We all love the look of the mirrored gazing balls in the garden. They add light in a shady corner, a fanciful flair in a garden bed, or a little fantasy next to a pond or birdbath. There are two problems with them though…they can be expensive, and they can break easily. If you live where its windy or stormy , its a no can do. And they average around $40 a piece! That’s not an amount of cash I want to lose in a windstorm.
Step One:
use an old bowling balls as the base, and picked them up at Good Will for under $5. Try to find bowling balls with the finger holes close together so that they can be hidden easier.
Step Two:
Buy Original Chrome Metallic spray paint from the craft shop, less than 5$ , You can also use any paint colors you like to suit your garden décor ... there are so many beautiful Craft paint to choose from .
Step Three:
Make sure you have an area safe to spray paint, and cover the surface with newspaper or a tarp. Clean the bowling balls well with rubbing alcohol to make sure the paint adheres well.
Step Four:
Lightly spray one side of the bowling ball. Let dry one hour. Roll over, and repeat. Repeat as often as necessary to achieve the amount of reflection you desire.
Step Five:
Spray with a clear gloss sealer to protect from the elements if desired. Test in an inconspicuous place first. Allow to dry at least 24 hours before placing outside. Be sure to do a test first.
One can of spray paint made approximately three balls
Three gazing balls from the store? $120.
Be creative with your gazing balls. Display them in groups or singly on an old pedestal.
Image Credits: flowergardengirl, gardens2you
So you have a weekend project, right? If you can’t find bowling balls at your local thrift store, we recommend contacting your local bowling alley to find out if they will sell you worn balls.
There you have it, how to make mirrored gazing balls for the garden, on a budget!
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