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Remember my Glowing Outdoor Orbs? Of course you do. They’re orbs and they glow. Like alien testicles. Who could forget something like that.
Well I’ve come up with the Glowing Outdoor Orbs Part II. Only the don’t glow. So they’re the Outdoor Orbs Part II. Only people tend not to know what an Outdoor Orb is (since I made the phrase up), so I’ve decided to change the name to White Glass Shades that Every House Used to Have But Now Doesn’t Because We all Threw Them Out Like Idiots. And Now We Have to Buy Them From Secondhand Stores. How’s that?
Anyhooooo back to the issue at hand. I’m a genius and as soon as you copy what I have to show you below, you’ll feel like a genius too. Please note, with regard to my geniusyness, it doesn’t apply to math or mathematical related problems, or numbers or decimals or anything that requires the adding or subtracting of fractions. Or math.
The ingredients for this craft are similar to but different from those in the original Glowing Outdoor Orbs. You still only need 2 things and it’s still incredibly easy. I have come to understand that people LOVE the bigger projects I do, but tend to only duplicate the ones that take 10 minutes or so. Don’t blame ya.
Here for your pleasure and limited time frame, is the 10 minute birdfeeder.
A old glass lampshade
A squiggle of rope …
A $3 contemporary hanging birdfeeder.
How to make a super-fantastic hanging birdfeeder
Gather your rope. I happened to use 1/8th inch nylon rope. I bought a 50′ package and it cost around $4. There’s enough rope in that package to hang 3 or 4 birdfeeders from really high branches.
Using really thick rope would also look great. Probably even better than the thin stuff. I’m not sure why I bought the thinner stuff. I’m sensing a crack in my geniusyness.
#1. Measure twice the amount of rope as you need it to hang. Go look at your tree branch and just guess. When all else fails, just measure out a lot. You can always make the rope shorter, but you can’t make it longer. Find the middle of the rope.
#2. Wrap the doubled up rope around the middle of your glass shade. The looped area of the rope is the centre of it.
#3. Pinch where the loop (centre) meets.
#4. Tie a knot where your pinch mark is.
#5. You now have a knot and a loop and a whole whack of excess rope.
#6. Wrap the rope around the shade again.
#7. Slip the excess rope through the loop, allowing the loop to rest over and lock on the knot. You’ll probably have to undo and redo your knot to get it right. You want it quite tight but not so tight you’ll break the shade. Good and tight is how I would describe it.
#8. Place a soft towel or pillow under the shade, then lift it by the rope to make sure it’s hanging straight. Fiddle with centreing the rope until it hangs right. The towel’s there in case the shades slips out and falls. It shouldn’t but it might. Hell, what do I know about your knot tying abilities?
#9. Using Waterproof Silicone, glue your rope to the shade.
#10. To make sure your rope stays centred on the shade, just run the tip of the silicone down the centre of the 2 pieces of rope. As you run the tip down, it’ll push the two pieces aside keeping everything centred. Go allll the way around the shade.
#11. Pinch the rope closed again, along the glue line.
If you want to be extra diligent (I was) you can also run a bead of silicone on the outside edges of the rope.
Hey! Wanna know why I was extra diligent?? Because the first time I did this I wasn’t and 2 of my feeders crashed to the ground and shattered into pieces. See? Like this.
I oringally only used “Weldbond” glue, which is supposed to adhere to glass. Guess what? It didn’t. So don’t go thinking you can do this with whatever glue you have around the house. You can’t. You must use a silicone based product like I’ve used. Marine silicone, tub silicone … anything like that. Something that’s meant for use on glass and is meant to come into contact with water. Weldbond says it does these things. But in my experience ….
… it doesn’t.
#13. Let the birdfeeder rest for 24 hours to dry. Unless you’re me. In which case, run outside and hang it from the tree immediately. Do as I say, not as I do. You want the glue to cure before subjecting it to the elements.
Hang them & fill them with bird/chipmunk/squirrel food!
You may have noticed that there are no pictures of birds at my birdfeeders. That’s because I didn’t have an extra 742 hours to sit around waiting for a bird to come. Besides it’s been raining since I hung these feeders and I haven’t seen a bird at them yet. I’m sure they’ll come. They always do.
Also a bit of a warning here! I have no idea if one day the silicone will suddenly decide it’s had enough of this and give up. It shouldn’t. But it might. But it really, really shouldn’t. However, I’m warning you that I cannot take responsibility if these glass shades come crashing down onto your Golden Retriever or French Bulldog’s head. I don’t think they will but I thought it’d be rude not to mention it’s a possibility.
