How to make a DIY faux gazing ball for the garden

By Lia Blanchard

March 22, 2018

Beautiful gazing balls have been home and garden decor since the Dark Ages, when they were made from blown glass. Royalty or the very rich had them strategically placed throughout a home or garden, both for decorative purposes and to serve as mirrors. In fact, Victorians called them "butler balls" because servants in that era used them to check on guests without actually being in the room.

Gazing balls have also been said to scare away witches, bring good luck and symbolize friendship, but most modern owners simply appreciate their beauty. They're still placed in gardens, but also make stunning interior decor, particularly as part of festive party or wedding decorations.

Creative crafting blogger Jennifer Priest decided to make her own gazing balls using glass gems and Smoothfoam balls, creating gorgeous sparkle without breaking her bank!

Jennifer Priest

To make these DIY balls, use a foam brush and acrylic paint to paint the smoothfoam. Jennifer sticks a long pin into the 6" ball to use as a handle while painting. For the larger 12" size, she paints half-balls for easy handling, then glues them together before adding gems.

Jennifer Priest

After the paint dries, use a hot glue gun to attach the glass gems. Jennifer recommends the balls be used indoors, particularly during extreme weather. She notes that using silicone or construction adhesive instead of hot glue should make the balls last longer.