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This article was recently featured in the Oct/Nov 2009
issue of Birds & Blooms.
It's easy to make your own mosaic
birdbath using a terracotta saucer
and mosaic tiles of your choice.
I'll show you how!
Don't want to make one? I sell
them in my Etsy shop.
A printer friend PDF version
of this article can be
downloaded here.
issue of Birds & Blooms.
It's easy to make your own mosaic
birdbath using a terracotta saucer
and mosaic tiles of your choice.
I'll show you how!
Don't want to make one? I sell
them in my Etsy shop.
A printer friend PDF version
of this article can be
downloaded here.
| Last Updated on March 6, 2010 |
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| Mosaic Birdbath |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
What you will need:
~ 12” terracotta saucer
~ white pva glue or terracotta sealer
~ 102 white 3/8” glass tiles (approximately)
~ 85 green 3/8” glass tiles (approximately)
~ water resistant tile adhesive
~ sanded grout, gray color
~ liquid fortifier for grout (optional)
~ outdoor penetrating grout sealer
~ foam paint brush
~ paper towels
~ 12” terracotta saucer
~ white pva glue or terracotta sealer
~ 102 white 3/8” glass tiles (approximately)
~ 85 green 3/8” glass tiles (approximately)
~ water resistant tile adhesive
~ sanded grout, gray color
~ liquid fortifier for grout (optional)
~ outdoor penetrating grout sealer
~ foam paint brush
~ paper towels
~ plastic knife
~ utensil for mixing grout
~ rubber gloves
~ several soft cloths
~ sponge
~ bucket with clean water
~ safety glasses
~ dust mask
~ cover for your work surface
~ outdoor acrylic paint (optional)
Instructions:
1. Rinse terra cotta saucer with water to remove any dust and debris. Allow the
saucer to dry overnight before sealing.
2. Seal all surfaces of the saucer with a terracotta sealer or a 50/50 solution
of white glue and water. Allow to dry at least two hours before gluing on mosaic
pieces.
1. Rinse terra cotta saucer with water to remove any dust and debris. Allow the
saucer to dry overnight before sealing.
2. Seal all surfaces of the saucer with a terracotta sealer or a 50/50 solution
of white glue and water. Allow to dry at least two hours before gluing on mosaic
pieces.
4. The next ring consists of 21 white tiles set on the diagonal as well as 21 white tiles that have been cut in half, on the diagonal,
until the tile breaks.
5. The next inside rings contain 20 green tiles and 13 green tiles. The middle will be white tiles cut to fit in the space allowed.
The outside rim of the saucer will consist of approximately 48 white tiles and 52 green tiles.
6. Once all the tiles are in position, allow the adhesive to dry for at least 24 hours or according to the manufacturer’s
instructions for the brand of adhesive you purchased, before grouting.
7. Cover your work surface with a sheet of plastic or newspapers to protect your work surface from the grout.
8. Put on a dust mask before you begin mixing the grout. You do not want to breathe in the dust from dry grout as it can be
harmful to your lungs. Mix the sanded grout with water and/or a liquid fortifier according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Start with half the liquid recommended on the package and add more liquid slowly until it’s the right consistency. Sanded grout
must be used for outdoor applications and the liquid fortifier helps to strengthen the grout as well as helping to repel algae and
stains. You can remove the dust mask once the grout has been mixed and is no longer dry and powdery. Your grout should be
the consistency of peanut butter when completely mixed. Too wet and the grout will be weaker and harder to clean-up. Allow
the grout to sit for 5-10 minutes before applying it to the saucer. If you purchase pre-mixed grout, make sure it is sanded grout
and for outdoor use.
until the tile breaks.
5. The next inside rings contain 20 green tiles and 13 green tiles. The middle will be white tiles cut to fit in the space allowed.
The outside rim of the saucer will consist of approximately 48 white tiles and 52 green tiles.
6. Once all the tiles are in position, allow the adhesive to dry for at least 24 hours or according to the manufacturer’s
instructions for the brand of adhesive you purchased, before grouting.
7. Cover your work surface with a sheet of plastic or newspapers to protect your work surface from the grout.
8. Put on a dust mask before you begin mixing the grout. You do not want to breathe in the dust from dry grout as it can be
harmful to your lungs. Mix the sanded grout with water and/or a liquid fortifier according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Start with half the liquid recommended on the package and add more liquid slowly until it’s the right consistency. Sanded grout
must be used for outdoor applications and the liquid fortifier helps to strengthen the grout as well as helping to repel algae and
stains. You can remove the dust mask once the grout has been mixed and is no longer dry and powdery. Your grout should be
the consistency of peanut butter when completely mixed. Too wet and the grout will be weaker and harder to clean-up. Allow
the grout to sit for 5-10 minutes before applying it to the saucer. If you purchase pre-mixed grout, make sure it is sanded grout
and for outdoor use.
