How to Use Marbles to Replicate Expensive Department Store Decor Items

Marbles are not just for Grade School Children anymore. Marbles come in a variety beautiful colors and can be utilized to make decor pieces for your home that will have your house guests asking "Where did you buy that?"

If you have shopped at fine department stores such as Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn (My personal favorite) you will see that marbles are making a comeback in the home design circuit, the only problem is many of these pretty items come with a hefty price tag. No one wants to pay those prices. So now you can recreate your own look for less.

Your basic glass marbles can be found anywhere from your local dime store to large craft retailers such as Michael's and Hobby Lobby. They are typically inexpensive and can be purchased in a vast array of different colors and styles.

Here are a few suggestions and variations for using colorful marbles to decorate and add some color to your own space.

Marble Picture Frame: Do you have many picture frames around the house that could use a face lift or maybe a little personality and pizzazz? Why not add some colorful marbles to it?

Items Needed-

5 inch by 7inch Picture Frame- Try to find one that may be in need of a little color or style.

Half -cut Marbles- A small bag of about 50 colored halved marbles of your choice of color.

Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks- A Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks that can be used for small craft projects.

Heat up your glue gun and set aside. Make sure the picture frame is free of dust and debris. Create a smooth surface for the marbles to adhere to by wiping down the frame with a warm cloth and then drying completely. Take your glue gun and adhere a small droplet of glue onto the back surface of the marble. Take the glue backed marbles and start filling in the empty space on the front of the picture frame to create your masterpiece.

Copper Marble Plant Sticks: These are a beautiful asset to your table or desktop plant. They add a splash of color and distinction to your plant display.

Items Needed-

Heavy Gauge Copper Wire of your choice.

Large colored marbles of your choice- These can typically be found at your local craft supply stores. Silver or Copper tinged marbles with a opalescent colors blended in work best for this project.

Scissors.

Take a long piece of copper wire and cut to desired length. Grab a large marble and take one end of the wire and wrap it loosely around the marble. These plant sticks look stunning when paired up with other sticks of various lengths. This project creates a decor stick piece for less than half the price of department and garden store pieces.

Tea light Candle holder: Add a dazzling display of "crystal look" marbles to your blah-zay candle holder and create a look of elegance for you and others to enjoy.

Items Needed-

Tea light Candle holder or small smooth candle holder.

Colorful halved marbles of the same color.

Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks.

Heat up your glue gun and set aside. Make sure the candle holder is free of dust and debris. Apply a small amount of hot glue to the flat side of the marble and place each marble in rows going around the candle holder until complete. This easy project also makes the perfect homemade gift.

Fried Marbles: No you don't eat these. These are a way to transform your marbles into a unique design focal point like no other. This is my personal favorite out of all of the marble designs and creations.

Items Needed-

Bag of transparent marbles or marbles with a color design inset such as cats eyes.

Frying Pan.

Oven mitts and protective heat resistant wear.

Wooden Spoon.

Large Pot.

Cold Water.

Ice.

Towel.

Fill a large pot with cold water and ice and set aside.

Heat your burner and your frying pan up and then add your marbles. Stir them occasionally with a wooden spoon. Make sure they have been heated thoroughly. Heat and stir for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes dump the marbles into the pot of ice water. Allow to cool for 30 minutes then let them dry on a towel. The glass on the inside of the marbles shatters into tiny shards and looks like shimmering crystal. When glass goes from hot to cold it cracks from the inside out creating this unique one of a kind look. Fill these up in a clear glass jar or container to add a new flair to a boring table space.

With these ideas on decorating your home with marbles, you are sure to create an atmosphere that others will be envious of and want to create for their own spaces. They will be shocked when you tell them how easy it is.