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    Home » DIY » outdoor living » DIY Gazing Ball out of a Bowling Ball

    DIY Gazing Ball out of a Bowling Ball

    Published by Gail | Published April 10, 2019 | Updated June 7, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    How to make a diy gazing ball using an old bowling ball. Maybe you have one in the closet? Bring it out, shine it up and put it in your garden! #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #upcycle #bowlingball #garden #diy #gazingball via @repurposedlife

    For this month’s Thrift Store Decor project, I’m making a DIY Gazing Ball out of a bowling ball! This isn’t the first time I’ve done a DIY gazing ball. I repurposed bowling balls years ago, but I found and easier way and I think they are just as pretty! I’ve found great deals on used bowling balls at thrift stores over the years. For a long time I was able to get them for just a couple of bucks. A few years ago I picked up a few balls, and they have just been waiting on a makeover.

    gazing ball made from a bowling ball MyREpurposedLife

    Pin it!

    On Friday, I’ll be sharing some news about my backyard. I’ve been making some changes and one of those changes included a new gazing ball. That prompted me to get busy sprucing up all of the bowling balls I have in my stash.

    What you’ll need to make your own DIY Gazing Ball

    • Used bowling ball
    • alcohol
    • rag or a paper towel
    • Spray sealer
    • stand for your diy gazing ball
    how to make a gazing ball out of a bowling ball

    Because my bowling balls have been stored outside, they were really dirty. But, if you have a bowling ball in your closet, it needs to be wiped down with alcohol in order to get the oils off it. The sealer won’t adhere to an oily bowling ball.

    Wipe off bowling ball with alcohol

    wipe off bowling ball with alcohol

    As you’re wiping off the bowling ball with the alcohol, it will give you a good idea of how your gazing ball will look after you apply the spray sealer. Most balls have a brand or number on them, but that doesn’t bother me. When displayed in your flower garden, these will be less noticeable.

    dirty bowling ball cleaned with alcohol

    You can see this one was really dirty!

    Spray DIY Gazing Ball with Sealer

    gazing ball with and without spray sealer

    Clearly, the diy gazing ball on the right has been sprayed with the sealer. It magically turned into a gazing ball, where you can see the clouds and the trees reflecting in it.

    three diy gazing balls

    I can’t help but smile when I see how shiny they are. Back in the day I used Marine Varnish. The spray sealer may not last as long, but I’m okay with that. If they get dull, I can spray them again. Which is your favorite?

    How do I display my DIY Gazing Ball?

    diy gazing ball stands for flower garden

    There are so many options when it comes to resting your diy gazing ball in the garden or on the patio. I have always been on the lookout for any kind of large candle holder that would hold a bowling ball. These two were in my stash, but that meant I needed two more options. I haven’t shown you the 4th bowling ball yet—the one that’s in my backyard. A quick shot with the hose cleaned these stands really well.

    diy gazing balls on the lawn MyRepurposedLife

    How can you NOT smile when you look at these?

    rotted tree trunk

    The pretty blue gazing ball is resting on one of my rotted tree trunks. I used these to make some unique succulent planters.

    colorful gazing ball

    This is the one I chose for my backyard, but after seeing the other three, I may trade it out. I really love the blue one and the teal ones better.

    Now it's time to check out the awesome thrift store projects from my friends!

    Ice Bucket To Farmhouse Vase - Sadie Seasongoods
    Galvanized Metal Vase Makeover- Our Southern Home
    Life Is Sweet Wood Pineapple - Domestically Speaking
    DIY Gazing Ball - My Repurposed Life
    Rooster Kitchen Chalkboard - Refresh Restyle
    Hanging Succulent Display- Petticoat Junktion

    Now, go see all the other great projects from my talented friends!

    gail

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    1. JANE

      December 16, 2022 at 10:30 am

      What was the name of the sealer spray that you used?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        December 18, 2022 at 10:39 am

        I use Rust-oleum spray sealer. That being said, it won't make it last forever out in the elements, but it's so easy and gives a great shine. If you're looking for protection, you should use a marine varnish. However, it does yellow a little and you have to brush it on. I've used both and would definitely prefer the spray sealer.

        gail

    2. kyra

      April 13, 2019 at 10:07 pm

      The addition of the high-gloss sealer really makes it shine. I was missing that step. Thank you! I'm going to do this to my purple one! My blue one split after being outside for several years. But as I mention above, now I shoved some dirt and moss into the splits and added sedums. It still looks pretty darned cool!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        April 14, 2019 at 11:13 am

        Ohhh, have fun Kyra! I hope you love it!

        gail

    3. petticoatjunktion

      April 13, 2019 at 8:16 pm

      I love it. Soooo easy!

      Reply
    4. Linda at Mixed Kreations

      April 13, 2019 at 6:52 am

      I love this idea! So simple. Now I need to find me a couple pretty bowling balls all I have is a black one I bought to turned into a lady bug but have changed my mind about that.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        April 13, 2019 at 11:04 am

        I've seen those ladybug ones! Hope you get a good deal on some new bowling balls for gazing.

        gail

    5. Jan R

      April 12, 2019 at 9:39 am

      I have 3 bowling balls ready for this project. Thanks for the great instructions!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        April 12, 2019 at 9:42 am

        That's so awesome Jan! I guess you were holding on to them just waiting for the perfect repurpose?

        have fun!

        gail

    6. Elizabeth Sundermeyer Van Houten

      April 10, 2019 at 3:23 pm

      As someone whose home was robbed, I would HIGHLY recommend gluing this down to a base so it can't be tossed through the window or patio door. (It is beautiful!)

      Reply
    7. Maryann

      April 10, 2019 at 1:53 pm

      So pretty! I need to keep my eyes open for some bowling balls.

      Reply
    8. Debbie Westbrooks

      April 10, 2019 at 1:48 pm

      Love it!! This is such a great idea. Too bad I got rid of my bowling ball.

      Reply
    9. Sarah Ramberg

      April 10, 2019 at 12:45 pm

      WOW, what a difference that made! I always loved bowling ball designs and colors when I was a kid, and now I know why!

      Reply
    10. Katie Mansfield

      April 10, 2019 at 11:42 am

      This is a great idea. They looks so shiny.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        April 12, 2019 at 3:49 pm

        Thank you Katie! Now I have enough to place in the front yard and the backyard! I hope you can make your own someday soon.

        gail

    11. girlfromwva

      April 10, 2019 at 11:10 am

      love the blue one! great idea, esp since they are less or un-breakable!

      Reply
      • kyra

        April 13, 2019 at 10:05 pm

        I've had several over the years. After a while, if left outside, they will actually split open. However, at that point, they look really cool with hens and chicks or other sedums tucked into the splits.

      • Gail Wilson

        April 14, 2019 at 11:13 am

        really? My original gazing ball (linked to in the top of this post) has faded and the designs I applied have faded and peeled, but the bowling ball is still fine. 🙂

        Splitting sounds cool with the hens and chicks and or moss.

    12. Christy @ Our Southern Home

      April 10, 2019 at 8:49 am

      This is such a creative idea! I love how they turned out and look just like the real thing!

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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