I used thinset for the adhesives and sanded grout...some I sealed some i didn't they have all held up perfect.We don't have freesing weather to contend with tho so that might make a difference,we only have heat and humidity where I live.Since being on here I would probably seal them all but as of now the ones I didn't seal look as good as the others.They are all on cement bases.Thanks Annie

Hey Cacbeary!! Got a pic of your new project? I like before pics! I did a Birdbath and used mortar for adhesive and outdoor grout and sealed with outdoor sealer. I bought it all from a tile specialty store and am quite happy to know that I did cuz we actually had a very cold and freezing winter this yr. Can hardly wait to see what you are up to as I find you work VERY inspiring!!! Jane

Calamity ~ You are very humbling with your kind words - YOUR work is all inspiring to ME!

I'm visiting my in-laws in a week & I am doing her birdbath over again. Last year we mosaiced an old birdbath using ceramic tile - it held together - it's the ceramic tile - with the freeze-thaw the colored part of the tile popped off. We used regular cement & that held up well. This year we're redoing the birdbath.

I have a rooster plate for the center, she loves roosters, & then using stained glass. I do have some edges of dishes - it will be whatever she wants. I'll definately be taking some pics - I am having her design it & just guide her. I was thinking of grout or maybe use Slow's method with the Mapia - that's why I was asking everyone here. I don't want to have to redo the birdbath again as she was so disappointed when the colors started popping off the tile.

Last year we made stepping stones & the birdbath & she said it was the best week. This year I have a frog cut out of stained glass for a stepping stone for her to do & a few other things. And she gets her rose fan I made in class. Oh, yes, she wants to make a penny bowling ball too so I'm taking a bowling ball. She will have another fun week. DH keeps asking if there will be room in the trunk for his guitar.

Here is a link that might be useful: Coffee pot birdhouse

Cac, I have made several birdbaths and I use sanded grout from HD. We don't have Lowe's here so never have been able to purchase Mapei. I did not seal my concrete birdbaths and they have been fine. The first one I did I used white grout and it will get discolored at times from the oak leaves but I brush them clean using a little bit of bleach. I do seal the birdbaths made on a terra cotta base; mostly to seal the terra cotta. I've used E6000 for adhesive but plan to try thinset next time.

CAC: The reason I didn't respnd to this thread was cuz I THOUGHT I hadn't made a birdbath until I just remembered Matilda. I used Mapei mortar for both the adhesive and the grout. I made the whole thing out of clay pots. I didn't mosaic the outside of the hat part - made from a pot saucer, just the inside. It holds water, but during the winter, a few spots of the clay came off the outside - NOT ONE tile - just the saucer dropped off a few pieces of clay. Had I mosaiced outside the saucer, it would have held. I can repair it but haven't gotten to it cuz repairs to me are boring. If you can't get the Mapei, I would use regular thinset and use half water and half admixture to mix it with, and I'd use the same thing for the "grout".

I have also had some bad luck with certain "inside" tile, and also dishes cracking/flaking off pcs that I've left outside, darn! so if you get tough winters, haul em inside somewhere.