How to Make "Gem" Stones

I wanted to make a garden ball but did not have an old bowling ball handy. Then it occurred to me, 

"Why not attach glass gems to rocks?"

So, I did a little experiment using a small, pitted rock and two different adhesives I had on hand:

• E6000 craft adhesive
• GE Silicone II for Windows and Doors (my 2.8 oz. tube was one year beyond the expiration date)

E6000 Craft Adhesive

Pros: Once thoroughly dried, the E6000 had a good, tight seal and there were no globs around the base of the gem.

Glass gems attached with E6000 adhesive

Cons: It was smelly, messy and the gems slid out of place unless I held them until they set (around 15 minutes). To cover the entire rock, the E6000 would be very impractical. Who has the time to hold each gem in place until it sets?

GE Silicone II

Make sure to use the silicone which is waterproof, clear, and made for outdoors – either for gutters and flashing or windows and doors.

Pros: The silicone is thicker than E6000 and the gems stayed in place more easily (however, gravity may still cause some to slide). Even though my silicone was 1 year past the expiration date, it still held the gems and the smell was less intense than a fresh tube.

Glass gems added to pitted rock with silicone adhesive

Cons: Globs of silicone showed around the base of each gem and the adhesive stays somewhat rubbery when dried. The globs may be avoidable if the gems are tightly spaced or a smaller amount of silicone is used. A fresh tube of silicone will be smelly (like ammonia.)

My Preferences

For attaching gems to rocks: I will use the silicone. The stones didn't slide around as much (if at all). I could use the tube like decorating a cake and make designs on the rocks.

For attaching stones together: I will use the E6000. I think the hold would be much better and the look cleaner than blobs of silicone around the glued pieces.

For a more eye-catching "gem" stone: I'll paint the rock first.

Which adhesive held up better outdoors?  

This blog post will be updated in Spring 2015 after the "gem" stones have been outdoors and exposed to the sun, sprinklers, rain, snow, wind and dust.

In the meantime, the "gem" stones add bling to my garden. (But now the other rocks and pavers look oh, so boring.)

"Gem" Stones in the Garden

Update: Spring 2015

After being outdoors all Winter and exposed to wind, rain, dust, and snow, the "gem" stones held up beautifully. I took this photo after I removed them from the garden and just brushed off the red mulch. All the gems were still strongly attached on both the silicone and E6000 stones. And, the "gem" stones don't look much different then the day I originally placed them in the garden.

Photo Taken Spring 2015 - "Gem" Stones Are Fresh Out of the Garden

 

I'm definitely making more of these!

Useful Resources

• DIY Garden Balls
• 6 Tips to Be Sure Things Stick with GE Silicone II
• Learn More About E6000 Craft Adhesive
• Learn More About GE Silicone II Window & Door
• GE Silicone II Product Data Sheet (PDF)

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks

Another Idea for a Painted Rock Hedgehog

My July 23, 2012 post described how I used wild rice for a painted rock hedgehog's quills.

Another idea is to use pine needles for the quills.


Brush a generous amount of tacky glue around the middle of the rock and press dry pine needles in it. The needles should point toward the tail of the hedgehog. Glue a second row of needles in front of the first, leaving a blank space for painting on the face.

Rock Painting Ideas from the Pantry

Over the summer, my niece is caring for a hedgehog named Basil.

Basil the Hedgehog

I never thought much about hedgehogs but when I saw Basil's picture, I just had to paint her on a rock because she was such a cute, little critter.

However, the idea of painting all those quills seemed too time consuming. So, into the pantry I went where I found a package of wild rice that was the perfect substitute for a hedgehog's quills.

I implemented my idea by first painting Basil's face on the rock and applying brown paint to the rest of her body. I then liberally applied Mod Podge where I wanted the quills to be attached and submerged the rock into a bowl of raw, wild rice.

Basil, the Painted Rock Hedgehog

It was necessary to revise my project idea slightly because I learned that Mod Podge is not the best glue for this project. (I had to go back and reattach some of the wild rice with Elmer's Glue.) Therefore, regular glue works best to attach the rice and Mod Podge is best used as a final sealer to further keep the "quills" in place.

My sister has since suggested using pine needles for the quills so they'll stick up more. Hmm... and I thought painting the quills was time consuming? I'll be experimenting with that idea.


All in all, I think Basil, the Painted Rock Hedgehog, is almost as cute a critter as the real thing.


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks