Marbles on YouTube
Whether you're a marble collector, player, trader, or creator, there's something magical about these tiny, glistening spheres that captivates your imagination. They're a treasure trove of history, art, competition, and craftsmanship, just waiting to be explored and enjoyed. That's why I've dedicated this space to the vibrant world of marbles, bringing you a comprehensive guide to marble-themed content on YouTube, along with inspiring video ideas for those looking to contribute to this amazing community.
In this article, we'll delve into an array of marble-related YouTube channels – from those who’ve been actively documenting their journey for years, to hidden gems with content that deserves much more recognition. These creators offer a wealth of knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration, bringing joy to both new and seasoned marble enthusiasts.
I'm also excited to share a list of potential YouTube video ideas for the motivated and inspired marble enthusiasts. From educational pieces and DIY projects to marble hunts and trading guides, there's something for every content creator to consider.
CURRENT VIDEO CREATORS
This is a list of video creators who have robust catalogs who also regularly upload content. Not an exhaustive list by any means, if you would like to suggest an addition to this list, just contact me.
These five channels cumulatively host hundreds of hours of marble related content to entertain and inform new and veteran hobbyists alike!
Stephen Bahr
The King of the Ring, Stephen’s channel is the absolute best machine-made marble content available on YouTube. A rigorous researcher with impressive production skills, Stephen’s channel should be an inspiration for any and all other marble content creators on the platform. If you’re reading this, you’re probably already subscribed, but if by chance you're not - Ring That Bell!
Gone Marbles
A relative newcomer, but a marble collecting veteran, Shane has been gracious enough to share his time and collection with the world to help us all learn. Not just teaching us just about marble identification tips, he also shares his decades long experience with searching for and purchasing marbles in the wild.
Rocks Cousteau
Digging up bottles and marbles along Ohio creeks and rivers along with the occasional flea market hunt, this is a channel you have to check out! All of his found marbles are stored in cases, separated by season/year. It’s quite amazing to see the beautiful marbles that are simply plucked from the mud.
Jelle’s Marble Runs
There are many like it, but Jelle’s is the original fantasy marble league. Popularized during the height of the pandemic when sports fanatics were looking for fresh competitive content, Jelle has continually improved the channel’s production value and has retained a rather significant viewer base multiple years after the original hype.
Corning Museum of Glass
While not specifically focused on just marbles, Corning’s videos are littered with marble masters demoing their honed processes. I can attribute my initial obsession over marbles to the videos published to this channel, especially the multiple Mark Matthews recordings.
HIDDEN GEMS
Again, not an exhaustive list by any means, feel free to add to the YouTube playlist.
“Refresh Quest - Gone Marblin - FULL EPISODE”
I put this at the top of the list for a reason! Currently at only 333 views, this video will surely go viral in the future! Follow along with host Jeremy Maupin and marble experts, Sami Arim and Mike Johnson, as they travel from California to Des Moine, Iowa for the annual marble show.
“marble man”
The oldest marble related video I found on YouTube, uploaded 15 years ago. Narrated by the famed marble author Everist Gritt.
"Cabinet marbles last video of this Sep 26, 2010”
A 12 year update from an obviously devoted marble collector. Quite a diverse collection, it’s quite mesmerizing to watch the display spin.
“This One For That One”
Who plays for keeps? Ever been caught in a back-and-forth like this? Just good old fashioned marble humor.
Electroforming Boro Glass w/ Tim Keyzers”
Torch Talk is a wonderful channel for the glass enthusiast who has an eye for more than marbles, with maybe a hint of degeneracy. This video specifically archives Tim Keyzers describing and demoing his unique and intricate process of electroforming designs on the back sides of marbles.
“Marble King is one of 27 WV companies honored for exporting to a new country this year.”
A news segment from WTRF of West Virginia highlighting a recent achievement from Marble King in their endeavor to spread marbles around the globe.
“Marble Lot Reveal !”
Another person is sharing their recent marble lot finds on YouTube, and it makes me so happy! They’ve since posted 2 similar videos, and I hope they continue!
“Texas Marble Collectors - Marble Auction Video 1”
Currently the only place on YouTube to watch the first marble auctions from Danny Taylor’s Running Rabbit Auctions in the early 1990s. This video was an auction catalog, buyers would submit their bids by mail and receive a sheet of sale prices after the closing date.
VIRAL VIDEOS
Again, not an exhaustive list by any means, feel free to add to the YouTube playlist.
“How to make a STEEL MARBLE TRACK with basic tools! step by step guide”
I want to make one so bad! And if you watch this video, you likely will too! This wonderful guide shows step-by-step how to make an impressive marble run.
“Wintergatan - Marble Machine (music instrument using 2000 marbles)”
Incredible! Absolutely Incredible! Deserving of the 233 MILLION views it has amassed thus far! Check out his channel for a plethora of content showing how he builds these amazing designs.
