Make a mosaic birdbath
broken (or breakable) tiles small hammer gloves eye protection tile adhesive pliers tile pincers tile grout small grout float or wooden spatula sponge and cloth waterproof tile sealer clean, dry terracotta saucer If you have a few leftover coloured tiles lying around, why not put them to good use and create a decorative birdbath? JUDY HORTON describes how to make a small one, using a terracotta saucer
1 BREAK the tiles into smaller pieces with the hammer. Make sure you wear gloves to avoid cuts, and eye protection, as small shards can easily fly upwards.
2 APPLY tile adhesive to the saucer and arrange the tiles in your desired pattern. Use the pliers and pincers to shape and fit tiles, where necessary, and to remove sharp edges or points. Again, be sure to wear eye protection and gloves. 3 SMOOTH off excess adhesive from the edge of the bowl. Fill gaps between the tiles with grout, applying it with a small float or spatula. Wipe off the excess with a damp sponge. Follow up with a damp cloth to remove any grout haze (residue). Wait for the grout to dry, then apply a clear sealant over the tiled surface. Allow this to dry.
4 FIND a good spot to place your finished birdbath, preferably among plants with some overhead protection. If you want to raise it off the ground, use a strong adhesive to glue the saucer on top of a suitable base, such as an upturned pot or terracotta drainpipe. Then fill it with water and wait for the birds to arrive.