my first totem

16 years ago

Yup, like many of you said this can get very addicting. I'm already planning my next few. Posted these at Kitchen Table a few days ago and thought I'd post here as well.

My first one. the large translucent piece looks awesome when the sun hits it just right:

{{gwi:139476}}

My second one (part of third one in background):

{{gwi:139477}}

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Comments (14)

kelly_oh
16 years ago
Babs,
Those are wonderful!!! I'm looking at the 2nd one, thinking how cool it would have been if you'd nail polished the light fixture first!
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Purplemoon
16 years ago
Addictive as heck aren't they? totems should come with a warning on them. LOL

Karen
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My first totems (4 pix)
Q
Comments (19)
Thank you, these were fun! I've been on this garden junk forum for many years, but just never got around to trying these. I was laid off a few months ago, so I have the time now. ;) I'm going to try to get around to another one this evening while watching Lost. For the person who asked, the bottle candle holders in the background are actually purchased items. Found them in a shop in Salado, TX. I wouldn't think it would be too difficult to make something similar. On these, the bottoms aren't there...it's a metal piece that fits up inside the bottle and has a loop on the top side to fit over a hook.
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Done with my first totem...I think
Q
Comments (10)
Thank you for the comments. :) Here's the yellow one. Not quite finished - it needs a topper. I'll look for that this weekend. My neighbor's pool got in the picture, but I like the way the glass compliments her yellow flowers. Here are the two together in my under-construction butterly garden. Got 3 buddleias in there so far.
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my first totems...
Q
Comments (8)
WOW !!!!!! Those are your first ??????? You are an instant professional !!! LOL They are soooo nice ! ****** Can I offer some friendly suggestions ? You definately have " the eye " & the talent ! I learned these tips the hard way ..... when you have plates that are concave - the rain water will collect in them and form pools . Mine looked awful ... & .... I'm not sure what it does to the adhesive. I kept having to tip them over to dump out the dirty water. I also learned to make mine with glass pieces that are bigger on the bottom and get smaller on the way up . This way it won't be top heavy and the adhesive will hold better . I hope these tips helped - believe me - I could write the book on "What not to do" .... LOL ******* Something tells me you are getting addicted ! LOL ****
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My first totem - Glass Garden Girl
Q
Comments (13)
Adorable!! Love the colors for her!! My Garden Ladies have so far been clear. You definitely will need something flat and large on the bottom to keep her from being tipped over. I mostly use microwave trays that I pick up at GW. They can be covered with mulch or dirt. Here are a couple of my Garden Ladies that I've covered the bottom plates on. Seal well with silicone, so they don't sweat. Ladies don't like to sweat! LOL Mine are a couple of years old and holding up well. I do take them in for our winters here in Ohio. They're a lot taller than they look here! LOL Poor angle...and a tall planter! Poor lighting too...you hardly even notice the little one in the top part of the planter! ~Sandy~
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Bright199
16 years ago
Very pretty and yes very addictive!! Keep the pictures comming we want to see them all!
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imjustsam
16 years ago
What is this nail polish technique? I have not heard of that. Please explain Kelly oh.
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donnainnc_2008
16 years ago
beautiful I really like the 1st one but then I am partial to crystal. I like the tip about the nail polish will have to try that
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kelly_oh
16 years ago
imjustsam,
it is very simple, really. see the round light fixture on the top of the second totem? any type of round glass "junk" will work - as long as they are clear, though I have not tried making one with the smoked glass. You just pick 2-3 colors of nail polish - I buy clearance stuff or any interesting colors at yard sales - and pretty much just dump the polish inside the ball. Then swirl the polish around until all the inside of the glass is covered. Tip out any excess and let it dry. They stink to high heaven, but I always leave mine outside to air out for a couple days.
If the link works, I just took some picts of ones I recently made. The light wasn't wonderful, so you can't see how sparkly the paints are, but they are gorgeous in the sun!! Oh yeah, I don't use the cream polish much, but on the turquoisey colored one I did, mixed with a green that had a lot of glitter in it. It turned out really nice. Ok, I have to amend that - my 7 year old daughter actually made it!! If you can, I recommend having a couple bottles of each color, just in case its needed.

Here is a link that might be useful: my junk
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kelly_oh
16 years ago
ok, oops!!! my link went to another garden junk page, sorry!!! Try this one instead!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: my junk
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craftylady-2006
16 years ago
Those are super nice totems, very pretty. I love the clear glass one the best and blue's my favorite color. It just looks so delicate and attractive. Is the glass irredescrent and that's how you got all that sparkle? I've yet to make a totem like this, thanks for the inspiration.

Sal
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mjowest
16 years ago
I love glass globe totems!

You did a great job!
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babs77
Original Author
16 years ago
Kelly, I love the idea about the nail polish. I may need to take that one apart and re-do it! LOL!
Crafty Lady, yes that one piece on the clear crystal one is iridescent; it looks awesome when the sun hits it just right. I'm on the lookout for more pieces like that!
Glad tomorrow is the weekend so I can go do some more glass hunting!
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cindee11461
16 years ago
beautiful!!!!
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laurastheme
16 years ago
These are awesome. I'm new here so I'm just getting started. I've been going nuts at the thrift stores and garage sales the last few days. Hope to have a few items to show you by the end of next week.
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Purplemoon
16 years ago
Welcome Laura. We love to see what folks find to buy or make, we're not only GJ junkies... we are photo junkies!

Karen
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mssunflower
16 years ago
WOW!!!! Those are BEEEEEAUUUUTIIIFUL!!!!!!!!!

Ms. Faith
0

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my first totem

Comments (14)

kelly_oh

Purplemoon

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Bright199

imjustsam

donnainnc_2008

kelly_oh

kelly_oh

craftylady-2006

mjowest

babs77
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cindee11461

laurastheme

Purplemoon

mssunflower

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my first totem

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