How to Make a Contemporary Garden Gazing Ball

Add sparkle to your planting beds with a gazing ball. All it takes is an old bowling ball, some glue and your choice of decorative pieces.
By: Tom Russell
Garden Ball Washer Beauty

Garden Ball Washer Beauty

A beautiful gazing ball adds a multi-season accent to the garden, reflecting its surroundings and adding light and sparkle. Here's a fun project creating garden art that will last many years.

A beautiful gazing ball adds a multi-season accent to the garden, reflecting its surroundings and adding light and sparkle. Here's a fun project creating garden art that will last many years.

A beautiful gazing ball adds a multi-season accent to the garden, reflecting its surroundings and adding light and sparkle. Here's a fun project creating garden art that will last many years.

Materials Needed:

  • bowling ball
  • sandpaper or sanding block
  • silicon sealant or epoxy adhesive
  • painter's tape
  • length of string, at least as long as the width of the ball
  • large rubber band
  • chalk
  • decorative embellishments (metal washers, glass beads, mirrors, ceramic tile, marbles)

Prepare the gluing surfaces.

Sand the bowling ball and wipe it clean to remove dust.

For better adhesion, lightly sand one side of embellishments that have smooth finishes.

Sand Garden Ball

Sand Garden Ball

Find the ball's widest point.

1. Place a rubber band around the bowling ball to find the widest part of the bowling ball. Once you have found the center of the ball, mark it with chalk (image 1).

2. Wrap the length of string and wrap it around the bowling ball along the chalk line. Cut string where the ends meet. This will give you the circumference of the bowling ball at its widest point.

3. Lay the string down in a straight line, and place the embellishments alongside it. This will help you know how much space to allow between each embellishment on the ball.

Mark Center of Garden Ball

Mark Center of Garden Ball

Apply the decorative pieces.

Using a generous amount of adhesive and following the manufacturer's instructions, begin applying embellishments. Large or heavy pieces may need to be secured temporarily with painter's tape to keep them from sliding down the ball.

Work in small sections of the ball at a time, allowing the adhesive to cure as you work your way around the surface of the bowling ball. Check your embellishments often during the drying process.

If necessary, clean up excess adhesive following manufacturer's instructions.

Attach Washers to Garden Ball

Attach Washers to Garden Ball

Place the gazing ball in the garden.

Allow adhesive to completely cure before exposing gazing ball to elements.

Experiment with other embellishments to create more gazing balls for your garden.

Next Up

How to Make a Combination Outdoor Planter and Privacy Screen

Gain some privacy in style with this easy-to-build privacy screen great for small decks or patios.

How to Make a Raised-Bed Planter With a Built-in Bench

Add a garden to your deck or patio with this combination raised planter box and bench.

How to Make a Mirror Garland for the Garden

Create a dancing light show in your garden with these pretty DIY mirror garlands.

How to Make a Colorful Birdbath

Even when the birds aren't dipping, sipping and sunning, this easy-to-make, easy-to-clean birdbath is plenty festive in the garden.

Make a Tie-Dye Shower Curtain

It only takes 24 hours to brighten up a basic bathroom.

How to Make a Paper Flower Easter Basket

Make a 3D flower Easter basket using paper and our free printable patterns.

Make an Easy-to-Sew Lined Tote Bag

Custom tote bags can add to a fun personal fashion statement. Learn how to make a lined fabric tote bag that's perfect for work and play in this straightforward home sewing project for tweens, teens or anyone new to sewing.

How to Design a Container Garden

Follow this simple design concept and boost the impact of your container gardens with plants of various sizes, textures and color combinations.

How to Create a Butterfly Garden

Learn how to add a butterfly garden to your yard and make it a destination for these beauties.

How to Build a Raised Garden Bed Step-by-Step

Take your garden to the next level with this complete plan and step-by-step instructions for an easy raised garden bed DIY project. Your plants (and wallet) will thank you.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.