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An old globe can become four useful home pieces: a plug-in pendant light, a food-cover cloche, a pedestal bowl and a paper-towel stand. The key decision comes before any cutting: identify whether your globe is cardboard with a glued equatorial seam or sturdy plastic. The four-project method from Funky Junk Interiors uses a cardboard globe that opens at its middle join; a separate plastic-globe project requires goggles and power tools instead. Treating those constructions as interchangeable can tear the cardboard or create an unsafe cut.
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Start by identifying the globe
Inspect the sphere, stand and meridian ring before buying supplies. The cardboard tutorial uses a globe that lifts off its stand and separates into two hemispheres along a center seam. Cardboard is light, can be opened with a dull straight-tip screwdriver and is suitable for craft gluing, painting and drilling. Choose a globe whose colors work with the room; the tutorial’s author specifically favored an ivory background with softly shaded continents. She found her example on Facebook Marketplace for $10 in 2026, an individual purchase report rather than a current price benchmark.
A sturdy plastic globe, especially one originally designed to light up, behaves differently. In the At Charlotte’s House bowl project, a razor blade would not cut the plastic, so the maker switched to power tools while wearing eye protection. Do not copy that cutting approach on a cardboard globe, and do not assume a plastic globe will open cleanly at a seam.
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| Question | Cardboard globe | Sturdy plastic globe |
|---|---|---|
| How it usually opens | At a glued or pressed equatorial join | May not open; the shell may need powered cutting |
| Typical hand work | Gentle twisting with a dull, straight-tip screwdriver | Razor cutting may fail; goggles and suitable power tools may be needed |
| Best fit for this four-project plan | One sphere supplies two halves plus its stand | Use only a method designed for that specific shell |
| Main risk | Tearing the map paper or crushing the rim | Flying fragments, rough edges and heat from cutting |
Before disassembly, check that the stand is stable, the globe is not brittle from sun exposure and the map surface is free of mold or flaking coatings. Wipe dust away with a dry or barely damp cloth and let it dry completely.
Plan the four pieces before taking anything apart
One cardboard globe gives you two hemispheres and a stand. Decide which hemisphere will serve each project, because the map orientation changes how the finished object looks.
- Pendant light: uses the globe shell, with an opening added at the top for a plug and cord.
- Cloche: uses one half with its graphics upright when the open rim rests downward.
- Pedestal bowl: uses the half that shows the map upright when the rounded side faces down.
- Paper-towel stand: reuses the original globe stand with a short chain and hook.
Measure the diameter of each half against the plates, cutting boards, trays and candlestick bases you already own. A fitted base is more important than a perfect decoration: an overhanging cloche can wobble, while a pedestal bowl that is wider than its candlestick can tip.
Materials and tools
| Project | Core materials | Tools and consumables |
|---|---|---|
| Pendant light | Cardboard globe, plug-in light cord, dimmable extension cord, dimmable low-heat bulb, thick twine | Black spray paint, cordless drill, screwdriver |
| Cloche | Globe half, thick twine, wood knob, cutting board, plate, pizza pan or serving tray | Adhesive suitable for the map surface and wood; scissors |
| Pedestal bowl | Globe half, wooden candlestick pedestal, grapevine garland | Screws, screwdriver, hot-glue gun and glue |
| Paper-towel stand | Globe stand, short thin chain, hook | Paint, screwdriver or pliers as needed |
These are the supplies named in the tutorial, not tested product recommendations. If you buy a cord or bulb, verify that the socket, plug, dimming control and bulb are compatible. A decorative cord kit wrapped around an intact globe stand is another design described by Lovely Etc.; it is not the same construction as drilling the cardboard shell.
Separate the cardboard globe without damaging the halves
- Lift the sphere from its stand. Support the globe with both hands and release it from the meridian or mounting hardware. Set the stand aside for the towel holder.
- Find the equatorial join. Run a fingernail around the middle seam to locate the point where the two shell sections meet.
- Start at a loose spot. Insert a dull, straight-tip screwdriver only a little way into the seam. A sharp blade can slice the map layer instead of opening the joint.
- Twist, do not pry hard. Work a few centimeters at a time around the circumference, applying gentle twisting pressure. If the cardboard fibers begin to lift, move to another section and soften the adhesive with slower, lighter pressure rather than forcing the tool.
