Problem: Article: In order to get the mosaic "look" you will need to create different shapes and sizes of pieces.  Remember, before you begin to break your mosaic objects into pieces, you need to be wearing safety goggles, gloves, and an apron.  Pick a safe place to cut your objects, like an empty garage, or outdoors in your backyard.  If you are just looking to make randomly sized pieces, a basic hammer works best.  However, there are some more specialized ways.  Tile nippers and cutters are used to create straight lines and curves.  They can be found at most hardware, and arts and crafts stores.  These are used to cut through porcelain, ceramic, china, etc.  Cut through the object you are using about halfway through.  They, using your hands, break the piece off. Glass nippers and cutters work the same way, except that they are specially designed for cutting glass. When you are creating the pieces, look at your design.  Try to envision what shapes you will need in order to fill the pattern.  If you miss a piece, or mis-cut one, you can always come back later to cut a new one. Take each of your new pieces you have created and place them where you will eventually stick them.  This is a great opportunity to mix around shapes, sizes and colors.  Once you get a basic layout of your pieces, find where the missing pieces are, or where you need a better shaped piece.  Then go back and create a new one which better fits the design.  Once you have your objects laid out the way you want them, you then have two options: leave them there, or take them off. If you choose to leave them there, you will apply mortar directly to the pieces.  This garners a more accurate design, but takes a lot longer and can be more tricky. If you choose to take them off, place the pieces to the side in the same pattern they were placed on the base.  You will be applying mortar onto the base.  This garners a less accurate pattern, but is much easier to accomplish. You can find mortar mixtures at most local hardware stores.  You will want to mix together 2-3 cups of mortar mixture with an acrylic admix.  Stir the mixture together until the consistency is like thick cottage cheese.  Only mix together small amounts as you work, as the mortar mixture cannot be preserved. Depending on whether you have left the pattern on, or taken it off, will change whether you apply the mortar to the pieces or the base, respectively.  Use a small knife or scalpel.  When you are applying the mortar, wear gloves so that mortar does not stick to your hands.  Mortar is basically a type of cement which can be difficult to get off.  If you are applying the mixture to the base, only do one section at a time.  Spread on a few inches, length wise, onto the base.  You only need about a 1/4 inch width of mortar. If you are applying it to the pieces themselves, take your knife and apply the mixture to the back of the piece.  Try to keep most of the mortar adhered to the back by gently pressing the mixture with your hands.  Scrape off excess mortar from around the outside edge of the piece before you apply it. While still wet, gently affix the mosaic tiles by pushing them down onto the base.  Apply tiles starting in one corner of the design and work across in rows.  Make sure you leave enough space between pieces for grout, about 1/8 inch gaps.  Every time you lay down a new piece, scrape off any excess mortar which is readily apparent.  If you don't, the mortar will solidify and be hard to get off. Time varies depending on usage, so follow manufacturer recommendations.  For pieces in your home, the timing is roughly 24 hours.  Outdoor mosaics will need to set for 72 hours.  Clean the mosaic tiles once more to clear away any extra mortar that may have risen to the top.
Summary: Cut your mosaic objects into pieces. Lay your mosaic tesserae overtop of the pattern. Mix together a mortar mixture. Apply your mortar mixture. Affix your pieces to the base. Let the mortar set.

Problem: Article: This allows space for flying and time apart. Although your birds will enjoy each other’s company, they also need time alone. A big cage allows them to be active and spend time away from their partner. This supports your birds’ good health, making them better parents. Each breeding pair that you own will need its own cage. Don’t try to keep them in a cage together, as they’ll be less likely to mate. The grate can be uncomfortable for your birds, and you want them to be cozy in their cage so they’ll mate. Newspaper is a cheap, safe option for a cage liner. Plus, your birds will enjoy tearing it up. Lay a couple of layers of newspaper over the floor of the cage. You need enough perches and swings for both birds to use them at the same time. However, your birds will enjoy having extra perches and swings if the cage allows enough space. Wood is the best material for the perches. Avoid choosing plastic options, as your birds will enjoy chewing on everything in the cage. It's best to choose a side-opening nesting box, which makes it easy to safely access it. The nesting box will have a hole on one side that the female can use to enter the box. She’ll then lay her eggs inside, where they’ll be safe.  The nest mimics how the birds prepare for mating in the wild. You can find a nesting box at a local pet store or online. Choose a dish that’s about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. The eggs will rest inside the dish, which helps keep them in the nest. Then, the chicks will hatch in the dish, which provides a good surface for their legs.  As another option, you can make or purchase a board that fits into the bottom of the nesting box. The board should have a concave dip carved into the center. Make sure that the dish is made from a nontoxic material, such as wood or glass. The wood shavings provide a nesting material for the birds that’s similar to what they like in nature. The female bird will also enjoy chewing on the wood shavings as she gets ready to mate. In the wild, females typically pick up pieces of bark to chew on before they breed. The bedding also needs to go into the concave dish or hole at the bottom of the nest. week. Empty, wash, and refill the feeder and water bottles. Remove the old bedding and wipe down the cage. Replace the bedding with fresh wood chips, then put the feeder and water bottles back into place. Wash and dry any toys kept in the cage. If there are eggs inside the nesting box, don’t change the bedding in the nest until all of the eggs hatch. However, you can still change the bedding in the cage itself.
Summary:
Choose cage at least 24 in (61 cm) x 16 in (41 cm) x 16 in (41 cm). Cover the grate with newspaper, if there is one. Place 2 or more wooden perches and swings in the cage. Attach a 6 in (15 cm) x 6 in (15 cm) x 10 in (25 cm) nesting box to the side of the cage. Place a concave dish inside the nesting box to prevent splayed legs. Create a soft layer of wood shavings in the nesting box, including the dish.  the cage once a week.