Although, on account of my mathematical abilities, I wouldn’t want to put a percentage on it. Or a fraction..
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Surani
First comment!
Tee-hee, not really. I mean it is, but I’m not one of THOSE people. You know who I mean.
This is wonderful! I’ve already been going to Goodwills looking for glass round-y things for the glowing ones and now I need even more.
Living in a townhouse with a back porch but no backyard I can’t do a lot of outdoorsy stuff, which is why I love Outdoor Orbs Part I and Part II. They work anywhere!
Keep up the strange and wonderful things.
molly Grove
hey these are great and i love love all the different uses SO GREAT.
Amy
Very geniusy, though I can tell your “geniusyness” doesn’t apply to math or mathematical related problems because this project does in fact require 3 items instead of 2 like you said in the beginning of your post.
Love it anyway.
Karen
Amy – LOL. You must be a new visitor. You’ll soon find out. I lie alllll the time. I usually point it out myself, but you beat me to it! Good job.
~ karen
Amy
Actually I’m a long time stalker, but a first time commenter. You never fail to crack me up. Pretty much every day I drag my husband over to the computer to see your new post.
Karen
Thanks Amy! I bet your husband just *loves* that, LOL. ~ karen
Pati
awesome Karen!! Love them
Mary
Damn, that’s so brilliant.
Karen
Yes. But ask me to calculate how much to tip at a restaurant. ~ karen
Michelle
there’s an app for that!
these are so cute and you are so funny! thanks, i needed some laughter on a friday morning!
~m
Karen
No problem Michelle! It’s kind of dreary here so I could use a laugh too. If you know a good knock knock joke, send it along.
~ karen
Shauna Rudy
Ooooh, I love it love it love it! So pretty! Do you think that if I left it empty, birds would use it as a house? I don’t know a lot about birds’ housing preferences. (I can’t do birdseed because we live across the street from a creek, and seed brings the rats over.) They’re so lovely and chic looking that I want to find another use. Maybe hanging votive holders? Thanks for another brilliant idea.
Shelley
I just bought birdseed that is soaked in hot sauce. Only the birds eat it. No squirrels and I bet no rats!
Erika
bidsed soaked in hotsauce so no squirrels? Genius! I was just trying to come up with some way to do these without incouraging the three terrorist squirrels in my trees.
Pam'a
I think a lot of birds need something with a smaller hole in it to keep out other critters. Wrens, for example, like a quarter-sized hole!
Shauna Rudy
Thanks for the ideas and info, ladies!
Emily @ NewlyWife
You make me want to run to a thrift store and hoard all of them there orbs!
Cindy S.
You are brilliant! I LOVE these feeders, and I LOVE the outdoor orbs!!
I hate to admit it, but I still have 3 of these in use—I call ‘em polyp lights, and I really despise them, but now I won’t have to throw them away when we finally put up new fixtures!
mel
awesomeness!
yesterday i just bought 100m of rope. without any clue what to do with it. and now, there you come! thank you karen.. you are genius. and i have a explanation for the boyfriend when he gives me the what-the-hell-were-you-thinking-buying-that-look.
Karen
Mel – I’d have bought rope too. In fact I did a couple of weeks ago. ~ karen!
Michelle
You are so freakin amazing and human too, I like the ‘after’ smashed shots!
Jen
OK…it’s early…and I’ve just started sipping my coffee….but when I started reading this I was baffled wondering how you were going to CUT out the perfect hole, where the birdfeed went. LOL! I’ll go finish my coffee now….:) I LOVE, love, love, this idea. Especially now that I don’t have to cut anything.
mimi
Wonderful idea!
2 things- do your hands not get wrecked from handling glue and stuff?
-The trees in your back are gorgeous!
Karen
Mimi. Yeah. My hands get wrecked all the time. I have a massive cut across my finger that I probably should have had stitched, I have white calking in my thumbnail bed and my nails are never done. My sister gently suggested I might want to consider gel nails the other day. So yeah. My hands get wrecked. But stuff gets done!
~ karen
myhonestanswer
I love the look! But I’m wondering if there might be a more secure way to do it… Two loops of rope at 45 degree angles maybe…
Hang on, I just used degrees and angles. I lost you already, right?
Keep up the good work.
Karen
I looked into doing this a variety of ways. I wanted something as simple and unobtrusive looking as possible. I didn’t want to create a net or cradle that would hold the birdfeeders because it would take away form the “look”. Hah! I said, “the look”. Anyhow, it’s true. The silicone should be reallyyyyyyy secure. Honestly. I mean, they use marine silicone to hold portholes into ships, so it should be fine.
