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    Home » Repurposed Items » DIY Birdbath (update)

    DIY Birdbath (update)

    Published by Gail | Published September 28, 2010 | Updated September 19, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    How to diy birdbath out of a candlestick and a pot lid. Easy project with spray paint and thrifted or items. Make your own birdbath, or use for succulents. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #candlestick #birdbath #succulents via @repurposedlife

    How to make your own DIY birdbath, with step by step directions for painting and more!

    World Famous DIY Birdbath

     MyRepurposedLife-DIY-candlestick-pot-lid-birdbath

     Pin it!
    Woman's Day Feature001

    This project inspired Woman's Day Magazine to make their own version of a birdbath.

    reloved-magazine-august-2015-my-repurposed-life-birdbath-2

    This birdbath was also featured in Reloved.

    blue green DIY candlestick birdbath

    Thrift Store Finds

    large candlestick
    diy birdbath candlestick

    After I found this candlestick at the Goodwill I thought it might make a nice side table. But then I rounded the corner to the pots and pans aisle, and found this pot lid. I turned it upside down, and voila! It was a perfect fit. While I was perusing one of the stores I found a greenish copper patina something or other. I said to myself “self, this is the color this birdbath wants to be” Now sometimes I have selective hearing, but usually when I’m talking to myself I listen!

    Spray Paint

    You may remember these bargains I got a few weeks ago. There were several greens from that day. I decided to go with the moss green and the aqua.

    First I sprayed a pretty good coat of the moss green.

    Closeup

    diy candlestick birdbath

    I then sprayed with the aqua. ( I went a little overboard with it)

    make your own birdbath

    Too aqua!

    candlestick birdbath

    So I splattered a little more moss green over it.

    Spray Painting Glass & More

    spray painting glass and more

      I took this photo so you can see the color difference. On the left is the aqua, on the right is the moss green. In the middle is the birdbath that is neither aqua or moss green. But a good mix of both. (see the vase below)

    using a pot lid for a birdbath

       The moss green lid.

    pot lid for a birdbath

    With a little aqua over the moss green

    diy birdbath

    Look how nicely the lid fits into the little candle “hole”

    candlestick birdbath

    It’s perfect! Or so I thought!

    candlestick pot lid birdbath

    I love feeding the birds and watching them, I have a couple of concrete birdbaths already, but I figure I can always use one more!

    diy candlestick pot lid birdbath

    Do you think it resembles a copper patina?

    I was wrong, it was NOT perfect. The birds did not like the depth of the lid. They were not using my DIY birdbath.

    Depth of Birdbath

    diy birdbath
    Time for plan B. I thrifted an enamel lid, tested it for a good fit.
    diy birdbath using reclaimed items

    Time for plan B. I thrifted an enamel lid, tested it for a good fit.

    pot lid becomes a birdbath

    It wasn’t as difficult to match the original candlestick as I thought.

    blue green candlestick birdbath

      The birds are now using my birdbath.

    My Repurposed Life repurposed candlestick pot lid DIY birdbath

    The new lid now makes this the perfect DIY birdbath! I did not attach either lid to the candlestick. The water is heavy enough to hold it in place. Although it may look like the base is not wide enough, this has been in place for months and has never tipped over.

    UPDATE: 2016 It's a planter!

    Birdbath Turned into a Succulent Planter

    succulent planter

    get the latest update on this diy birdbath at Succulent Planters

    how to spray paint glass vases

    Regular run of the mill clear vase before.

    spray paint glassware aqua

    After! Isn’t this pretty?

    aqua spray painted vase

    It is amazing to me that I never knew you could do this!

    spray paint glass vase aqua

    I have so much glass (leftover from my totem addiction)

    If you’ve never spray painted a vase, you must do it! You will love the new look! I no longer have this vase, my niece saw it and fell in love with it, so I gave it to her. Why? because I can always spray paint another, and so can you!

    Want to  see another pretty Pantene Color of the year project (window cabinet), or how about one of my all-time favorites? DIY Candlesticks? Check out how I painted a bunch of glassware white.

    See more repurposed glassware project ideas here

    gail

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Linda@MixedKreations

      March 12, 2015 at 9:28 am

      This is so neat! It turned out really pretty. I am always stopping to look at the lamps at good will, thinking what could I make with that. Birdbath never crossed my mind. (-; Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
    2. TraceyD

      October 09, 2013 at 4:40 pm

      Love the birdbath. So cute. I never would have thought to paint something for an animal to drink from, worrying the paint might be bad for them. Have you read anything on this one way or another?
      You've got a lot of neat crafts.
      Thanks

      Reply
    3. Jeannie Marie & Company

      August 03, 2013 at 3:12 pm

      I love your easy projects!

