Gazing Globes and Witch Balls

Source:Wikipedia

As a child I remember often seeing gazing balls on lawns as we took family drives in our grey Studebaker Commander Sedan.  I never understood gazing balls or pink flamingoes for that matter.

Source:Wikipedia

Breda Cloister Netherlands

As I aged I have learned to appreciate both of those lawn objects. The globes are glass and the pink flamingoes, plastic. I gravitate to the glass.

Source:Wikipedia

Source:Wikipedia

When I did some research on gazing globes I found there were other globes that are called witch balls. Witch globes are a bit different than the gazing globes. Witch balls were used to ward off evil spirits and spells.  Witch balls contain fibers that trap an evil spirit within once attracted to the colorful ball.

It is also said that modern Christmas balls originated from the witch balls. Hung on the holiday tree they would ward off the evil spells of jealousy and desire for the gifts that lay beneath them.

ATG offers several witch balls and gazing globes.

 

Bottles Creatively Reused

Reusing/repurposing glass bottles can be utilitarian and artistic.

In 1963, Heineken had brick bottles designed and made to build shelters in Curacao.

Only 100,000 WOBO bricks were ever made. Only one building was ever built.


  

Thai monks from the Sisaket province have used over one million recycled glass bottle to construct their Buddhist temple. Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew Temple in Thailand

Source:unusuallife.com

Since 1902, many buildings have been built around the world repurposing bottles.

Kaleva Bottle House Kaleva, MI

Airlie Gardens Bottle House Wilmington, NC

Sean Sands'  House Columbus, NM

Bottle House Gift Shop Alexandria, LA

The Magic Garden

Isaiah Zagar

Zagar's Magic Garden

Bottles are also used in artwork. Isaiah Zagart uses glass bottles in his murals. His work can be seen within 20miles(32km) of my house and only 2miles(3.2km) from where I was raised, in South Philadelphia.

Kawakawa Public Toilet, New Zealand

Market Hall, Altenrhein, Switzerland

ATG offers a few lighting fixtures using repurposed glass bottles.

Is there a bit of artist in you? Maybe you can repurpose glass bottles in creative expressions of your own.

Glass Cabinet Pulls

Glass cabinet pulls equally as beautiful as the knobs. Available at Lowe's or ATG.  Click on the ATG button on the right.