Garden globes and gazing balls are a wonderfully playful way to turn everyday materials into eye-catching outdoor ornaments. Bowling balls, glass lampshades, rubber balls, light fixtures, marbles, pennies, paint, and mosaic pieces all become reflective orbs through projects that range from simple color treatments to textured cement and detailed embellishment.
1. DIY Concrete Garden Balls Made from Glass Lampshades
These straightforward concrete garden balls come to life using glass light covers sourced from a thrift store. Simply spray the inside of the light cover with nonstick cooking spray, then fill it with fast setting concrete. Allow it to dry, and a beautiful sphere is revealed!
2. DIY Faux Gazing Globe Made with Foam Ball and Glass Marbles
Create these stunning faux gazing balls using a styrofoam ball, acrylic paint, and glass marbles. The instructions guide you through making versions suitable for both indoor and outdoor display. The transparent marbles beautifully let the blue paint shine through, all while reflecting sunlight, presenting a truly lovely effect.
3. Re-purpose Bowling Ball into a Gazing Ball on a Stand
Discover a fun crafting project for that old bowling ball stored away! This mosaic style gazing ball takes shape by cutting a decorative mirror and adhering the pieces to the ball using a combination of glue and grout. Even the stand shown in this example was a DIY creation; its maker found a plastic stand at a yard sale for a small sum and spray painted it to finish this charming display.
4. Easy DIY Mirrored Gazing Ball
These futuristic gazing globes appear like an otherworldly art installation. Among many concepts on this list made from bowling balls, Kathy and Steve of The Garden Glove created these DIY garden globes for under ten dollars in materials.
Begin by cleaning the balls, then apply chrome spray paint until your desired reflective quality is achieved. It is remarkably simple to do.
5. Decorative Gazing Globe made from a Bowling Ball and Stickers
Fashion these gorgeous DIY gazing globes by giving old bowling balls a new purpose. Plaster of paris filled the finger holes, and stickers from a dollar store adorned the surface. After sealing and allowing them to dry, these charming orbs were ready for display.
6. A Penny Ball for the Garden
This gazing globe project requires a bit more time than the previous ones, but the effort is well rewarded. After obtaining a bowling ball from a thrift store, the crafters affixed approximately 400 pennies to its surface using J.B. Weld epoxy.
7. Large Cement Globe from a Rubber Ball
These cement garden balls were made by coating children’s rubber balls. First, a layer of plastic wrap covered the rubber, then cement soaked fabric was smoothed over the surface and left to dry.
Once dry, a mixture of two parts sand and one part concrete spread across the entire ball. When the coated balls were fully dry, the rubber interior was extracted, and the edges received a final smoothing before finding their place in the garden.
8. Simple DIY Cement Garden Globes
These cement garden globes were created using round light covers and cement. The creator allowed the balls to dry for a few days, then carefully removed the glass with a hammer. The use of varied shapes is particularly appealing, as the different textures and sizes offer an interesting touch for your garden.
9. DIY Gigantic Lightweight Concrete Leaf Garden Sphere
This distinct garden orb formed from a beach ball, quick setting concrete, and savoy cabbage. Yes, you really will need cabbage for this project. Inflate the ball and secure it to prevent rolling.
Then, shape some leaves and overlap them to ensure they adhere, with Barb suggesting drywall mesh for added stability. Next, create textured leaves by pouring cement into a few cabbage leaves and pressing them onto the initial shapes.
Repeat this process around the entire ball, let it dry for 24 hours, then deflate the beach ball for enjoyment.
10. Mosaic Bowling Ball Yard Globe
Here is another excellent example of a DIY gazing ball crafted from a bowling ball with inventive flair. In this tutorial, caulking filled the finger holes.
Next, gems were attached with waterproof glue, and grout filled the spaces between. Once dry, this gazing ball looks fantastic both indoors and out.
11. DIY Gazing Ball with Mod Podge and Neon Food Coloring
This garden globe concept stands out as one of the simpler projects on our list. Only three items are necessary to create these enchanting orbs: Mod Podge, neon food coloring, and globe light fixtures.
To replicate this project at home, simply tint the Mod Podge to your preferred shades, then pour a small amount into the globe. Slowly swirl it until the interior is coated, then place it on paper to allow any excess paint to drip off. Store it somewhere to dry overnight.
12. How to Make Gorgeous Garden Gazing Balls
This captivating gazing ball is similar to the one previously shown, yet it was constructed using a globe light instead of a styrofoam ball. Simply spray the light with primer before applying black spray paint, then let it dry. Next, attach the gems in sections using silicone, and you will quickly have a beautiful DIY gazing ball ready.
13. Mosaic Garden Ball with Glass Beads and Assorted Ceramic Items
Use spherical bases from a local store, or craft your own cement balls by following the steps in one of the cement globe tutorials. To create this mosaic, glue pieces of glass, tile, mirror, and ceramic, then seal with grout. Once dry, the finished piece makes an eye-catching addition to your garden.
14. Butterflies Garden Gazing Ball made with Mod Podge and Light Fixture
This straightforward gazing ball tutorial requires minimal time to complete. Begin with a round light fixture and apply Mod Podge to attach your butterflies.
Once secured, brush on another layer of Mod Podge for extra durability. For this particular project, the creator added a final coat of sparkly Mod Podge over the entire ball, enhancing waterproofing and creating an extra sheen by reflecting sunlight.
15. Three Spray Painted Garden Globes with Hand Painted Patterns
These bowling balls received various painting techniques to become DIY garden globes. You can utilize spray paint, stencils, acrylic paint, and markers to unleash your creativity in the garden.
More Inspirations
Explore additional mosaic garden-ball ideas and designs for inspiration.
A Mix of Random Gems and Found Objects
Do You Think Green is the Best Color for a Garden Globe? See below.
If undertaking these DIY projects seems too extensive, consider a ready-made garden ball instead.
Beautiful Gazing Balls
Explore another garden-ball design for inspiration.
Gold Stained Glass Mirror Gazing Ball
Explore another garden-ball design for inspiration.
Custom Mosaic Garden Gazing Sphere
This design offers another source of inspiration.
Hummingbird Crackle Glass Solar Globes, Set of 2 from Overstock
Consider additional ways to illuminate your garden.
Reclaimed Marble Garden Ball
Explore another garden-ball design for inspiration.
Ceramic Garden Spheres Set
Explore another garden-ball design for inspiration.
