Easy DIY Project ~ Bowling Ball Garden Accent

Barb Rosen
by Barb Rosen
When cleaning out his mother’s house, a good friend came across four bowling balls from when the family bowled on leagues. Happy memories, one ball even had his father's name engraved on the bottom. Because he had seen bowling balls I covered in the past with pennies, stones and shells, he knew this collection would be transformed and have a new life in our garden. I was thrilled when he gave them to me!
But it didn’t seem right to keep all those memories. I decided to decorate his dad's league bowling ball and return it as a gift for their garden. Carefully placed, the glass beads cover the entire bowling ball except for his name and the finger hold holes.
You may have seen directions previous to mine on repurposing a bowling ball into a garden accent. This is my twist on a popular project; I don’t use grout and I make a stand for the bowling ball to lift it off the ground.
Materials you will need for the project.
Assemble your materials and do the gluing outside or in a well-ventilated area.
Adding glass beads a few rows at a time.
Add the beads a few rows at a time and wait for the glue to set up. Blue painter's tape will help them stay in place.
Paint the flower pot and rebar.
Paint a flower pot and 12 inch piece of rebar that will be the stand.
Bowling Ball Garden Accent!
Now put the flowerpot upside down on the ground, place the rebar in the pot's hole and pound the rebar into the ground until just 3 inches show above the pot. Place the bowling ball onto the rebar using one of the finger hold holes. Ta Da!


See more pictures and all the details on my recent blog post!
Barb Rosen
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Go
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 10 questions
  • Sue King Snoke Sue King Snoke on May 28, 2020

    You talk about using blue tape. Does this mean you are putting the blue tape over the beads to let dry? I am a little confused. Thank you

  • Cris Gines Cris Gines on Mar 06, 2021

    what kind of glue did you use for the bowling ball? do you have to prep the ball ?

  • Sue Sue on Jan 03, 2022

    What kind of glue will stay on longer?

Comments
Join the conversation
5 of 92 comments
  • Barb Rosen Barb Rosen on Jan 22, 2019

    Yep, still here and kicking and creating, Bernice! Glad to hear from you! I'll have new projects coming soon!

  • Bernice H Bernice H on Jan 29, 2019

    Well,I have a huge stash of gems..I just buy them because I am a freak over glass and..cats. So I am planning..some day ..to have a few ladies over,and let them all cover vases,bottles..whatever. I really have too much. I just made a jewelry tier out of a couple of plates and candlestick..but it’s nothing special. I am not finding pretty plates and cups abundantly any more. Even goodwill wants too much. We live Ina senior community,you would think there would be plenty at yard sales. Oh well. Yup,post when you are done! ❓🤗

    • See 2 previous
    • Barb Rosen Barb Rosen on Aug 31, 2019

      Nice to see you, too, Bernice!

Next