9. Put on rubber gloves and apply the grout by hand, or you can use a plastic putty knife. Press the grout between all the pieces
and smooth with your fingers. When applying the grout to the rim of the saucer, make sure the edge of each tile is completely
covered and that the edge is smooth to the touch. Allow the grout to sit for 20-60 minutes, or until it begins to dry, and then
wipe off any excess grout with a dry cloth.
10. Allow the grout to sit for an additional 30-60 minutes, then fill a bucket with warm water. Wet your sponge, wring it out
and then wipe off any haze with the sponge. Clean your sponge often. The drier and cleaner the sponge, the easier the
clean-up. You may have to wipe your piece several times over the course of an hour or two before you are totally finished.
If you constantly have a film forming on your piece, then either your sponge was too wet, too dirty or you need to let the
grout dry a little longer before wiping it down with the damp sponge. After several hours, buff the tiles with a clean soft cloth
to remove the last if the film.
11. Allow the grout to dry at least 24 hours before sealing with an outdoor penetrating sealer. Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for more information on how to apply the sealer. In general, you will need to apply the sealer to the grout with
a foam paint brush. Allow the sealer to dry for 5-10 minutes, and then wipe the excess off with a paper towel. Allow the
project to dry for two hours, and then apply another coat of sealer in the same manner.
12. At this point, you can leave the outside unpainted, or you can paint it with an outdoor acrylic paint.
and smooth with your fingers. When applying the grout to the rim of the saucer, make sure the edge of each tile is completely
covered and that the edge is smooth to the touch. Allow the grout to sit for 20-60 minutes, or until it begins to dry, and then
wipe off any excess grout with a dry cloth.
10. Allow the grout to sit for an additional 30-60 minutes, then fill a bucket with warm water. Wet your sponge, wring it out
and then wipe off any haze with the sponge. Clean your sponge often. The drier and cleaner the sponge, the easier the
clean-up. You may have to wipe your piece several times over the course of an hour or two before you are totally finished.
If you constantly have a film forming on your piece, then either your sponge was too wet, too dirty or you need to let the
grout dry a little longer before wiping it down with the damp sponge. After several hours, buff the tiles with a clean soft cloth
to remove the last if the film.
11. Allow the grout to dry at least 24 hours before sealing with an outdoor penetrating sealer. Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for more information on how to apply the sealer. In general, you will need to apply the sealer to the grout with
a foam paint brush. Allow the sealer to dry for 5-10 minutes, and then wipe the excess off with a paper towel. Allow the
project to dry for two hours, and then apply another coat of sealer in the same manner.
12. At this point, you can leave the outside unpainted, or you can paint it with an outdoor acrylic paint.
Maintenance:
Your new mosaic birdbath will need to be cleaned weekly by scrubbing it with a brush or sponge and clean water. If you
have any algae stains that can not be removed with a good scrubbing, pour in a capful of bleach and then fill the birdbath
with clean water. Cover the birdbath or bring it inside so the birds don’t get into the bleach water. Allow the bleach
solution to remain in the birdbath for one hour or until the stains disappear. Rinse well, dry, and then refill with clean water.
Since this birdbath is made using a terracotta saucer, it will need to be brought inside for the winter or it will chip and crack
with the freezing temperatures. Grout sealer should be applied once every year or two to extend the life and beauty of your
birdbath.
Your new mosaic birdbath will need to be cleaned weekly by scrubbing it with a brush or sponge and clean water. If you
have any algae stains that can not be removed with a good scrubbing, pour in a capful of bleach and then fill the birdbath
with clean water. Cover the birdbath or bring it inside so the birds don’t get into the bleach water. Allow the bleach
solution to remain in the birdbath for one hour or until the stains disappear. Rinse well, dry, and then refill with clean water.
Since this birdbath is made using a terracotta saucer, it will need to be brought inside for the winter or it will chip and crack
with the freezing temperatures. Grout sealer should be applied once every year or two to extend the life and beauty of your
birdbath.
3. Using the plastic knife, apply the adhesive, in a thin layer, to the back of each tile piece. Press the tile, adhesive side down,
to the saucer. I find it easiest to start gluing from the outside of the pattern and work my way in. Allow no more than ¼”
(25 millimeters) between the pieces and try to keep the distance the same between all the pieces. This will add strength to
your project and be more pleasing to the eye. The outside ring of the base of the saucer will require approximately 43 blue
tiles. Inside that ring will be another ring of 38 blue tiles. These totals are approximate and are determined by the size of the
saucer and how much space you have between each tile. It’s always a good idea to have extra on hand just in case.
to the saucer. I find it easiest to start gluing from the outside of the pattern and work my way in. Allow no more than ¼”
(25 millimeters) between the pieces and try to keep the distance the same between all the pieces. This will add strength to
your project and be more pleasing to the eye. The outside ring of the base of the saucer will require approximately 43 blue
tiles. Inside that ring will be another ring of 38 blue tiles. These totals are approximate and are determined by the size of the
saucer and how much space you have between each tile. It’s always a good idea to have extra on hand just in case.