Faux Snowballs Tutorial

I think I need some faux snowballs for my decor this year.  I went on Google and found this blog post.  This looks like a fun blog to follow.  Check it out sometime. 

Via Charlene's  blog.  http://charsethman.blogspot.com/2008/10/tuesdays-tutorial-faux-snowballs.html

  Charlene writes:

"Here's one of my favorite Christmas Time Bowl Fillers/Ornies! You can keep these out for the whole Winter Season too. I like to just fill up bowls with these snowballs....you can even place them outside in a pail or basket!!! These are so much fun and are great Craft Show Sellers! Just tuck a few into a cellophane bag tied with some homespun and a tag marked "Snowballs for sale!" and the customers just love them! The best part is...you can make tons of these at one time! Hope you Enjoy!

Faux Snowballs

Supplies:

*Various sized Styrofoam Balls (found at $ tree)
*Joint Compound (can be found at Walmart or any hardware store in small tubs)
*Spatula, Large popsicle stick, or butter knife
*Freezer Paper or Aluminum Foil

*Plastic Gloves
*Sandpaper (fine grit works)
*Spray Adhesive
*Glass Glitter or "Crystal Clear" Glitter (this is the snow colored glitter)
*Spray Sealer (I buy the Walmart brand “Color Place” with clear lid)

*Optional: Gloss Mod Podge if placing snowballs outside

Directions:

First, Take your Freezer Paper and lay out a sheet for you to put your completed snowballs on to dry. Now, take your Styrofoam Balls and roll them around on a hard surface to just kinda condense them some. This will also make them more of an uneven surface like a real snow ball. Just don’t smoosh them totally!!!!...LOL 

Now, put on your gloves, this is messy and you will want these! Next, take your Joint Compound and with your spatula start spreading this all over your Styrofoam balls. Smooth in some spots and leave peaks in others. This is just the part that you will play around with it til it is just the way you want it. Sit each snowball that is finished onto your freezer paper to dry OVERNIGHT. As you see in the picture, these are very dark looking in the beginning. However, as these dry they will lighten up to a nice white color. That is one way of knowing when they have completely dried.
 

Now, take your sandpaper and lightly sand down some of the peaks and areas that you are not really pleased with. (I usually don’t sand much, I kinda like the ruff look of them.)Once this is done and you have it where you like it, time to complete your snowballs!

Take your spray adhesive and give a nice light but good spray all over your snowball. Over a piece of paper sprinkle your snowball now with your Glass Glitter or Crystal Clear Glitter. This is the part that makes your snowball just glisten like a real snowball!!! Lay each one aside to dry just for a few minutes. Now to seal them so the diamond dust stays on them permanently. You will now take them to a well ventilated area and just lightly spray them with your spray sealer. One coat of this works just fine. You now have beautiful never melting, faux snowballs!!!

If you are going to be setting them outside....i recommend coating them with the Gloss Mod Podge FIRST, then sprinkling them your Glass Glitter or Crystal Clear Glitter. This just ensures them to be able to withstand the weather.

Here is an example of one I made for my tree last year. I inserted a piece of ribbon into my styrofoam and hot glued it in so I could hang them on my tree as Ornies.

Grungy Snowballs Option:

Into your Joint Compound mix you can add small amounts of coffee grounds, Spanish Moss, Straw, or small pieces of sticks. Just like if you were outside rolling a snowman, he always has grass and some dirt in him!

After sprinkling with your Glitter, sprinkle LIGHTLY with cinnamon as well. Just remember a little goes a long way! So sprinkle lightly!!!"

I hope you will go over and see this blog.  I hope she doesn't mind that I reposted the entire post so I won't lose the directions.  I am definitely going back to see what other great ideas she has.  All photos and text are from Charlene's blog post.