Well, unfortunately I buy a ton of stuff that I think looks intriguing, bring it all home and then either start putting it all together or start a box for stockpiling until I can "get" to it. I just "got" to some that I had stockpiled over the year and made last week. See them on my webpage (scroll to 3/26 photos). Make sure you have a good working area and a place to safely put your totems while they dry (it's sad when they fall and break). I usually use a box and some towels to steady and prop them while the glue cures. In my experience some are ok or so so and some turn out to be real gems. I use (and I think a lot of us here) use GE Silicone II found in the hardware store, Target or Walmart. Hopefully this gets you on a good start.

Love, Jules

Here is a link that might be useful: Jules' totems

Welcome, Hapy. You'll find totems are very addictive, so you might as well buy any and all glass that appeals to you.
LOL. Then you can start playing with stacking it and deciding what looks 'right' to you. My first was all cobalt since that's my favorite glass. But its fun to mix colors as well as do solid colors. Just go glass hunting and see what colors catch your attention. You'll need plates and/or saucers, vases, candleholders, something neat for a topper is always fun. Did you go thru our GJ Totem inspiration album?

Have fun, and show us photos!
hugs, Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: Totem Inspiration album

Welcome HapyFrustrated! You have been bitten by the Totem Bug ... no one knows what it looks like, but it makes you crazy to build totems :-)

Karen has a great Inspiration Album, I bet you'll find lots of it there too!

Since you're new and trying to catch up on old posts, I'd suggest you start at Page 67, and work your way towards the first page. The oldest posts roll off into "cyber neverland" when new posts are added. That's why some of the most special posts get "bumped" up sometimes, so that we won't lose them.

Also you might want to stroll over to the Conversations Side, (click button in center, top of page) where we talk about anything not related to garden junk there, although we still keep it pretty "junky". LOL ~tenderlee

Can't wait to see what you create! ~tenderlee

Welcome Hapy! to the land of Garden Junk! It's a great place to be! Totems are wonderful, aren't they and they are very addictive! I, like the others, began by buying glass pieces that appeal to my own tastes (color, shape, etc.). I begin by deciding what colors I'll be working with, then start at the bottom and work up. I put a plate at the base of mine for stability (unless you're making one on a pole), then work my way up stacking pieces. It takes a few tries to get a look that I like, but after I'm satisfied with the look, then I dismantle it and begin gluing it together using the GE Silicone II that you can get at Lowes, etc. If the totem is pretty tall, I'll glue a couple of different parts together, then wait for it to dry before joining them all together. I've taped some of mine together just to make sure they sit still until they are dry too. Then, put it in your garden and prepare to be amazed!! Have fun and post your projects for us to oooh and aaah over!!

hapy!!!!!!!!!! Just go for it. The first thing I did was to buy a microwave plate for the bottom. It is reccommended that plates or saucers be put in between levels for added stability (I have broken that rule some when I ran out of supplies) so now I buy plenty of clear glass saucers that will match anything.
Remove all sticky price tags with Goo Gone.
Run pieces through the dishwasher.
Sand edges that will be glued.
Clean off with alcohol.
I use a lazy susan (cake decorators rotating plate) so that I can twirl the piece with one hand and have a finger of glue to air tight seal the piece. If the piece is not air tight it will develope moisture inside and fungus will grow.
I usually run another bead of glue and put glass marble globs around at the base to camoflage the glue seam.

You may have more questions for us as you go. We are here. susie

Welcome to the Junkyard!!!
Totems are awsome and addicting.... you will never pass up a pretty piece of glass again. ... or teapot.... or candle holder.....you name it! Have fun and take lots of pictures.
We like seeing pictures of the fun stuff you buy as well as the completed projects.

Welcome hapyfrustrated!
Jules I loved looking at your photos. Some of the simple totems look like jelly fish. Ilove that.
Karen thank you for the album link. It was a pleasure to look at them all again. I really want to make a plant stand. I've got the punch bowl and some other good parts, may be I'll finally do it!
kathy

Everyone, thanks so much for the tips and ideas. I thoroughly enjoyed looking through the photo albums, and appreciate everything you have shared! I have a girlfriends weekend coming up, I am going to email the girls some of these pics so they can have an idea to start collecting glass, and we are going to make some totums, birdbaths, plant stands, whatever!

I just love this place, you don't know how badly I need to find something I can do just for me!!!! Thank you all for posting and sharing!!!!

Welcome to an awesome group, hapyfrustrated! I have yet to try my hand at a totem because I have only a small balcony as my "garden." I've been trying to figure out how to make a hanging totem. lol! Almost all the floor space on my balcony is used. But like you, I have been itchin' like crazy to get my hands on some glass and get started! I am seriously thinking of making a totem and giving it away just to get it out of my system. lol Just make sure you post pictures of your creations!

Jules, I loved visiting your site and seeing all your lovely totems and glass flowers. But who are all the great looking guys in that one picture?

hapy, I'm so glad you found us. I think its safe to say that many of us feel as you about being here. Pop over to our Conversation side if you really want to chat about stuff, we're a fun and caring "family" and love getting to know one another and sharing creations.

hugs, Karen