DIY Birdbath (update)
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How to make your own DIY birdbath, with step by step directions for painting and more!
World Famous DIY Birdbath
This project inspired Woman’s Day Magazine to make their own version of a birdbath.
This birdbath was also featured in Reloved.
Thrift Store Finds
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
I then sprayed with the aqua. ( I went a little overboard with it)
Too aqua!
So I splattered a little more moss green over it.
Spray Painting Glass & 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)
The moss green lid.
With a little aqua over the moss green
Look how nicely the lid fits into the little candle “hole”
It’s perfect! Or so I thought!
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!
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
Time for plan B. I thrifted an enamel lid, tested it for a good fit.
It wasn’t as difficult to match the original candlestick as I thought.
The birds are now using my 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
get the latest update on this diy birdbath at Succulent Planters
Regular run of the mill clear vase before.
After! Isn’t this pretty?
It is amazing to me that I never knew you could do this!
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
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!
Loooovvvveeee it! I may have to steal someone’s pot lid if I don’t find one at the thrift store.
wow! anything can be painted, huh? i never would look at it now and figure out what it once was. great transformation, gail!
wow! anything can be painted, huh? i never would look at it now and figure out what it once was. great transformation, gail!
The bird bath is so amazing! You sure know how to put together the pieces of a puzzle.
That is so great! And who knew the birds didn’t want one too deep…but just wanted a little “wading”.
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!
That birdbath is incredible. I absolutely love it!
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.
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
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
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!