Garden accessories and decorations can dramatically enhance the beauty of your lawn or garden. Here are instructions for turning a plain wooden bird-house into a garden focal point by decorating it with bits of mosaic
To complete this project, you will need an unfinished wooden birdhouse, available from craft stores or garden centers.
You will also need the following materials: a hammer, a sponge, grout, tile adhesive, a collection of colored tiles or chipped dishes.
With a pencil, sketch your choice of designs onto the birdhouse. For example, you may want to outline the opening with concentric circles, or draw daisy-shapes on the roof sections.
Put several pieces of tile or dishware into a large paper bag and gently hit it with a hammer to break the items up into small pieces. (Tile nippers can also be used to break off small pieces)
Decide which mosaic pieces will fill in the different sections of the design - for example, you may want to use light-colored pieces for the background, with more colorful bits to fill in the sketched shapes or make an edging.
Use pre-mixed tile adhesive (available at hardware stores) or mix a small amount according to package instructions. With the plastic knife, spread the adhesive thinly over a small section of the birdhouse at a time.
Press the ceramic pieces firmly into the adhesive, making a mosaic pattern. You could also use marbles, seashells, or other objects in your design.
After covering the entire birdhouse, let the adhesive dry for the manufacturer's recommended time.
Mix the tile grout according to the package directions. Wearing rubber gloves, press the grout between the mosaic pieces, working it well into the joints. It's okay for there to be grout on the tile pieces at this time.
Let the birdhouse sit for about 20 minutes. With a well wrung-out sponge, wipe the all the ceramic pieces clean of the excess grout. You may have to rinse and wring out the sponge several times.
If a dull haze remains on the ceramic pieces, buff it away with a terry towel after the grout is firmly set. You now have a decorative, weather-proof birdhouse as a colorful garden accessory!
