The-Artistic-Garden's Blog

Readers Comments Prompted Me To Find
Painted Ladybug Ideas

Liz and Krista left comments on my blog post how to paint bowling balls about bowling balls painted to look like ladybugs. Krista said she saw a project in a magazine, but couldn’t remember what magazine.

So, this nudged me into trying to help some more and see what I could find, and voila … here are two photos from the many examples I found by doing a Google search. Just enter “ladybug bowling balls” and you’ll get links to many articles, forum discussions and such. Or use Google’s image search to instantly see lots of painted ladybug examples.

This image had been scanned from Backyard Living Magazine – July/August 2006 issue:

And I found these little bowling ball ladybugs featured in an online article by April Johnson.

These two ideas should help inspire any of you who want to try your hand at making a ladybug bowling ball for your next garden art project. Have fun!

How to Seal & Protect Painted Colors
On A Concrete or Resin Bird Bath

I received an email yesterday from Jan asking me:

I have a couple of questions.

1. I want to seal a resin decorative bird bath & protect the colors from the sun exposure. I need a sealer that is safe and non toxic for birds and would prefer a spray. Do you have any recommendations that come to mind?

2. I have several outdoor decorative pieces, such as and old reel mower, wood chair with birdhouse, old wooden wagon, etc, and I want to protect the wood from exposure to the outdoors. What is a good sealer for wood & metal? I agree with one of your previous answers about sealing things and that Thompson’s is not a very good sealer.

Thank you, Jan

My reply:

Hi Jan:
Thank you for contacting me and I hope I can help steer you towards the right products.

Whether the bird bath (or any other garden art or outdoor item) is made from resin or concrete; and whether the colors are inherent in the resin, or painted onto the surface of the resin or concrete, my recommendations for a product remain the same.

#1) To be honest, I don’t *think* (notice I say “think” – I’m NOT 100% sure) the toxicity level of a clear coat sealant such as Krylon spray clear coat paint is going to be toxic enough to kill any birds that stop by to bathe or take a drink in your bird bath.

I mean … if your experience is like mine with my bird bath, the water in the basin is normally almost completely splashed out by mid-afternoon or early evening. Plus it’s almost always kind of yucky with a few bird droppings, and other little pieces of vegetation, thusly I’ve got to swish it out and completely refresh the water on a daily basis (or sometimes even twice a day in hot weather). So it’s not like the water is in contact for a terribly long period, soaking up toxic ingredients from the sealer.

So, how much toxic build-up could there be? I’ve no clue, but I really don’t think I’d be jeopardizing the health of my feathered friends by using Krylon, or a polyurethane or clear acrylic brush-on product. Weed killers used on lawns are probably WAAAAAAY more toxic to our little bird friends.

On a side note … I lost a whole brood of newly hatched baby Bluebirds a few years back. I found their poor tiny dead bodies scattered on my lawn in different spots, but all rather close to the bird house. I couldn’t understand why (no blow flies in the nest, etc.) and then the went on … a neighbor a few doors up from my house had sprayed his yard and whatever he used, man! We could smell it all the way to our house.

Momma and Daddy Bluebird had been very busy all morning and afternoon bringing little grubs and bugs back to feed the babies. And I will bet the babies were fed bugs from the neighbor’s lawn. I am convinced the chemical that neighbor used was deadly to those babies. Just my own “motherly” hunch. However I digress here … back to sealants and toxicity.

I have read that DecoArt Patio Paints makes a non-toxic brush-on clear coat that does work for sealing items to be used outdoors. I will *assume* (again I’m not 100% sure) that it can hold up to exposure to water 24/7, as will happen in a birdbath basin. This product will however be more expensive to use versus a product like Krylon.

But of course it’s your call! And if you can educate me otherwise as to the toxicity level in Krylon or a polyurethane clear coat as it concerns birdbaths, please do tell me.

#2) As far as what is a good sealant for wood or metal – I’d go and ask the sales reps in the paint department at your local paint store or big-box store. (Though I do understand “sometimes” the sales reps do NOT have a clue about any of the products that are in their department … been there and experienced that personally too often! Maybe ask a couple different people at the paint counter just to be safe!  )

However, I know Krylon spray will do a good job on metal. As far as wooden items – I’ve never personally sealed any wooden outdoor furniture, so can’t recommend a product that worked really well for me, but I do know you want to buy a product that is considered a “water sealant”. And yes, do not use the Thompson’s product!

But whether your item is metal or wood, make sure to clean/wash off any dirt or grime, and then lightly sand it before you apply your clear coats. I’d apply at least 2, if not 3 good coats, allowing each coat to dry well before you apply the next one.

As far as the bird bath is concerned, make sure to let your clear coats dry really well (a day or two at least – depends upon temperature and humidity level) before you add water to the basin.

