messiest, merriest and whirliest DIY balls
Sunday, November 7, 2010 at 12:45AM Wednesday Custom Design The weeks leading up to the Everee Wednesday photo shoot were full of some pretty significant messes! Nearly every detail of the photo shoot was handmade. So, we wanted to share our absolute favorite DIY project with you, sweet friends!
Now you can't say we didn't warn you. The level of messiness involved in this project definitely warrants the great outdoors or a tarp covered floor in your home. However, I think you will find that the fun you had along the way and the final product makes the mess completely worth it!
Gather up:
- Big balloon
- Sharpie
- Scissors
- Cotton yarn
- 4 oz. White school glue
- 1/2 cup of Corn starch
- 1/4 cup of Warm water
- Something to stir with
- Petroleum jelly
- Clear fast drying spray paint
- Hanging lamp cord or fishing line (depending on your desired final product)
- Container for mixing
Directions
1. Blow up a balloon. We kind of suggest not blowing it up to its maximum capacity so that it is rounder. We've also heard that an exercise ball works great if you want a huge globe!
2. After the balloon is inflated to it's desired size draw a circle with the sharpie around the balloon knot just large enough to accommodate whatever lighting method you choose. Note: If you are just wanting to hang the balls or use them in a vase then you don't need to leave a hole at all!
3. You will need to prepare your work area by laying down a tarp. We hung a shower curtain between two chairs and suspended the balloons by it with string so we could have plenty of working room.
4. Mix corn starch, glue and warm water together until it's not lumpy (too bad getting rid of cellulite isn't this easy).
5. Smear the petroleum jelly all over your balloon until it is completely coated. Note: We specifically left using rubber gloves out of these instructions. You should get messy. If we were concerned about keeping your hands clean this would have been called the "loveliest, merriest and whirliest DIY" not "messiest, merriest and whirliest DIY".
6. Besides sharing in good company, it will go much faster if you have a friend help you with this. One of you begin feeding the yarn through the glue mix and handing it off to the other person to drape around the ball.
7. Tuck the start and end pieces of yarn beneath other pieces of yarn. Begin wrapping the yarn around the balloon vertically at a comfortable tightness, and gradually switch to wrapping horizontally.
8. After your ball has dried for 24 hours, you can pop the balloon! Use a chopstick to knock out any glue crystals that developed between strings.
9. Spray the ball with clear fast drying spray paint outdoors.
Reader Comments (39)
This is a fantastic idea! I will have to try it out next garden party I have.
We're so glad you like it! You'll have to send us a picture of how they turn out!
I am SO going to try this! It would be a cute piece to add as a bedroom design, as well!
My sister, her friend, and I are trying this right now! (They're mixing the paste at the moment.) The petroleum was definitely really fun to put on the balloons. haha But we'll definitely have lots of pictures. Also, we're adapting a little by spraying with glow in the dark spray. :)
I think it would be a precious bedroom piece too, Alyssa! Please send us pictures of how they turned out, Julie!!
There is a thing that I dont understand .. if I do it with pieces of lace is it the same procedure? or not ?
Hi Viviana, We have not tried it yet with lace or doilies, but as soon as we do we'll let you know! I imagine it is the same process. Has anyone else tried it with doilies that could help?
Will this process work with colored string or will the glue mess up the color? If I wanted to do this in a different color, do you suggest using white string and then spray painting it? Thanks!
I've heard of other people using colored yarn, and I they said it worked great! I imagine it could possibly mute the color ever so slightly, but I bet it would turn out great! Send us pictures if you try it!
So after creating the balls, are you able to stick a light bulb inside it? Does anyone have recommendations for hanging light bulbs/cords? Thanks!
Hi Bella! Ikea has a great lighting kit that is really inexpensive and pretty easy to use!
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10175810
Thank you for sharing this beautiful tutorial, here you can see my beaded version http://1129designorecchinigioielli.blogspot.com/2011/07/pendenti-da-albero.html
peace&love
nicoletta
why do you need the fast drying spray paint for this project?
Once everything dries you spray the yarn with the fast drying clear spray paint to finish and seal it. Thanks!
Is there anything you would recommend spraying over it to make a permanent staple outside? Or do you think the string/ glue mixture will melt in the rain?
Just wrote out my list of supplies to begin tomorrow :)
Ohh good luck, Lindsay! I think the clear spray paint could help, but I worry that they may not be able to withstand continuous exposure to the elements- especially extreme heat. But who knows, they could surprise us! Ours have been around for a year, through weddings, moves and more and they've been very durable.
I am so doing this for my wedding next May! I'm wanting to do them in an apple green, though. Would you recommend using green yarn, or do you think it's possible to spray paint them without damaging the durability? So super excited to get started on these!
mine melted down at the first brain storm... but is fun to make new ones, and I will hang out the nexts only on special occasions :)
if you use doilies plaster of paris works better as you need a stronger glue to "hold" it all together
Had to share this with my crafting friends!!! http://crafting-it-up.blogspot.com/