We used the top half of the china cabinet I inherited in the library of our former house. I had a plain box base made to hold it, stained it to the same color, and put it behind the small end of an L-shaped sofa, because with its own base, it was too tall to fit in our 8' rooms. It actually started life as a secretary-bookcase, but my great-grandfather, who bought it at auction, only bought the top half, and had a nice but distinctly inferior bottom made for it then. I've tried to find the other half, but with no success. Sigh. So much for its potential value. But I digress ... I put a few groups of nice old books, a couple of pewter pitchers, a plate or two, and some other attractive things in it. I also lined the back wall with a piece of cream jacquard fabric to lighten the whole business. Not sure how well you can see, but here it was: It was traditional in old houses to line the doors of large secretary-bookcases like this one with gathered green cloth to protect the books from sunlight, so you'd be in good company if you decided to put fabric in yours.

Hi Toomuchglass- Yes, the grout should fill smoothly between pieces of different thicknesses, as long as the differences isn't too extreme. I have found that I like the look, as long as there is some sort of pattern to it- like all the pieces of one color are the same thickness, creating a raised effect of that color. If only a few pieces of that color are thicker it will look bumpy and awkward. Does that make sense? If you are doing something sculptural this works fine, but if it's a table top, or something you want to be level it may be a problem. It should work fine on a bird house. Can't wait to see pics!

slow- whats the detergent for? Does it make any frothing bubbles?? I read in the directions you could use powder to burnish your rocks if there is a haze on them! daylily- when I tried the jar method described above I tried it. It really worked for me, but I have to say I love the convenience of the tumbler I got today! I used my tumbler for quite a while today doing some china, I had cut up. Now I have to make myself understand..now that its tumbled it will DEFEAT the purpose if I nip them before I use them..I swear I am so horrible about the pieces fitting just so that I'm gonna have to hide the leponitts (which I broke the wheel can you believe it!!!) and hook myself up to shock therapy!!!

Yup, I think I used a diamond bit and a sponge for keeping water around the bit when drilling. Haven't tried drilling a microwave plate as of yet, I know that some things are tempered and may explode/break apart when drilled. I was going to also mention that all the glass used on that bird house one, is scrounged old 70's stained glass, that I find at thrift stores/garage sales/for sale by owner websites...so I probably don't spend very much on my projects, I spend money on the marine silicone and outdoor grout and sealer I use as I want it to last(I use thinset when I can)