~ karen
Jennifer
Love it! Both orb projects are totally inspired!
Karen
Jennifer – I often use the phrase okey doke. Not “okey dokey” mind you. But still …
~ karen
gf
hmmmm
A glowing outdoor orb alien testicle bird feeder would be quite romantic for bird/squirrel date night.
Karen
Cheryl
Love this!! Do you think this would work with a Dollarama candy dish? http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/10-uses-for-a-dollarama-candy-dish-2
I’m thinking that if the bird feeder gets a lot of bird poop on it, it wouldn’t be as apparent with a clear glass.
Karen
Cheryl – I think because they’re clear the dollarama candy dishes might be even messier looking because they are see through. They won’t have the same impact unless they’re against a very plain background all around. I’m not sure. The only way to find out how it looks is to try! ~ karen
NanaBeast
The large size and angle (“tilt” for those of us who are math and geometry challenged) of the opening in the dollarama candy dishes makes me think rain would fill this baby up. Of course some people might like to watch a waterfall of birdseed.
Karen
NanaBeast – Oh! Dollarama also sells other candy dishes that aren’t on a tilt.
~ karen
Jules
Karen- you do it yet again – make me laugh and give me a mission. Love the idea! I may paint mine – that will work right? On the hunt for more orbs!!
Good call on the 10 min projects – I’m sure you are right- human nature I guess and just the joy of almost instant gratification;) (and no math – which I thank u for because i suck at it too)
Thanks as always!
Mandy
My first thought when I saw that rope around the orb was “Uh-oh, that miiight not work” Haha I’d probably be too scared that an over-eager squirrel would knock it out! I love the look though, and they’d probably be beautiful with votive candles inside too! I’m wishing I had gorgeous trees like yours!
CJ
Have to say,
Someone definitely has her funny back!!!
Rebecca Mueller
Hi Karen,
Love all you do. Thanks for your wit. About the birdfeeders, I have one question. How do the squirrels like them? I have given up on bird feeding because it inevitably attracts every squirrel in the neighborhood. When they are finished with the bird seed, they test my tomatoes with one bite before tossing them to the ground. Oops, two questions. Why do squirrels do that?
Rebecca
Karen
Rebecca – Squirrels are jerks. But I still think they’re cute. I’ve see them stalking the feeders, but not actually in them. I *have* seen my chipmunk doing a lot of rummaging though! ~ karen
Hailey Marie
Those are so cute! My only worry is that the wind will come along and blow them into something… or each other!
Karen
Hailey – As long as you space them at different heights they shouldn’t blow into each other. And if they’re far enough away from the trunk, same thing. Also, they’re fairly heavy once you get the seed in them. In fact, with the larger feeders don’t fill the feeder up, just enough so the birds can reach it from the lip. Otherwise it’ll be really heavy. ~ karen
Jeanne
Karen: Absolutely brilliant! Another winner.
(what is happening with the C.Coop?) hummmmm
Diversion, procrastination, just plain wore out?
LOL
Karen
No, I’m still working on the coop, but I can’t do it 14 hours a day anymore. The rest of the house was falling apart. You should see the laundry that needs to be done. And I still hadn’t “spring cleaned” my front yard and porch. So I’m trying to work a few other things in and slow down on the coop for a few days. It should still be done in a week or so! ~ karen
Michele
Even more geniusy than I expected (and i have come to expect a lot from you). I think it literally took my breath away when I scrolled down to the picture. Can’t wait to do this.
Mr. Pickles
Mr. Pickles says, “Brava!” Plus, the more birds I can lure the garden, the better! This the home-improvement project equivalent of the Gary Larson cartoon with the dog pointing to an open clothes dryer that reads, in crazy-person scrawl, “Cat Fud” as the cat looks at the dog suspiciously.
Angela N
Love this!! I will be making this soon! I have one of the orb lights in my garage right now. Woo hoo! Thanks for the idea!
Felicia Kramer
I love this! And I really really would like to put them in my garden. However, I am engaged in an ongoing war with several giant, fat red squirrels – fat from eating all my birdseed – who destroy everything I put in my garden to feed the birds. They are relentless and will destroy anything in search of food. These beautiful orbs might last but 10 minutes, I’m afraid.
They are very lovely, though.
Alexandra Dare
What a cute way to feed the “critters,” as my grandparents would say.
Kim
Your posts always make me laugh! I hope that everyone you know contactntly comments on your geniusyness! It is truly remarkable!
brenda
i love your hands…I recognize those hands….they are the hands of someone who is an artist (like me)….over time my hands went from slim and small-knuckled to stumpy and well…kinda manly looking.
