DIY World Globe Decor from a Thrift Store Light Globe

How to – DIY World Globe

Have you ever been wandering around the aisles at the thrift store and come across a stack or bin filled with light globes and thought, what could I do with one of those? Well, I think that every time I see those old castaway light globes and on one particular day I came across an orb-shaped one and it hit me! DIY World Globe. 

Collage of photos of a white glass globe from an old lighting fixture that is used as the base to make a DIY Globe using linen paper, mod podge, and a metallic gold sharpie markerI started with this light globe ~ less than $2.00 ~ as my inspiration. 

White glass light globe with world map, scissors, Mod Podge, and sponge brush - the supplies needed to make a DIY Globe with a light fixture from the thrift store

*This post may contain affiliate links and I’ll earn a commission if you shop through them. You can read my full disclosure here. 

Supplies:

Light globe

Southworth 25% Cotton Business Paper, 8.5” x 11", 24 lb, Linen Finish, White, 100 Sheet (P554CK)

Linen paper (2 sheets) – I used linen paper to give the map some texture and linen paper is slightly thicker than regular paper and works better with the ink and Mod Podge combo

Polyconic (click to choose and then save as to your computer ~ One and Two) ~ these will fit a 16 inch in diameter globe.  If you have a larger one you can adjust the size of these accordingly in a photo editing program.  If you have any questions, just ask me! 

Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer, Glue and Finish (8-Ounce), CS12948 Antique Matte, 1 Pack

Mod Podge Antique Matte

Sharp small scissors

Paintbrush or sponge brush

Color printer

Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers, Extra Fine Point, Assorted Metallic, 2 Count - Great for Rock PaintingGold Sharpie pen

 

How to Make Your DIY Globe

1.  Wash and dry your globe.

2.  Print out polyconic maps (one and two).  Map printed on linen paper, cut out, and ready to use for a DIY Globe with an old light fixture from the thrift store

3.  Cut out maps and set aside.

Close up of white glass light globe covered in Modge Podge Antique Matte finish resting on a vintage rubber stamp holder being made into a DIY Globe

4.  Cover one half of the light globe at a time with Mod Podge and apply your maps a little at a time starting at the center and working up gently bring the points together as you go along then smoothing out to the bottom.  Make sure you apply the right side up! Since the bottom is open you will not be able to meet your map points as you did on the top but that’s okay.  Once everything is dry use a razor to evenly cut the bottom all the way around.

5.  Once you have applied the entire map go over everything with Mod Podge and a paint brush.

6.  Allow to dry.

Thrift Store White Glass Light Fixture Globe on top of a vintage rubber stamp holder with a metallic gold sharpie marker in front of all being used to make a DIY Globe with items from the thrift store

7.  Use the Gold Sharpie to color the rim at the bottom

Close up of completed DIY Globe made with a white glass globe from the thrift store with a gold metallic heart hand drawn over the area of the country the owner resides in

and to add a heart over the area you call home. 

Pretty DIY Globe made with a white glass globe light fixture from the thrift store sitting on top of an antique rubber stamp holder with the text DIY World Globe across the mid center of the photograph

I placed my globe on an antique stamp holder that I purchased at my local Thrift Store a few years ago but…..

School room bookshelf with a DIY globe made from a thrift store white glass light globe in the center, a map of the United States in the Back, vintage encyclopedias on the shelf below and the encouraging sign, Dream Big to the left on the shelf with an ABC alphabet pennant strung across the shelf bottom

it also looks fine as a stand-alone decoration.

If Thrifty Style is your thing check out all of the other inspiration from the Thrifty Style Team members below!