|
Mosaic Birdhouses©
Create unique birdhouses that can be used as garden décor
for your home and patios!
 SUPPLIES
v Birdhouses any size
v Broken dishes, pottery, tile pieces, large & small marbles, mirror pieces, charms and small polished rocks
v Liquid nails in squeeze tube.
v Colored sanded grout
v Disposable gloves for gluing and grouting.
v Disposable containers & scoop
v Roll of paper towels
v Spray bottle & water bottle
v Outdoor craft paints & craft paint brushes
v Grout sealer
v Disposal paint brush & white cotton rags
v Tile nippers
v Safety Glasses
v Bucket used for catching shards
v Large house paint brush for cleaning & plastic grocery bags
v Oops glue cleaner
v Emery boards
v Putty knife
v Glass cleaner
|
 |
 STEP 1
Once you have gathered all your supplies begin by deciding on the look that you want for your birdhouse based on the supplies that you have available. Glue in a large marble in the opening for your center piece or any item that you prefer, this will make the birdhouse non-functional for birds, but is used more for decoration. The small birdhouses are usually too small for birds but just the right size for wasps and spiders. The marbles give it a whimsical look and if you will add a couple of smaller marbles inside so it rattles when you pick it up this will give your birdhouse an element of fun as well. Before you get started, paint any exposed wood as it will probably take two coats of paint. The paint color will help you to coordinate your mosaic pieces for your one of kind mosaic design.
STEP 2
If needed, nip pieces of plates, pottery or tile as you go to get the size that you want. Be sure and use safety glasses while using tile nippers. Do not use tile nippers like scissors or you will not make much progress. Remember they are nippers so just nip the very end of the piece that you are trying to cut. Use a bucket to cut over as to catch the shards for safety. Keep your cutting area clean and clear of cutting shards by using a large paint brush. Do not use your hands to sweep up the shards as this can embed in your skin and is very painful. Use caution and safety. Carefully dispose of shards by pouring cutting scraps from bucket into a plastic grocery bag and tie up.
STEP 3
Glue as you go placing your mosaic pieces closely next to each other. You can do this in stages or all at once it will just depend on you and the time that you have. You want the space for your grout lines about a 1/8th inch apart as the grout is what really holds your mosaic together not the glue. The glue is mainly to obtain the design that you want. Be sure to use gloves when gluing and change them often to prevent excess build up which will make it difficult to work. All of your glue needs to dry before you begin the next step.
STEP 4
Gather your supplies for grouting such as sanded grout, disposable containers, scoop, disposable gloves, water bottle, and spray bottle and paper towels. Scoop about a cup of grout in your container and add a small amount of water then mix well with your hands it should be the consistency of uncooked cornbread. If the mixture is to dry add more water and if it is to watery add more grout. Just plop a handful on to your project and rub into spaces while spreading the grout with your hands. Then wipe off with paper towels, this step you may need to repeat two to three times for a smooth finish. If needed use water spray bottle to mist your project to make cleaning easier. For the next 24 hours mist your project off and on to prevent the grout from cracking.
STEP 5
After 24 hours you can lightly sand off any rough edges with an emery board and clean any excess glue with the glue cleaner and a putty knife. Apply grout sealer by using a disposable paint brush over entire mosaic project then wipe off pieces with a cotton cloth repeat this step twice. Once more go over mosaic pieces with glue cleaner and wipe with cotton cloth as this will remove any sticky film that was left on from the sealer. Clean your mosaic with a glass cleaner for a clean shine. Lastly paint any touch ups that are needed.
Garden and bird lovers of all ages will be delighted with these mosaic birdhouses!
 TEACHER TIPS:
These birdhouses or not meant for the outdoors as the wood will swell and pop your mosaic pieces and the grout is not weatherproof. Covered porches, patios or indoors are the best places to display your birdhouses. This would be a fun way to do fundraisers or give to nursing homes for a community project. They also can be used as door prizes, speaker gifts or thank you gifts to volunteers. You can usually find the small birdhouses at dollar stores. Your cost could very from one to three dollars depending on the supplies that you already have on hand and the size of the birdhouses that you use.
CLEAN UP:
This project gets a 3 on a five point messy scale.
Developed By:
Sharon Abbott
Texas Master Gardener
Meet Sharon Abbott |
