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:)

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Tea Party For The Birds! (and a how-to)

Over the winter my tea pot bird bath sustained some damage. While assessing said damages, I remembered all the photos I took while making this adorable bird bath. 

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There have been many many requests for me to do a show and tell-how to make my tea pot bird baths.  I thought maybe it would be a little easier just to re-share the post, rather than sending a link to everyone.  It also will give my new followers the opportunity to see too!

The photo above is my tea pot bird bath made with a ceramic/terra cotta pot tray...I am not so happy with the terra cotta, as it is porous, and does not hold the water...it s all seeping into the ceramic vase I have it sitting on...(and I sealed it to the vase..gross)

Below is the very first one that I ever made...it is on a plastic tray. I had it until last spring when I knocked it over and broke it! Luckily I had another one in the garage ready to go! I have made 8 of these in this style...(roses) They have all gone to friends that were very excited to have one.

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I didn't make these out of my head from scratch! I found the idea in a magazine years ago....it was in an advertisement and was VERY pricey. I fell in love with the idea of them almost immediately.

I kept it in the back of my mind for several years....then one day I decided to make one from what I remembered it to look like….It doesn’t look anything like the one I remembered…but…it is mine…and …this...is another "Tootsie Original!”

So...? Is everyone ready to make one? GOOD!

Here's what you will need...

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One ceramic tea pot

Two tea cups to match or co-ordinate

One plastic plant pot saucer (to scale with your pot and cup)

One 4-5 inch piece of doweling (for the project I am about to demonstrate...a concrete anchor)

4 washers (if you use the threaded anchor)

 4 nuts (for anchor)

some wire (for added support)

One smaller bolt /two washers and a nut to fit. (to hold tea cup)

marine goop or silicone sealant (must be waterproof)

a masonry drill bit to match the size of your doweling or rod

drill

masking tape

colored plastic bits, or rocks

spoon

clear liquid resin and the active ingredient (to make the faux tea)

First you need to gather all materials

got them?

 good...

Lets get started!

1. drill hole in the bottom of the tea pot just below the spout. This hole needs to be large enough to fit the dowel.

TIP: putting a piece of masking tape on the ceramic will prevent the drill from slipping and chipping.

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2. Drill the same size hole in the rim of the large plastic saucer

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3. Attach the doweling ( or in this case threaded rod) to the tea pot (drilled hole) and add the washer and nut to the inside...and the outside.

Tighten and set aside.

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4. Drill a hole in the tea cup and saucer to fit the size of screw you will use to hold the tea cup and saucer onto the larger saucer.

Drill same size hole in the bottom of the plastic saucer.

Secure with washers and nuts to fit. Go in through the bottom, that way the nut won't make your base sit all wobbly.

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5. Using your wire and the remaining nuts...place the tea pot onto the plastic saucer.

Secure with nuts. One on the top of the plastic saucer and one under the rim ...and use the wire for added support to help hold the pot in place and not fall forward. We will hide it later.


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6. Using the marine goop...seal all nuts, screws and wire....also seal the opening to the tea pot spout to insure that it doesn't become a home to some bugs, or fill with stagnant water...

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7. Using the marine goop sealant....attach the lid to the tea pot (so it does not fall off ) and fill the spout of the pot with sealant as well.

(this prevents it from becoming a home for pests such as wasps etc. as well as making sure it doesn't fall off and break!)

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8. This step is optional: Following the directions on the resin solution you have purchased....fill cup 1/2 way with colored rocks or gravel....and fill with the epoxy resin (the stuff they sell in craft stores to make paperweights out of ) put spoon in before it hardens, allow to set...and you have a cup filled with tea. (may want to add coloring if you don't have the right color of rocks (also at craft stores))

Filling the tea cup will help weigh the whole thing down, and hold the bolt that holds the cup and saucer in place on the tray.

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Once you have filled your cup with "tea" set aside and allow to set.


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Have you noticed that it is a cabbage? lol....seriously cute for the garden isn't it?

9. After all is set and secured to your satisfaction place on base that you have chosen....large old vase, pedestal, table, tree stump...etc...and viola! your done!

You don't have to fill the cup with the resin....you could use it as a feeder, by adding a little bird seed... or you could fill it with water.

Waiting to see what I suggest for that second tea cup and saucer on the list?

You can drill hole same size as a screw that is about 1 1/2 inches long....in the cup and the saucer...secure cup and saucer to long piece of doweling or post with screw...fill with seed and you have a feeder to place in the flower bed where ever you want....or fill with water...and have a butterfly bath!

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So? How did we do?

Wanna see our finished product?
 
