Gardens are magical places, especially in spring. Plants shoot through the ground, flowers bloom, and birds add music and share in the abundance. Why not make your garden super-friendly to birds by giving them a lovely eco-home?

Artist Carol Garringer, of Eugene, Ore., is the creative force behind The Artisan’s Garden, specializing in original birdhouses made with reclaimed and vintage materials. Garringer grew up on a bird superhighway - a major migratory route in the Midwest - and now uses years of woodworking, mosaic and art skills to create homes for many species, using salvaged wood, vintage lighting fixtures and chandelier pieces, and even lids from old pots.

Garringer’s Web site offers tips on choosing the right style of birdhouse for your garden, with small or large lid, temple, rustic and privy-style choices; she also can design a custom birdhouse just for you. I love the weathered temple-style houses, at $55, designed for small birds like chickadees and wrens.

Garringer is also designing a line of bird feeders for sale later this year.