton (the knot) on the side of the atom they like to preen!

8. I just used the ends of the rope to tie the bell and ball to the atom, where the chain is connected.I let them hang a few inches down do they can really play with them.

If you have questions, ask! I might have forgotten something. Good Luck!

[MusicalFeathers]

I am so eager to try making my own. That is so great. I love the colors of it!

[expressmailtome]

Very nice job! I am sure that Connor loves it!

Matt

[kellywess]

Very nice! What kind of metal are the hoops made of?

[Maegen Sue Persing]

I am not sure...they are gold looking, although they are not made of it. Maybe brass.

[JenJenna]

Very, very nice job! I'm nervous about the brass though. I think as soon as I find some metal I'm comfortable with, I'll make one myself using the plethora of sisal rope I bought, lol. Thanks for writing the instructions!

[NoLimitssjca]

That's really cool! Very nice job.

[birdlover912]

That is a great idea! I'll be making one of those for my fids. Thanks for the detailed instructions and pictures! :)