I came across this project for a birdbath in a gardening magazine and loved it.\u00a0 Most pagans I know consider their gardens as a kind of sacred space, and more ofter than not wildlife interaction is something that is almost spiritual in and of itself.\u00a0 Attracting that wildlife to you garden space gives you far more enjoyment than the space alone.<\/p>\n
This is a slightly more detailed and complicated project than similar ones I have done in the past but it is very unique and well worth doing.\u00a0 The directions and supplies needed are as follows:<\/p>\n
Materials<\/p>\n
40 pound bag of concrete, 40 pound bag of sand, Roll of plastic wrap or garbage bags,<\/p>\n
Rubber Gloves, Hat, Cotton Balls,Mineral oil<\/p>\n
Shallow container to mix the concrete, Flat trowel for spreading concrete,<\/p>\n
Stiff bristled brush, Toothpicks, Paint brush or sponge, Acrylic paint<\/p>\n
Concrete Sealer, And a large leaf such as Rhubarb or Elepant’s ear<\/p>\n
Method<\/p>\n
Pick a flat broad surface and cover it with plastic sheeting or a large plastic bag split in two.\u00a0 Pile the sand in the center and form it into a dome shape that’s about 2 inches wider than the leaf all around.\u00a0 Cover the sand with plastic wrap.<\/p>\n
Put the leaf face down on the sand.\u00a0 Adjust the sand so that the leaf is fully supported.<\/p>\n
Brush the leaf liberally with mineral oil-this will help you remove the leaf after the concrete hardens.<\/p>\n
Put on the dust mask, gloves, and hat.\u00a0 Mix the concrete according to the package directions, err on the dry side, so the concrete doesn’t slip down the sides of the leaf.\u00a0 Working form the center out to the edges, scoop handfuls of concrete onto the leaf and pat it down with your hands.\u00a0 Smooth it out with the trowel.\u00a0 The concrete should be about 1 inch thick in the center and taper down to about 1\/2 inch at the edge.<\/p>\n
Cover the concrete with plastic and let it sit for at least 48 hours.\u00a0 If it’s in a hot or dry space, mist it periodically or lay a damp cloth over the plastic so the birdbath will dry evenly.\u00a0 After the 48 hours take off the plastic and turn the birdbath over.\u00a0 It can be fragile at this stage so ask a friend for help.<\/p>\n
Take off the other piece of plastic and pull the leaf ot of the mold.\u00a0 Use a brush with stiff bristles to scrap off bits of leaf that stick.\u00a0 Use a toothpick to get vein pieces out of the mold.<\/p>\n
Then walk away!\u00a0 Your birdbath must cure for at least one week, ans some people suggest as much as 20 days, you be the judge on that.<\/p>\n
When it’s cured you can paint it.\u00a0 They used acrylic paint but you can use oils, latex, watercolor, or spray paint.\u00a0 After you paint it , or if you choose to leave it unpainted, brush on concrete sealer, then let it sit for a few more days.<\/p>\n
All that’s left is to find the right spot for you birdbath and add water.<\/p>\n
The birdbath looks great sitting in a depression in the soil right in your flowerbed.\u00a0 Many birds, however, prefer a little height so they can see predators approaching.\u00a0 If you find this to be the case in your garden, you can make a pedestal using the same materials.\u00a0 Look for a cardboard form at the hardware store.\u00a0 I live in and near heavy woods so I like to use tree stumps or any other cool natural item I can find that can hold it and support the weight.\u00a0 When you get ready to set it up in whatever area you choose have a friend help because they can be heavy.<\/p>\n
Acouple other tips:\u00a0 If you shouls have a hole or tear in the leaf make a patch by tearing off a piece of another leaf.\u00a0 You can also use smaller leaves as molds to make garden decorations.<\/p>\n
In the past I have done similar smaller projects as follows:<\/p>\n
If you live near the ocean you can use beach sand and after you shape it add sea shells, beach glass, or any other objects you find interesting.\u00a0 You can also get the clean play sand in a lot of places and use mosaic tiles, glass bits, or anything else that you find interesting.\u00a0 You can use plaster of paris as opposed to concrete.\u00a0 It is a little more cost effective but it’s lighter so you can place holes in places around the edges then make hanging bird feeders, or small hanging baths for finches etc.<\/p>\n