I’m ok with it. I love what I do. How do you feel about your hands???
Karen
Brenda – They are square, workman hands. I’ve always had them. They have veins and muscles and a few callouses. When I do my nails and moisturize and such they look significantly less manly. But they’ll never be pretty. Ever. ~ karen
Bobbi
The orb construction looks easy enough, but how did you hang them …so high? Just wonderin’.
Karen
Bobbi – Ladder. Step ladder or regular. ~ karen
Catherine
Can you tell what kind of tree that is? It is very cool looking, with the bark and the weeping evergreen branches.
Thanks.
Catherine
Karen
Catherine – So many people are commenting on the tree that I’ll do a post on it next week or the week after and tell you alllll about it! ~ karen
lori
great idea!! thanks. now a question for ya, can you figure out how to wrap the white roundie thing more than once.?? that way you would not have to worry about the “glue” holding.?? yes???
just a thought.
thanks for all the great ideas!!!
Karen
Lori – I tried to do this several ways over several evenings sitting on the couch. I knew the basic look I wanted. I didn’t want a rope cradle, or nest. I wanted the rope to be subtle so what you noticed was the birdfeeder. I tried macrame and knots and that sort of thing and it just didn’t look the same as the feeder hanging from the single long strand of rope. Anyhow .. the silicone will hold.
~ karen
Elaine Clark
You are funny. I love this idea. I know what you mean about the fingernails. I never wear gloves and am a source of embarrassment for my finely manicured friends and family, but it seems like such a stupid thing to worry about when I use my hands all the time. It shows. So what?!
I can hardly wait for your tutorial on the chicken coop fence. My son gets out of school today so I am going to recruit him to help me build it. Hopefully, it isn’t too difficult. My husband doesn’t seem to have much faith in our abilities, but I know that if I see how you do it, I can follow along. Unless, of course, there is a saw involved. Then I’m screwed. My chickens have had free access to the backyard until their numbers suddenly started diminishing from either a coyote, fox or other assailant. Therefore, they have been in their house for 3 days and are anxious to get outside once again.
Thanks for making me laugh.
Elaine
Karen
Elaine – I hate to be the bearer of bad news but … you need to use a saw to build a coop. Unless you have a REALLY big set of Lincoln logs. ~ karen
Elaine Clark
Well, that is bad news because I don’t have a big set of Lincoln Logs and I am afraid of saws. However, the saw will be my fear that I face that day. So be it. Thanks.
Elaine
Another Karen
And after snacking out, the birds can skip over to the bath to wash off the crumbs! I’m going to try these feeders this weekend. Thanks!
Karen
Another Karen – The birds use my Ikea birdbath alllll the time now! It takes a bit for the birds to get used to the play things you put in the yard for them, but once they find them, they depend on them. It’s ufn! Ooops, I mean, it’s fun! ~ karen
Donna O.
I think I’m going to start stock-piling these for outdoor votive holders. I have 3 daughters of the marrying age & one who’s thinking about a backyard wedding. Wouldn’t these be fab?! Great post!
Karen
Donna O. – Congrats on the wedding! Well … the possible wedding.
Everyone keeps talking about using these as votive holders, so I’ll do a little test to see if it works. You see, the problem is I’m afraid the glass will get too hot. The flame will be too close to the top of the glass if they’re hanging sideways the way the birdfeeders are. I’ll let you know how the experiment goes. ~ karen
Sarah
I LOVE IT! I just went to Habitat for Humanity and bought my shades for the glow orbs(I commented on that post a day or so ago). To prevent the smashing, why not go to Home Depot and buy a glass drill bit, and drill two holes – and string the cord through?
Karen
Sarah – I’ve used glass drill bits before and they don’t *always* ensure the glass doesn’t break while drilling. Found that out the hard way. Besides. Glass drill bits aren’t cheap, and it makes the project less accessible for most people. Most people want to do things with the least amount of purchasing possible, LOL. Some of my projects require special tools, etc., but I was trying to make this one as easy and cheap as possible.
The marine silicone should work fine though. Fingers crossed. ~ karen
Sarah
True enough.
That’s why you are the genious!
Karen
2+2= 4. Clearly. A genius.
Laurie
I am so thrilled that I caught these posts! I’m a fairly new follower, but the previous owners left about a dozen of these shades in our basement. You are a savior!
Nancy
Karen..from my experience with these glass shades..when they break…they shatter into a gazillion pieces just like your picture shows…If one would try to drill these they should be extremely careful..I really doubt that they would react well to being drilled..this is a great idea and they do look very cool hanging from your tree!!! Oh..one more thing…just how long is a squiggle of rope???
