The Terra Cotta Birdbath offers your feathered friends a retreat and allows you the pleasure of relaxing while you view the birds that will flock to your home to play in the water!
The cost of this project is minimal compared to what you could spend at a gardening store on a similar item. Few materials needed and it takes only minutes to complete.
What you'll need to complete the Terra Cotta Birdbath:
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Two large terra cotta pots. These pots can be purchased at any of you local home and garden stores. 12 to 14 inch or larger size pots work the best, but depending on your personal taste you may want to go smaller or larger.
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One large terra cotta saucer. Choose a saucer large enough to set in the top of one of the terra cotta containers. You could also use a terra cotta "bowl" shaped pot in place of the saucer, which can also be purchased anywhere you find gardening supplies.
To get started:
1) Decide first where you want to place the birdbath. I find that it works best when placed in an area with soil-such as a flower
bed, so you can firmly place the base of the birdbath.
2) Dig an area large enough to place the terra cotta pot, upside down, in the hole with the bottom of the pot facing up. This will serve as the "base" of the birdbath. Secure the base of the birdbath by placing soil around the pot and pressing firmly. It works best to place the pot at least 2-3 inches into the soil, and to build some soil up around the base (approximately 1-2 inches) to ensure it will stay put.
3) Place the second terra cotta pot on top of your base. You shouldn't have to worry about how to secure this pot; the weight of the saucer and the water in the saucer is enough to hold the pot on the base. 
4) Once you have placed the pot on top of the secured base, place the saucer into the top of the second pot. Fill with water, and your Terra Cotta Birdbath is complete. Yes, it's as simple as that! Now you can sit back, relax, and wait for the birds to arrive!
Additional tips for this craft:
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Be creative! Decorate your terra cotta pots with acrylic crating paint before you begin the birdbath project.
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When purchasing your terra cotta pots you may want to splurge just a little and pick up pots that have etching and decorations already on them. Keep in mind you're not limited to using just plain terra cotta containers. Your local gardening store carries a large variety of containers in a wide range of shapes, colors, and sizes, so use your imagination!
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Make a "mini" version of this craft (just use smaller size terra cotta pots) and create a Terra Cotta Bird Feeder to compliment your birdbath. All you have to do is use bird seed in the saucer instead of water!
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2003
