Easy Way To Make A Classic Garden Decoration
Decorative garden balls are an inexpensive alternative to the classic gazing ball plus the design possibilities are endless.
Using a bowling ball or thick glass light fixture globe (that’s what I use), some decorations, and adhesive, you can make one for approximately $5-20. I’ve provided free instructions below.
[ Photo Sources: 1. Crafty Pod, 2. Two Sisters Mosaics, 3. Garden Web, 4. Life In Stitches, 5. Craftster, 6. Lana's Paper Scraps]
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The best garden art projects (with complete instructions) from this site are now available in my new eBook: Empress of Dirt Garden Art & Ideas.
Materials
- Lamp globe or bowling ball. I look for globes that have strong, thick glass. Nadia uses old sports balls such as a soccer or football ball.
- Flat-bottom marbles or coins, mosaic tiles*, round glass flat stones or decorative accent glass, beads, necklacs, aquarium stones…. Quantity will depend on the size of your ball or globe. Leftovers can always be used for other projects.
- Outdoor silicone sealant/adhesive. I use CLEAR (not white or any other colour) GE Silicone II or Weldbond.
- Caulking gun (if you’re using a tube cartridge). Don’t worry: they’re inexpensive and they’re not guns. They simply dispense the glue. Phew.
- 2-3″ nail: I place a nail into the tip of the silicone cartridge to prevent the sealant from drying up when not in use.
- Optional: Spray paint. If the ball may show through between the stones or coins, consider painting it in a contrasting colour.
- *Mosaic tiles may also require special cutting tools and grout. Instructions are easy to find online. Google is still your friend.
Instructions and Tips
- Assemble all of your materials.
- If your globe or bowling ball does not have a stand or base, have a bowl handy to hold the project in place while you’re working.
- If you’re using a bowling ball, decide how you want to deal with the finger holes. They can be filled with wood putty or just hidden at the underside of your project.
- If you’re using a caulking gun for the first time, test it out to see how quickly the adhesive dispenses. Or make a big mess and figure it out as you go.
- Apply about a pea-sized amount of glue to each marble bottom. Work one at a time, from the bottom up, resting the pieces on the ones below as you go.
- The glue dries quite quickly, so apply the marbles carefully.
- Butt the marbles together, leaving minimal gaps.
- You may need to adhere half the marbles, leave it to dry overnight, and then adhere the rest when the glue is really dry. Patience: the final frontier!
Supply Sources
Remember, money can buy anything. If you prefer to keep yours under your mattress where it belongs, look for free or inexpensive supplies. Not only will you save money, but you’ll probably find something cool and unexpected that will make your creation pop. It is the Way of The Empress.
- Habitat For Humanity ReStores, thrift shops, yards sales, and garbage day are good places to check for lamp globes and all sorts of other glass, wood, and metal items suitable for garden art.
- Flat-bottom marbles: dollar stores, craft supply shops, department stores.
- GE Silicone II Household Glue, 2.8 oz
| Tube – labelled as ‘glue’.
- GE Silicone II Clear Kitchen Sealant, 10.1-Ounce Cartridge #GE5040
| Cartridge for caulking gun – labelled as ‘sealant’.
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I have made some gazing ball’s with glass and my grout has been cracking after setting in the hot sun. is there a way i can fix that? or make it stop or is there something i’m not doing right? is there outside grout that i should be using? i have been using tile grout. oh do you have a pattern for a rooster made out of graden tools? I have some laying around my garage and i want to use them up.
Yes, there’s a type of water-resistant grout intended for outdoor use. Plus, it requires a sealant to be applied to further protect it.
I don’t know of a rooster tool art project – just creatures made from old tools welded together: http://www.empressofdirt.net/garden-art-made-from-old-tools/
GO TO YOUR LOCAL BOWLING ALLEY AND ASK IF THEY HAVE OLD BALLS WHEN THEY CLEAN OUT UNPAID LOCKERS. i GET ABOUR 5-6 EACH YEAR THAT WAY
Lucky you to have that resource!
Would hot glue keep the pennies on a bowling ball?
Hi Karen, No, hot glue doesn’t provide a lasting bond.I recommend silicone sealant or weldbond or tile adhesive.
Would you use the silicone glue AND a sealant on the bowling balls?
Silicone sealant is used as a glue (it’s not something that you can spread over the surface to seal things – it just adheres things together in this use).
I fill mine with wood putty or plaster of Paris . You cud probably use clay too
When you use bowling balls how do you glue the flat bottomed marbles over the finger holes? Aren’t the finger holes bigger than the marbles?
I just place the finger holes on the ground when displaying the ball. No need to cover them up.
I just ran across your incredible work on Pinterest. LOVE EVERTYTHING. I don’t know where to start! Thanks for adding another hundred or so more ideas to my already scattered “gotta make something now” brain! I’m so excited & am on my way to my favorite thrift store today! My garden will be STUNNING with BLING this summer! Thank you!!!!
I love it whenever someone is newly inspired! Have fun and happy creating.