Ana Silva
Who would have thought. Great ideas and I am pinnig them to do later. I am new to your blog but I like it so far…you are funny and creative!
Karen
Thanks Ana! Pin away.
~ karen
Karen
Why am I unfamiliar with what alien testicles may or may not look like? One day I am going to do Orb I project when it stops raining in my neck of the woods here in MN. From a MN Karen.
Karen
Lots of rain here too, Karen. Blech. ~ karen
Paige
These are gorgeous! And LOL @ “alien testicles!” hahaha
Renee
Karen – This is the second time I’ve visited your blog – I poppped over from Censational Girl. Great ideas, both of them for the orbs. I’ll be hitting the thrift store this weekend. Tip on birdseed…did you know that microwaving the seed for 3 or 4 minutes will keep all the seed from germinatinng.
Renee @ Lattenene’s Cup of Chat
Karen
Renee – That is just about the best tip I’ve ever heard. I didn’t know that! I wonder if it’s true. You know I’m going to have to test this and report back on Monday! (I have found that occasionally, the Internet is a big, fat liar. Not that I’m inferring you are. I’m not. But sometimes the Internet is.
Can’t wait to give it a go! Thx. ~ karen
Karen
If this really works I may go back to feeding birds again. I quit putting feeders up near my house because I go so darn many “volunteer” weeds in my flower beds from the dropped birdseed. Not to mention that they crap all over my patio and furniture. Sorry birds….crap out in the woods!
Renee
Karen = let me know how the tip works for you = it has always worked for me
Karen
Will do Renee! The thought of it working is pretty exciting. Post worthy even! ~ karen
Lynn
So, I’m flipping through some very often cool, very often too expensive catalog last night and what do I see but THE VERY SAME IDEA but with clear, handblown glass (or clear orbs) as terrariums!!! Did they want $3.00 for it? NO, THEY WANTED $70.00!!!
Ima go make me a terrarium for my kitchen window.
Karen
Lynn – I’d like names and pictures. I’ve developed my own obsession with terrariums lately!
~ karen
Lynn
I’d swear I saw one with succulents, but I’ve thrown away the catalog because it was the one day a week we CLEAN UP EVERYTHING in anticipation of Garbage Day. But, I did find this online so I think it was these folks:
http://www.vivaterra.com/garden/plants/recycled-glass-terrarium.html
Karen
Thanks Lynn! I’ll go have a look. Centsational Girl had beautiful terrariums on her site this week … http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/06/secrets-of-a-successful-terrarium/ . A guest post by Courtney Out Loud.
Pam'a
The orbs are gorgeous! Of course!
And as a member of the Mannish Hands Sisterhood, I have to add a quick plug. I’ve always hated wearing gloves to do ANYthing, but that all changed when I came across Atlas gardening gloves. They’re thin, made of cloth and nitrile, and so flexy you can pick up a coin. Plus, they’re only about $7/pair. I have several now, so I use the crummier ones for other nasty jobs. They rock.
Renee
Karen – if you like cheap and you like birds check out this bird bath I made with old pots. It only cost me the spray paint and if you really wanted to go rustic you wouldn’t even have to paint the pots.
http://lattenene1.wordpress.com/category/decorating-2/outside/
Erin
your genius knows no bounds. I have been coveting something similar for a while now but like a real already made one that would cost 5X more…
Michelle
Is there a way to drill a hole in glass? Then we could have a hole at the top of the orb with a knotted end rope and wouldn’t have to worry about the orb falling and breaking? Idea is great!
Sue
I LOVE all of your glass globe ideas, but most of all, I love your writing style. It’s like sittig across the kitchen table and chatting with a dear friend that says exactly what is on their mind. I love it! Keep it up.
Karen
Thanks Sue! That’s what got me banned from television. ~ karen
Kit Bennett
You can paint these with food color tinted outdoor modgepodge …I did it an made amber olive and teal orbs for a housewarming gift!
Jessica
Great idea and they look lovely with your trees!
Karen
Thanks Jessica. That tree is a particular favourite of mine! ~ karen
SheilaB
I am making one of these RIGHT NOW!!!
Can you tell I’m excited?! Will post pic on FB when done as the glass shade is different. *wish the glue would dry faster…and so do the squirrels…*
June
Love this! You’re instructions are a hoot to read also! I’m Pinteresting this and liking on Stumble Upon.
Karen
Thanks June! ~ karen
Gknee
I made one of these today and it looks amazing in my garden. I glamed it up a tad by sticking tiny mirrors around where the rope is attached but the sky’s the limit, beads and little twigs would look sweet too. Thanks for this great idea and love your site. BTW are you Karen from Much of way back??
