Monday, March 7, 2011

Get Some Balls!

Okay, so I think the proper terminology is decorative spheres... but who doesn't love some good balls?  Sorry I couldn't resist. 

I'm sure everyone has seen these strange decorative spheres just about everywhere... and some are really beautiful and unique. 




But man can they get expensive!... starting anywhere from $3 or $4 a piece to as much as $10 a piece!  If you want to use several in a bowl or vase, you're looking at a pretty price tag.  So of course I've been on the lookout for something similar but on the cheap.

My mom actually found these for me at Tuesday Morning... she's always on the lookout for good, cheap stuff too... and these just happened to be in the clearance Christmas decor.  I believe she scored these for $1.25 each.




She had already found me 3 pretty ones (at the thrift store), that looked similar in size and design and I wanted to mimic the colors to have a matching set. 

So I gave them a few coats of spray paint with Krylon in Almond satin finish.  Since these were ornaments I was able to hang them from a tree outside so I didn't have to do them in sections.  Even better!




Once they were dry I gave them a few coats of glaze.  I started with Valspar in Mocha and coated the entire sphere making sure to get in all the crevices.  Let that dry for a few minutes and then pat off some of the glaze.  Then I just put them on hangers and hung them up to dry.




Here's what they look like so far.




After that I put another coat of Valspar glaze in Raw Umber.  Same technique as above.

You can see part of how it looks below.  The last step is a black glaze (I mix my own) and LIGHTLY apply it sporadically over the ball.  I just used a brush to stipple it on. You can see how the top of this one is already done.




See how my brush is basically dry.  You don't want to saturate the brush on this last coat.




Then I just snipped off the hooks and strings and put them in this cute bird cage.  Total cost for these 4 plus the other 3 I had was less than $10. 

















The next set is a fun one!  My mom, again the thrifty seeker, (and actually the one I get my good sense from when it comes to this kinda stuff), found these other ornaments... again from the thrift store.  Aren't these beautiful? LOL!



They were a bit larger than the others... and perfectly round and smooth.  So I just needed to find something to cover them with.  I knew paint wouldn't really work... so I brainstormed several ideas.  And finally it came to me.  MOSS!  Who doesn't love a good moss ball! 

They actually make this stuff now that has kind of a rubbery backing on it.... and it is so easy to use!  They call it super moss.  Clever! 

Well I had never used super moss before, nor had I covered any balls.  Spheres, spheres, spheres!  But I had some super duty strength spray adhesive on hand so I just started spraying and laying. 




I started at one corner and smoothed it on in sections, cutting around the areas that were gathering too much.  I couldn't take any photos because this was a MESSY project!  But it was basically quite easy.  Like I said, this super moss is really easy to work with... I was able to patch the pieces together and kind of fluff up the seams to make them look cohesive.  Here's how they turned out.










I only had enough of the super moss to do 3 full spheres.  But I think they look really cute in this iron bowl.  Total cost on this project:  $1 for all four balls, and $7 for the bag of super moss.  Again, under $10! 

Now don't you want to go get some balls?


I was Born to Party!  Click here to link back.


35 comments:

  1. I am so jealous right now, in a good way :P
    These look gorgeous! I want your finials too! I can never find them anywhere and never seem to get lucky enough to find them! Your style is so classy and elegant. I love it!

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  2. I love this. You did a wonderful job and now I am going to hit up the store for some super moss! I had no idea it would be that easy. Thanks for sharing!!! And thanks for the chuckle!

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  3. Wow, you've really got your glazing down pat. :-) I have to say, I might like your adorable bird cage more than anything!! I would love it if you would link this up to my blog party, A Marvelous Mess. Each party I pick one project to feature for a week on my sidebar!! Here is the link:
    http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/2011/03/marvelous-mess-3.html

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  4. Very nice. They look elegant and like the $4 or higher priced spheres I see in the stores.

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  5. you are pretty clever with your set of balls!!

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  6. Okay, I can't help myself but I love your balls "spheres". Does this moss continue to grow on your balls? Or is it dead? I have seen some weird moss that you can attach to plant pots and supposedly it will grow more moss. It sounded a bit like seahorses "just add water" lol.
    Anyway, your first set of balls that your mom got for you, what are they made out of? What would we be looking for? Are they plastic? I am a new follower by the way. Found your link on the KISS Party thingy.
    Oh I know I probably sound like a nut, but these are sweet and I am off to look at the rest of your blog.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Kat

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  7. these turned out great, you are so crafty. thanks for sharing at my party!