- Label the halves. Mark the inside of each hemisphere with pencil so you remember which side has the preferred map orientation for the cloche and bowl.
Keep the rim as round as possible. A crushed edge is difficult to hide under twine or garland and can prevent a cloche from sitting flat.
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Build the plug-in globe pendant
This is a craft fixture assembled from a plug-in cord, a dimmable extension cord and a dimmable bulb that the tutorial’s author describes as not getting hot. The source does not provide an electrical certification, bulb wattage limit, temperature measurement or code approval for the completed fixture. Use the project as a decorative, supervised plug-in light and follow the instructions supplied with your cord, socket and bulb.
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1. Make the cord opening
Choose the globe’s top point and mark an opening just large enough for the plug to pass through. Drill a starter hole, then enlarge it gradually with the drill or a round file. Remove loose cardboard and cover the edge with thick twine so the cord cannot rub directly against a ragged cut.
2. Thread and secure the cord
Feed the plug through the opening from the inside. Leave the socket and bulb suspended inside the globe while the plug and switch remain outside. Do not pinch the cable under the shell or knot it at the opening; strain relief should come from the cord’s own fitting.
3. Wrap the rim
Apply adhesive in short sections and wind thick twine around the exposed edge. Keep each turn tight and aligned. The twine hides the cardboard layers and creates a finished border, but it is not an electrical insulator or a substitute for a proper socket fitting.
4. Refinish the stand
Spray-paint the globe stand black in thin coats, allowing the paint to dry between coats according to its label. Drill two holes in the stand and attach it to the wall with screws. Choose a fixing method appropriate for the wall material and the stand’s weight; do not rely on a weak adhesive strip for an overhead or projecting load.
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5. Route the cord
Wind the cord around the painted stand so the stand acts as a visual support and cable guide. Keep the cable away from sharp metal edges, hot surfaces, doorways and places where it can be pulled. Plug the assembly into a suitable outlet only after inspecting the insulation and confirming that the dimmer and bulb are rated to work together.
Lighting checks
- Use the bulb type and maximum wattage specified by the socket or cord manufacturer.
- Unplug before moving the globe, changing the bulb or repairing the twine.
- Stop using the light if the cord, plug or socket becomes warm, discolored, loose or damaged.
- Never leave a homemade fixture operating unattended or close to curtains and other combustible materials.
Turn one hemisphere into a cloche
1. Choose the display side
Select the half whose graphics read upright when the open rim is placed downward. Test it over the intended base before gluing anything. A cutting board, pizza pan, large plate or serving tray can work if its diameter supports the rim evenly.
2. Finish the rim
Glue twine around the entire cardboard edge. Apply only enough adhesive to hold the cord without creating hard lumps that stop the cloche from sitting level. Trim the final end neatly and let the adhesive cure fully.
3. Add the knob
Mark the pole or central top point from the inside. Glue a wood knob in place, keeping it centered so the cloche lifts without twisting. Test the knob with a gentle upward pull after the adhesive has cured.
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Place the cloche over baked goods or decorative objects on the selected board or tray. The cardboard globe and its trim are not established as food-contact-safe materials. Keep the cover from touching wet food, grease or heat, and use a washable, food-safe liner or separate plate beneath anything served.
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Make the pedestal bowl
Orient the map and fit the pedestal
Choose the hemisphere that displays the map upright when the rounded side faces down. Center a wooden candlestick pedestal on the inside of the globe. From inside the hemisphere, drive screws through the cardboard into the pedestal, using washers or a broad support if needed to prevent the screw heads from pulling through. Keep screw length short enough that no point emerges through the exterior.
Hide and protect the rim
Hot-glue grapevine garland around the open edge to conceal the cardboard layers. Work in small sections and hold the garland until each section sets. The irregular trim can disguise a slightly uneven cut, but it will not repair a crushed or delaminated rim.
Choose a safe use
The tutorial presents the result as a decorative bowl and suggests lining it for serving rolls. It does not provide food-contact testing or identify a food-safe liner, and neither the cardboard nor the grapevine trim should be assumed food-safe. For serving, place a removable, food-safe bowl or plate inside so food never touches the globe, screws, glue or garland. Otherwise use the pedestal bowl for wrapped items, dried flowers, ornaments or other non-food displays.
