Here I re-purposed a beloved copper bird bath that had exhausted its lifetime. I didn’t have the heart to toss it, so I began to consider ways to re-purpose it.
I decide to cover the copper surface with glass gems, and then top the rim with a piece of glass to make and end table.
Glass gems are one of the most inexpensive craft supplies out there! They come in 2-lb net bags for less than $4.00. You can purchase bags containing one color, or a mixed bag. The gems come in different sizes and shapes. Mix and match to your heart’s content!
Supplies: All you need is glue and glass gems… and your receiving surface! That’s it!
I cleaned the surface of the copper bowl and allowed it to air dry. I know, it doesn’t look clean! But the copper had patinaed for so long that it was no longer attractive as a bird bath. This is why I decided to re-purpose it! I loved the graceful shape of the bowl and the stand, but the surface was ugly after about a decade of use!
I organized my glass gems into a sectioned chips/dip bowl…
I applied a small amount of glue to the back of the first gem and began at the center, working my way out. I was not sure how well the glue would adhere to the copper bowl, but it held like a champ!
I added gems in a circular pattern from the center, working outward.
Sometimes I got more glue on the back of the gem than intended, and it would squish out the sides upon pressing it to the copper bowl…
Nearing completion, testing the stand to see if it would hold up under the weight of the glass gems (they are heavy!)
… As so often happens with me, I got distracted before finishing this project, but I intend to glue gems all the way to the outside edge of the copper bowl, and then order a peice of glass to rest on the top… them my accent table will be complete!
