Decorative Spheres With Hemp String and Balloons

Cat Shaw
by Cat Shaw
4 Materials
$10
30 Minutes
Easy
Hi guys, I have seen some posts here and on other sites about these really cool spheres made with string. I thought I'd give it a try and it was a whole lot easier than I thought it would be. I think it turned out pretty cool and so I will show you how to make them and hope you think they are as cool as I do!
I started with some cheapo Balloons that I picked up at Walmart. 4-inch water balloons and 9 inch water balloons and some hemp rope started me off. Almost everyone, including me, has some glue such as Elmer's lying around the house. These are the only items you need to get started.
First of all, I blew up the little balloon. I took the hemp string and tied a knot around the top of the balloon.
After trial and error, I found the easiest way for me to start, was to dip the balloon into the glue before I started with the string. I mixed the glue with a little bit of water in a bucket. If you don't want to get messy, this isn't the project for you.
The next part was the funnest for me. You just take the string and start wrapping it around your balloon. It doesn't matter what kind of pattern or direction. If you dip your balloon in the glue first it helps the string stay put. Once you have your balloon wrapped with the string and you think you are happy with the way that it looks, you're going to dunk that balloon in the glue again.
If the string comes off the balloon as you dunk it, just start rapping that balloon again. With the glue on the balloon and the glue on the string I promise you it will stick. Once you have the balloon with the string on it saturated with the glue you want to let it dry. I put my balloon on a mason jar outside and let it dry overnight
Once your string is fully dry, it should be very stiff. Pop your balloon and pull it out of the sphere.
Cut off the balloon and throw it away. Now my friends, you have a beautiful sphere. It's amazing what you can do with this. If you wanted to, while the glue has yet to set, you could move the string around to form an opening at the top and the bottom. It would make a great light bulb cover. I've seen the price of these upwards of $400. The cost of this project was less than $10 and the time it took was about 30 minutes plus 24 hours drying time.


Suggested materials:
  • 4in balloon   (Walmart)
  • 9 in balloon   (Walmart)
  • Hemp string   (Walmart)
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  • Debra LaNore Debra LaNore on Oct 15, 2017

    Not a question, but I use to make these with my mom. But we cut an oblong hole in one side. & Put lace around the opening squished the bottom in so that it would sit up. Filled it with Easter grass & candy.Also we would use crochet yarn. Cute table display or cute Easter basket for the kids. Miss making these with mom.

  • Susan Susan on Oct 18, 2017

    Impressive - I've liked these globes but couldn't put $400 on 30 year payment plan! Thanks I'll try to do as well as you.

    • Cat Shaw Cat Shaw on Oct 19, 2017
      Hubby could not believe how much they go for either! Thanks for your comments 😊
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