Best of luck with all your projects and do not hesitate to contact me again if the need arises.

~~~

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Garden Art Or Junk Art …
Painted Bowling Balls Are Really
A Fun & Funky Look In the Garden

I recevied this email from Freddie who asked:

I found your website by accident and I love it. I love trying new garden art projects, especially junk garden art! I have tried to make garden spheres many times….some came out better than others….and this year I was lying in bed and it occurred to me to use bowling balls. Sheer Genius, right?

My boss brought me two from his last bowling night, one real beauty that I wouldn’t consider painting, but one I’ll paint. What do you suggest I use for paint?

Of course my husband thinks I’m nuts with bowling balls in our garden. Let me know about the paint. Thanks. Freddie

My reply:
Hi Freddie:
Thank you for contacting me and for the kind compliment about my site. I do try hard to offer great information.

About painting bowling balls (yeah, I kinda love junk garden art, too!) – here’s my suggestions:

•  take sandpaper and scuff up the surface really good; this will help a primer coat and/or paint to adhere much better

•  prime it with something like “Kilz” (there is an exterior all-purpose version–you can find it at Lowe’s or Home-Depot as examples)

•  paint with latex or oil-based paints (I’ve been successful using both)

•  finish with at LEAST a couple of liberal clear top coats (matte, gloss or semi-gloss – whatever you prefer)

If you take care with all the steps, your painted bowling ball should last many years in the sun. But be warned, UV rays really take a toll on everything, and even the best paint job might start showing “age” in a few years. I am sure you understand this.

That is why taking extra time to “do it right” the first time will save you peeling paint before the year is finished.

Does this help? If not, please do not hesitate to contact me again. Have fun!!

~~~

Freddie wrote back to say:

Actually your instructions were what I was thinking about doing anyway, it just seemed too logical and easy.

I’m a big recycler, so reusing bowling balls just seemed a no brainer. My boss actually brought me two of them from his league night at bowling. I’m sure he must think I’ve lost it, but I wanted to make a couple for my sister and her gardens.

Can’t wait to get this funky bowling ball garden art project rolling.

Thanks for the info … Freddie

What Is The Best Method To Seal Off The Interior
Of A Terra Cotta Pot?

I received an email from Leslie asking:

This is a fantastic website, extremely helpful. I have found the articles in the Decorative Paint Techniques category very informative. THANKS!

My question: I am using gauze fabric and modpodge and then painting over it with airbrush metallic paint on the outside of the terra cotta clay pot. Any ideas what to use to seal the inside of my pot, so that when dirt goes in and the pot is watered, it won’t effect the outside of the pot?

Thanks so much. Leslie

My reply:
Hi Leslie:
Thanks for the compliments, I really appreciate you taking the time to tell me.

About sealing the inside of a terra cotta pot, there are two ways you can approach this:

#1) Apply a number of coats of an acrylic or latex paint to seal off the inside. (Easier for brush clean-up than oil-base paint.) You can also use a clear spray, like Krylon acrylic. Or, try a polyurethane. Anything, basically, will “seal off” the interior.

#2) The “safest” route to really make double-sure that whatever you’ve applied and/or painted on the exterior of the pot won’t be affected is to use a plastic inner pot to plant in.

I’ve never had a problem with the exterior paint bubbling or flaking off of terra cotta pots, as I do always liberally spray about 3-coats of Krylon onto the interiors … but then again, I haven’t ever used fabric and modpodge on the outsides.

If I were you, I’d make sure to apply a generous base coat of paint on the outside of the pot, too. Unless that would keep your fabric and glue from sticking properly?? That base coat on the outside will also act as a moisture barrier.

If you do use a brush-on paint or spray paint for the interior of the terra cotta pot, I’d make sure to cover all the surfaces extremely well.

Does this help??

Sounds like a fun project. Good luck!

Leslie wrote back:

Dear Claudia: Thanks so much for getting back to me. Your information was wonderful and very helpful!!! I’ll definitely try that technique on the pots. I’m going to do some experiments first to see just how they do outside. I’ll do this before I decide to sell them, so my clients won’t have any problems. All the best, Leslie

My reply:
You’re welcome. Like I said, an inner plastic pot that actually holds the dirt and plant would be the very best bet to increase the longevity of your artistic applications!

And providing a plastic inner pot would let you off the hook “legally” if you are selling your pots … meaning you clearly state on a little label that your embellished terra cotta pots are NOT guaranteed to last forever if someone places dirt and a plant directly into them.

If it were me … I would cover myself in that way if selling them retail. You’ve warned them up front and provided the plastic inner pot … no unhappy customers on up the road!

Just my 2-cents. Claudia