Karen
Gknee – Glad the orbs worked out for you! I like the twig/stick idea. And yup … I am Karen from Much. ~ karen (from Much)
Robin Rakes
At first glance I thought these were plastic cup lids… maybe from Sonic’s coffee ice cream drinks, or Icee’s. I may try that… so I *Guess* I will have to go to Sonic… darn it.
Amye
Ok, so I did this.
I was lucky enough to find -plastic- lamp bits, which is handy for that one time when I was hanging them up and one slipped out.
They bounce about 6 feet in the air when you use plastic. I’m tempted to put photos on Traditionally Subversive, but my hope was to capture some birds actually using them. My photoshop skills are less than yours, Karen, and I shouldn’t inflict them on the world.
So they’ve been up for about a week now, and the chickadees will not touch them. In fact, all of the birds avoid them as if they were bird-flu carrying feeders and the gov’t agency of their choice in charge of warning them about the bird flu put up a wanted poster for these feeders.
How on earth do you get yours to eat out of them?
— amye
Karen
Amye – Just give it time, that’s all. And make sure there aren’t any branches or anything impeding the birds flight into the feeder. They don’t like to dodge things. Also! I don’t own Photoshop, so I wouldn’t consider myself very skilled at it, LOL. ~ karen
meg
Ok, I followed your tutorial with lovely results. So lovely, in fact, that the squirrels CHEWED through the rope, sent my orb to the ground, and feasted in revelry upon the birdseed. You should have seen them – it was Bacchanalian! grrrr….Luckily, it did not break. Am thinking of putting tealights in it instead. Thanks for the post.
Ashley
It would look kind of cool to do this, but put candles in them at night.
Karen
Ashley – A few people suggested that, but I”m afraid even with a tea light the globes would get *really* hot. I keep meaning to try it because it would be beautiful, but I’m afraid not practical. Uch. Maybe I’ll go out right now and try it. Are you happy now? I’m in my p’jamas and everything, LOL. ~ karen
Shirley
You could use LED lights instead of tea lights that way it wouldn’t get hot.
Jessica
Oh my goodness!! Today is the first I’ve even heard of your blog, and you are hilarious!!! I love how tactful and forthcoming you are during your tutorials. Cannot wait to explore the rest of tour site
Karen
Thanks Jessica! Read on. I post every day (except weekends). You can subscribe if you like but I should warn you, sometimes the subscriptions don’t work. Bleh. Don’t know why. ~ karen!
Katherine
Are they still working, and how easily do they fill up with rain water? Thanks for the beautiful tip!
Karen
Hi Katherine! Yup, the feeders are still working perfectly. I’ve left them outside all winter and the rope is still holding tight. And no, water doesn’t seem to get in them unless it’s literally raining sideways. ~ karen!
Julie
OMG! When we bought our house a few years ago, there are a bunch of these in the basement! And we just replaced the bathroom lights (which were these!)! Now I have something to do with them! (paired with the glowing orb project, but I think this may be a better option).
xoxo
Karen
Julie – Excellent! ~ karen
Marilyn
Hi Karen,
My father-in-law used these shades as a mold for making cement garden balls. It meant breaking the shades to get the ball out, but they really did look neat in the garden.
Rebecca Beadle
Karen-
Thank you so much for sharing this! Today I went to our local restore here in Austin and fell for the glass shade section… $37 later I walked out with 11 white glass shades and 7 of them were glass globes of different sizes.
I went to home depot and lowes thinking I would make a chandelier for the Dinning room, here’s the thing I have NO electrical experience. I left feeling like I had failed. Then I googled repurpose glass globes and found your project!!!!
You saved me! I was able to be creative and now have 7 gorgeous globes to hang! Thank you thank you thank you! I can’t wait for the glue to dry and morning to come so I can put seed, plants, solar lights, etc. In them and hang them from the live oaks.
Keep creating!
Thank you!
Rebecca Beadle
Karen
You’re welcome Rebecca! If you read the post called “glowing outdoor orbs” you can see them outside in the garden as lights, and I even have 2 of them on my fireplace mantle. (if you didn’t see that post already) Have fun! ~ karen
Marilyn
Wanted to let you know that I used your idea with a clear lamp shade, and the birds are using it already. Way cool, thanks for the idea! ;o)
Karen
Excellent! I have to clean and refill mine. I left them out all winter, but the seed got icky. Also there’s tiny little seeds they don’t seem to like so it looks like it’s full, but in fact it’s just full of seeds the birds refuse to eat.
