My first glass bird bath

13 years ago

I've been in lurk-mode for a few weeks here and I just have to share what an inspiration you all are! Such creativity, from subtle accents to wonderfully whimsical works, has kept me drifting through hosts of posts to where I had to just try my hand at making a piece for my own garden.

So, here it is, my first attempt at a thrift-glass bird bath! It measures 25" tall and consists of 10 pieces of various vases, plates, and such that I found around. I obtained most of the pieces from Goodwill; one piece from the dollar store; and the heavy base I had on hand(recent demise of my microwave). I did buy the 5-buck top from Wally world as I had a difficult time finding a vessel of the depth that I preferred. All in all, I am pleased with how my first piece of "garden junk" turned out and can't wait to set it out in the garden once it's cured.

I didn't know if you bird bath creators adhered your tops to the stems or not, so I opted for not, thinking it might be easier to clean out when needed if I could just lift it off. I did however, adhere a small votive candle holder to its bottom (a knob, so to speak) which nestles into the recess of the stem's top piece, for easy centering more than anything. Here's hoping it's heavy enough to stay put should someone's poorly kept cat or thirsty squirrel come by. Anyway, thank you for looking...and for the inspiration!

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Comments (17)

doodys
13 years ago
classy...always loved totems and so many ways to make one..Thumbs Up!
excessfroufrou
13 years ago
A very elegant first effort. And welcome to the forum. I think the all clear ones are some of the prettiest totems. The idea of having a lift off top is a good one if you can make it stable enough. I don't think paying $5.00 for just the right piece is too much. I try to average around $10.00 a totem and under. Thanks for the pic, I wouldn't be surprised to see you back soon with new creations, it's very addicting.
Frou
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Thank you for your generous words. I am sorry to take so long in getting back to the forum. Although this may look somewhat complicated, it is anything but. I simply bought the plastic bird bath approx $7.00. It is screwed together in two pieces. Simply remove the screws and you will have the top bowl and the bottom pedestal. I noticed that there is a hole in the bottom of the pedestal and there is a plug for it. I guess you could remove this if you wanted to put a pipe through and make it into a fountain. Anyway I just left the plug in so the cement would not leak out the bottom. I had some scrap iron, (a piece of re-bar) which I wrapped with some chicken wire. This was just for extra strength. I don't really think it needed it but I am no expert so I did it anyway. I then mixed the cement: I used 1 part portland cement to three parts sand since I wanted a nice smooth finish. I started to fill the pedestal about 1/4 of the way, then tapped it to make sure all the little air pockets were filled. I then proceeded to put the metal bar wrapped in chicken wire into the pedestal and added and another 1/4 of cement, tapping it down as before. I added another two 1/4 until it was full. The top was a lot easier. I simply filled the bowl with the cement mixture about 1/2" and placed some chicken wite on top of that. I then put in another 1/2' or so and tapped it down. I pushed the plate into the center of the bowl. While the cement was still wet I pushed the other pieces into place. I let both pieces dry for about 5 days, but it didn't need that long. To open the pedestal I just used a rotary tool and cut along the seams.It worked very well. The top I just turned over and flipped out. The top has a nice smooth flat bottom. The plastic mold had a piece of plastic that acted as a ring that sat over-top of the pedestal. I made a similar concrete rim using two round flat bottom dishes of different sizes. (Envision something that looks like a deep dish pie pan). I poured the cement into the larger one about half full. I then set the smaller one inside that and weighted it down with a heavy stone. I let this cure for a few days and then cemented it to the centre of the bottom of the top. (Does that make sense??) Anyway your bird-bath ends up in two pieces which makes it nice for moving around. For finishing I used a rotary tool with a sanding attachment to smooth edges that may be rough from the pieces of broken glass. Please be sure to do this as I found that as soon as someone looks at it they want to run their fingers across the pieces of glass (Go figure). Anyway, I hope these directions are fairly clear, if they aren't give me a shout on the email. Remember this is just one of my first projects so if anyone sees something that I've done wrong please let me know. I am a big girl. I can take it. :-( Tips: The moulds are definitely re-usable. You will be left with two halfs of the pedestal but that is not really a problem. Just pour the two halfs and cement together. I have made a few by now and I actually did it both ways. I bought another mould since it was so cheap and I also did it using the two halfs. Both worked well. Sand the pedestal and or bowl as soon as you get them out of the mould. It is really easy then. I used a sanding spounge. Worked excellent. Please look under "garden accoutrements" to see a final picture of it painted and set up in our garden. "My three first's in their final setting" I painted mine white to bring out the white in the plate. Thank you for your time. Good Luck!!!
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concretenprimroses
13 years ago
Welcome! Nice birdbath.
I don't have bird baths cuz of my cats, but I didn't glue the top on one totem so I can change the led light. I did like you and found a piece that it could sit over and kind of be held on that way.
Kathy
shadyswing
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you so much for your kind welcome and for the compliments on my first endeavor!

