New Birdhouses!

They're unique and gorgeous! They could be inhabited by finches, nuthatches, wrens, or other small birds. They would make excellent gifts for any bird lover.

They are made from reclaimed cedar, and decorated with a reclaimed hinge and drawer pull (both purchased from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore). Each one is unique thanks to natural variations in the cedar pieces used (some have curvy edges on the roof), and also thanks to a unique nature scene decorating the front of each house. The nature scene (clipped from a magazine) is glued down and covered with several layers of a clear finish to protect it from the weather. It is recommended that an additional layer of clear finish be brushed or sprayed on each year to prolong the beauty of the birdhouse.

How can you purchase one of these beauties? Shop on Etsy, stop by the market to see us on Saturday mornings, or stop by the house! Special orders are welcome!

Why Would I Want to Encourage Bats to Live in MY Yard?

We've been surprised at the interest in and popularity of bat houses at the market this summer. We started out with a couple, sold out, and have since made more, in several sizes and designs. We've found that when it comes to bat houses, there are two reactions: "Bat houses! Cool, I've been wanting to put one of those up!" Or, "Bat houses? YUCK! Who wants bats around, anyway?"

I have to admit, I'm not terribly fond of bats. They're just kind of creepy. However, they are very beneficial creatures to have around. According to Bat Conservation International, they are important pest controllers, pollinators, seed dispersers. Believe it or not, a single brown bat can eat as many as 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in just one hour! Imagine how many of the little pests a whole colony of bats could take care of in an evening!

A lot of people are concerned about the risk of disease from exposure to bats, rabies in particular. However, since rabies can only be spread by direct contact with an infected animal (generally from bites), the risk is very minimal. Children should be taught never to handle any wild animal.

For more information on bats, bat conservation, and installing a bat house, visit Bat Conservation International. They also have guidelines for safe and humane bat exclusion. Help the bats! Put up a bat house on your property today! Our bat houses are built according to guidelines provided by Bat Conservation International.

To market, to market . . . with coffee!

New bat houses and a limited supply of two special flavors of coffee are on display at the market today! South American blend is a blend of coffee from Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala. Strawberry Creme Delight is a special flavor that smells heavenly and would taste great with strawberry pancakes or strawberry shortcake. Get yours before it's gone! Only $12 per pound of delicious freshly-roasted beans!

Visit us at the Market!

Today was the first day for SeedsNBeans at the Two Rivers Farmers Market!
Birdhouses, birdfeeders, squirrel feeders, bat houses, planters, chairs, and tables, oh my!

We hope to have our coffee available at the market in the next week or two. Stop by and see us on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, and on Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Bird Houses and Feeders on Display!

Lee dropped off some houses and feeders at a store called "For the Birds" in De Pere today. Many of the items in the slideshow above are now for sale at the store. It's a fun little shop full of supplies for wild birds, including one of a kind items you won't find at the popular chain stores. It is owned by a wonderful woman who is very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. If you're in the area, check it out! You won't be disappointed.

Our First Etsy Sale!

We are pleased to announce that we have made our first Etsy sale! One of our swing feeders sold this morning and will be on its way to Rhode Island tomorrow. Check out our listings for yourself! You could be our next customer! Spring is here, and the birds and squirrels are actively enjoying the feeders in our backyard. Wouldn't you love to attract more birds to your backyard?

Squirrel Peanut Feeder

"If you can't beat 'em . . . Feed 'em!"
Order this cedar squirrel feeder and enjoy the squirrels instead of fighting to keep them out of your bird feeders. Fill the glass jar with peanuts, and watch squirrels climb in to enjoy their snack. Made from 1 inch cedar, this feeder will provide you with years of entertainment. $35 retail.

New Bird Houses For Sale

We now have new birdhouses available. They are all pictured in the slideshow above this post. The one featured in this post could be used by bluebirds or nuthatches. It has a 1 1/2" hole, and has an easy-open feature for end of the summer cleaning. The feeders are made almost entirely of reclaimed wood, either from old barn board, or cedar scraps leftover from building fences and other items. All except the woodpecker feeder have a chain at the top for hanging in a tree. The woodpecker feeder should be mounted to a post or tree. Please see ordering instructions at the top of the page, along with information on some freshly roasted coffee that you can enjoy while watching your feathered friends. Contact us at SeedsNBeans@live.com with any questions.

Why SeedsNBeans?

So, why would someone choose such an odd combination of products? Coffee, bird feeders, bird seed? It all started one crazy afternoon after visiting a quirky little store that specializes in wild bird feeders and bird seed. The conversation went something like this:

"It's too bad we don't have a store like that near us."

"Why don't we start one?"

"Oh, no. It would have to have a cafe area where people could sit, and sip coffee and watch the birds . . . . . and we could call it SeedsNBeans!"

And SeedsNBeans was born. Of course, the physical shop is a long term goal, sort of a dream, if you will. The online store is just the beginning!

The Perfect Gift

The perfect gift for that Wisconsin Badgers fan! (Or fans of any other teams sporting red and white as their team colors!) They retail for $20 each. We can paint these in any color combination you desire! Progress on our online store is chugging along. Our swing feeders are now available in a lawn and garden center in Mishicot, and we have a graphics designer working on a logo for us. Any questions? Email us at SeedsNBeans@live.com.

Porch Swing Screen Feeder

Local sales of our birdfeeders is going well. We have them in a shop in DePere, a barbershop in Two Rivers, and have also sold a few just by word of mouth. It's tough to keep up with the demand! Pictured above is one of our feeders. It's a miniature porch swing modified to create a unique screen feeder. They would work well for sunflower seeds. The photo above is stained. We have also painted them green and gold (Go Pack!) and red and white (Go Badgers!). They can also be left a natural light wood color with a polyurethane sealant to protect the wood. They retail for $20.

Bird Seed and Coffee Beans

Coming soon:

Online store for bird seed, feeders, & supplies, along with delicious coffee beans in an assortment of flavors. Subscribe to this blog for updates. We have lined up a coffee supplier, and are currently in the process of getting the appropriate business licenses and taking care of the necessary legal details. We're also working on building some great feeders!