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  8. LOLOLOL I love your post! Girl....you have some balls!!!! :):):) I love those! I have been working on a set of these myself for a vase....who woulda thunk that these things would be so darn pricy in the store????? You did an amazing job......I'm a new fan and follower :)

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  9. You are fantastic! Love your thriftiness. Pretty pictures too. Thanks for stopping by my blog......did you see the PB clock I did too....it looks like your style and I did it for 6 bucks.....you'd like it. :-)

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  10. I LOVE this!! I would love for you to share it at my Linky Party!

    *ENTER LINKY PAR-TAY Here! *

    xoxokara

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  11. Love those first set of balls! I'll have to see if my TM has anything like it. :)

    Ashley
    www.TheThriftyWife.com

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  12. So gorgeous. I love your decorating style. Thanks so much for linking up to my Swing into Spring party.

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  13. Very creative! I am partial to the moss covered, it does seem like they are everywhere. Love them!

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  14. I love these, I like making my own too, they do get expensive ready made. I'm visiting from Whassup Wed. please stop by I'd be thrilled if you did.

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  15. Wow! I can't seem to close my mouth! This is a FANTASTIC project. Great idea! I would be delighted if you would link this to my VIP party today! http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/vip-party-6.html

    Cheers!
    Sommer

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  16. Thanks so much for linking up to the VIP party @ Designer Garden! Hope to see you again next week with another great project!

    ~Sommer

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  17. Wow! I love the painted balls! That was a wonderful idea!
    Susan

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  18. I like the moss balls... so Spring-y :)

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  19. Nice balls! Excuse me, I mean decorative spheres. Love the texture on the Tuesday Morning find.

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  20. these are amazing. I love the moss.

    megan
    craftycpa.blogspot.com

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  21. Awesome! The texture on the first set is perfect. Good job!

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  22. Those are some awesome balls! LOL..sorry I could not resist either.
    Well that was very creative thinking, and they actually look prettier than the onces you buy. Thanks for sharing and for joining my newbie party.
    Debbiedoos blogging and blabbing.

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  23. Great balls of fire, those are wonderful! The first ones were perfect for glazing, they look 100 years old. Now the second ones, well if you look at my blog you will see why I would have left them as they are LOL, but that moss is sooo cool! You are off to a great blogging start, i see a super star in the making! I found your through Debbie Doos, I am your newest follower and hope you will follow me back.

    Carol

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  24. WOW those "BALLS" turned out awesome!! I love the painted ones but the moss covered ones are my favorite!! Great job, Martina

    Came over from Debbie's newbie party!

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  25. How could I NOT click on a link with this title? You made me laugh out loud. I scared the dog! (He's the one who needs some balls!)

    Both projects are amazing! And so cheap. I am all about cheap at my house!

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  26. You cracked me up with your title. Love how both projects turned out just beautiful. Blessings, Vicky

    I just became your newest follower!

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  27. I LOVE your balls!! It is one of the MANY things on my "to do" list!! Great job!
    xxDaniella

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  28. Love your balls! Didn't know about the super moss. I need to get some balls myself!

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  29. Great project!Love the picture of them hanging from the tree-I can't tell you how many times we've had to hang our paint projects from the trees at Brambly. My husband has become quite an expert at painting a hanging light from a branch and blasting away. Have a great day!

    Ann-Marie

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  30. Oh my, you did such a great job with these balls, eh, spheres I mean! :)

    Found you through Debbiedoo's newbie party! Have a great week

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  31. Also found you at Debbiedoo's newbie party...the title of your post MADE me come see what it was about! You did an amazing job with those balls.

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  32. love the balls!!! a ball diva- you are!!! lol ;)

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  33. These are super cute too! Thanks for sharing!

    Melanie
    youmadethat.blogspot.com

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  34. GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ♡♡♡
    ♡♡♡
    ♡♡♡
    your photos!
    take care,
    Rosa

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  35. Super cute! I scored some decor balls today at a garage sale! They are so much fun to decorate with :)

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