DIY Fountain #2 From Glass Vases and Dollar Store Items

Cynthia E
by Cynthia E
$1.08
Medium
My Parent's loved my fountain I had made for myself (tried to talk me out of :) ). So I made 1 specifically for them for Christmas. I had everything on hand except the bowl and fountain pump (which Hubby had gift cards to Amazon he had gotten doing surveys so it was free!)
MATERIALS:Glass , Plastic, Ceramic or Metal VaseGlass/ Plastic, Ceramic or Metal basin E6000 glueTabletop Fountain PumpMetal or Plastic candlestick holder, high enough to elevate base over your pump, Magic Marker ,*Sophisticated Finishes –metal paint(I used Blonde Bronze that I mixed a little copper into for a deeper color on vase & bowl) Black flat spray paint (For metal or plastic)
Spray indoor/outdoor gloss sealer (or Sophisticated Finishes Sealer)TOOLS:Dremel or Rotary Tool, Diamond Bit and basic Metal bit.Safety GlassesFoam and craft paint brushesOPTIONAL MATERIALS (for Mosaic):Mosaic TilesSeed BeadsMosaic GroutMosaic Grout SealerOptional bronzy colored iridescent flat craft marblesOPTIONAL TOOLS (for Mosaic):Red craft paintToothpicksTweezersGrout FloatTile scorer and Cutter (note I used Pliers to snap apart)
To make Fountain I used a glass vase, brass candlestick holder I had on hand and a hard plastic bowl that I purchased at dollar store.Step 1. Use magic marker to trace pump hose diameter in center on bottom of vase and bottom of candlestick holder. And at bottom of candle stick for pump cord to go through and then 3 holes at bottom of candlestick holder for good water flow.Step 2. Using rotary tool and glass bit slowly, applying gentle even pressure drill out hole in vase for pump hose (pour water over bit and vase every 5 minutes or so to keep bit from overheating and glass from shattering.Step 3. Use rotary tool and metal bit to drill hole in candlestick holder for tubing to feed through and at bottom for water flow and cord. Step 4 .Wash and dry thoroughly.Step 5. Base paint vase and bowl with black spray paint (paint bowl inside and out).Step 6. I decided that I wanted crown of Thorns pattern to be cut out of bowl before doing mosaic so I got out dremel and a basic bit and carved edges and then carved out openings between the braided thorn vines. I then carved what would be back of bowl an L shaped opening at top for cord to lay in.Step 7 Using foam or good brush apply Sophisticated Finishes to vase and bowl (again paint bowl inside and out), let dry 1 hr. then apply a second coat. After I had covered vase and bowl with paint using foam brush ,while paint was wet I used a small craft fan brush and holding flat I tapped lightly all over in varying directions close together and on top of each other to give it a brushed metal look.At this point you can do a mosaic design on front of vase and bowl if desired or skip ahead to steps 8 thru 14 .-- here is link where I got the bead and mosaic tile idea from . Full instructions there.http://www.fleamarketgardening.org/2013/10/0...Mosaic—(I used old mirror tiled Christmas ornaments had on hand --one’s where most tiles were coming off.I raided my seed bead stash, but you can use old pieces of beaded jewelry, Or you can use seed bead jewelry from Thrift store, just cut apart to get beads.)Step 1. Draw (or trace) design with magic marker on vase, and crown of thorns pattern on bowl rim matching up carving.Step 2. Using silicone and a toothpick lay down silicone a 1/2 an inch at a time on outline. Use tweezers to place and slightly space seed beads, gently press beads into glue. After silicone dries check beads to make sure firmly on, re-glue any loose ones.Step. 3. For fill in break or cut tiles to fit in areas, lay down silicone and place tiles and beads into background with tweezers,gently pressing into glue. Again after glue has dried check they are securely in and re-glue any loose one’s.,Step 4. for crown of thorns I used 3 different but closely colored beads as vine outline - 1 for each vine, made it visually easier to see the 3 separate vines yet keep them looking like same type of vine. For fill in I used whole tigers eye chips for the thorns and then took some chips and put in baggie hit with a hammer couple of times to break them up into smaller pieces for all vine fill in.Step 5. Apply Mosaic grout per instructions on product. I used black grout on crown of thorns and cross Dove I used White grout.Step 6. After grout has dried 24 hours apply grout sealer (2 coats)Finishing fountainStep 8. I took red craft paint and a craft brush and just lightly brushed tips of thorns.Step 9. Apply spray gloss sealer to vase, bowl (again inside and out on bowl) and candlestick holder, let dry.Step 10. Apply a generous layer of E6000 to rim of candlestick holder and press firmly into vase, make sure vase is straight and level and leave to dry.Step 11. Feed pump tubing through vase.(do not cut tubing yet)Step 12. Place pump under candlestick in bowl attach to hose and cut hose to correct length at top.Step 13. I poured marbles in to help hide pump cord feeding out.Step 14. Fill bowl with water to cover pump, plug in and enjoy.
Happily my Parent's loved itMy total cost was 1.08 for bowl as I had all other supplies.· * Sophisticated Finishes is the key to getting a realistic metal finish. It is not so much a paint but finely ground metal in a bonder ( ie. copper or whatever metal finish using)
· * Sealer is important unless you want your fountain to age being in water, as the metal “paint” will react and age with exposure to water just like an actual piece of metal.Cost: Dif
Parent's finished fountain. Cross background Dove of Peace with olive branch. and carved mosaic crown of thorns Rim.
Bowl and vase painted and candlestick holder was using showing example of holes drilled in for water flow.
Bowl after carving edges and L shape, and candlestick showing cord opening so pump not sitting on cord so that remains level and stable.
Vase painted and design traced on.
Showing outlining of the 3 vines and thorns.
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