Gazing Ball Variations

**dz_blonde_girl** · 07-13-2004, 01:05 AM

I thought these were cool.

Gazing Ball Variations
Designs by Lee Lindeman

China and pottery pieces, stones and cut glass make up these three gazing balls. They’ll be a wonderful addition to your outdoor decorating.
Materials

3 (8-inch) plastic foam balls
Broken or discarded china and/or pottery plates and hammer (for china/pottery gazing ball)
River rocks (for river rocks gazing ball)
Mirror pieces and glass cutter (for mirrored gazing ball)
Exterior vinyl spackle
Paper towels
Hammer
Palette knife or 1-inch flat paintbrush
Dull paring knife
Furniture polish (for river rocks gazing ball)
Glass cleaner (for mirrored gazing ball)
Safety glasses
Hot-glue gun
Project notes:
Wear safety goggles when breaking china or cutting glass.
Mirror pieces are available from glass and mirror replacement shops.

Instructions

For china/pottery gazing ball, wrap broken or discarded plate in paper towels; gently hit wrapped plate with hammer to break into pieces. Carefully unwrap broken plate and pick out desired sizes of broken pieces.
For mirrored gazing ball, score mirror pieces into various-size squares using glass cutter; turn mirror over and place on a layer of paper towels. Gently tap backside of mirror with glass-cutter knob to crack along scored lines.
Glue china/pottery pieces, river rocks or mirror pieces to plastic foam ball, leaving spaces between pieces.
With palette knife, apply spackle to spaces between pieces to cover plastic foam. Note: If desired, 1-inch flat paintbrush may be substituted for palette knife to cover china/pottery and mirror pieces. Spackle may be applied with fingers between river rocks.
With damp paper towel, remove spackle from surfaces of pieces. Let dry overnight.
Use dull paring knife to remove any dried spackle from china/pottery pieces and river rocks. Shine pieces on each ball using damp paper towel, furniture polish and glass cleaner

**gkp1031** · 07-13-2004, 06:12 AM

I'd love to make one of these, thanks for posting.

**Katybird** · 07-13-2004, 10:41 AM

I love the china/pottery gazing ball. These are so pretty. I have also seen them made with old bowling balls. That is probably what I will use if I make one because the area I live in is pretty windy. I don't think it will blow away a bowling ball though, LOL.

Thanks for posting this for us Karen.