~ karen!
Carrie
I LOVE LOVE LOVE what you have done with these glass shades! SO much that I not only plan on making these, but you were featured over at our website.
We just launched the site on April 1st.
We would love to check out the post
http://www.redeemingcreations.com/2012/04/glass-shades-to-bird-feeder.html
Maybe even grab a button for your blog while you are there!
Thanks again for your amazing ideas!
Carrie
Alex
I’m so very late to discovering this gem of an idea but forgive me I just got into my first house/backyard ever. I am going to attempt to do this this weekend b/c they’re just amazing!
MissBettyClaire
Gurl! I love your posts. You globes are soooo fun. I am going to DO that.
Karen
Excellent! Thanks MissBettyClaire. ~ karen
Anna
This is just great,because since I seen your yard orbs, I have found it my mission to buy every dang globe I could find! I laugh cause today I had to open one of my cabinets very slowly, cause the little sucks were falling out I had so many, lol. I really like this too, but will not be buying any more I have plenty, now they will lay under and from the trees!! Great job!
Karen
LOL. Thanks Anna. Yes. You’d best stop buying globes now! However … having said that … the glowing orbs make GREAT Christmas presents for people. Give them the kit of a globe, extension cord and mini lights. Instant present! Glad you like the ideas. ~ karen!
MimiH
You are a genius – a hysterically funny creative woman! Found your great ideas for glowing orbs/Orb Bird feeders while looking for items for Pinterest -I can’t wait to try them (as soon as I go shopping!)
Karen
MimiH – Thank you ma’am! Yup. Those orbs are a crowd favourite. Glad you found my site! ~ karen
Ramona
How have these acted during a windy day? Do they clash into each other and twist together or break? Just wondering because of the pendulum affect of the orb on the long rope. Wonderful ideas, both orb I and II
Karen
Hi Ramona! Thank you. I have 2 orb birdfeeders hanging from my tree right now and I have them hanging in a way that one is hanging just high enough above the other that if the wind blows them they can’t knock together. No problem with twisting ropes or anything either. I’ve looked outside at them from my kitchen window during windy days and they’ll definitely be spinning around, but they’ve never hit each other, got tangled, or broken. ~ Karen!
Teresa
I can hardly wait to try the glowing outdoor ords and the bird feeders my dear new genius friend…Keep sharing you ideas they are great and I will be sure to let you know how they work for me when I can get them done…Thank you so much….:)
Karen
You’re welcome! Tomorrow’s post is another good one … ~ karen
Vera van den Broek
Hi Karen!
I love the description for the glass birdfeeders. I sent you an email about it; I would like to use the pictures for a Dutch magazine on gardening for which I’m writing an article on different DIY birdfeeders. Please read your mail and let me know if you can help me out. Thanks!
Kind regards, Vera
Georgia Peters
I just love your ideas. Very creative. Very inspiring.
Karen
Thanks Georgia! ~ karen
Jessie
I loved this idea! I’m afraid of glass with my 4 year old around.. so I used an old roundish ceramic planter pot and drilled a hole for a knotted string in the top (for hanging) and then drilled a few small drain holes in the bottom. The birds (and I) love it! Now I wish I could attract more than just blackbirds..
Karen
Hah! Yeah. They’re a greedy bunch. ~ karen
E.Wilson
what a really wonderful idea
Karen
Thank you. The birds love them. Sadly so do the chipmunks and squirrels!
~ karen
Patricia
I didn’t know Dave Barry moonlighted on a DIY blog. Dang- you are funny, creative and funny some more.
Karen
Thanks Patricia – I’ve had the Dave Barry comparison before and I consider it a huge compliment. ~ karen!
Kate
I have never “joined” a blog before, but you got me with the “glowing alien testicles” !! Sitting in my office laughing to myself OUTLOUD. the rest think I’m nuts- oh well!!
thank you for sharing such great ideas!
Karen
Kate – Welcome to the club. ~ karen
Noreen
Hi Karen! First trip on your blog; love it! Your wit is wonderful.
About the “Dollarama” pots: why does it matter that they “tilt up”?? They only tilt up when they are sitting on a flat surface… These will have rope glued around them, so they can be tilted to whatever degree one wants them tilted! {Actually, it would probably be easier to glue that rope on, & keep it in place, if it does NOT go over the flat section…yes?} However… unlike most of the light orbs, they do not have that “lip” all the way around; I should think the lip will help keep rain & such out! Btw, those orbs look fabulous, especially hanging in your lovely tree!! {What kind is it, anyway?? Gorgeous!}
Karen
Hi Noreen. Welcome to The Art of Doing Stuff! It’s been a while since I wrote the post so I’m not sure what you’re talking about I’m afraid, LOL. I skimmed the post quickly but couldn’t see the part you were talking about. I can answer the tree question though! It’s a Weeping False Nootka Cypress. And I love it. It’s a very elegant tree. ~ karen!