Okay...you convinced me...here it is!

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WAIT!!!!

It's missing something!

... hold on....I know what I forgot!....

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I couldn't let it go without the raffia ribbon I bought to hide my work!

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Okay! That wasn't so hard now was it? And it sure did not cost us a lot of money...the entire project cost me about $40....and that included the resin that we did not use all of!

We can make more if we want to! The one I saw in the magazine was at least 3 times that much!
So...not only did we save money...but making it ourselves makes it mean more!

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This one was shipped as part of a giveaway I did back in 2008. It went all the way to Texas!

So? Are you going to make one?

 What theme is your tea pot?

 There are so many wonderful shapes out there…the possibilities are endless!

That’s all for me today…should anyone have a question about the instructions...please feel free to ask...I will get an answer out to you as soon as I can!

Until Next Time…Happy Garden Decorating!

*)*)*)    Imperfection is beauty~ Marilyn Monroe



(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.



www.tootsietime.com

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24 comments:

La Petite Gallery said...

Well, this is a new project for me.
It's a little cold now to go outside. I have been getting all the bird houses and feeders down and cleaning them up. tomorrow I have to buy more bird seed. You have really inspired me , thank you for all this effort and sharing.

yvonne

Purnima@a creative project said...

Wow.. Genius!!!looks amazing!!! It is a piece of art!!

miruku said...

The 'tea' looks so real. Wow great job tootsie! And now only i know the trick how to drill on the ceramic. Thanks for sharing!

imsteelefullofscrap said...

Your teapot bird feeder is just adorable thank u for the tutorial!!!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

This is a great project. Everyone needs a birdbath, especially when it's as pretty as these.

Eileen

Darla said...

I have always admired this in your garden Tootsie. It is so adorable. Drop by and see what my girls made.

Ricki Treleaven said...

How adorable. I love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing your tutorial with us.

lillie mae acres said...

It never fails, I am always inspired by your flowers and decor. Thank you for the "how to", I just may try this.

Joani said...

That is so cute. Gives me some ideas for my teapots. Have a great week.

The JR said...

I'm luving the cute teapots and saucers you are using for the bird baths.

Cute project.

Betty said...

What a wonderful post. Thanks so much for sharing. I am going to put that on my to do list this year.

Alison said...

That is a totally cool project! You are so clever!

Anna said...

This is so cute! What a great project. :)

Karen said...

Tootsie, another beautiful project, I love this birdbath! I don't know how you get all this stuff done, you must be moving 24 hours a day.

Thank you for a great tutorial on how to create one of my own.

P.S. did the snow melt yet??

siteseer said...

Question first. Do you have a job outside you home? I don't know how you do so much and still cart the kids around and have such a healthy happy home. But this looks darling and I'm putting it on my list for someday :) Just like the tin man made out of tin cans and the bear made out of pie tins and the garden ornaments made out of crock planters. The list just keeps on going... oh yeah, I'd love to get my latest quilt done lol

Summer said...

Great blog! Your garden is beautiful!
Following from Mingle Monday.
When you get the chance, check out my blog:
http://thesturgislife.blogspot.com/.

Marjory Skousen said...

WOW..... You are one creative person. Love your tea cup craft, but I can't believe your inspirational green house. You go girl. Hope you come by and visit.

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Glenda...this is adorable! And sooo perfect for the garden. :) Thanks for the tutorial...I know those take quite a bit of time to put together. I bet your garden is waking up now! The trees have just all finally leafed out this week in my backyard. Yay, spring! :)

Marcy said...

That is such a cool idea! Definitely bookmarking it! I found you on the Tuesday Hop, and am now a follower!

Come visit me!

:)
Marcy @ Life's Gristle

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady. I was looking at my sidebar and you had a new post. Lady you are so good and Creative just Beautiful !!! I just post my new Tablescape hope you can come over and join me. xxoo
Diane

Trisha said...

What a lovely idea ... This is my first time visiting from Rook No.17, I must say u'r pretty handy with tools ... thats great!

Jenn Erickson said...

Glenda, what a whimsical, beautiful and functional craft. Your tutorial is fantastic! Simply wonderful through and through!

Thank you so much for linking up to "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Tuesday at Rook No. 17!

Best,
Jenn

Betty said...

It is that drilling part that has me totally freaked out Tootsie! I have never been good with power tools and I have tried to talk my hubby into it but that hasn't worked. So that leaves my sister Pam who has said, get me the bit and I will do it. Like my Mom she isn't afraid to try anything.

highheeledlife said...

WOW!!! Love it!!! .... as one who is passionate about tea, gardening/nature this is brilliant...