DIY Garden Ball Tips With Karen Weigert Enos

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This gorgeous garden art gallery features the artistic works of Karen Weigert Enos of Seraphinas Artworks. Karen makes these garden art balls using bowling balls, glass gems (flat marbles) and some extra touches you’ll see listed below.

Come explore the gallery where Karen shares some basic tips for exquisite garden orb art-making. Also see, How to Make Garden Art Balls for instructions and recommended materials.

Decorative garden art balls in assorted styles and colors.

Meet Karen Weigert Enos

I first saw Karen’s wonderful garden art when she dropped by the Empress of Dirt Facebook page and shared her latest work of art. And boy did she knock my socks off.

Not only are her garden balls beautiful, but I immediately noticed how meticulous she is with her work. I could see that she takes tremendous care (and time) to achieve this level of perfection.

Karen has kindly answered common questions about creating these garden balls (below) and, best of all, you can buy them from her Etsy shop as well.

Karen Weigert Enos

Creations: garden art balls, barrettes with recycled jewelry pieces, dish gardens, drawing pixies, elves, and aliens, painting, mosaics.

Karen’s Etsy Shop: Seraphinas Artworks

Garden Ball How-To Video

This video shows a good overview of the process:

Related:

DIY Garden Ball Frequently Asked Questions

1What supplies do you use for your garden art balls?

Materials for making decorative garden art balls

Bowling balls – large and small (candle pin) bowling balls.
You can also use old, glass lamp globes, fish bowls, or round vases. They have nice, thick glass and do not break.
Marbles – flat-bottom marbles, round marbles (glass gems), square gems.

Mini-bits (embellishment glass, 2-4 mm). You may also find them sold as vase fillers – see them here on Amazon. Be sure they are glass or plastic, not the ones that dissolve or inflate in water.
Also, check the floral department of crafty supply stores for small plastic or glass pieces used to fill vases or terrariums.
I have found several types in dollar stores.
Decorative fillers (Ashland Co) pearlized shell-like pieces (pink, green, blue).
Aquarium gravel (matte and shiny).

Sources

Hobby Lobby
Michaels
Save-On Crafts (vase fillers)
Amazon.com

Other Supplies

Adhesive: GE II Silicone sealant. Please read this for tips to get the best result with this adhesive.
Also see The Glue Resource Guide for Garden Art Projects for more options.
tape measure, toothpicks, box cutter, Lazy Susan and stand, Windex or acetone, rags (clean up).

2How long does it take to make them?

The more complex balls can take 2-3 weeks and up to a month (at my pace) to complete because my technique requires more patience, time to design, decorate and cure.

3Any tips you would like to share for making garden balls?

Clean off any dirt and wax from all bowling balls.
Lightly sand.
Paint ball if desired.
Fill in finger holes with GE II Silicone Sealant.
Leave thumb hole open for staking with rebar in the garden.
Thumb hole can also be used on the top for adding unique objects.
Measuring and marking your design first is very important because the gems can be irregular in size.

4Do you sell your garden art balls?

Yes. You can contact Karen through her Etsy shop here.

Garden Ball Gallery

As you can tell from what Karen shared, these garden balls are not quick and easy projects. Karen takes time to ensure the surface color of the bowling balls fits the color theme of the decorations, and, on the more-detailed pieces, meticulously places mini-bits and decorative fillers between the larger marbles and gems.

I really enjoy the range of colors and styles.

The photos you see here are by
Karen Weigert Enos and Tina Marie Enos

1Earthy

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2Blues and Purples

3Pink and Purples

Want to Buy One?
Visit Karen’s Etsy Shop
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4Jelly Beans

A design like this one takes carefully planning and measuring to be sure the main marbles fit perfectly.

5Green and Purple

This purple and green ball is an example of one of the more detailed, time-consuming garden art balls. Notice how Karen has carefully placed mini-bits and fillers in all of the sections. It’s not a quick project but the final product is well worth it.

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