Garden Globes

After seeing so many posts on diy garden globes, I just had to try it. I started searching for old bowling balls but all I found were priced too high. Then little by little, it all came together and and I now have six garden globes that I just love. Hope you do too.

I found these lighting globes at the Goodwill for half off.

garden globes, crafts, mason jars, I started applying glass flat sided marbles Dollar Tree with this adhesive but they started sliding and I got impatient so I went to hot glue Worked great and no slipping

I started applying glass flat sided marbles(Dollar Tree) with this adhesive but they started sliding and I got impatient, so I went to hot glue. Worked great and no slipping.

Stones from Dollar Tree and a few engraved stones left over from my daughter's wedding.

Fast forward, six different globes.

garden globes, crafts, mason jars, After a few weeks of researching and shopping for the cheapest and best choice of grout I found a bag for 2 at the Habitat Restore Messy job for indoors but snow outside made me do it in a large tub on my kitchen table

After a few weeks of researching and shopping for the cheapest and best choice of grout, I found a bag for $2 at the Habitat Restore. Messy job for indoors but snow outside made me do it in a large tub on my kitchen table.

garden globes, crafts, mason jars, This is the adhesive I used always on hand great stuff to put a base on my globes since they are open on the bottom I has silicone so it will be water tight I wanted to make them as outdoor friendly as possible

This is the adhesive I used (always on hand, great stuff) to put a base on my globes since they are open on the bottom.I has silicone so it will be water tight. I wanted to make them as outdoor friendly as possible.

garden globes, crafts, mason jars, Again being the cheap skate I am I found lg mason jar lids at the Habitat Restore They fit over the opening perfectly I used plenty of adhesive around the ring and inside the ring sealing it completely

Again, being the cheap-skate I am, I found lg. mason jar lids at the Habitat Restore. They fit over the opening perfectly. I used plenty of adhesive around the ring and inside the ring sealing it completely.

Some only had the ring so I used some bottom pieces from old Tupperware parfait glasses.

garden globes, crafts, mason jars, After letting the bases dry over night resting on plastic bowls in the background time for a paint job To protect the globes I cut circles in the bottom of grocery bags and taped them tight around the globes

After letting the bases dry over night(resting on plastic bowls,in the background), time for a paint job. To protect the globes, I cut circles in the bottom of grocery bags and taped them tight around the globes.

I had just enough left over paint from other projects to do the bases.

It was a bit colder outside than the paint recommends, but it dried fast.

Finished drying inside.

Now they sit upright and are water tight and weather protected. I think they are so cute.

garden globes, crafts, mason jars, After about 2 1 2 weeks and countless inches of snow I can finally get outside to seal the grout I used Thompsons water seal had cedar colored on hand

After about 2 1/2 weeks and countless inches of snow, I can finally get outside to seal the grout. I used Thompsons water seal (had cedar colored on hand).

garden globes, crafts, mason jars, I poured some in a plastic container and used a cheat chip brush to slather it on Make sure you cover your table this is messy

I poured some in a plastic container and used a cheat chip brush to slather it on. Make sure you cover your table, this is messy.

And wear gloves.

Don't worry about the cloudy way the marbles look. Let them dry for a couple hours and wipe off the stones and marbles with an old cloth.

After a bit of elbow grease, they shine like new.

Now, find the perfect place for them in the garden.

Now if only my gardens recoup from the long, cold winter we've had. Happy Spring, everyone.

14 questions

Cleo Douglass
on Nov 5, 2015
I tried to pin the step by step instructions for garden globes but had to pin each picture one at a time. Suggestions
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- Lea Grossman
  on Nov 6, 2015
  @Cleo Douglass when you pin each picture, it saves a link to the page with all the instructions, so no need to pin each photo.
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- Cra12830736
  on Apr 23, 2017
  I collect seashells and I'm always looking for things to create from them. I particularly love coquina shells because of their beautiful colors and patterns. A pair opened up but still connected at the hinge make perfect angel wings! I picked up a glass globe with a raised wavy edge at Joann's and cleaned it thoroughly, then sprayed with picture adhesive on theiutside. I sprinkled beach sant on the outside and then when totally dry, glue coquinas and tiny scallop shells all over. After again giving it time to dry thoroughly, I took it outside and sprayed it with a clear lacquer all over. It helped to insure the shells were definitely going to stay put! I finished it up with a piece of 1/4" satin ribbon in the recessed space under the wavy top edge, and tied a bow at what was going to become the 'front' side. I did this over 15 years ago and all the shells are still intactbut for one teeny scallop, which I reattached with a spot of hot glue. i just have it sitting on a nightstand in the guest bedroom, but visitors have commented that it would be great for holding pencils or pens on a ladies' desk. It's amazing what seashells can be used for!
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Merri Peplinski
on Jun 4, 2016
Just curious if you need adhere bases before painting them. Couldn't I paint them prior? I love this idea and can't wait to make them! Thank you very much for posting!
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SF Globe
on Jul 22, 2016
Hi Vickie! I'm Jessica from SFG Media Group. We'd love to feature this project in an article as it's fantastic. Would you give us permission to use the photos to put together an article? The article will be shown on DIY websites of our company. We'd definitely credit you in them. Please let me know. Thanks! - Jessica
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- Vickie G
  on Aug 1, 2016
  Wow! I would be honored to have you share my project. I had a lot of fun making these globes and still have them in my yard. Please let me know where I can see your publication. Thank you so much.
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- Vickie G
  on Aug 1, 2016
  Wow! I would be honored to have you share my project. I had a lot of fun making these globes and still have them in my yard. Please let me know where I can see your publication. Thank you so much.
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Marty R.
on Jun 19, 2017
being a gardening ignoramus, could you post a foto or two of what you did with them when they're finished? i don't know what garden globes are? (i live in an apartment in cairo, egypt, one of the most densely populated cities in the world, so i don't get to see many gardens.) thanks!
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- Roz1834723
  on Jul 21, 2017
  Good question, as beautiful as they are!
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- Valerie Stewart McLaughlin
  on Sep 4, 2017
  See pics. They are just artfully displayed in her garden bed.
  
