little vintage birdhouses...

...that solve all of your string-management problems! Thank you, 1966.
These houses use lots of burlap in many colors. Burlap was a "thing," or at least craft stores attempted to make it be a "thing," a year or two ago. As a result, it's fairly easy to find colored burlap. 

The bases of the houses are empty detergent bottles. If one wanted to, one could call this an Earth Day craft, because it utilizes material that might otherwise get thrown away (assuming your local recycling center doesn't accept this type of plastic). But whatever, I think they're adorable.

Need patterns for the house details? I've got you covered. 

Of course if you aren't constantly reaching for string and have no need for a dedicated holder, these could just be decorative. Or add a larger door, and it becomes a dollhouse for a Littlest Pet Shop or Shopkins or Calico Critters or whatever small creature your child is currently in love with. 
​xo!