Aquarium Stone/Recycled DVD Mosaic Bird Bath

This project came about, because I had an old porcelain bird bath that had broken into 11 pieces that I wanted to fix & spice up.

 

Since you'd most likely be doing your mosaic design on a new, inexpensive bird bath, you don't really have to worry about all the specific details of my gluing together of this one.  Essentially, I just held certain connecting pieces together with rubber bands and set them with Gorilla Glue until all of the pieces could be glued to each other.

In order to do the mosaic portion of this project you will need:

• A Bird Bath
• Aquarium Stones
• Old DVDs
• Mod Podge Craft Glue
• Craft Glue 
• A Sponge Brush

After cleaning it up & sanding it as best as I could by hand, I began painting my craft glue onto the basin of the bird bath & placing randomly colored aquarium stones.

I continued this process until the basin, sides, and edges of the bird bath were covered in aquarium stones.

Once my basin was set & dried, I flipped it over to begin the DVD mosaic portion of the project.

For this part of the project we'll be using the backs of old DVDs to create a prismatic mosaic on the outside of our bird bath.

In order to use the reflective material of the back of a DVD, we will need to separate the layers of the disc.  Before this project, I didn't even realize that DVDs had 2 layers to them!  Anywho, in order to separate the layers, attempt to cut the DVD with a pair of scissors.  This should put a nick in the disc that'll allow you to peel the layers apart.

(Image from Public Lab on their website {http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8277324370_3743af6d7e.jpg}.)



Once you've peeled the layers of your disc apart, you can discard the label side of the disc, keeping the purple, reflect side.  Next, begin cutting the reflective layer in random shapes and craft gluing them to the outside of the bird bath.

I continued this process until the entire outside of the bird bath was covered in the disc shapes.






















 After a final top coat of craft glue on the inside & outside of your bird bath, you are ready to go.  Keep in mind, however, that the way we've made this bird bath has not prepared it to actually stay outside & survive the elements.  In order to make your bird bath outdoor-ready you'll need grout & a sealant.

  Voila!  You Have an Aquarium Stone/Recycled DVD Mosaic Bird Bath!

Thank You & Enjoy!

Decorative Confetti Bowl

Today's DIY/Crafty project is going to be a Decorative Confetti Bowl.  This bowl makes for a great centerpiece for a coffee table, a treat bowl for Halloween, a decorative statement piece for your dining room table, or just a fun bowl to keep items in.

Items You Will Need for this Project:

• A Large Latex Balloon
• Confetti
• Mod Podge Craft Glue
• A Sponge Brush
• A Safety Pin (or similar sharp object)
• A Vase

(Image by Bologna Art Hotels on their website{http://www.bolognarthotels.it/promozioni/QLe5-2012_02_it_tipschiara_coriandoli_faidate.jpg}.)


Latex Balloons can be found just about anywhere.  You can get a decent-sized bag from the dollar store for just $1.

Confetti should be pretty easy to find as well.  Most dollar stores or major retailers and craft stores with party sections should sell it, and for a relatively inexpensive price.  I bought mine from Dollar $tuff for just $1 per bag.Mod Podge comes in a variety of sizes, but for a project this size, the bottle you need is only about $4.  You can find this at Walmart or any craft retailer.

Sponge Brushes are easy to find at just about any retailer.  I purchased mine in a package of about 10 at Dollar Tree for $1.

Vases are another inexpensive item that can be found just about anywhere.  We're only going to be using ours to balance our balloon/bowl while they're drying, so you don't need anything fancy.  Dollar Tree carries basic glass vases for $1 apiece.

I first blew up my balloon & tied it.

 Next, I used my sponge brush & began painting my craft glue onto the top half of the balloon.

Then, I began sprinkling my confetti onto the glued surface, until the glue was no longer visible.

Next, I painted another layer of craft glue on top of the confetti.  Once the confetti is covered with the craft clue, set the bottom half of the balloon on the opening of your vase to allow it to dry.

Once your Mod Podge is dried, you can either continue to the next step towards finishing your bowl or, if you'd like to make your bowl thicker, you can repeat the last two steps of painting on craft glue, adhering confetti, then painting on a top layer of glue. 

When you're satisfied with the thickness of your bowl, pop your balloon with the safety pin or sharp object of your choosing, and remove the balloon.

Depending on how evenly across the balloon you painted your craft glue & adhered your confetti to the balloon, you may or may not need to cut your dried bowl to have a more even edge.

Voila! You've Made a Decorative Confetti Bowl!
Thank You & Enjoy!