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A Hunker report describes a DIY project by creator Jessica Lynn that combines a Dollar Tree glass floral bowl and glass accent gems to make a decorative globe. With grout and a suitable hanging method, the finished piece can be used as an indoor light, an outdoor lantern with weather-rated lighting, or a bird feeder; durability and safe installation depend on materials and placement.
Hunker has featured a DIY project by content creator Jessica Lynn that turns two Dollar Tree items—a Clear Round Glass Floral Bowl and Crafters Square Glass Accent Gems—into a decorative globe that can be used as a light or bird feeder. The project adds glued-on gems and grout to the bowl, with the final use depending on the lighting, hanging hardware and outdoor conditions.
To make the globe, Lynn first cleans the glass bowl, then uses super glue to attach the flat sides of the gems to its surface. She places the stones close together, but the report says the arrangement does not need to be exact because grout fills the gaps. An accelerator can speed up the glue’s drying time, though it is optional.
Once the gems are attached, the maker spreads grout across the surface and into the spaces between the stones. A damp sponge removes the excess grout and residue from the gems. The report recommends allowing 24 to 72 hours to dry and cure in a well-ventilated area, and applying a clear sealant if the globe will be used outdoors. It cites premixed grout as an easier-to-use option for a small project, not as a guarantee that the finished object will withstand every weather condition.
The report says the globe can be displayed indoors as a nightlight, suncatcher or small-plant display. For a lantern, Lynn uses battery-operated string lights, but the lights shown are not weather-resistant. For outdoor use, Hunker points readers to lighting designed for outdoor conditions and says solar panels need direct sunlight to charge. As a feeder, the globe can hold bird food, 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, Three Garden Uses
The project offers a way to repurpose inexpensive craft-store materials into an object with more than one practical use, rather than buying a separate decorative lantern or feeder. Its appeal is the combination of a colored-glass look with a simple form that can be adapted to an indoor display, outdoor lighting or bird feeding.
The different uses also come with different requirements. An indoor decorative globe can avoid some exposure to rain, while an outdoor light needs weather-rated components and a feeder needs appropriate food and careful placement. Treating these as separate choices matters: the tutorial’s decorative finish alone does not establish that the bowl, adhesive, grout or lights are safe and durable in all outdoor settings.
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How the Glass Globe Is Made
The source describes a craft project, not a Dollar Tree product launch or a tested commercial feeder. The two store items form the visible base: a round glass floral bowl and glass accent gems. The remaining materials include glue, grout and, depending on the chosen use, lighting, sealant and hanging hardware. Hunker identifies Starbond Medium Super Glue and its accelerator as the products Lynn uses, and says a comparable ready-to-use grout is available from Home Depot.
Hunker also notes a potential weakness in the hanging setup. If the bowl lacks a loop, the report suggests securing twine around the glass with glue, but says a commenter questioned whether twine could support the weight of the stones and grout. The article offers thin metal chain or wire as a stronger alternative. That concern is relevant to both outdoor display and feeder use: the completed globe will be heavier than the empty bowl, and the source does not provide a tested weight limit or hanging specification.
“Allow 24 to 72 hours for it to fully dry and cure in a well-ventilated environment.”
— Hunker, on grout curing
Weight, Weather and Bird Safety
The supplied report does not give the globe’s finished weight, identify a tested load rating for the twine or glue, or establish how long the assembly lasts outdoors. It also does not specify a particular sealant, weather-resistance test or mounting method. Readers should not assume that a decorative bowl and craft materials are suitable for prolonged exposure to wind, rain or temperature changes.
The report recommends choosing food for local bird species and positioning the feeder away from windows, but it does not name seed types for particular regions or provide a detailed cleaning schedule. Those choices depend on local birds and conditions. It is also unclear whether the exact lights shown in the tutorial are still available; Hunker distinguishes them from products it describes as designed for outdoor use.
Choose the Use Before Hanging
The next step for anyone following the project is to decide whether the globe will be an indoor decoration, outdoor lantern or feeder before choosing its lights, sealant and hanger. The assembly should be allowed to cure for the stated 24 to 72 hours. For an outdoor display, the report recommends a clear sealant and lighting built for outdoor use; for solar lighting, the panel needs direct sun. A secure chain or wire may be more appropriate than twine if the completed piece is heavy.
For feeder use, the report’s guidance is to research native birds and suitable seed, then hang the globe a few feet above the ground and away from windows. Hunker’s article does not describe a formal product test or a further planned update, so the project’s long-term performance remains dependent on the materials, installation and local weather.
Key Questions
Which two Dollar Tree items are used?
The base is a Clear Round Glass Floral Bowl covered with Crafters Square Glass Accent Gems. Glue, grout and any lights or hanging hardware are additional materials.
How long should the grout cure?
Hunker recommends allowing 24 to 72 hours for the grout to dry and cure in a well-ventilated area. Follow the instructions on the grout product being used.
Can the finished globe be left outdoors?
The report suggests applying a clear sealant outdoors and using lights designed for outdoor conditions. It does not provide weather testing or a guarantee of durability, so the materials and hanging setup should be checked for the intended conditions.
What should be considered if using it as a bird feeder?
Choose food appropriate for birds native to the area, and hang the feeder a few feet above the ground and away from windows, according to Hunker. The report does not give region-specific seed recommendations.
Is twine strong enough to hang the globe?
The article relays a commenter’s concern that the stones and grout could make the piece too heavy for twine. It suggests considering thin metal chain or wire, but provides no tested load rating for any hanger.
Source: hunker.com
