net pics

[kellywess]

Cool toys! Where exactly in Virginia are you?

[bethn]

To make the net, i used untreated hemp/sisal that i got at a small mom and pop hardware store 3/8" thick.

1) Determine how long you want net to be, i cut rope @ 1 foot longer than desired end measurement.


2) Determine how wide you want net to be cut rope @ 1 foot longer.


3) I determined from commercial bird nets that each opening should be @ 7"

square for my medium sized cape. you can size up or down as necesary.


4) Sketch out your net and figure out how many vertical columns you will need to reach desired width.


5) From same sketch determine how many horizontal rows you will need to
reach desired length.

6) For each column cut 3 pieces the same length. ( 7 columns x 3 = 21 pieces, for example)


7) For each row cut 3 pieces the same length (6 rows x 3= 18 pieces)


8) Take each 3 piece group and braid tightly. ( I taped ends to counter so i could pull it tight.) wrap ends with tape so it doesn't unravel.(This also makes it easier to insert for the next step so wrap tightly) Separate horizonal & vertical braids.


9) When all braiding is done take a horizontal piece & tape it in several places to counter to secure.

10) Take vertical piece and thread it thru one of the strands of horizontal braid. Pick a spot 3-4 inches from end for first insertion. Remove tape and make a large knot to secure vertical column to horizontal header. Depending
on how big you want your net holes to be is where you insert your next column. Repeat inserting vertical columns and knotting them on until you have used all vertical pieces. (I cut a piece of cardboard the size i wanted the holes to be and used it as a quick measure for where to insert the columns so they would all be equally spaced)

11) Take Horizontal piece ( this should be the only kind you have left) use cardboard guide to determine where to insert it into end vertical braid, then using guide insert horizontal braid into each vertical column all the way across. Repeat with remaining horizontal pieces until all braids are used.


12) Remove tape from ends of braids and knot tightly. I trimmed any excess
to @ 3" and wove them back into braid, if there are any ends that are too short to tuck back in, I covered them with vet wrap so that he doesn't
pick them apart and them unravel them. ( this was a good idea for my guy,we find that he likes to play with rope)





Here it is finished, but befor I put the vet wrap on it.

If you have any questions, let me know.

I can't remember how much rope I used, I know I returned some because i overbought, so save your reciept. I know it was at least 2-3 cantaloupe melon sized balls of rope :o).

If your skin is sensitive, you might want to wear gloves the rope can be very rough on your hands.

[Ivy Mom]

Hi Kelly,

I live in Marion - between Roanoke & Bristol off I-81 ....where are you :)

Ivy Mom

[Tlc]

Hi, Im a first timer here and not quite sure if you will get this, but I was curious about Jazz. I was reading your blog and you mentioned your breeder being Maggie. I might be crazy, but I believe we have Jazz"s sister. She was born on 12-5-07 and we bought her from Maggie in Indiana. She said the night we picked up Marbles she had people getting another bird from her on Saturday from NJ. We finally got her on May 2nd. It was a crazy long wait. We are first time bird owners and we couldnt have found a more active,silly,crazy and gentle bird then this little cape we call Marbles. My niece and nephew hooked us up with Maggie, (they have MANY birds) and we couldnt be more pleased with her. She done such a wonderful job with Marbles its amazing. Im glad I read some of the replies to your questions, because they answered mine for me also. I have found one thing Marbles loves, for breakfast she loves organic cherry granola. I also find I waste alot of food, because she picks so much. She does love her nuts, like pine and pecans and of course, almonds. I just thought it would be interesting to know if they were from the same clutch, keep tabs on how they were doing.

[bethn]

TLC! I think this makes us family, (in-laws at least!) Jazz is a real joy! Maggie did a fabulous job with him as well. I know what you mean about the long wait for them to arrive, we had lost our african grey to cancer several months earlier, and every day without a bird seemed like forever. When we decided on a cape there were almost none available for adoption, and then we found Maggie and Jazz. He is very charming, and silly. He loves head scratches and sitting on our shoulders. It seems as if he is trying to talk, several times he has said what sounds like "up up" ,"hello" & "hi" of course with all the silly noises he makes they could just be random noises, but we think he will be reciting Shakespeare soon, he is so very bright......
I will have to get some cherry granola, do you get a specific brand? Where do you find it?
Jazz is eating fairly well, he has his romaine,carrots, broccoli, pignoli nuts & snap peas for breakfast, he doesn't eat it all,but he has a little of everything. Oh! we just discovered cedar nuts as well, they are about the same size as pignolis,but have a dark brown thin shell whick he happily cracks and flings on the floor. He enjoys Goldenfeast food for dinner, and will pick at pellets with dried vegetables in them if thats is all he is offered.
Does Marbles (I love her name) like to bathe? Jazz is a real water baby and cracks us up with his antics and noises in the water.
He is growing up now and is starting to lose the orange splotch on his head, but his orange "socks" have started to come in. No sign yet of his orange shoulder pads, I guess they will come when he molts.
I am so glad you found us, I look forward to hearing from you and sharing stories about the siblings. chat with you soon Beth

[Lefty]

Bethn: I saw one of these on line for $85.00. I liked it but thats a lot of money. I tried to copy your instructions but it didn't work. Any chance you could send them via e-mail. It is such a cool climbing thing and I know Harley would be crazy about it.
Mary Pat

[kellywess]

Originally Posted by Ivy Mom

Hi Kelly,

I live in Marion - between Roanoke & Bristol off I-81 ....where are you :)

Ivy Mom

We are in Virginia Beach.

[Tom Lawless]

Beth, thanks for the pictures. That Jazz is such a happy little guy. I'm glad he is still as outgoing and friendly as when I met him. I hear some parrots grow out of it. You make me want to make a net but I have no skills. It looks great. You did a good job.

[plunke]

Originally Posted by bethn

Yup, I made it and had the blisters to prove it! lol. it wasn't hard just time consuming. I tried to post this yesterday & it didn't take. Jazz is sleeping on a play stand next to me as I type making the cutest noises. I love this guy! Ahhh, he just woke up and found his all time favorite toy. It is from Cage Ware. It comes in 2 different shapes, Teddy Bear, and Duck. Each has cotton rope iwth hard plastic rings threaded thru it. Only $3.88 at Walmart, slightly more at petsmart. With his beak I thought he would like bigger
toys but he prefers smaller wood pieces so far.

Could you please send pix of the walmart toy he likes. what dept PETS?