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Hunker reported a DIY by content creator Jessica Lynn that turns a Dollar Tree glass floral bowl and glass accent gems into a decorative globe that can serve as a lantern or bird feeder. The project uses glue and grout; its durability outdoors depends on proper curing, sealing and suitable hanging hardware.
Hunker has reported a do-it-yourself project by content creator Jessica Lynn that turns a Dollar Tree Clear Round Glass Floral Bowl and Crafters Square Glass Accent Gems into a decorative globe that can be used as a lantern or backyard bird feeder. The project combines glued glass pieces with grout, but its outdoor suitability depends on curing the grout, applying a sealant and choosing a secure way to hang the finished item.
In the instructions described by Hunker, the maker cleans the bowl, then glues the flat side of each glass gem onto its exterior until the surface is covered. The gems can be arranged in one color or in contrasting hues. Hunker says Jessica uses Starbond Medium Super Glue and an accelerator to speed drying; the accelerator is optional if there is no rush.
Once the gems are attached, grout is spread over the surface to fill the spaces between them. The excess is wiped away with a damp sponge, including any grout haze on the gems. Hunker identifies premixed, ready-to-use grout as an option and says the piece should be left in a well-ventilated area for 24 to 72 hours to dry and cure. It recommends a clear sealant for a globe intended to withstand outdoor conditions.
For a lantern, the globe can hold battery-operated lights. The lights Jessica uses are not weather-resistant, according to the report, so Hunker suggests using those indoors and selecting lights designed for outdoor use if displaying the piece outside. The same globe can be adapted as a feeder, but the report advises choosing seed suited to local birds and hanging the feeder a few feet above the ground and away from windows.
One Globe, Two Outdoor Uses
The project offers a low-cost way to repurpose inexpensive glassware as either a decorative light or a feeder, with the choice depending on what is placed inside the globe. That flexibility may appeal to readers looking for a small craft project rather than a permanent garden installation. The instructions also show that a low purchase price does not remove the need to plan for materials beyond the two Dollar Tree items, including glue, grout, a sponge, possible sealant and appropriate hanging hardware.
Practical limits matter. Glass, grout and gems add weight, and the source does not provide a finished weight or tested load rating. A decorative twine loop may not be strong enough for hanging. The report says a commenter raised that concern and suggests considering a thin metal chain or wire. Readers should assess the finished piece and its support before suspending it, particularly outdoors where wind and weather can add stress.
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How the Glass Globe Is Made
The method has three main stages: attach the gems, grout the gaps, then let the piece dry and cure. Hunker says the gems do not have to fit perfectly because grout fills remaining spaces, though placing them close together helps cover the glass. Newspaper or another protective covering is useful while applying grout, which can leave residue on nearby surfaces.
The source describes the grout as premixed and says that makes it more user-friendly for a small project than standard tile grout. It names SimpleGrout Ready-to-Use Grout as a comparable product, rather than saying it is the only material that can be used. The report also notes that a bowl without a built-in top loop would need a hanging attachment, such as twine secured with glue, while warning that stronger chain or wire may be preferable for the assembled globe.
Use also affects the finishing choices. Hunker says sealant can be skipped for an indoor display, such as a nightlight, kitchen suncatcher or small-plant holder. For outdoor use, the report recommends sealing the globe and matching the lighting to the conditions. It cautions that solar lights need direct sunlight to charge.
“The globe can work as a lantern or a bird feeder.”
— Hunker, describing the project by content creator Jessica Lynn
Outdoor Durability and Hanging Strength
The report does not state the finished globe’s weight, how much load its glued hanging loop can bear, or how long the assembly has been tested outdoors. It also does not provide a specific sealant application method or establish that any particular combination of glass, glue and grout will remain intact in every climate. Hunker’s recommendation to seal the piece is guidance, not a published durability test.
It is also unclear which bird species the feeder would attract or what seed is appropriate at a given location. Those choices depend on local birds and conditions; the article advises readers to research them rather than naming one universal seed. Anyone using the piece as a feeder should also decide how it can be safely refilled and cleaned, details the source does not spell out.
Before Hanging or Filling the Globe
The immediate next step for anyone following the project is to let the grout cure for the full period stated on its packaging and in the report, keeping the workspace ventilated. Before placing the globe outdoors, apply a suitable clear sealant and confirm that both the light source and attachment are intended for outdoor exposure. Check the completed piece for loose gems or grout before hanging it.
For a feeder, select seed based on local bird guidance and position the globe a few feet above the ground and away from windows, as Hunker recommends. The source does not announce a follow-up test or product update. Its report leaves the finished object’s long-term weather resistance and load capacity unverified, so those remain practical questions for anyone adapting the craft.
Key Questions
Which two Dollar Tree items are used?
The project uses a Clear Round Glass Floral Bowl and Crafters Square Glass Accent Gems. Glue, grout and other supplies are also needed.
How long should the grout cure?
Hunker says to allow 24 to 72 hours for the premixed grout to dry and cure in a well-ventilated area. Follow the directions on the grout product being used.
Can the globe be left outside?
Hunker recommends applying a clear sealant for outdoor use and choosing lights made for outdoor conditions. The report does not provide a durability test or guarantee that the finished globe will withstand all weather.
What should be used to hang it?
The report describes twine as one option when the bowl has no loop, but relays a commenter’s concern that the finished piece may be too heavy for twine. It suggests considering a thin metal chain or wire; no tested load rating is provided.
What seed should go in the feeder?
There is no single seed recommendation in the report. It advises researching which birds are native to the area and which seed is appropriate for them.
Source: hunker.com
