I’m so excited about today’s DIY project! It’s just so summery and fun. Summer, please never end!! I’ve been dying to make a beach ball garland for awhile. I’ve contemplated using real mini beach balls or mini strands of lanterns, but settled on styrofoam balls to create these faux beach balls! I think any of those options would work, but here’s what I did with a little paint and some string. How awesome would these be for a pool party? I know you’re still dying to throw one before the kiddos head back to school. Hop to it, and send me photos if you try this out!
Hmm, who’s that up there!?
Supply List:
Smoothfoam Balls (You can buy them at a craft store. These are not regular styrofoam balls, those won’t take the paint as well!)
Craft paint in blue, yellow and red (or whatever beach ball colors you choose!) + a paint brush
Pencil
Painter’s Tape (Optional if you have a steady hand!)
String or twine
Hot Glue Gun
To Make:
The smoothfoam balls will have a small hole in the top. Using this as your guide, make a little mark with your pencil to divide each ball into six equal parts. Tape off one of those sections, running a piece of tape straight from your top marker down to the bottom point (there will be a small circle there to guide you) on each side of the section. Paint this section with your first color and let dry.
Remove tape and repeat the process with the next two colors (one at a time!), leaving a white section in between each.
At this point, these would just be cute in pails or buckets as table centerpieces, wouldn’t they!?
But for the garland, get your string and hot glue ready. Put a small dot of hot glue on the top of each beach ball and place the string in it to secure. I spaced mine about 9″ apart and you can adjust as you see fit. With my spacing, I had a good sized garland using eight beach balls.
Cut your string, leaving length at the end to hang/tie and you are d-d-done!
All Photos by Studio DIY
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Gloria says
This makes me want to throw a beach themed party ASAP! Too cute!
Jessica @shimmerkai says
Love these!! Very creative
Helena says
What an awesome idea! I love it!
Mandy Pellegrin says
What a simple, but absolutely adorable idea! Clever.
RM, Home Confetti says
I haven’t seen those Smoothfoam Balls! I remember trying to make spiders for Halloween with regular styrofoam balls and they looked awful. Thanks for the tip! Shared on my FB page too 🙂
Kelly says
Thanks so much! The smoothfoam balls are great, definitely look for them at your local craft store next time!
Kelly
Lexy | The Proper Pinwheel says
oh my goodness! i just love this DIY way too much. how clever are you! and how amazing are the photos!!!
Mocha says
Really nice idea !
Julia @ FaveCrafts says
What a cute project! I love it so much that I decided to feature it in our roundup of beachy summer crafts! Check it out here: http://www.favecraftsblog.com/link-love-beach-crafts/
Have a great day!
Rachel | 52 Weeks Project says
This is so stinking cute, I can’t get over it! Very clever DIY, Kelly!
Kelly says
Aw, thanks Rachel! I think it’s one of my all time faves! =)
Unique Pastiche Events says
Hi there!
I just wanted to pop over and let you know that I’ve shared this post in an inspiration board for an End of Summer Beach Themed {Poolside} Birthday Party on my blog.
Here is the direct link to the post if you want to check it out:
http://uniquepasticheevents.com/2013/08/07/beach-themed-poolside-birthday-party/
Thanks for sharing this post! I may have never found what I was looking for 🙂
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Vanessa says
Eeep these are so adorable! 🙂
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Ceci Blanco says
Hi 🙂 Thanks for the post! Super creative and I’m going to take a stab at it. Wondering what size smoothball you used? I saw 1″ 2″ and 3″ at the store. Thanks so much!
Ceci