How to Make Glass Garden Art Totems

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These garden art totems and birdbaths are easy to make using various household dishes and glassware. Be sure to use the recommended adhesive to ensure they can endure hot and cold outdoor weather conditions.

For more, also see these free tutorials for frugal and creative home and garden projects.

Easy Garden Art Project

Glass garden totems are a great beginner garden art project. All you need is some used glass dishes, plates, vases, and bowls, the right adhesive (details below), and the desire for greatness.

I often get asked if the glass totems ever break in the garden and the answer is no! These garden totems are made from thick glass dishes. They can certainly withstand falling onto the ground (which is much softer than an indoor tile floor). Also, I keep my totems sturdy by burying the bottom few inches in the ground. This holds them in place but allows easy removal for cleaning or storage.

Assembling a glass garden art totem. — Assembling a glass garden art totem

Along with the written instructions, I have provided a video walk-through so you can see how easy this is in real time. Excuse how many times I say ‘um’ in the video. I have since learned to pre-plan what I want to say while recording a video.

In addition to a decorative garden totem, you can also make a glass birdbath by adding a shallow bowl or plate on the very top. When dish shopping, please note that birdbaths should be really shallow (holding 1″ of water or less) because birds can slip and drown in deeper water. Glass plates with 1″ lips around the edges work very well.

Because I’m a fan of debt-free living, I challenge myself to find supplies at really good prices. I got these pieces for a grand total of $4.50 at the local thrift shop. I’m always on the lookout for durable glass pieces in any colors I like. Bold blues are a personal favorite.

Here’s another variation using a wire basket (painted blue), blue vase and bowl, a teacup and saucer, and old lamp crystals:

Teacup garden totem made from thrift shop finds. — Teacup garden totem made from thrift shop finds

Video Instructions

Be warned! I recorded these videos years ago and it’s painfully slow. You may want to view them on double speed. And turn on closed captions.

Part 1

Part 2

Tips For Making A Glassware Totem or Birdbath

Materials

Used glassware pieces you like. I look for older, thicker glass pieces that will withstand hot and cold weather year-round. Check thrift shops, yard sales, your kitchen cabinets. This shows my strategy for finding items at a good price.

Outdoor silicone sealant /adhesive. I use ‘CLEAR-drying’ (not white or any other color) GE Silicone II. You can buy these in cartridges that use a caulking dispenser or in a squeeze tube. Despite the description, it does not dry perfectly clear. This stuff works so well, I don’t mind, but some people do.

If you want a clear-drying product, see other recommendations here in my Glue Guide. Other garden art makers say they like E6800. It dries clear but I don’t like how runny it is.

Check the product reviews of the sealant you choose and make sure the product is fresh (check the use-by date on label).

I have tips here to make sure your adhesive (really, it’s a sealant) will bond properly.

Assembly

Glass garden art totem with books on top to help set glue.

Wash and dry the glassware and keep your hands off to avoid any oil on the surface which will limit how well the silicone sealant bonds.
Decide on the arrangement of your glass pieces: You want the surfaces you are joining together to be snug fitting. Some glass is warped, so test it out first.
Use small glass plates to provide a flat surface between two vases that might otherwise be impossible to join.
Work in sections: join items together in groups of two. When dry, join these units together.

Tip: Use a Blanket to Prevent Breakage

Keep an old blanket or comforter on the floor around the drying glass pieces so they won’t break if they get knocked over.

You could embellish the surfaces with any weather-resistant items like flat-bottom marbles, coins, trinkets, and so on. Just make sure you keep the birdbath water area easy to clean and never use anything deeper than an inch or the birds can slip and drown.

Drying Time

Blue candlestick inside clear vase of glass garden totem — Blue candlestick inside clear vase

Follow the drying instructions on the adhesive label. It’s going to vary depending on how warm or humid your home is.

Display

When your totem or birdbath is ready, bury the base in a few inches of soil to hold it steady. You can also add some small rocks around the base if necessary.