TL;DR
Get business pricing on tools and workshop supplies
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
A DIY project featured by Hunker combines a Clear Round Glass Floral Bowl and Crafters Square Glass Accent Gems from Dollar Tree to create a decorative globe that can serve as a lantern or bird feeder. The project uses glue and grout; hanging strength, weather resistance and safe bird-feeding practices depend on the materials and setup.
A DIY project featured by Hunker turns two Dollar Tree products—a Clear Round Glass Floral Bowl and Crafters Square Glass Accent Gems—into a decorative globe that can be used as a lantern or backyard bird feeder. Content creator Jessica Lynn assembled the bowl and gems with glue and grout, though the finished piece’s suitability for hanging outdoors depends on its support, sealant and lighting.
The project starts by cleaning the outside of the glass bowl and attaching the flat side of each accent gem with a small amount of medium-strength super glue. The gems are placed close together around the bowl. Hunker’s report says the arrangement need not be exact because grout fills the gaps, and that using one gem color creates a unified look while multiple colors allow a more varied pattern. Jessica Lynn used an accelerator to speed up glue drying; the report says it is optional.
After the glue has set, grout is spread over the gems and worked into the spaces between them, including near the bowl’s opening. A damp sponge removes excess grout and haze from the gem surfaces. The report describes using premixed, ready-to-use grout and advises allowing 24 to 72 hours for it to dry and cure in a well-ventilated area. That is the report’s guidance for the product used; instructions on the selected grout should take precedence.
The piece can be displayed as a light by adding battery-powered string lights or small candles. Hunker notes that the string lights Jessica used were not weather-resistant, making them appropriate for indoor display rather than exposure to outdoor conditions. Outdoor-rated lights are an alternative, and solar versions need direct sunlight to charge. A clear sealant may help protect the globe outdoors, but the report does not establish that any specific sealant or assembly will withstand all weather.
A Decorative Project With Outdoor Caveats
The appeal is the project’s two possible uses: the same glass globe can hold a light or bird food, allowing a small craft to serve as garden decor. The materials are described as available at Dollar Tree, while the glue, grout, sealant and lighting may require separate purchases. The result is not simply a ready-made outdoor fixture: it involves several materials, drying time and decisions about how the globe will be hung.
Those choices matter most if the piece goes outside. A commenter cited in Hunker’s report questioned whether twine could support the combined weight of the bowl, gems and grout. The report suggests considering a thin metal chain or wire for added strength, but it does not provide a tested load rating. Anyone making one should judge the finished weight and attachment before suspending it, rather than assume decorative twine will hold securely.
Using the globe as a feeder also calls for more than filling it with seed. Hunker advises readers to identify birds native to their area and choose suitable food. It also recommends placing the feeder a few feet above the ground and away from windows to reduce the risk of collisions. Those steps help distinguish a decorative craft idea from guidance about what is safe for local birds.
Popular right now
Shark Rotator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter (NV501)
Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler for Straight and Wavy Hair
Ninja Foodi Smart 6-in-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer, 4 Qt, FG551
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the Glass Globe Is Assembled
The report presents the project as an adaptation of inexpensive craft supplies rather than a commercial product or newly announced design. Its two named Dollar Tree components are the Clear Round Glass Floral Bowl and Crafters Square Glass Accent Gems. The assembly method adds glue to the gems, covers the gaps with grout, then wipes the surface clean after application.
Hunker also identifies ready-to-use grout as a more accessible option for a small project than standard tile grout, and says a similar premixed formula is available at Home Depot. The report mentions Starbond Medium Super Glue and Starbond Accelerator as the products used by Jessica. These are details from the source report, not a claim that the named products are required or the only suitable choices.
The same bowl can be used indoors as a nightlight, kitchen suncatcher or display for small houseplants, according to the report. For indoor use, Hunker says sealant can be skipped. The lighting choice changes the intended setting: ordinary battery-operated string lights are suited to indoor display in the described setup, while outdoor use calls for lights designed to withstand weather.
““Allow 24 to 72 hours for it to fully dry and cure in a well-ventilated environment.””
— Hunker, on grout curing
Weight, Weather and Bird Safety
The supplied report does not give the finished globe’s weight, a tested hanging capacity, or a specific chain, wire or mounting method. It also does not identify a sealant as proven protection against particular weather conditions. A commenter’s concern that the assembly could be too heavy for twine is a reported concern, not a measured finding.
Outdoor durability will depend on the bowl, adhesive, grout, sealant, lighting and local conditions. The report does not state how long the materials last outdoors or whether the finished piece has been tested for rain, wind or temperature changes. It also does not name specific seed types for particular regions, so local bird-feeding guidance remains necessary.
Check Materials Before Hanging
Anyone following the project should first decide whether the globe will be displayed indoors, used as an outdoor light or filled as a feeder. That choice determines whether weather-rated lighting and sealant are needed. Before hanging it, allow the grout to cure according to its product instructions, check the attachment against the finished weight and use a support appropriate for the load. For solar lighting, place the panel where it receives direct sunlight.
For a feeder, readers should check which birds are native to their area and what seed is suitable, then choose a location a few feet above ground and away from windows. Hunker’s report does not identify a subsequent test, product launch or follow-up announcement. The next steps are therefore practical ones for makers: verify the materials and mounting, and adapt the design to the intended setting.
Key Questions
Which Dollar Tree items does the project use?
The report names a Clear Round Glass Floral Bowl and Crafters Square Glass Accent Gems. Availability may vary by store.
Can the finished globe be used outdoors?
It may be used outdoors if the materials and setup are suited to exposure. Hunker recommends a clear sealant for outdoor use and says to choose weather-resistant lighting; it does not provide a tested weather rating for the finished globe.
How long does the grout need to cure?
The report gives a range of 24 to 72 hours in a well-ventilated area. Follow the instructions for the grout actually used, since products can differ.
Is twine strong enough to hang the globe?
The report does not provide a weight or load test. It notes a commenter’s concern about twine and suggests considering a thin metal chain or wire. Check the finished piece’s weight and use a secure support appropriate for it.
What should I check before using it as a bird feeder?
Research which birds are native to your area and what food is suitable for them. The report recommends hanging the feeder a few feet off the ground and away from windows to help reduce collision risks.
Source: hunker.com
