Braided Ball Ornaments

Due to circumstances out of my control, I couldn't make my famous citrus potpourri this year, so I decided to make some braided ornaments instead.

Let's hope it's enough to appease the angry mob beating down my door.*

*Oh yes, I do hear about it when I neglect to make the potpourri.

After my husband distributed these ornaments to his coworkers, he reported that some wanted to know how I made them.

Well, he didn't know.

I'm sure he doesn't.

*

Oh, I'll be nice and let you know.

But be warned.

It's messy.

First off we start with a 3-inch Styrofoam ball.

I use a thick craft glue

(Aleene's Original Tacky Glue to be exact) and schmear it on heavily to start.

Then I place down the two ends of the braid and secure temporarily with a sewing pin.

(Note: when starting out, it is best to just use only one braid.

Once you get more experienced, you can move on to two or more braids.)

Use lots of sewing pins.

Sewing pins are your friends!



What else is going to hold that stuff in place?






See?

Let's start again, shall we?

Around and around we go.

I told you it was messy.




Just work slowly, adding glue, braiding and pins as you wind your way around the ball.




This always reminds me of Sputnik.

Then, when the glue has dried, carefully removed the pins and

clean off any excess glue with a damp rag.

Add a length of ribbon with glue and another pin

(this one will remain in the ornament).

See, that wasn't so difficult.