“Magic of Making - Glass Marbles”
Watch the process of a ribbon core swirl get formed at the Teign Valley Glass hot shop, home of England’s House of Marbles.
“Launching Marble Machine”
Part of the creator’s 100 designs in 100 days challenge makes this looping marble run even more impressive! If you have access to a 3D printer and want to make your own, the creator hosts the stl file on his Patreon.
“How It's Made Marbles”
The classic Discovery Channel show that many of us loved. Did you know there was a marble episode?! Unfortunately this upload is low resolution, but it’s still an absolute classic!
YouTube Video Ideas
This is my list of YouTube video ideas that I believe would be well-received by YouTube viewers, especially if the creator manages to perfect the current fast-paced, attention-grabbing meta. I’ll also note that most of the ideas in this list would be considered “Evergreen” content, meaning they are not time-sensitive and will be served by YouTube to new viewers for years to come.
There's an entire universe of marble enthusiasts just waiting to be inspired by content that speaks to their unique interests. So why not be a trailblazer and help fill this void?
As the world of marbles enters the digital age, YouTube can be an ideal platform to unite the community. From sharing knowledge and stories to trading and playing, these video ideas can offer something for every marble enthusiast.
Playing Marbles: Rules, Tricks & Tips
Remind everyone that marbles are not just collectibles, but toys meant for play!
Introduce viewers to your favorite game to play with our beloved spheres, and be specific! Although we all have played a game of ringers at some point, we’ve likely played with slightly different rules which should be highlighted and championed for their uniqueness.
Marble Tournaments: Hosting a Local Marble Competition
From planning to execution, share the joy and excitement of hosting your own tournament. There are a few of these videos already uploaded, however all are multiple years old. Something else they all share - tens to hundreds of thousands of views! The love for the game is real!
Marble Runs
Seemingly dominated by Jelle’s Marble Runs and similarly themed channels, I believe there remains a corner to be carved by creatives who specialize in bewilderment rather than anticipation. Themed runs could be particularly interesting, such as a Pokémon themed build populated by the increasingly popular Pokémon licensed Marble King mibs, or maybe a track built with nature in the woods to race earthenware benningtons.
Introduction to Marble Collecting: A Beginner's Guide
Take on the role of a mentor and guide newbies into the fascinating world of marble collecting. Being a newbie myself, I hope a veteran comes through and organizes one of these videos.
An introductory guide video can serve as a starting point for many enthusiasts and generate engagement right off the bat. Every day potential new collectors are surfing the web in search of guides to aid in understanding the marbles they’ve found. It's up to us established collectors to provide the resources we wish had existed at our start.
The History of Marbles: An Overview
Video essays are becoming increasingly popular on YouTube, as evident by the dozens of creators with millions of subscribers - likely due in part to the podcast wave. How neat would it be for a long-form history of marbles video to go viral, introducing millions of new potential collectors, players, and makers!
This however would be no small undertaking, even the established essay producers can spend many full-time months organizing, recording, and editing a single 40 minute video.
Marble Hunting Vlogs
Across the world are purposefully lost marbles, waiting to be found. Do you live in an area with a robust marble hunting community with new hunts posted daily? I can guarantee that vlog style content of these hunts (successful or not) would be well-enjoyed by thousands of viewers on YouTube.
Check out the World’s Biggest Marble Hunt on YouTube, documenting the July 2022 hunt which included thousands of marbles hidden around the globe!.
DIY Marble Storage & Display Ideas
Just like pieces of art, marbles deserve to be displayed in all their glory. It would be neat for someone to showcase their innovative display designs and the process to recreate one. I know there’s some wicked smart and easy ideas out there, ready to be shared! At the Tulsa show there was a table that used a horizontal pegboard to hold and display hundreds of marbles - so simple and practical!
Create a video to show off your innovative ways to store and showcase your cherished marble collection. Useful, aesthetic, and engaging, these DIY projects can open up a world of conversations within the marble world.
How to Photograph Marbles
Step into the artistic realm of marbles by merging photography with collecting. Are you a professional who shares tips and tricks for taking beautiful, captivating photos of marble collections. Teach your viewers how to use light, angles, and backgrounds to accentuate the mesmerizing features of these tiny spheres. The goal is to help viewers showcase their collections online or prepare marbles for sales, emphasizing their true beauty.
Marble Art: Using Marbles in Craft Projects
Creativity knows no bounds when it comes to marbles. Demonstrate how marbles can be incorporated into various arts and crafts projects. From marble painting to marble jewelry, the possibilities are endless. Showing the creative side of marbles can stimulate innovation within the marble community and even attract a broader audience.
Marble Trading: How to Trade Marbles Successfully
Finally, share your wisdom on marble trading. By offering tips and advice based on your own experiences, you can help others in the marble trading community navigate this exciting aspect of the hobby. Whether it's about how to evaluate the value of a marble, how to find trading partners, or how to ensure a successful trade, your insights could prove invaluable to fellow enthusiasts.