How to Build a Garden Totem

 I am sure that the people that work at the thrift shops I frequent, think I am crazy. I carefully study each piece of glass I buy and end up with a cart fully of jangling glass.  I always help them wrap it so they don't hate me too much. This is the newest totem I made.

 I found these tiny little houses at one of the thrift stores and thought they would be cute in totems.  This one is an antique shop.


I am making them smaller so they are easier to transport and so they aren't too heavy.
 I made this one using and old glass plate as a base. I lucked out and found this crackle bowl and glued the little antique shop to it then turned a clear glass bowl over it and glued it down.

See that little clear glass votive holder on the right?

That got glued on top of the little bowl.

Oops....Teddy shot!  This is what she does all day long in this horribly hot humid weather.  She lays on the stone floor in front of her fan.  Smart pup!



Then I glued a vase, a plate and a globe from an old light fixture to the top.


I work outside so I don't get a glue high!

Comments

It's lovely (as always!)
Anonymous said…
beautiful! I think I will try making one, with non stinky glue,, I'm loony enough lol,
I think Teddy is very smart,,imagine,,
she lays right in front of that fan, I have never saw a dog do that before of course she is no ordinary dog now is she, lol,
sandra said…
Love it! Can ya tell us what kind of glue you use???
jaz@octoberfarm said…
I use aquarium glue! you can buy it at any hardware.
Leanna said…
That is such a cute idea.
Kitty Greene said…
I remember seeing those many years ago, they were in a garden and looked very pretty.
Thanks for reminding me.
Kay said…
This is so cool! I love it!
Craig said…
They really are very creative. I've never seen one before. Can you patent the idea? :)
Anonymous said…
I really like Your totems! Those tiny houses are just perfect in there!
I think they must love You in those thrift stores, so much glass You must buy :-)

Have a great day!
Christer.
Mary Ann said…
I have never seen these before, and a friend is making some. What kind of glue are you using, can you say? I would love to try it.
Guillaume said…
Now I just need to find a garden of my own to make the totem.
Jim said…
What an excellent idea! These look wonderful! So you use a heated glue gun to hold them?
You are so artistic missy!
If you were closer I would commission you for a dozen or so....I think these would sell like hot cakes as garden ornaments.
Barb said…
Those little pieces you are adding to the totems really make them interesting. Teddy is one very smart puppy!
1st Man said…
YAY! Thanks for the photos. I'm going to spend next week scouring the thrift stores at lunch for some. I had to laugh when you said about the jangly noise in the cart. I had a bunch of glasses in the cart once and it made noise all over the store, everyone turned around to look at me.

Can't wait to do it again next week, HA! Aquarium glue huh? I'll have to look for that. Thanks!
I have enough glass things around here that I don't use so that's no problem. I will have PH pick some aquarium glass for me on his next hardward run...which is soon. Right now I'm up to my ears in projects..but I'm really anxious to give it a try.
Joyce, where do you display yours in your garden. I can't think of where I would put one of these..
TARYTERRE said…
Teddy is smart indeed to be hogging that cool air by the fan. LOVE the totem. That antique house inside is charming for sure. Shopping for the pieces sounds like fun.