Quincelover- first of all, Welcome to the Garden Junk forum! We all have a wonderful time here! Most of the Glass Totems are just stacked glass pieces, glued together with GE Silicone II. The trick is to find pieces that fit well together so you get good contact between them, and of course you want them to look good together! The ones on posts have a bud vase glued on, upside down, so the pole fits up into it. Some folks have made totems using components from old lamps that already have holes up through the middle, so the pole fits into them. A word of caution... TOTEMS ARE ADDICTIVE!! Searching for pretty glass pieces is sooo much fun! You may very well find yourself with boxes and stacks of glass, just waiting for perfect companions to complete a totem!! Enjoy, and be sure to post pics when you finish some!

Kathy

Welcome! Post those pictures we love pictures here.

Some people use a heavy plate,like from a microwave as a base and don't put them on a pole.

If you use the search at the top you will find enough to keep you reading for HOURS.They are addictive!!

Maria

Kathy and Maria

Thank you for the helpful info. Sounds like the glue is the thing. We have a flea market up the street that opens on the weekends. I can't WAIT to scoot up there. I've always been in love with colored glass, especially in the sun light. LOVE IT. I'll share with pictures whenever I can. I've got to get my husband to help me out with that. I'm computer challenged. Thanks again!

Lu Ann

That is GE silicone II for windows and doors.....

Welcome to the Junkyard. I seldom visit this side anymore cuz I hang out on the Stained Glass and Mosaic side - it's on "That Home Site". You said you dabble in mosaics - do visit us and show us some pics.

Welcome to the forum Lu Ann. So glad you joined this wonderful, funny, very helpful, fantastic group of people. Pretty soon you'll be checking in every day just for the fun of it. Here is a pic of the garden totem I made after being inspired by the ones I saw in this forum. I used a stained glass hanging kitchen light I found. It looks brown in color but is actually a purple color in the base sections. I took the light apart and then reused the pieces in the totem along with other glass pieces. The base is heavy so it sits on the ground and doesn't fall over and I didn't have to use rebar into the ground. The next round vase sits perfect in the top of the base. Again, welcome, hope to hear from you often.

Sal

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I just found this site a few days ago and I can hardly wait to get started on some of these projects. We moved into a new house and have a whole yard to landscape.

I recently saw the glass totems at a local garden show and would like and am trying to make my own. I just finished this evening trying to "glue" the pieces together using GE Silicone II (only I used the type for Kitchen and Bath -- my husband picked it up for me) -- don't seem to see a great deal of difference in reading the labels other than the mildew issue, but perhaps you have more input as to why the Window and Door type is better.

When you use the sealant, how much do you apply and how long does it take to set up (the label doesn't provide this information -- with the multiple pieces the complete totem seems like it will be quite heavy and will require a really strong bond. I am just so afraid of not having the bond hold strong enough when moving it or placing it in the garden. I thought I'd give as gifts, but I would be horrified to have the pieces fall apart easily. I also thought of using epoxy, but the application of having to mix the two parts together doesn't sound feasible -- especially if I want to make several. Any advise you can give me would be most appreciated. Another question, you mention re-rod for the post -- will the totem sit straight with just the re-rod stuck up through the bud vase at the bottom or how do you do this application.

I am so thankful for your help. I love the photos -- they are most helpful as well.

Many thanks in advance.

I WOULD LIKE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE VARIOUS TOTEMS

Start small with your totems!

The window and door work better, because windows and doors are outside, and baths are not! (at least that's what I think!)

Start from the bottom, find glass that has a good 'lip'- I've tried wine glasses, but the silicone always ooozes out, and I don't like to see it!

Put two pieces together at a time. I give it at least 24 hours, in a moderately temperature room- my craft room has no heat, so I blast a space heater in there!

Then attach two/two pieces together. but like I said, unless you want to scare your family, neighbors, cats with a loud crash, start small!!
and save that special piece for when you are feeling more confident... experience speaking here...

Experiment,and you'll get the feel for it, I promise...

once they are set, pull HARD on them- they should stay together, but if they don't - you didn't seal them well enough- scrape off the silicone with a razor blade (carefully!!!) and start over. You'd rather have them fall apart now, rather than in your garden, or if they are a gift, in someone else's garden! EMBARASSING!!!

Someone told me to use Marine silicone because it holds up to water so well...haven't tried it but it makes sense!

My sister and I are new to this craft so we are experimenting! We found silicone at Ace Hardware for half the price of GE S II. Like I said, we are experimenting, so we're about to put our totems in the garden and see what happens!

Good luck!!!
The first silicone I used said '100% silicone'
and things fell apart in a couple of weeks.
I have had Bowling balls and totems with the
GEII outside since around 2003 and most are still together.
The ones that were not together usually
got knocked over and had to be re-glued.

I use Lexel for my totems. It takes a while to cure, but it doesn't get cloudy and it hasn't fallen apart and I leave my totems out all year round. I get very cold temps and lots of snow too. I have a page on my website on how I make mine if you'd like to take a look. - Dottie

Here is a link that might be useful: How to Make Glass Garden Totems