close-ups of birds made by the children

Here are some of the birds made by the children, which have been incorporated into the mosaiced poles. A film of the project has been uploaded onto You-tube and you can view it by clicking on the link: http://youtu.be/2WrlojzD_AE

garden poles completed

birds looking around

On top of the poles are little birds. These birds have been made from stoneware clay so that they are strong. They have coloured glazes on them. They have little decorated tubes underneath them. These have been made out of earthenware clay, so that Debbie could decorate them with brighter colours.

completed birdbath

The birdbath has a hollow log as its base with a nest of twigs in it. The children have some small birds to play with in this hollow. Debbie made the hollow trunk out of clay. It was made to fit on top of a terracotta pot. So the base that looks like one object is actually made of two ceramic objects glued together.

mosaicing the cement poles

Mosaicing the cement poles, putting pots on top and little birds. Thanks to Edwin at the Moonee Valley Council for cutting and getting the third one organised for us

putting on the birds

Here are the birds being glued onto the pole.

Some are on the ground pecking for things to eat, amongst the grass.

And other birds are in the trees.

mosaicing the first pole

Above: Debbie breaks the tiles using a hammer. she is wearing safety glasses to protect her eyes.

The mosaic tiles and the ceramic birds are glued onto the poles with tile adhesive.