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A Hunker report details a DIY by content creator Jessica Lynn that combines a Dollar Tree glass floral bowl and glass accent gems into a decorative globe. With grout and suitable lighting, it can serve as an indoor lantern or, with weather-resistant materials and safe placement, a backyard bird feeder.
Hunker has reported on a DIY project by content creator Jessica Lynn that turns a Dollar Tree glass floral bowl and glass accent gems into a decorative globe that can be used as a lantern or backyard bird feeder. The project also requires glue and grout, and its outdoor use depends on weather-resistant lighting, a protective sealant and a secure hanging method.
The two Dollar Tree items are a Clear Round Glass Floral Bowl and Crafters Square Glass Accent Gems. In the project described by Hunker, Lynn attaches the gems to the outside of the bowl with medium super glue, placing them close together across the glass. An accelerator can shorten the glue’s drying time, but the report says it is optional.
Once the adhesive has set, grout is spread over the gems to fill the spaces between them. The excess is wiped away with a damp sponge, including any haze on the gem surfaces. Hunker describes premixed, ready-to-use grout as an option for the small project and says the globe should be left to dry and cure for 24 to 72 hours in a well-ventilated area. A clear sealant is recommended if the finished piece will be exposed to outdoor conditions.
For a lantern, the globe can hold battery-operated string lights or another small light source. The report cautions that the string lights Lynn uses are not weather-resistant, so they are suitable for indoor display rather than outdoor exposure. For a feeder, the finished globe can be filled with appropriate bird food. Hunker advises readers to research which birds are native to their area and what seed is suitable for them.
One Globe, Two Backyard Uses
The project offers a low-cost way to make a decorative object from two readily available glass craft items, while allowing the finished piece to serve different purposes. Indoors, it can be lit as a lantern, displayed as a sun catcher or used to hold a small plant. Outdoors, it can be adapted as a feeder, though that use calls for attention to weather exposure, hanging strength and bird safety.
Those practical details matter because the materials and setup that work for a decorative indoor globe may not hold up outdoors. Hunker notes that the lights in Lynn’s version are not designed for weather, and a commenter raised a concern that twine could be too weak for a globe made heavier by glass gems and grout. A metal chain or wire is suggested as a stronger alternative. The report does not provide a tested load rating or guarantee that a particular assembly will withstand outdoor conditions.
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How the Glass Globe Is Made
The design depends on attaching individual gems to the bowl before adding grout. Hunker says to clean dust or debris from the glass first, then place a drop of glue on the flat side of each gem and press it onto the surface. Using one gem color can create a uniform look; different colors can be arranged in blocks or patterns. The grout fills gaps, so the initial placement need not be perfectly even, but the gems should be close together.
Hunker attributes the design to Jessica Lynn and identifies the products used in or suggested for the build: Starbond Medium Super Glue and Accelerator, plus a ready-to-use grout formula similar to SimpleGrout. The source says premixed grout is more user-friendly for a small project than standard tile grout, but it still needs time to cure. If the bowl lacks a loop, the report suggests securing twine around the glass with glue and leaving enough length to hang it; it also relays a reader’s concern about the weight and suggests thin metal chain or wire instead.
The globe is not limited to outdoor use. Hunker lists an indoor nightlight, kitchen sun catcher and display for tiny houseplants as possible uses. For indoor display, the report says the sealant can be skipped. For outdoor use, it recommends sealing the globe and selecting lights designed to withstand the elements. Solar lights also need direct sunlight to charge, so their panel must be positioned where it receives sun.
““A Clear Round Glass Floral Bowl and Crafters Square Glass Accent Gems””
— Hunker’s report on the project
Weight, Weather and Bird Safety
The source does not give the finished globe’s weight, a safe load limit for the glue or hanging material, or a test showing how the assembly performs in wind and rain. It also does not specify a sealant product or explain how often an outdoor finish may need maintenance. Because of the concern about twine strength, the hanging method should be chosen for the actual finished weight rather than assumed to be adequate.
Hunker does not identify a particular bird species or seed as appropriate for every reader’s location. The report advises researching local birds and suitable food, but it does not provide region-specific feeding guidance. It also does not assess whether a particular feeder design is accessible to birds or vulnerable to other animals. Readers should treat the globe’s use as a feeder as an adaptation, not as a tested wildlife product.
Before Hanging the Finished Globe
After applying grout, allow the full 24-to-72-hour curing period in a well-ventilated space before handling or hanging the globe. If it will be outdoors, apply a clear sealant as directed by its manufacturer and choose a light source labeled for outdoor conditions. For solar lighting, place the panel where it receives direct sunlight.
Before installing the feeder, identify birds native to the area and select food suited to them. Hunker recommends hanging it a few feet above the ground and away from windows to reduce the risk of bird collisions. The report does not give a precise distance from windows or a fastening specification, so the final placement and support need to account for local conditions and the weight of the completed piece.
Key Questions
Which Dollar Tree items does the project use?
Hunker identifies a Clear Round Glass Floral Bowl and Crafters Square Glass Accent Gems. Glue and grout are also needed, but the report lists those as separate supplies.
How long should the grout cure?
The report says to allow 24 to 72 hours for the premixed grout to dry and cure in a well-ventilated environment. Follow the instructions on the grout product being used.
Can the lantern be left outside?
Not with the non-weather-resistant string lights used in Lynn’s version, according to Hunker. For outdoor display, the report recommends a clear sealant and lights designed for outdoor use.
How should the globe be hung?
Hunker mentions twine for bowls without a top loop, but also cites a commenter’s concern that the finished globe may be too heavy for it. A thin metal chain or wire is suggested as a stronger option; the source does not provide a load rating.
What should go in the bird feeder?
Choose food suited to the bird species native to your area. Hunker recommends researching local birds and appropriate seed rather than assuming one type of bird food fits every location.
Source: hunker.com
