A DIY glass bird bath that will look amazing in your flower garden and make all your feathered friends so happy. Step by step easy instructions on how to make a glass bird bath using new or old thrift store bowls, jars, or plates.
Recently my sister asked if I would help her make a homemade glass bird bath. I honestly didn't know what she was talking about so I started searching for DIY glass bird bath ideas. I found all kinds of unique DIY bird bath ideas but nothing was as pretty as her vision.
My sister started with an old plate of our mothers and searched thrift stores, and yard sales for pieces to attach together to make the birdbath. This is such a simple idea. She kept in mind the colors in the mom's old plate while picking out her pieces.
Update: This making bird baths from old dishes project is a fan favorite on Pinterest. Who knew when we made this that it would be so popular.
Once she had everything it was time to assemble the easy bird bath so we decided to bring you along on the journey with us so you could make one too.
DIY Glass Bird Bath
Remember me mentioning you will need old or new pieces to make up your birdbath? Well, here is a list of what you will need to make this unique bird bath.
Glass Bird Bath DIY Supplies
- Large plate or bowl for top
- Vases, candle holders, candy dishes, glass bowl or anything that is smaller than the large plate for the middle. Basically new or old glass dishes
- Plate or large bowl for the bottom
- E6000
- Glue gun with glue sticks
- Alcohol
- Paper towels
Other places you can look for these items are a dollar store, flea market, yard sales, Dollar Tree, and even household items you have around your house. You can be as fancy with these pieces or plain. The design depends on your vision. Picking out the pieces is probably the hardest part because the rest of this is a simple bird bath.
Also when you are shopping for all the pieces they can be different sizes but the main thing is that they stack easily one on top of the other. And you can do whatever color scheme you like. A great idea is to start with the plate on top with a design and pick one color from that to use for the rest of the homemade birdbath.
How do you make a bird bath out of glass vase?
Step 1: Assemble Base of Homemade Bird bath
I want to recommend starting by attaching the base and the first piece together. We used a glass plate for the bottom. We did things a little different so I am going to walk you through the steps the way we did it. But honestly, I think if I had to do it over again a good idea would be to start at the bottom and work my way up.
First, sit your base down and clean off the area where you will be attaching the first middle piece with alcohol. This will remove any residue and allow the glue to adhere better.
Next, run a generous amount of glue around the rim by using a bead of E6000 around the edge of the bowl or whatever you have that will sit down onto the base. We used a candy dish for this part.
Then follow with droplets of glue from a glue gun onto the E6000. The combination of both is a great way for the glass to stick together.
Now sit the candy jar onto the plate and hold it into place for a little. You shouldn't have to hold it until it dries and it appears to dry pretty quickly. This really is an easy DIY birdbath.
Step 2: Assemble the Middle of the BirdBath
It is time for the next piece, we used a candle holder, so clean it with alcohol and run a bead of E6000 and then glue it with a glue gun. Turn it over and attach it to the candy jar.
Repeat these steps for all the middle pieces of the glass bird bath until you get to the top.
This is where we did things a little differently and we had to wait overnight. Because of this learn from ourselves and keep working from the bottom to the top. This is the best way to assemble the beautiful birdbath.
Step 3: Attach Glass Bird Bath Top
Clean with alcohol then glue with E6000 and glue gun and place the top middle piece. Then do the same for the plate on top. It is kind of like building blocks. One-piece on top of another.
Did I mention this is a super easy DIY project on how to make a glass bird bath? Well, guess what? That is all there is to it. It is so easy and cheap to make but looks expensive.
Conclusion
This is such a fun project to shop for and you don't have to make it out of glass. You can use old terra cotta pots, clay pots, flower pots, porcelain, candle plates, or anything that won't rot outside. Or if you plan to use it inside your home then you can use anything like wooden bowls and plates too.
I think it would be fun to make one out of enamelware. Talk about a farmhouse vintage beautiful bird baths.
Because my sister is moving I am taking care of the birdbath for now so I placed it in our yard and it's amazing for bird watching.
I filled it with a little water and the birds loved it. But I think they will like birdseed in it much better so I plan to try it out with birdseed. The plate is a shallow pan so it doesn't hold much fresh water. I think the platter is more suited to hold food for the birds like a bird feeder. Small birds are going to love this beautiful bird bath!
See the shallow dish on top. It is so pretty and was the inspiration behind the whole birdbath. This glass birdbath would be so cute on your porch sitting next to a container garden. Here are easy steps to container gardening selecting plants and container gardening planting plants.
If you're interested in more DIY ideas, check out these posts:
- Craft a Classic: Easy DIY Peg Shelf For Your Home
- DIY Book Sleeve: Wrap Your Reads in Style & Protection
I am so happy you came to see how we made this DIY glass bird bath. I am looking forward to hearing about your birdbath project.
Happy Decorating!
3 Easy Steps to Make a DIY Glass Bird Bath
Materials
- Two glass platters for top and bottom
- Glass pieces for the center like jars
- Candleholders, candy jars
- E6000 epoxy
- Glue gun sticks
- Rubbing alcohol
- Paper towels
Tools
Instructions
- Begin with the bottle platter and turn it upside down.
- Wipe the platter with alcohol
- Place a bead of E6000 glue to the rim of the candy jar
- Put drops of glue gun glue to the E6000 glue on the candy jar
- Place the candy jar on the plate and hold it in place until secure
- Repeat these steps on each piece until you sit the platter on top
- Let it dry overnight
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Bryan R
Sunday 26th of May 2024
Hello, Yes these glass bird baths are a charming accent piece for any garden or yard.. A few years back I made 3 of them..Because of the access to glass in used goods stores, I was confined to making each unit very unique as it is difficult to find more than 1 piece let alone 3 that are the same shape. Sadly we moved and left our example behind and gave two away as gifts. No I don't have pictures anymore to show you our creations. I would say to the budding artist, that I found it beneficial to scuff the glass contact points with emery paper before cleaning with alcohol and applying the adhesive. the rough surface give the glue more adhesion points. The third unit held with no issues of the glue becoming disconnected after a couple years left out in the elements. One of the gifted units did need some regluing. I'm not sure about the survival of the second gifted unit. Have fun, keep our avian friends clean and cool !
Linda McDonald
Sunday 26th of May 2024
Thank you so much for sharing and the added tips! My sisters thrifted glass bird bath was still so beautiful until during a storm a limb fell on it and broke it. She was sad to see it go!
Deborah Frakes
Wednesday 6th of July 2022
It is so beautiful. I agree with seed instead of water. My birds enjoy bathing and water not deep enough. Gonna try this to set it on my deck.
Corine Mapes
Saturday 17th of July 2021
Linda, that turned out beautiful! Bird baths are so fun to call the birds and butterflies in to.
Linda McDonald
Saturday 17th of July 2021
Thank you so much! I love how they bring birds and butterflies in too. It is so peaceful and calming to watch them.