Repurpose the globe stand as a paper-towel holder
- Paint the stand. Clean and dry it, then apply the chosen paint in light coats. Let it cure before adding hardware.
- Prepare the chain. Cut a short length of thin chain; the tutorial’s author reused chain from a hanging basket purchased at a dollar store. Select a length that lets the roll clear the counter without dragging.
- Add the hook. Attach one end of the chain to the top of the stand and fit a hook or loop at the other end. Tighten any opened chain link with pliers.
- Load the roll. Slip the paper-towel roll over the chain and lower it onto the stand. Check that the stand remains stable when you pull a sheet sideways.
If the stand rocks, add a non-slip pad beneath its base rather than over-tightening the chain. Keep the holder away from a sink splash zone unless the paint and stand material are protected against moisture.
How to choose among the projects
| Your priority | Best choice | What you must have |
|---|---|---|
| Use both map halves and create a room accent | Cloche plus pedestal bowl | Two sound hemispheres, a base for the cloche and a candlestick pedestal |
| Add wall or ceiling lighting without hard-wiring | Plug-in pendant | Cardboard shell, compatible cord and bulb, drill and a secure wall fixing |
| Gain a practical kitchen accessory | Paper-towel stand | Original stand, chain and hook; no globe cutting required |
| Avoid power tools | Cloche or towel stand | Only hand tools, adhesive and hardware |
| Work with a plastic globe | Follow a plastic-specific bowl method | Eye protection, controlled cutting tools and a plan for smoothing the cut edge |
The construction, intended use, required tools and availability of matching bases should drive the choice—not the map design alone. A beautiful globe that will not open at its seam may still make a good stand-based project, but it is not a drop-in substitute for the cardboard four-piece plan.
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Common problems and fixes
The seam will not open
Stop forcing the screwdriver. Check that you are on the actual equatorial join rather than a printed latitude line, then work from another point with a duller angle and less pressure. If the shell is plastic, switch to a method designed for plastic instead of escalating force on the cardboard procedure.
The rim is uneven
Trim only loose fibers, then use twine on the cloche or grapevine garland on the bowl to cover minor variation. If the edge is badly crushed, use that half for a non-structural display or replace the donor globe.
The cloche rocks
Check the base diameter and inspect the rim for glue lumps. Remove hardened adhesive where the rim contacts the base, then re-seat the twine so the edge forms one continuous plane.
The bowl tilts
Re-center the candlestick before the screws fully tighten. Place the hemisphere upside down on a level surface during assembly and verify that the pedestal base sits flat before adding garland.
The pendant cord pulls on the globe
Unplug it and inspect the opening. Enlarge the hole only enough for smooth clearance, add a twine-wrapped edge and ensure the socket or cord fitting—not the cardboard—carries the assembly’s weight. If the cord lacks an integral strain relief, do not suspend the fixture.
The painted stand remains tacky
Allow more curing time in a ventilated area and avoid loading it until the paint maker’s stated cure period has passed. Thick coats can remain soft even when the surface feels dry.
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Cardboard is vulnerable to water, steam, impact and prolonged heat. Dust the cloche and bowl with a soft dry cloth; do not soak them or place them in a dishwasher. Store the pendant unplugged if you will be away for an extended period. Keep the bowl and cloche indoors, away from damp counters and direct sun that could fade the map or weaken the adhesive.
These projects are reuse builds, not standardized manufactured products. The source tutorials document the authors’ methods and materials, but they do not establish a service life, load rating, food-contact certification or electrical approval for every globe, cord, bulb, adhesive or wall. Inspect each finished piece before use and adapt the project when your donor globe, hardware or intended placement differs.
Quick Recap
Source methods and dates
- Funky Junk Interiors, June 10, 2026: cardboard globe separation, pendant, cloche, pedestal bowl and paper-towel stand.
- Lovely Etc., originally September 25, 2019 and updated August 17, 2021: a separate globe-stand light variation using a decorative cord kit and an LED-bulb option.
- At Charlotte’s House, originally May 29, 2013 and updated January 18, 2021: a sturdy plastic globe bowl made with powered cutting tools and eye protection.
- Mad in Crafts, approximately 2011: a related typographical globe and pedestal supply list.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
