Life in the Fast Lane

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This is a very easy Obelisk to make. If I can do it, so can you!

Let’s start with a list of materials that you’ll require to make this Copper Obelisk with Tumbled Sea Glass and Concrete Base.

Five 6 foot lengths of 5/8 inch copper pipe
2 – 3 lengths of ¼ inch soft copper tubing 20 feet long or longer
3 – 6 Copper end caps for soft copper tubing – optional
Copper tube cutter
Copper wire
Wire cutters
One 4 inch round PVC part from a plumbing department
1 can outdoor copper metallic spray paint
Drill
Rivet gun & rivets
16 inch round mold
Mold release or vegetable oil
1 bag of regular cement
Dust mask
Heavy rubber gloves
Gazing Globe 10 – 12 inch diameter
1 – 2 bags of tumbled sea glass
Pebbles – optional
Clear Glue – Plumber’s Goop works great
Toothpicks
Round pencil or pen
Wheel barrow or large plastic tub
Flat board larger than the mold

Close Up View of Copper Obelisk Gazing Globe

Drill 5 holes equally spaced 1 inch above the bottom edge of the 4 inch round PVC part, large enough for a rivet to pass through. You can find the PVC part in any plumbing department.

Spray the 4 inch PCV part with copper paint and let dry; this will become your base for the gazing globe.

Cut 5 copper lengths of pipe to 6 feet long with a copper pipe cutter. You can make them even longer if you want a taller obelisk.

Drill holes through the 5 lengths of copper pipes about 1 inch from the end on one end, large enough for a rivet to pass through.

Now you’re ready to attach the copper pipe lengths to the PVC part. Use a rivet gun to attach the copper pipes through the holes you drilled into the PVC part. It’s so easy to do if you’ve never used one. I was amazed!

Grease your mold with mold release or vegetable oil well.

Mix your concrete in a wheel barrow or large plastic tub. You won’t need the full bag. Make sure you’re using a dust mask and heavy rubber gloves while doing this! Never handle cement with bare hands.

Place your flat board on top of a level surface. Place your mold on top of the board. Scoop the cement and fill your mold with it. Lift the board up and gently tap it onto the surface you’re using for at least a minute to level the cement and eliminate air bubbles.

Place the lengths of copper you’ve attached to the PVC part into the wet cement, spacing them equally.

Use some of the tumbled sea glass and push them into the wet cement deep enough to make a secure contact, but not so deep that they push right through and barely show. Keep your gloves on for this! Use thin rubber gloves if you need a better grip for handling. I also add some pebbles in the same manner for more dimension and interest, but it’s not required.

Let the concrete set for 24 hours undisturbed. Don’t be tempted to test how hard it’s set by trying to move the copper legs for at least 24 hours; they won’t stay seated permanently if you do.

Place your Gazing Globe onto the PVC part. I like to use the aluminum ones for durability. You’ll never have to worry about them breaking.

Start wrapping the soft copper tubing from the bottom of the base upwards, leaving at least 3 – 5 feet of length above the PVC part to wrap around the Gazing Globe. The longer the pieces of copper tubing, the more you’ll be able to wrap around the legs. If you are using a glass Gazing Globe, be very careful that it doesn’t fall during the process, or leave it off until you’ve reached the PVC part to secure it in place.

Attach the soft copper tubing to the legs of copper pipe with lengths of copper wire at least 1 foot long or longer as you go along, leaving long ends sticking out on both ends. Wrap these long ends around a pen or pencil to create curly cues. If you’re adept at soldering copper pipe, you can solder the soft copper tubing to the legs once you have it positioned the way you like. It isn’t essential, but it will make it more secure.

Attach the copper end caps or any similar substitute onto the top ends of the soft copper tubing that holds the Gazing Globe, and at the bottom ends in place with clear glue. This isn’t necessary, but it gives a more finished look.

Cut as many lengths of copper wire as you wish at least 1 foot long or longer. Wrap them around your pen or pencil to create curly cues, and stretch them out slightly. Now you can attach them willy nilly anywhere you wish on the soft copper tubing, as securely as possible.

Work pieces of tumbled sea glass into the lengths of copper wire, wrapping them with the wire. Use clear glue to attach them permanently using toothpicks. I like Plumber’s Goop the best for this. You can find it in most hardware stores.

You’re done!

As an inexpensive alternative to a Gazing Globe, you can use a light globe and spray paint it with outdoor metallic paint in any color of your choosing. That’s what I did for my first Obelisk below. It’s withstood several winters already without peeling. Wild!

Close Up View of Copper Obelisk Gazing Globe

Cheers!

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