Mary
Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas for these globes. I love them and will attempt to make the feeders. But I was wondering if I could use hot glue to hold the string on the globe? I am a crafty person and have tons of the stuff. I also made the lighted globes and loved the look. I placed them around my pool deck. You’re a genius and I thank you again for sharing your ideas.
Karen
Hi Mary – Thanks! I’m afraid you have to use the marine silicone. I know it’s a pain to go out and get but it’s easy to find and inexpensive. Using anything else will result in smashed globes eventually. ~ karen!
Taria Lorehand
I love this idea, but I have a question and maybe it’s just my brain that likes to think of other ways to do stuff that is so simple and make it harder for me. I’m odd I know. but could this be made out of a plastic ball type of orb and then hung up? that way if it falls it doesn’t brake over fidos head?
Karen
Taria – If you can find them, sure. These glass shades though are available pretty much everywhere. As long as you use marine silicone you’re gold. ~ karen!
Taria Lorehand
and just were do you find this sticky glue stuff??? is it at wally world?
Karen
It *might* be there, but if not hardware stores carry it in the aisle that they have their caulking, caulking guns and that sort of thing. ~ k!
Taria Lorehand
okay I will check it out, if I don’t already have some stashed away some where, cause I buy things for later use and forget that I have them.
I’m rearranging my crafting area and it’s like Christmas for me finding all this stuff I forgot I had. it’s like “Oh I didn’t know I had this?” and “wow I forgot I bought those.” or “That’s where you went, I’ve been looking for this for 2 and half months.”
out of sight, out of mind, I really need to rethink this crafting area. if it didn’t have this huge window and only one wall I would have it made. (I’m using my dinning room since I don’t have a real room for all this stuff and being single, I really don’t need a dinning room) anyway there’s my life story.. pity me… I said PITY ME!!! JK
sorry bad jokes.
carla
You are seriously gorgeous!
Debbie
You are soooo funny! Your big white balls are wonderful.
Karen
Thanks Debbie! It was REALLY windy here last night and I thought I heard one of them smash to the ground! Luckily … they’re all in tact this morning. ~ karen!
Tari
I don’t haave a website. Do you have a newsletter?
I love your ideas. Thanks, Tari
Karen
Hi Tari – No newsletter. One day hopefully, but I’m too busy at the moment. You can sign up to get a reminder whenever I post. Just insert your email address in the “subscribe” box under my picture on the righthand side bar. I post 5-6 days a week. ~ karen!
Leonie
Thankyou for the inspiration. The home I bought had these orbs in everyroom (with no air vents in the tops, the light fitting perishes, so….) Now I know what I am going to do with them. I can even see tea lights brightening the night…
Nicki woo
I just decided that I love you. In a normal way. Not a weird freakish way. Found you on Pinterest, and I’ll definitely be back. That sounded slightly freakish. I’ll stop now:)
Karen
Nicki woo – Not even close to freakish. When I was on television I once had a viewer randomly send me feathers from their pet bird. That was freakish. ~ karen!
linda
Niki, I was going to say I love you, too, but didn’t …thanks for saying it.
linda
i just discovered your site while looking for how to make tree stump tables….wow….i love your ideas and your creativity and your sense of humor!
Thanks for sharing it all.
Karen
Glad you found my site Linda! ~ karen
Nonny
Found your page via friends in the USA, who know I love doing something different in the garden, to keep visiting children occupied for hours. Am going to try your bird feeder idea – but using something other than glass – due to the ever windy weather in the UK. Thanks for the inspiration. ( Will be using the glass light shade idea for outside lighting. Thanks v much. Nonny
mia pratt
Hi Karen, what a great idea! Love it<:} In Mexico where I live, I use those globes to sit over glass candle holders and line the path from the wall door through my garden courtyard. They glow nicely, you just sit little 1-inch candles in small mason jars on your path and then sit the globes over them. You can paint designs on the globes (did once for Christmas) but I'm too lazy for that now (maybe some day someone important enough to warrant globe painting will visit, but until then I remain lazy). I lay 2 popsicle sticks under each of the globes to make a tiny platform that lets air in underneath for the candle. They use pretty cutout bags here to sit over the jars, but after several caught fire and blew in through my patio doors I stick to globes which are kind of like Martian hurricane lamps.