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Thursday, November 12, 2009

HOW-TO: Make your own "Crystal" Ball with stand for around $5!

Etsy Dark Team gave me an idea to start doing How-tos once in awhile.

This is a really fun, easy project that is great for kids also! It won't break the bank either. :) Try using these as centerpieces for receptions and parties, or add them to your Halloween decor. Or do what I do...leave yours out all the time to enjoy!

Difficulty level: 2 (1 being least difficult, 5 being most difficult)

Time: Really depends on how involved you want to get with this. Can take 1/2 hour, or many hours. Dry time is up to a week.

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Materials needed:

*Clear glass Christmas Ornament Ball, approx. $.50
*Taper candle stick, can be as simple or elaborate as you want. Dollar Stores usually have plenty of them, and they work just fine.
*Transparent glass paint, (like Delta) approx. $2.50. Your choice of color, but my personal preference is a white shimmer.
*Embellishments (optional) such as beads, findings, tags, trims, natural materials, glue

1) Carefully remove the metal base from the glass ball. You will not need it for this project, so you may recycle it for another project! :)

2) Very cautiously, squirt small amounts of paint into the hole at the base of the glass. As you do this, shake, rotate and swirl the glass orb until you have a THIN, fairly even coat. Does not have to be perfectly even.

3) Place the glass orb with the hole towards the top (so air can get to it to dry the paint) on a safe surface, or in your candle stick. At least twice a day, shake and rotate the orb to ensure even paint coverage. You may add small amounts of paint if needed. This may take a few days to a week or so, depending on the brand of paint and the thickness of the coat, but you will want to continue to do this until the paint is dry.

4) While waiting for your glass orb to become dry and coated evenly, you may opt to decorate the candle stick, as this will be the base of your crystal ball.

5) Once glass orb is dry and base is to your liking, insert the orb into the base with the hole facing downward. Voila! You made a lifelike "crystal" ball!

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I welcome your comments on this, and remember to stop by etsy shops and take a look around!

http://www.faerydustpixy.etsy.com
http://www.coffincritters.etsy.com
http://www.gossamerhollowear.etsy.com
http://www.gossamergraphics.etsy.com

9 comments:

Southern Gypsy Moon Art said...

Wonderful and clever idea ! Thank you for sharing :)
I would very much like to have my name entered in your ornament contest if you please ... How exciting !
Mwah!
Nina.

faerydustpixy said...

You got it, Nina! Thanks for your comment! :X

Angela C. said...

I love it! I'm gonna make some to put with my faery collection! :-)

Sprouty said...

I LOVE YOUR SHOPS!!!!!!!!!! AND YOUR BLOG IS JUST AS AWESOME..I WOULD LOVE TO BE ENTERED INTO YOUR CONTEST..

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO
SPROUTY

faerydustpixy said...

Aw thanks Angela and Sprouty! You have both been entered into the contest.

Marla65 said...

This is really cool! I wonder if the ornament/crystal ball could be made with a red, purple, or a flourescent glass paint ( I wonder if these are available in glass paints--I've never used them before, but I will now:)
A black painted wooden or ceramic taper candelstick would look awesome with these colors. The materials for this craft could very easily be found at thrift shops, such as Goodwill, etc., and would make a lovely inexpensive gift. I'm going to make this project tomorrow! Thanks for posting this craft:-)
Marla65 (www.Marla65.etsy.com)
(Please enter my name in your drawing, I just love your stuff!:-)

faerydustpixy said...

Marla, you have been entered!

You ABSOLUTELY can use colored paints! The trick is just to make sure they are transparent glass paints, but I know they make these in various colors including the ones you mentioned. I'd love to see photos of your projects! :)

~Sr. A.I.~ said...

That's a fantastic project right there! I definitely plan on trying this in the future. Thank you so much for posting such a clever and fun craft!

DJ Selchie said...

Booful! I love this idea!! What a magickal and inexpensive way to spruce up your home! Plus, this could be a great idea for teens in the Craft, so that they have something special to decorate their own spaces. :) Maybe some glitter could be added inside, if folks wished. :)

Many thanks for the great tutorial!
Love and Light,
Nae