I went on a garden tour a couple weeks ago. This is an annual event for two of my friends and myself. It takes place in one of our suburban towns and is sponsored by the town's Arts Society. This particular town considers gardening to be an art (and I agree). The residents of this town who are involved in the arts are usually members of this Arts Society and volunteer their time, talents and gardens for this, their biggest fundraiser of the year. Therefore, all the gardens on the tour have a plein aire artist sitting at an easel and painting in the garden. Many of the gardens have live music in the garden supplied by members of the Arts Society. The atmosphere is fragrant with the sound of music, lovely snacks, beautiful paintings coming to life and exquisite gardens.
At one of the gardens on the tour, I noticed a lovely birdbath that the home's owner had made. I fell, immediately, head over heels, in love and determined that I would make one. I am so delighted with it and I think you will be too.
Here's a picture of the one I made for my hosta garden.
It is all re-purposed, reused,clear glass. The main structural component is one of those thick glass tall vases that come from the local florist when you receive a bouquet. I like to use a colored, bulbous vase on top of the tall vase. Then on top of that, a glass serving dish. For a sturdy base, I have used an upended glass salad dish.
The glue to use for this project is a glue for non-porous surfaces. I used Beacon 527 multi-use glue.
The method I used was to: 1 - glue the tall vase and the colored bulbous vase together. Wait one day for the glue to be solidly set. 2- Turn the large serving plate upside down and place the top of the colored bulbous vase right in the middle of the bottom of the serving plate - gluing it together. Again, leave for a day for the glue to dry and set up properly. 3- With the large serving plate still in an upside down position and firmly attached to the two vases, glue the inverted salad plate (the base)to the bottom of the tall vase. 4 - Again, leave for a day to set up. 5 - Now you have a beautiful birdbath for your garden. Fill with water and enjoy.
Most people have a stash of these florists vases left over from bouquets they've received. They just seem too valuable to throw away. Here is an awesome use for them. For the glass serving dishes, GoodWill, second hand stores, etc. are good sources. Perhaps you even have some of your own you'd like to recycle.
wow wow wow!! I am very impressed Rita!! What a great way to make a recylced bird bath. . . .so beautiful! From what you described I can image the Garden show was amazing. One of my dreams is to live in a place where I can have a fantastic garden. Yes, it IS an art form:)
ReplyDeleteWhere is this garden tour? Would love to know because I can probably go to it! I love those garden glass birdbaths. There is a girl in Williamson that makes them and I have seen them around for sale. I never thought to try and make one but now I will from your tutorial....thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love it! So beautiful! My daughter loves birds and I think so would love to try this:)
ReplyDeleteThat bird bath is lovely! Well done :)
ReplyDeleteJulie
What a great idea! You are so talented.
ReplyDeleteGardening definitely is an art form!
ReplyDeleteI like the photo of your hosta bed.
Great job -- Thanks for sharing that diy idea with us.
ReplyDeleteLove this idea!
ReplyDelete♥♥♥
Sue
Beautiful birdbath - thank you for the tutorial. I would like to try this sometime!! And you hosta garden is lovely!
ReplyDeleteHow clever Rita! Blessings Niki x
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