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.net

        August 03, 2013 at 11:38 pm

        Thank you Jeannie! 🙂
        did you find me in Woman's Day August 2013 issue?

        gail

    4. Debra

      July 15, 2013 at 8:50 am

      This is a great idea and just love it! Now I will be on the lookout for a large candle stick. 🙂

      Reply
    5. Becky Reep

      July 25, 2012 at 1:07 pm

      Love the bird bath...I will be on the prowl for the components with an "open eye" to make one for my birds. I have a concrete bird bath that only the pedestal survived when a branch zeroed in on it! I can't seem to find a replacement "bowl" part yet so I turned a pot upside down for a larger "circle" at the top of the pedestal, sat a large dinner plate on the top of that and then have a gorgeous plant that needs the space to cascasde, so using it for a plant stand now. BUT...I DO want a bird bath too so thank you for your wonderful repurpose idea!! becky.reep@flpd2.com

      Reply
    6. Laurel Stephens

      April 27, 2012 at 6:13 pm

      I loved this idea and featured it on my blog. Thanks for sharing your great tutorial!

      Reply
    7. SSH

      February 08, 2011 at 12:24 pm

      I want to be inside your brain for all of a few minutes so I can possible get ideas for some things I have laying around here. THE birdbath! I just dropped my jaw on that one. I did wonder the depth too. I know my birds like shallow water. I see yours do too. What an amazing eye you have for creating.. Brilliant!!!

      Reply
      • bonnie

        January 07, 2014 at 6:40 am

        Birds need a solid foundation when using a bird bath. They stand on " the shore " and not swim like ducks. If you had something large enough, stable , to place in the deep to create an island, the birds would land on that and you will be able to use a deep lid. Just an FYI...bird baths must be kept clean. Wash with a brush and running water. Vinegar is safe but be careful of surrounding flowers, when it is flushed out of bath....Birds need water all year long, even in Winter. Learn how to provide water through the Audobon Society. <:

      • Terri

        April 19, 2016 at 5:30 pm

        Some big rocks in the bottom would be fine for the birds to Guage the depth of the water and give them something to stand on. Beeslike the water, too!

    8. Terrell

      October 02, 2010 at 10:55 pm

      That is super fabulous, girly!! Way to go! I totally love the finish and love how you used leftover goods...sooo smart!
      Hugs,
      ~Terrell @ FrouFrou Decor~

      Reply
    9. Diann

      September 29, 2010 at 6:56 pm

      Love your birdbath Gail! What a great repurposing project!!

      Reply
    10. Homemade Quilts by Granny

      September 29, 2010 at 3:23 am

      Who would have ever thought of making something so pretty and useable out of a old lid....no body but Gail thats who.....I see all these cute ideas on bloggers and think why can't I do this....that's what's so good about bloggers I can be a copy cat.lol Trish

      Reply
    11. Laura @ Ms Smartie Pants

      September 29, 2010 at 3:17 am

      That birdbath turned out so cool. I love that idea, and the paint effect is great!

      Reply
    12. kathie

      September 29, 2010 at 2:11 am

      What a fun project! And let me tell you, birdbaths are expensive 🙂 Got one for my mom's garden one year... next time, I'll make her one! Thanks!

      Reply
    13. Baye

      September 29, 2010 at 1:41 am

      Loooovvvveeee it! I may have to steal someone's pot lid if I don't find one at the thrift store.

      Reply
    14. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      September 29, 2010 at 1:27 am

      wow! anything can be painted, huh? i never would look at it now and figure out what it once was. great transformation, gail!

      Reply
    15. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      September 29, 2010 at 1:27 am

      wow! anything can be painted, huh? i never would look at it now and figure out what it once was. great transformation, gail!

      Reply
    16. Jan @ bobbypins boardwalk

      September 28, 2010 at 8:45 pm

      The bird bath is so amazing! You sure know how to put together the pieces of a puzzle.

      Reply
    17. clustres

      September 28, 2010 at 8:04 pm

      That is so great! And who knew the birds didn't want one too deep...but just wanted a little "wading".

      Reply
    18. Paige (Final Clothes-Out)

      September 28, 2010 at 6:29 pm

      You are seriously so creative with all of this stuff. I have trouble "seeing" what else an item could be. Good thing I found your blog!

      Reply
    19. Suzanne

      September 28, 2010 at 6:24 pm

      That birdbath is incredible. I absolutely love it!

      Reply
    20. Shannon

      September 28, 2010 at 5:06 pm

      I'm so glad the birds are using it now. I found a candlestick but I haven't been able to find a lid yet.

      Reply
    21. Suesan

      September 28, 2010 at 4:26 pm

      I love the bird bath. It's a great look. If you want to make it feel more like a copper patina, you could rub some copper acrylic paint into the details of the base. That'd be pretty, too. I love that your birds are using it.

      http://froufrugal.blogspot.com

      Reply
    22. Proper Prim

      September 28, 2010 at 4:22 pm

      Wow that is so nice... I love the colour in the garden... I would love to try this but I am unable to find a tall enough candlestick. I have it on the want list now for sure.

      I have seen glass painted before but have always wondered if you could still use the vase for flowers.

      Great job on all projects Gail.

      Hugs, Deb

      Reply
    23. Renze

      September 28, 2010 at 4:16 pm

      Great idea with the bird bath! Now I just have to find an oversized candleholder!
      And, I never knew you could spray paint glass...so cool. I'm off to try it!

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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