Glass Totems & Garden Angels

9 years ago

I know many of you have done glass totems and I'd love to see what you've done and find out how well it has held up with the adhesive you use. I live in zone 5 and would hate to keep taking in glass totems for the winter and putting them back out in spring so I'm curious what the best adhesive people have used that holds up to the cold. I have collected pieces to make the type of small totems that fit onto a length of rebar stuck into the ground using a bud vase or bottle. I wanted to create glass totems at different heights to sort of float over the garden.

I also wanted to try my hand at making a garden "angel" from glass. I collected some pieces to use as the wings, head, and "halo". Here is what I am talking about. This is one made by ADelicateTouch1 on Etsy:

Have any of you tried to make these angels? I know the wings are usually heavy glass plates and I'm wondering what is the best adhesive to use for something that heavy gluing to probably an uneven surface. What do you think?

Featured Answer

The_Kat
Original Author

9 years ago

The angel wasn't mine. I saved the photo for inspiration. I have found some condiment trays that could work for wings and vases for bodies. I think I even have a round votive candle holder for a head and some kind of candle holder saucer for a halo. I just have to put it together. I'd like to put it atop something relatively heavy like a microwave plate (the thing that you put stuff on in the microwave) so it doesn't topple over easily.

The head on the angel I posted might also have been a toothpick holder. Remember those fancy cut glass ones that look like little vases?

I wish I could turn that picture around and see the back of the angel to see what the wings look like in the back.

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Comments (9)

The_Kat
Original Author
9 years ago
I noticed nobody commented on this thread. Are glass totems played out?
Shades_of_idaho
9 years ago
No I do not think they are. Like me I think many are busy this time of year. I had my company and the preparation for them and also just doing things in the yard.

This angle is darling.

I do not really have an answer for you on this. I do use silicone for everything but then all the totems I have done are just stacked and no pressure put on the pieces like the wings would do. It would also be tricky to get them held in place while drying. I think I heard E 6000 is not good to use for out doors. I do not remember why though. I wonder if there is an epoxy that dries clear. I have not done much with epoxy either. And if it lasts like other glues. I personally love totems and still have a stash of parts. I try not to keep buying more but I will admit it I am an addict to glass in any form.
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Shades_of_idaho
9 years ago
O and I have lots of the halo pieces used on this one if you need some i will send some to you. LOL
The_Kat
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks, Shades! I'm still collecting parts for an angel. I used E6000 to glue beads and pieces of stained glass to this rock and they fell off after the first winter. I wouldn't use it again on anything outside.
irma_stpete_10a
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I've been collecting thrift store glass, plastic, and ceramic items for 2-3 years to make stacked garden items. Collecting, not successfully constructing. I'm in Florida, so cold is not a consideration. GE Premium Silicone Glue is/was my favorite as it dries clear...wait, no it doesn't quite; has disappeared from HD and Ace store shelves here (but found it at True Value).

I'm almost ready to bite the bullet and learn how to drill and use hardware. For your glass angels (which I love...clever and beautiful ! ...the globe head I've not seen before... hard to find?) maybe there is lucite (clear plastic) hardware available - should you want to drill. I would worry, as you do, that the weight would be too much for glue - unless it dries a long time and is not subjected to water. Still it may be small enough that you can do it with glue. Guess my advice is to glue it and let it cure supported inside the house for a very, very long time.

Projects:

First project, a pedestal table has survived. It is composed of colored glasses rising from a bottle inserted in the round hole of a ceramic square (tissue box cover), with a glass plate on top. Stands on my covered front porch slab, away from rain and garden watering.

The second piece I made was a stack of large glass vases: the first 4 sat inside for months before I added 2 more and a glass plate on top. Buried bottom vase in garden. Those first 4 are glued together for life, but the added pieces, using the same GE glue, not so much.
Cookie8
9 years ago
I have never seen one before. How tall does it end up being?
mjojowest
9 years ago
I'm zone 5! I've done both, keep some outside for two winters now, although the winters have been mild! and moved some inside. GE Sillicone II clear for windows and doors only! the only problem is if water gets inside, and freezes and cracks the glass, OR the animals (cats and chickens) knock them over.

If you ever figure out how to make the wings stick, or what glass to use, let us know! I had a request for one, but could never ever figure out how to get the wings on without goopy gloppy silicone showing!
Shades_of_idaho
9 years ago
The_Kat. I had heard about E6000 breaking down in the weather. I only use it if I am gluing a stone into a jewelry finding. Funny because I have not had it break down that way and I wear my necklaces in the shower.