Birdbath Tutorial

With the Holidays approaching and many of us on a budget I thought I would do a tutorial every week to show you how to make some very inexpensive ( and pretty :) ) Gifts. I am hoping to do one every Tuesday, as Life and Health permits :)

Twenty years ago, ( Good Grief !! I cant believe I am OLD enough to say "Twenty Years ago....") I had a little Country store and made cloth dolls, doo dads and Tole Painted gifts. This design was really popular and I sold a ton of them. I have updated it in today's shabby colors, and think it is just as sweet as always :)

A Sweet n' Shabby Birdbath....................I like to use them to fill with potpourri, but they could be used as decorative soap holders as well as candle holders.

Start by glueing a terra cotta bottom to the pot with Elmer's, Tacky glue or any general craft glue. You can use tall or short pots, but the "Bath" needs to be a bit larger than what would fit the bottom of a pot. So, if you buy a 6" pot, then buy an 8" bottom tray. Make sense ?
Next I mix up some paint. ( Acrylic ) I cant stand the hot, bright pinks they sell, so I always make my own by adding lots of white acrylic paint to the stores brand of pink. Brush on THREE coats, letting dry between each coat. I do not prime, or spray the pots first and you will see why next.After my pot is dry, I shabby it up with 220 grit sand paper. When it is to your liking , use a wet cloth and wipe it down really well. At this point I seal it. You can do this with a brush on Acrylic Clear Sealer, or a clear spray paint ( water based ) I opt for the spray personally. When I was taught years ago to Tole Paint, I was told Brush strokes are a no-no. The smoother the painting the better, so that is how I paint today. However, since this is supposed to be chippy and shabby, get as sloppy as you want. It is a "Cant go wrong " Project :) :) :)

So now you want to gather your Doo Dads for embellishing. Every Bird bath needs a Bird. :) I always have wee Bird in a nest on the rim of the bath. You can use dried moss and roll it into a ball, hot glue it on and then "Fluff" it up a bit. I used tiny paper shred on mine. So, Now you have your base to add the flowers. I added vintage lily of the valley, honeysuckle and vintage pink posies. To this I added new pink roses and pink forget me nots.

And Ta-Da !!! It is finished !! Easy Peasy, Right ?????I am going to put this one in my shop to sell, and wont be making any more. Feel free to use this design to make some to give or to sell in your shops. :)

I do ask that you be respectful, and do not copy my other Artwork, Faux pastries, Ect. that I show on my blog as those are under Copyright and I feed my Family with my artwork. :) :) Many hours and Thought go into each of my designs. My Clip Art is always free to use, but not to sell digitally, as well as any Tutorial I give. I am sorry I have to say all of this, but you cant believe how many people online think Artwork is fair game to Copy. But enough of that :) I hope anything you create Blesses You and is Fun !! Isn't that what it is all about ? :) :) :)

Well, I hope you liked this Tutorial and Please let me know if you make any so I can feature them on my blog. I would Love to see !!!

Hugs,

Rhea