Twine Ball

Create AtmoSPHERE with a Stunning DIY Centerpiece

Upgrade trendy twine-ball spheres for special occasions or décor by adding an eye-popping focal point within!

    SUPPLIES| GENERAL
  • Inflatable object(s) to wrap: choose based on the size and shape you want. We chose a large bouncy ball for this project, but round (punch) balloons or even an exercise ball will work.
  • String, one that will absorb the glue mixture, is best.
  • Scissors
  • Sharpie® marker
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Gloves to keep your hands clean
  • A place to hang your spheres for drying, preferably with a tarp beneath
  • Clear spray sealant

STEP 1| PREPARE
The results of this project are beautiful, but the journey is a “beautiful” mess! We suggest a durable work space like a garage or basement (making sure you have somewhere to hang the lanterns to dry for 24-48 hours*). Prepare the area by putting down a tarp or floor covering.

*You can suspend a shower curtain rod between two chairs for hanging your sphere if nothing else is readily accessible. We used a broom suspended from the decorative ‘L’ brackets of a shelf.

STEP 2| INFLATE
If your object requires inflation, (I.E. [punch] balloon or exercise ball), inflate it now. Keep in mind your sphere will take on the shape of whatever object you are wrapping. If you use a standard balloon that inflates to an oblong sphere, the result will be more egg-shaped.

Chances are if you are using a bouncy ball, you can skip this step!

STEP 3| MARK
Using the Sharpie® marker, draw a circle around the balloon knot. This will create an opening to insert ornaments or flower picks.

STEP 4| MIX
Mix the white school glue, corn starch and warm water together in the disposable container until completely smooth. (The warm temperature of the water will help to better blend the mixture.) The measurements suggested above are a good starting point, but not rigid. Generally you will just want to watch that the consistency is thicker than water, but reasonably thinner than glue.

TIPS| FOR HANGING
Run a long piece of packing tape around the ball’s circumference to secure a section of drinking straw in the center of the marked circle. (You will later feed string through the straw for hanging the ball.)

You may choose to hang your object before or after wrapping. We found handling while wrapping to be easiest before hanging as this also enabled us to watch the spacing of our string.

STEP 5| DIP
Insert your string into the glue mixture to absorb the adhesive while moving on to the next step.

STEP 6| RUB
Rub your inflated object with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. This will help the wet string to stay in place while wrapping and keep it from sticking to the object when it’s removed after it has dried.

STEP 7| WRAP
Gently squeeze off some of the excess glue before wrapping*. Wrap string at a comfortable tautness horizontally and vertically, being careful not to wrap into the circle you marked off. Be sure your start and end pieces are tucked in for maximum security. (The more you wrap, the denser your sphere will be, limiting visibility of decorative elements within.)

*Excess glue may crystalize in the drying process, but also adds sturdiness to the string. We suggest finding a balance between an overabundance and bare minimum.

STEP 8| HANG & DRY
Hang your sphere to dry for 24-48 hours. It is important it dries completely before removing the inflatable object; otherwise your sphere may collapse.

STEP 9| POP!
Once your string has dried, you may pop the balloon or ball and carefully remove it through the opening.

STEP 10| SPRAY
Lightly spray the sphere with a clear sealant to help it hold its form.

STEP 11| DECORATE
We used a wooden dowel to support the weight of ornaments hung within our twine sphere.

    SUPPLIES| ORNAMENT CLUSTER
  • Hot glue
  • Wire Cutter
  • Greening floral pins, trimmed
  • 1 Styrofoam sphere
  • Assortment of ornaments
  • 1 Floral pick, trimmed

STEP 1|
Hot glue the ornament toppers to the ornaments for security.

STEP 2|
Trim the ends of the greening floral pins down to a shorter length.

STEP 3|
Place greening pin through the ornament topper ring, add dabs of glue on each pin end, and then press them into the Styrofoam ball.

REPEAT|
Repeat these steps until the sphere was completely covered.

FINISH|
Fill some of the gaps created by the ornaments by inserting stems of a floral pick into the Styrofoam sphere.

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