Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Make a Bird Bath

I have been trying to come up with some fun things to do with my 12 year old daughter during Spring Break and think I came up with a fun spring time craft that she would enjoy at least one of the days.

A clay pot birdbath is very simple to make and the birds just love them. Attract birds to your backyard and watch them take a sip of water or splash while taking a bath.

There are many different birdbaths that you can buy or else you can have fun and make your own with terra cotta pots. It is so much more fun when you make your own and you have the feeling of accomplishment when you are through. I guarantee that people will ogle your birdbath and want to know how to make one themselves.

Here is the one I think we will make. We may even do a mosaic on the bottom of the saucer (where the water goes)

Here Is What You Will Need:
16" and 14" clay pots
16" or 18" clay saucer
Paint of your choice
Clear acrylic spray sealer for outdoors or polyurethane
Liquid nails, silicone adhesive or heavy duty outdoor glue

The first thing you need to do is to simple wipe down your pots and saucer with a damp cloth and let dry completely. Paint your pots with the color you have chosen and then let dry. Patio Paints work great! If you are going to paint a design on them you may want to do that before you glue them together.

The decorating ideas for your birdbath are endless. You can paint the whole bath one color and then paint a design on it. You can leave the pots in their original color and put decals on it. Just use your imagination and you will come up with a one-of-a-kind work of art.

After you have your pots finished you need to glue them together. Use liquid nails to glue them. Be sure that you have the clay pot dish centered on the top. We will make the bird bath that is pictured above so we will add a smaller pot and dish on top. The birds can then use both baths.

When it is all dry you need to seal it. Use clear acrylic sealer spray for outdoors. Sealer is also available in a can and then you just brush it on. Be sure to give it several coats so that it is sealed good.

Also make sure that you store your birdbath inside during cold weather months.

Here are some other Clay Pot Bird Baths for Inspiration:
















I'll be sure to show you how our bird bath turns out! If you make one...please be sure to post it for all of us to see!

Enjoy Spring!

Darlene

24 comments:

Tootsie said...

great idea! thanks for sharing

Kris said...

Hi Darlene,

Can't wait to see how your birdbath looks when completed. I've done a few of these they are always so much fun.


Have fun!

Kris

Kristens Creations said...

Great ideas! I'll be anxious to see yours!

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Very cute idea. I should make one for our cottage up north! Maybe when I knock off a few of my other projects, I'll think about making one!

Blessings,

Sher

Darlene said...

Those are sooooo CUTE!! I think Lexi would enjoy making one of those. Hmmmm maybe a good project for this summer. Thanks for sharing....can't wait to see what you make.♥

Anonymous said...

What a neat idea! And to spend some time with your daughter makes it all the better~ Why is it that every time I come to your blog and see that pretty table I want to come have dinner at your house,hehe. I love that room...maybe because its so sunny..no its the rug! have a great one!

Sadie said...

Oooh, one of those would like nice in my garden! :::got the wheels turning now::::

Darlene ~ I have an award for you at my blog!

Tardevil said...

What a cool idea. I think even I might be able to do that! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

DairyQueen said...

those are so cute! I've always wanted to make a clay pot bird feeder, and you've certainly got some good inspiration there!

Darija said...

those are great inspiration photos. I'm sure you're going to have a great time with that project. I love it!

Courtney said...

These are great! I am totally borrowing this idea as our bird bath needs a total remodel :)

Michelle said...

Cute! I've never wanted a birdbath before...Now I do!

Gina said...

I love this idea-I've always wanted a birdbath, I may just have to try this. Thanks for sharing it!

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Amazing idea! Love it!

Plumbing & Heating said...

These are great and very creative; I now feel the need to make one! I’m sure to share a photo with you when I do too.

Country Chic In North Idaho said...

What a cute and fun idea.. I shared the link with my blog. http://candlcountrychic.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

These are gorgeous!

rseimone said...

Make sure you don't skip the sealer! I made one of these ten years ago with a pump that recirculated the water (more like a fountain) but I failed to seal it. The clay softened and disintegrated almost overnight!

Anonymous said...

What did you use to get the mosaic look. Is it jeweled or just painted. I love love love the idea. Will be a great project to do with my girls. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Hi! I'm trying to post a pic of the bird bath I made. I had so much fun doing it, and I made it as a memorial for my female German shepherd Anka who just passed away last week...It was a quiet, meditative activity I could do while I processed her unexpected death...I'm having a problem posting a pic of it though, or else I'd let you see it.

I do just have one question. The bird bath you have featured looks like it has a deeper larger tray than I was able to find...Did you use two? Mine just isn't that deep...

Anyway, thanks for the inspiration. Like I said, it came at a time that was really good for me to have to spend alone as I went through the first few days of her death trying to digest it.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! I am going to make the first one pictured this week with my boys for their grandpa. One question - do I need some sort of base or is the overturned pot sufficient? Thanks!

Marie said...

Don't use silicone, paint does not stick to it and you will have to sand it off. Liquid nails gave the best result out of three adhesives that we tried. Latex caulk is the next to try. Good luck and enjoy, these really are fun to paint.

Unknown said...

This is such a cute idea. I lack the artisic skill to make them so beautiful, but I could make a functional one. I ususally make mine out of simple stone: http://thefarmgardenblog.com/2015/11/10/natural-bird-baths-support-more-wildlife/ But I have been looking for an art piece for a cottage garden. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

These are very creative.

The Family

The Family