In the age of streaming and digital media, homes can often be littered with vestiges of the past in the form of CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records that no longer get much use. While there are plenty of great DIY upcycling projects that use these media forms after they have outlived their usefulness, many still wind up in landfills. Several internet DIYers, however, have recently presented some awesome upcycling projects making use of shiny and glittering objects like DVDs and CDs, whose glossy and colorful surfaces make them perfect for gorgeous mosaics. This covering is particularly useful for outdoor items like birdbaths, which will both attract native wildlife with their sparkle and be a beautiful accent piece in your yard. By cutting down CDs or DVDs into small shards and pieces, you can use them as a mosaic to cover all manner of surfaces, creating gorgeous outdoor pieces your birds will love you for.
All you need are several colorful discarded CDs/DVDs, some strong adhesives like Liquid Nails, basic grout, and a clear poly coat. With this method, you can turn all manner of underlying objects into stylish lawn pieces, including charming DIY birdbaths using large bowls, saucers, trays, or shabby, older birdbaths that have seen better days. Creating a mosaic from CDs is also a more earth-friendly alternative to glass since it uses up plastic that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
Creating a CD mosaic birdbath
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To break up your CDs, begin by using a hammer to smash them up. To prevent shards everywhere, place the discs inside a canvas or plastic bag while hitting them. You can also use scissors to intentionally cut pieces or cut down larger shards pieces into your desired shapes. Once you have the pieces, begin applying them to the surface of your birdbath with a clear adhesive in your intended design. Use a more freeform approach, or add a traditional border and design.
Once you have the design in place, many DIYers suggest adding a top coat to protect the finish of the CD, which will be especially important during the next step. Using a basic mosaic grout, apply a layer over fully over the surface. When it’s dry, use a wet cloth to rub off the excess grout. Be sure to rub carefully lest you remove too much of the finish, but much of this will be prevented by adding the acrylic coat before grouting. When you are finished, the grout lines will form a smooth finish that will prevent sharp edges from harming you or the birds.
Using your custom birdbath
The resultant mosaics from this project can be beautiful, mixing a variety of colors and textures that will attract many birds to your yard with their reflective shine and look especially beautiful when glinting under the sun. For a little additional sparkle, add some glitter during the grouting or adhesive stage, or glue additional decorative stones, glass beads, or buttons in with the shards of media. While modern, and made with very modern materials, the effect can be a beautiful old mosaic that rivals any in a Mediterranean villa.
With another final layer top coat over the finished surface, this mosaic will withstand water submersion and all kinds of weather without fading or degrading too much over time. While perfect for bird baths, use this mosaic technique on any outdoor accent, where it will work beautifully on the outside of decorative birdhouses, candles, and lanterns. You can also use the technique on indoor decorative objects like bowls, votive holders, and boxes.
