Garden Whimsy

I've spent most of my summer in my backyard making it look beautiful. And I have discovered how to make glass art for the garden.  It seems to be the thing now to go to a thrift shop and buy discarded vases, plates, cups, fancy wine glasses, etc and make one of a kind creations to put in the garden.  I guess that I have joined the masses in trying to come up with unique ideas.   

The piece above was my first project, I say was because it broke shortly after I took this picture. Using the right glue is the key to glass projects. I am glad that I can use the base and the topper on a future project, everything in between shattered. 

I found a tall dome at the Goodwill and a large resin ball.  I thought that it would look good in the garden with things filling the dome to the top and then gluing a small plate underneath for protection from the weather. There are bowl fillers that can be used for this. I was lucky and got a bag on clearance at Menard's. Then I found a large base to attach it to.  (notice the colorful glass bottom from the shattered project) 

My next project that I worked on all day yesterday and was very easy to do. I found a couple of vases similar in height and secured them together with a plate in between for added stability and strength with the heaviest piece on the bottom.  I like those glass pieces from the Dollar Store and used them for embellishing the project.  Then I glued on the topper (also from the shattered project) and waited for the glue to cure. 

The little garden ornament above I put together with a vase and an odd piece that I found but loved the colors in it.  All it took to put together is glue and you are done. I would suggest that you let your mind wander when it comes to a project like this and not be afraid of experimenting. 

Let's talk glue. A friend told me to use Silicone for outdoor use. I bought GE Silicone waterproof. It was a complete disaster.  Because it takes so long to set up the project was unstable for a long period of time. That is why my first project was ruined. It shouldn't take weeks to put together.  Next I used Lexel, this product takes 2-4 days to cure.  I had read about E6000 adhesive.  Now this is glue that I love! The piece was sticking together in about 10 minutes or less. Once I had the project glued together, I used Lexel around the seams for waterproofing and extra strength.  You shouldn't have to wait days or weeks in order to put a project together. But I would allow 3-7 days for the glue to cure and then set it outside. Read the directions on the glue label. 

Enjoy!

Dying with dreams still inside

The weather has been cold and rainy here in Indiana the past few days with perpetual grey skies.  My moods bounce up and down like a rubber ball when it is like this. It is a wonder I make it through the winter where the days are cloudy all of the time and still manage to have some sanity left at the end of the season. 

Today, the rays of the sun broke through the clouds and we were able to see the blue sky.  I had been eyeing a gate that someone decorated with flowers and wanted to try and capture it in a good light. But alas it was not meant to happen today. 

It was replaced with faces in a small narrow walkway from a parking lot to the street.  Very interesting faces to say the least. 

The artist is Phresh Laundry, whom I have never heard of but will inquire about when I am next at the Wunderkammer Company. This place is amazingly filled with artwork of local people. However, not all of the art is inside the building.

While I was trying to capture the gate, I met a man who had painted a mural on the front wall of the building and was there painting another wall on the inner courtyard. He had proudly drawn a Picasso like picture and was working on a face of Venus. As I took pictures he followed me around the building talking to me about art.  I was in seventh heaven as we talked about a subject that is very dear to me. 

When we parted, I walked up and down the narrow walkway between the buildings and was amazed by the faces. They were beautiful, boldly stating that they have their own story, with hopes and dreams without speaking a word. I don't know about you but I somehow want to make my mark here too.

And most of all, I don't want to exit this life with my dreams intact but have exhausted every possibility for living it to the fullest extent of my capabilities. I guess that is a tall order for someone who is approaching their golden years at an accelerated speed. Besides, flying pigs are possible! 

Stepping Stones

I have the itch to be outdoors.  More importantly, I want to create a beautiful space to relax and enjoy my garden in the backyard. Ever since I can remember I had admired mosaics. Those small scale decorative pieces of art loaded with color and texture lures me like a fish to a worm on a hook.  To look at them they are intimidating. It must take hours and hours to create such a beautiful object.  But I have come to find out that it is fairly simple and not really time consuming as one would think.  On Sunday, I designed my first stepping stone. Someone had given me a lot of glass stones and I was anxious to put them to good use.  I went to the store and bought mortar, grout, a large flat stone, and a trowel.  I was set for my project. Monday, I cemented the stones in place.  Tuesday I added the grout.  Today,I polished the stones and it is garden ready.  I think that I am going to make several of these.  It was fun coming up with a pattern. Not bad for a newby huh? 

Stone Stacking Artwork

I  have always had a fascination with stones. The smoothness or the roughness of the stone is intriguing.  There is almost a kind of spiritual connotation when in a fountain or a river. The calming sound of water lapping onto the stones.  You can close your eyes and be lulled away into a peaceful state.  Man has been stacking stones for a very long time. 

I am drawn to these semi alters whenever I see them. While photographing at the graveyard, I have come across lots of them. The stone "art" need not be straight up and down in form but can be whimsical, unbalanced, yet unwavering and beautiful. Michael Gard turned stacking stones into beautiful artwork. Watch his video below.   

In a few months we can begin to create wonderful spaces outdoors. I think that this year I am going to transform my backyard into a peaceful place for reflection and meditation as well as beauty.