How to Make a Mosaic Garden Globe From Broken Dishes

Garden globes bring a touch of whimsy to an outdoor space. Make your own mosaic garden globe from broken dishes and a recycled bowling ball. Look for used bowling balls and dishes to break at yard sales and thrift stores. Display the mosaic globe in an terracotta planter or in the center of an outdoor dining table. Prepare yourself to catch the mosaic bug; after completing one project you may find yourself looking around for more items to cover with colorful ceramics.

Things You'll Need

• Dishes
• Plastic bag
• Towel
• Hammer
• Bowling ball
• Medium grade sandpaper
• Wet cloth
• Brace
• Waterproof construction adhesive
• Caulking gun
• Exterior grout
• Sponge
• Grout sealer
• Small paint brush

Instructions

1. Place a few of the dishes in a plastic bag. Seal the bag. Wrap the bag in a towel. Strike the bag with a hammer repeatedly.

2. Remove the broken dishes from the plastic bag. Pieces larger than 2 inches wide or long should be broken again.

3. Sand the surface of the bowling ball with medium-grade sandpaper to scuff the surface. This will help the construction adhesive adhere better to the slick surface. Clean away all of the sanding debris with a wet cloth.

4. Place a bowling ball on a flat work surface. Brace the ball on either side with wood blocks, bricks or anything that will keep it from rolling around.

5. Spread a small amount of waterproof construction adhesive onto one area of the bowling ball. You can also use thinset mortar, but construction adhesive applied with a caulking gun is easier to use on the bowling ball.

6. Press the broken dishes into the construction adhesive. Leave up to 1/4 inch of space between the pieces for grouting. Cover the top of the bowling ball and leave it to dry according to the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions.

7. Roll the bowling ball into a new position and brace it on either side. Apply adhesive and ceramic pieces as before to cover the new area. Repeat until the bowling ball is covered with pieces of the broken dishes.

8. Press exterior grout into the spaces between the broken dishes on the mosaic garden globe. The easiest way to do this on a curved surface is with your fingers, but you can also use a small spatula or a knife. Make sure to clean the grout from the broken dishes before it dries with a warm, wet sponge. Allow the grout to dry.

9. Seal the grout with exterior grout sealer according to the manufacturer’s directions. Allow the seal to dry before placing the mosaic globe in the garden.

References

• Fine Gardening: Making Mosaic Garden Art

Resources

• Mosaic Art Supply: Frequently Asked Mosaic Questions