Having shared the photo with my son, he wondered if the slick surface of the glass might make it difficult for birds to perch on or use to bathe - Has anyone had experience with birds making use of their glass baths?
fuzzylambsears
13 years ago
Your birdbath is really pretty. Like shadyswing, I was wondering about the shiny base for the birds and then I thought to myself that you could put a layer of aquarium gravel in the bottom and that would solve the problem since it is nontoxic and you could change colours with your mood, garden colour scheme, or the season.
jeannespines
13 years ago
Very pretty! And I like the idea of the votive candleholder (knob) to keep the bowl in place! Personally, I've only made a couple birdbaths...1 for a gift...but my problem is they get so "cruddy lookin" from country living here! I'll make a separate thread with the pic...so I don't hi-jack your posting here.

Lookin' forward to see more from you, shady! Glad you posted a pic! Jeanne S.
fuzzylambsears
13 years ago
Sorry, I didn't read your name under the first post with the picture, so I didn't realize when I responded to the last post that you were the same person. I'm new here, so I guess I have a lot to learn.
Marlene Kindred
13 years ago
Welcome Shadyswing!! Glad to have you join our group and those of us who are totemholics are more than happy you're here! Love your birdbath! Love the idea of the knob too!
The birds around here don't seem to mind the glass sides of my birdbaths at all...in fact, sometimes they just slide right in and make a game out of sliding and hopping! Funny to watch. All of my tops are adhered to the base, so you might want to keep a watch and see how it works not being attached. You could always put some stones or large glass globs in to help weight the top down if needed.

Great job! Thanks for sharing with us!
nanatricia
13 years ago
Very pretty!!!
shadyswing
Original Author
13 years ago
You are all too kind -Thank you!

Gravel's a good idea, Fuzzy, or I was thinking of a pretty flat rock (for ease in cleaning).

Oh Marlene -I hope that's the case with my BB too, that the birds will see it as a water park! lol As for the loose top, it's a pretty heavy piece (thick Anchor Hocking serving tray), so it's more a matter of balance should a critter other than a bird hop onto its edge... time will tell (I have a back-up piece)
Purplemoon
13 years ago
Glad you joined us, Shady. (and all the other new folks that I might have missed saying 'hi' to.)

That is a wonderful birdbath. If the birds don't love it,
I'll take it off your hands. LOL.

Karen
luna_llena_feliz
13 years ago
Lovely texture and shape! I'm sure the birds will love it. And what a wonderful idea for making the top detachable but relatively stable! I bet it will be stunning in the garden where it can sparkle. I hope to see more of your creations soon!

Oops ... almost forgot ... welcome out of lurkdom! Glad you made it!
sunnyca_gw
13 years ago
Welcome & nice birdbath. It is about height of mine I think & I looked out 1 day to see a very large neighborhood cat sipping away. He was so cute I ran & got my camera don't know if I still have the pic or not but he looked my way after I got it & kept sipping. Mine is glass with stained glass inside of it with a metal rim. Grout is kind of gray rubbery stuff. It's a hummingbird getting nectar out of flowers I think, just cleaned it tonight would think I would remember. Anyway as I mentioned on another post gift for getting "Birds & Bloom" magazine several years ago. I would go with a large flat rock that takes up about 1/3 of top & drop in large copper fitting 1 1/2 in. x 3/4 in. to help keep slimyness down. I would have a hard time cleaning it with gravel in it. Too gross for me! I keep scrub brush outside near the birdbath! Jan
nanagrandma
13 years ago
Welcome Shady! Love your Birdbath it looks so elegant!
Can't wait to see your other creations because once you do one you get addicted, LOL

Sylvia
kudzukween
13 years ago
So beautiful :D You did a great job on it! I use a large piece of petrified wood in mine...just one slimy thing to take out and clean :D lol I used colored flat marbles but it eventually got too messy cleaning all that, pretty though if you don't keep water in it! I tried that, but it filled up when it rained no matter what :D My poor dog Uncle Jack knocked over the one in the front yard and it broke the bowl. I bought a new punch bowl a few months ago, but haven't gotten around to fixing it yet...you've inspired me :D
kudzu
laurastheme
13 years ago
Welcome, shadyswing. The BB is beautiful. Good job. The first patio side table I made was all clear glass and I'm thinking about making another one.
shadyswing
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for the continued warm welcomes and for the great suggestions, all! I've already picked up a pieces for my next BB!

Kudzu, love the name of your dog, Uncle Jack. I have an old Uncle Peanut over here (young granddaughter deemed him uncle-worthy). = : )

My first glass bird bath

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