Your DIY Garden Ornaments

februarysgirl

Has anyone here made their own garden ornaments? I've seen some ideas for concrete ones that I like but I don't know that I could be trusted with a bag of quick set. I'd love to make something quirky but don't really know where to start.

If anyone has any photos of things they've made for the garden I'd love to see them 🙂

pitter-patter

I’ve made a shoal of fish using extra long metal skewers and a silicone mould. They’ve been through 3 winters and they’re still looking good (some of the paint has pealed, but I prefer them like that). I’ve mixed my own concrete with sharp sand and I’ve cured the fish in water for 7 days.

februarysgirl

Ooh they're good, I never considered silicone moulds. I can see me spending a significant amount of time searching for ones I like 😂

pitter-patter

Unfortunately, they are quite hard to find and not a lot of variety is available.

You can also try making your own paving stones. These have been made in a wooden frame placed on empty compost bags. The designs are free handed, wherever the inspiration took me in that moment (the concrete starts setting after an hour, so you do have to be fast). I’ve used a mix of gravel stones and slate chippings.

Fire

I've made things out of wicker; not exactly ornaments, but perhaps ornamental. I have been experimenting and have some currently soaking in order to weave more.

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Probably not what you are thinking of, but I enjoying painting and making things with pebbles for our local kids' fairy gardens; here with Sugru detailing

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I've got stained glass as well as terracotta pieces hanging in the garden. 

februarysgirl

Those are incredible. I was actually considering getting some stepping stones for the back garden but I love this idea. I might have to practice a bit first!

Fire

februarysgirl said:

Those are incredible. I was actually considering getting some stepping stones for the back garden but I love this idea. I might have to practice a bit first!

@pitter-patter - yes, they are amazing. [Edited above].

februarysgirl

@Fire That photo of the red roses with that wicker is stunning. What do you use to seal paint for outdoors? I bought some outdoor Mod Podge a while back with a view to making some things for outdoors but it seems to have some mixed reviews.

Fire

Sugru itself is silicone, waterproof and frostproof. I painted on top and used Craftmill Clear, which seems to work well. I have pebbles out for two years in all weathers and is holding fine.

I tried Mod Podge Outdoor on pebbles and it didn't work at all. I very carefully followed instructions but they still turned milky and  opaque when in the garden beds. It's a bit rubbish as this is specifically what MP says the product is for, and even gives example of painted pebbles in beds on its website.

Mod Podge might work better for hanging items that are not sitting in the wet or on damp soil. I used MP ten years ago on some hanging terracotta in the garden and it's still totally fine.

februarysgirl

@Fire I think most of the criticism of outdoor Mod Podge was from people who'd painted pebbles. I did consider decoupaging some cheap planters but a)my decoupage skills are pretty limited and b)knowing my luck, the Mod Podge would be rubbish on it. 

Fire

I'd save it for hanging projects or indoor items.