  Could put in a flower pot garden, or on A Porch, deck, balcony.
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- Carol Oakes
  on Dec 10, 2017
  I don't see them displayed in her garden bed ... I must be blind as a bat !
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- Shuganne
  on Oct 14, 2018
  After the picture of Thompson's water seal, I see a link, all in blue capital letters, that say SEE 5 MORE PHOTOS... Click the link. The last 2 pictures show her succulent garden and a wintertime view -mostly bare ground and a small leafless bush, each of which shows a garden globe.
  
  If you can't see that, you may have pop ups blocked. In that case, look for an infinitesimally small message, either just under the address bar or in a tiny box to the top right of your screen.
  
  If you can't find either of those, check your internet browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) for settings that will block or allow pop ups.
  
  For me personally, and for your learning abilities, please don't label yourself an ignoramous. At my school, we encourage our students to say, "I don't know that yet." Each of you is an expert on some, or many, subjects, about which I don't know anything yet, but I'm going to try to learn everything I can to help me in life.
  😊😘
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Kim Kilgus Aunkst
on Aug 18, 2017
What kind and brand of grout did you use?
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- Dusty
  on Dec 12, 2017
  one needs to use a sanded grout if the space between objects (tile/marbles/stuff!) is greater than ¼ inch. Any big box store (HomeDepot, Lowes, maybe Ace or TrueValue) has grout or resale outlet may may have...
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Jul29827547
on Sep 5, 2017
How do you apply the grout? And not get it on the stones?
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- Lea Beth T
  on Sep 13, 2017
  You put the grout all over the project...then use a sponge to remove excess..let dry...then use clean sponge to remove excess off stones
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- Astra Lilly Keena
  on May 19, 2018
  So you need to use grout? Or could you skip this step? I'm really new at projects and dumb when it comes to this stuff. I really like how these turned out
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Diana Price Simmons
on Oct 11, 2017
Couldn't you spray paint the bases before applying them to the globes?
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- Vickie G
  on Oct 31, 2017
  Absolutely. Mine was a bit of a second thought.
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Sandy
on Aug 22, 2018
what size lid caps did you use?
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Joan Conn
on Aug 27, 2018
Hi, so do you glue the stones on first, then put grout in between the stones?, or put grout on the globes, then place the stones in the grout?
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- Novaline Tanksley
  on Nov 5, 2018
  When you are tiling a wall or counter or making a stone walkway, the stones go on first and then the grout. I imagine it is the same process.
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- Lisa Maxey
  on Nov 5, 2018
  She says at the beginning. Read through all the directions before starting your project.
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Ros34087852
on Sep 28, 2018
Can u use plastic round bowls from Mardi gra the ones that drinks in them i pick up a lot of different size cups down here in new Orleans I got a bunch of big beer bottles do u have any idea how to fix them up
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Elsbeth
on Nov 9, 2018
Do you have to use grout.
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- Bernice H
  on Dec 20, 2018
  No I never use grout,I usually like what ever the globe is made of. Mostly it is a white globe. So ...if you put battery operated lights in it, it glows. ,I don’t like grout because it gets dirty.
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Lisa
on Dec 14, 2018
These are really cute but I read through the tutorial and can't find when or how you grouted them or what you year-olds the full tutorial is somewhere else?
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- Bernice H
  on Dec 20, 2018
  As I replied above..you don’t need to bother with grout. I never do,it gets dirty.
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Bobbie
on Jan 29, 2019
I am pretty new at Hometalk. how can I obtain the instructions of this DIY ?
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Francesca
on Feb 3, 2019
Look great!! What grout was used? Or recommend? Thanks
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4 of 353 comments

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Novaline Tanksley
on Nov 5, 2018
You suggested using hot glue, but I don't think that's a good idea for something you are placing outside. I painstakingly crafted a Christmas wreath for my door. After hanging it, later that day I heard a thumping sound on the porch. The hot sun beating down on my door had melted the glue. I use all purpose glue now. Thanks for letting me know about Power-grab and the silicone sealer.
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- Bernice H
  on Dec 20, 2018
  I agree..clear silicone is my go to. I have done bowling balls that lasted years. Outdoors,cold or heat.
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Wet green thumb
on Dec 14, 2018
I bet you could find a way to put solar lights in the glass ones!
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- Bernice H
  on Dec 20, 2018
  Yes..awesome too.
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