Toy making questions

[Sweet Louise]

July 1 is the target date to deliver the next batch of toys to the rescue and to stock up Louise and Grady.
I have procrastinated, instead of doing a little at a time, I have to get it all done in a few days.
Question 1: I need to dye and dry pounds of wood.... I typically use wood boards with paper towels over the top to keep the wood blocks for toys from being in contact with the wood boards. (to keep the dyed toys from seeping dye onto my counters- the boards are treated with a healthy dose of f-10.) Would using a layer of newspaper then the paper towels be sanitary? Other suggestions?
Question 2: I bought twine from an AA vendor to use with toys for the smaller birds. What are the advantages of twine vs leather?
Tomorrow will be spent sanitizing everything in the kitchen and making sure there is a barrier between Louise and the toy making area. When I just make a few toys only for her, we sit at a table and she "helps"- and the wood is already prepped.

Thank you for any advice/help.

 

[Mizzely]

Newspaper may ink will seep into wet wood and alter the color through the paper towel. As for sanitary, if you're using alcohol to dye, then it already is helping in that department.

Twine it depends... do you mean paper rope or more like sisal?

 

[Sweet Louise]

Newspaper may ink will seep into wet wood and alter the color through the paper towel. As for sanitary, if you're using alcohol to dye, then it already is helping in that department.

Twine it depends... do you mean paper rope or more like sisal?

More like sisal. I tried paper rope and seems everybirdie sniped that pretty quickly.
Thank you for the quick response.

 

[Mizzely]

I don't know if twine specifically has advantages over leather. Depending on the thicknesses, it may be easier to tie a knot, it's cheaper per foot, and it is usually fun to pick at by the birds.

 

[Sweet Louise]

I didn't think about it as a schredding activity, that is cool. Are the shredded fibers a hazard to the birds?

 

[Mizzely]

If it's natural like sisal, then usually it's considered safe, much more so than cotton for sure.

 

[WillowQ]

Also leather should be vegetable tanned, not commercial clothing type leather.

 

[Sweet Louise]

Thank you for the help! I am going to try some of the sisal and see how it goes. Some toys will be made with leather--and not commercial leather-
thank you

 

[WillowQ]

Didn’t mean to talk down to you. It’s just good to make sure that is understood. Our birds health is most important.

 

[Sweet Louise]

Didn’t mean to talk down to you. It’s just good to make sure that is understood. Our birds health is most important.

I took it as making sure birds were safe, I appreciated your reply!