By Lynda Hagenson
Have you ever had one of those moments where a great idea hit at a really odd time? I had that happen recently when I cut a tree in our yard. After taking it down to about three-feet tall, it dawned on me that this would be a fabulous place for a birdbath. In a short period of time, I found myself with a delightful yard decoration. Want to add a decorative birdbath to your home? Heres how I made mine.
I purchased a plain birdbath top for about $12.00 from my local hardware store and began the short seven-step process.
Category - Landscape Artists::
Supplier of porcelain, tiles, marble and glass mosaic work . Design and make handmade ceramic tiles and can work to client specification; suitable for
http://www.outdoordesign.com.au/category.act?categoryid=00366HOME |
1. Using mortar, I attached the birdbath to the top of the tree stump. (Heres a tip: I found out later it would have been much easier to work with the birdbath separately by placing it on a table at the right height.)
2. I created a mosaic design by drawing the pattern on a sheet of paper first. Once I had a design to work with I then drew it onto the birdbath using a pencil. Dont worry if it doesnt look perfect. This outline is just a general guideline to be used for the tile layout.
PTO Ideas::
Wherever you decide to host the auction, make sure you check with the school .. should be flat and wide enough to paint or create a mosaic tile instead.
http://www.ptoideas.com/category/48/AuctionsHOME |
3. I then set just a few pieces of tile, measuring between them to ensure a uniform pattern. This is to be certain the pattern is correctly balanced and spaced on the surface.
4. I cut a few leaf shapes out of stained glass and chose several colors from the beautiful Giorbello tile collection offered by WholesalersUSA.com. I also chose a couple of accent gems in different shapes and colors.
5. I then adhered all tiles in place and let the adhesive dry overnight.
6. The following day, I applied the grout giving the birdbath a finished look.
7. I then added a coat of grout sealer, covering the birdbath twice including the bottom. It’s important to use a grout sealer since the piece will be outside and will be holding water.
This is a very easy project! It’s great for both beginners and advanced mosaic artists. The nice thing is that it can be completed in two days (including a day of drying time for the adhesive). And before you know it, you can have an eye-catching new focal point for your yard. (View additional pieces of my mosaic art here: www.MosaicMagic.etsy.com.)
Pre-Article:Cool Tools for Todays Security Cameras
Next-Article:Asbestos Exposure Results in Deadly Cancer
|
Make a Mosaic Tile Birdbath in 7 Easy Steps