Looking for a beautiful way to attract birds to your garden? You can turn a plain terracotta bowl into a stunning mosaic bird bath using glass pebbles for a floral design.
When you want to change the look of your garden, look at its bones – the things that are holding it together and can be difficult to remove and replace, such as trees, fences, hedges and buildings.
After that, it’s just cosmetic: giving your garden a fresh face with a welcoming path, new garden beds for both edibles and ornamentals, and crafty little things such as a delightful mosaic bird bath and a magical fairy place at the bottom of the garden.
When you’re finished, it will look so much younger and fresher – it’s the little things that work the best!
Gather your supplies
- Terracotta bowl
- Mosaic glue
- Mosaic glass pebbles
- Superfine white grout
- Mosaic grout additive, waterproofer/sealer
You’ll also need:
- Paint stirrer
- Grout squeegee
- Sponges
- Bucket
- Lint-free cloth
Here’s how
Step 1
Create your design, here flower clusters with a centre and 5 petals in 2 colour combinations, plus infill pebbles in 1 colour and another colour on the rim.
Step 2
Starting from the centre of the bowl, apply a dab of mosaic glue to the back of each pebble and create the design. Work in sections to the bowl edges, then add pebbles to rim. Allow glue to set overnight.
Step 3
Use a paint stirrer to mix grout and grout additive until the consistency of toothpaste. Spread grout mix along squeegee.
Step 4
Spread grout mix over design, working it into all gaps between pebbles with squeegee. Scrape off excess.
Step 5
Leave grout to dry for 20 minutes, then use a sponge and clean water to wash off excess.
Step 6
Keep rinsing and wringing the sponge and washing off grout until only a haze remains.
Step 7
Wait for another 20 minutes, then use a lint-free cloth to buff the grout haze off the mosaic design. Leave bowl for 24 hours before filling with water.
For you to note:
Birdbaths need to be high so the birds feel safe. For this bowl, you can insert a narrow pebble-filled Corten steel raised garden bed into a larger one full of flowering plants and top with the mosaic bath. Happy plants, joyous birds!
What glue to use for a mosaic bird bath?
The combination of mosaic glue, superfine white grout and mosaic grout additive or waterproof sealer used here results on a beautiful bird bath. You should be able to get all the supplies from your local Bunnings, garden centre or hardware store. You can also ask them for guidance on the right combination for a bird bath.
As a basic guide, look for a mosaic glue that’s waterproof and non-toxic, such as Weldbond. Silicone and Thinset are also suitable for bird baths, according to Mosaic Tiles Australia.
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