How to Make a Birdbath

Crafting is something that I enjoy so much, that I rarely go anywhere without thinking about what project I can dive into next. I have been away for awhile working on a house I am building. Even with all the work that I had to do while I was there, my mind still wandered into the world of crafts. I was looking for a project that would be simple and easy. I also wanted to work outdoors in the beautiful weather. Making a birdbath fit the bill perfectly.

This is a project that is so simple, I would recommend it for all ages and for anyone looking to brighten up their yard a bit. A birdbath is a welcome addition to any yard, no matter the shape or size. The beauty of this homemade birdbath is that you can build it to any size that fits your needs.

Items Needed To Make A Birdbath :
1. Strong Glue
2. Two or Three Bowls
3. Three or Four Plates
4. Two or Three Cups or Vases
5. A Decorative Item To Top The Birdbath

Stacking The Birdbath
You will want to find a very soft grassy area or a soft carpet area to stack your birdbath. You should stack your birdbath without glue to make sure you will like the way it looks and be sure you have all you need to get the height and balance the way you want it. The homemade birdbath pictured in this article is about three feet tall. You can make your birdbath any height but do always remember how important balance is. The taller you make your birdbath, the harder it will be to get a good balance.

Start by using a large bowl and turning it upside down. If your bowl has a nice rim around the bottom, that is even better. You can use that rim to judge what piece you will add next. If you choose a piece that fits snug inside of the rim of that bowl, your homemade birdbath will have a strong balance. This is the most important step in building your birdhouse. The base needs to be wide and strong so that the birdbath will not tumble over.

Add a cup or vase on top of the upside down bowl and then consider using a plate for the next tier. You can use any size plate that you like. It gives the birdbath a very cute look if you use plates of different sizes. The next step would be to add a cup or vase on top of that plate. As you layer your items, the most important thing to address is balance. Be sure to keep each item centered and use good judgment with weight and height issues.

As you add cups, plates, bowls or vases to your homemade birdbath, step back occasionally to give it a look and be sure you are happy with it. When you reach the top, you will want to add your largest plate and then some sort of cute topper to the center of that plate. Remember that you want your topper to be small so that there is more room for water in the top plate. Using a plate that has a bit a depth to it is a very good idea.

Finishing The Birdbath :
Once you have stacked your birdbath and are happy with the outcome, it is time to get the glue out. You can use any glue that holds well but I found that my results were great using a glue I purchased here. The key to a good seal is to use very small drops and be sure to press firmly for a few minutes.

Glue your items together from bottom to top. Your base to the homemade birdbath is the most important of all your items so be sure to glue them properly and give them plenty of time to dry before adding more layers. Keep a spare rag and some water handy to wipe away any excess glue from your birdbath or your hands.

Once you get to your top layer, be sure to glue your birdbath topper firmly in the center of the top plate. It is important to keep everything centered properly to be sure that your homemade birdbath will stand with water in it. The homemade birdbath pictured in this article has a very big bowl for a base to give it a good balance. After you finish all of your glue work, let the birdbath dry for a full twenty four hours before setting it out in your yard.

All that is left to do now is to find the perfect spot for your birdbath. Be sure to set it in an open area that is unobstructed. Fill your birdbath with fresh water every morning and enjoy watching all the neighborhood birds stop by for a dip.

I hope you enjoyed this summer craft project. If you liked this craft project, you might want to click here for more of my craft project ideas.

Source :
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home