Collecting recycled glass for garden projects….
What’s is more fun…collecting the pieces, or actually making garden totems? I don’t know! You may collect certain colors like blue or green especially, since they go in any garden well, or you may accumulate enough to make a rainbow creation like some below. Look for pieces that will stack well together and have a flat gluing surface on the bottoms. Don’t forget the base for your totem, microwave dishes, you know, from the turntable!
Here you’ll see some of our gardeners collections along with tips for where to find glass, how to store your collection and materials needed for craft projects.
Kirk Willis’s totem using recycled glass he collects for garden projects
Jane Sharp’s dazzling collection of recycled glass for garden projects
Jane Sharp says, “I got obsessed about making garden totems! Here’s the result, above. My plan is to install them in a rainbow swath across my front garden bed, a sort of “do-it-yourself Dale Chihully….”
Lynn Lang’s recycled glass collection for the garden
Lynn Lang reveals her collection. “My first garden totems! The glass orbs on two of them are solar lights that change color. Bought lights at Menards for $4.00. Copper stakes will support most of these.”
Where to find glass for garden totems
Thrift stores, of course, for inexpensive glass vases, light fixtures, candle holders, old swag lamps and votives
Yards sales, where real bargains can be found!
Antique stores,…sometimes,…you can find treasures and unusual pieces, but they may be pricey.
eBay for certain colors shapes,..specific items you can only pinpoint there,..You’re stuck with postage and the risk of breakage, but it may be worth it!
Don’t glue Grandma’s glass!
Ann Elias’s glass totems
Ann Elias exposes her secret stash. She tells us, “I have been busy…playing in my new craft studio!”
Jan Brown’s collection started,..she likes blues and greens
Storing your recycled garden glass
- Inside in cupboards or closet shelves
- Outside on shed or garage shelving in the winter months
Other materials needed for projects
- Glue- GE II Silicone for Exterior Windows
- Masking tape
- Flat marbles or ‘jewels’
- Microwave glass ‘dishes’
GE II Silicone for exterior windows, in clear. Click to buy from Amazon.
Tip:
From Kirk Willis: Glue a glass microwave dish to the bottom ofyour totems or birdbaths and then cover the dish with soil or bark to disguise it. It will add stability.
Sherma Jones arranges her collection in a rainbow
Sherma Jones and her husband, from Nebraska, accomplished a huge iundertaking when making this glass sculpture in their garden. Se fears it makes become a ‘target’ for pistol happy shooters??? She says, simply, “Here’s my bottle wall in a Nebraska winter wonderland. It’s beautiful year-round. ” For complete how-tos, see Art or Shooting Practice? on Sherma’s blog.
Sherma Jones ‘s incredible garden glass sculpture ‘Wall’
More on totems: Flea Market Glass Garden Totem: Step by Step
Easy bird bath totem
More on Collections:
Heavenly cobalt glass in the garden
Collecting marvelous Mason jars
For the love of Terracotta pots
Kim’s cute and cozy cottage…inside
12 Ideas for your Winter windows
1 Comment
I have been working on my collection of glassware for my garden totems. The colors of these bottles are beautiful. I think this year I will use more color.