How to Craft a Gazing Ball
Gazing balls are metallic spheres of many shapes and colors, typically displayed on a stand in a garden. These colorful globes make good focal points for gardens consisting mainly of shrubs, trees and low-growing plants. They add visual interest to all three by drawing the eye to their different colors and heights. Gazing balls can also complement a garden full of flowers of a contrasting color.
Though gazing balls are on the expensive side and break very easily, it is a simple matter to make one that is sturdier and cheaper than the commercial variety.
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Things You'll Need
- Clear plastic ornament ball (any size)
- Metallic acrylic paint, several colors
- Old rags
- Paper plates
- Clear enamel paint
- Paint brush
- Newspaper
Instructions
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1
Spread newspaper over the work space and open the ornament ball. There should be two halves of the ball that slip together--be sure you get this kind. They are available at most craft stores.
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2
Squirt a generous amount of one color onto a paper plate. Crumple up an old rag and dip it into the paint. Gently blot excess on the newspaper, then dab paint on the inside of the ornament ball. This will create a mottled pattern. Do not completely coat the ball in one color.
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3
Allow the first color to dry and squirt another color onto a paper plate. With a clean rag, dab the new color onto the inside of the ball as before. Turn the ball over; a multi-colored pattern should be emerging.
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4
Continue painting with whatever colors you desire until the inside of both halves of the ball are completely covered. Allow them to dry overnight, then paint enamel paint on the outside for additional sheen and protection
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5
Allow the enamel paint to dry overnight and fit the halves together. Set the ball in a gazing ball stand in your garden.
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Tips & Warnings
Make several balls in different sizes to add interest to your garden. Painted, upside down flower pots make good gazing-ball stands. Wrap thick, sturdy steel wire in a spiral around your gazing ball and hang it from a tree branch.
