Pixie Violet: Xmas

Continuing with Xmas theme :)
This post would be lot shorter, and the making will be lot simpler.

What you need:

styrofoam balls (any diameter)
all purpose glue
fake snow
glitter (optional)
thin ribbon
hot glue gun and glue
2 plastic bowls or plates, anything that can be tossed later
latex gloves

I suggest making the balls outside or in a area that can be easily cleaned, since the snow will fly around.

Let's get strarted.

Cut the ribbon in to desired lenght, fold in half and tie the ends in a knot. With scissors, make a small hole on the top of the ball and push the knot in the hole. Secure with hot glue.

In one bowl/plate mix small amount of glue and snow (approximate amounts) to get a thick paste. First add small amount of glue, mix into paste and try if it sticks to the ball. If not, add more glue.

Coat the ball with thin layer of snow paste and pack it tightly.

In other bowl/plate add some snow. You can mix in glitter if you like.

Then, coat the ball with dry snow.

Leave to dry well. It would be best if you can hang it somewhere.

Once dried, balls are ready to go on Xmas tree :).

If you plan on giving them away, place them in a box coated with soft lining, and try to move them as less as posible, cause there will be some fall out.

Store them in closed box, cause they can get dirty form dust.

It's Christmas season so it's only logical that my first post is Christmas related :)

Last year I saw similar thing in one store, and I decided to make my own. My philosophy is why buy when you can make it :D. They are really nice and unique gift. If noting, you made it and I'm sure people would appreciate the effort :).
In this post I will try to explain the procedure in very detailed way. So, this is gonna be rather long post :).
I know, you're thinking: why in hell didn't she just do a video and post it on YT. Belive me, I would if I could.
Anyway, I hope you like it, and find it helpful.

All materials were bought in local art supply shop and fabrics store.

Materials:

styrofoam ball: 6 centimeter/2.4" in diameter
satin ribbon: 2.5 cm/1" wide; 3 meter/approx 10 ft long
satin ribbon: 0.5 cm/0.2" wide; 0.5m/approx 1,7 ft long
beads

Tools:

hot glue gun
glue
scissors
measuring tape, ruler
sewing machine/needle and thread

Optional:

glitter
transparent textile glue
glitter glue
brush
glitter hairspray

Let's get started.

Cut wide ribbon in four 10 cm/4" long pieces. Cut the rest of the ribbon in 6.5 cm/2.6" long pieces. You don't have to be too precise, but try to be as precise as posible.

Connect the ends of the smaller pieces (6 cm / 2.6") to make loops. I sewn them together usine sewing machine, but you can use needle and tread. It doesn't need to be perfect, they just need to be connected.

You can use hot glue (middle), but it takes long time (I did that with my first ball :D).

Here comes the fun part :).

Aply small amount of glue on the bottom of the ball and place the longer piece of the ribbon (10cm/4" long) in the center. To avoid those glue strings that you get, after applying glue, gently press the tip of the glue gun to the ball surface.

Now add small amount of glue and attach the ends of the ribbon. Pull the end of the ribbon and smooth it, so it adheres to the ball tightly. Tighten the ends and glue them.

Make sure that you don't use too much glue, or is't to hot, cause you can burn yourself. Also, if the glue is too hot, it melts the styrofoam and you get holes. That isn't such a problem since loops cover everything.

Do the same with the rest od the pieces, placing second piece verticaly to first, and last two pieces should be rotated 45° in regard to first two. You must cover all the styrofoam.

Now you made the bottom of the ball.

Movin' on. Select a spot where you gonna start adding loops. Use a small amount of glue and just glue one end of the loop. Make sure only the top (sewn part) is attached to the ball and the rest of the loop is free.

Place the second loop to owerlap the first. And do the whole circle.

Last loop goes under the first. That's why you have to leave one corner unglued.

The loop on the right is the last one, and one od the left is the fist, free corner is visible.

Start the second row by placing the first loop in the middle of the bottom two and continue as before. Do the same for all rows. You should have 5 rows.

Last row (fifth) is made little differently. Before you glue the loop, crimp it. You can sew it to make life easier :).

Place the completed ball on a flat surface and with the tip of the scissors make a small hole.

Fold the narrow ribbon in half and tide the ends in knot. Using scissors push the knot the in the hole. Secure with some glue.

Attach beads to cover any thread showing.

Your satin ball ornament is done. Now how hard was that :D.

If you wish, you can add more to your ball.

Mix glitter powder and glue and with a brush dab it on the ball. Or you can use glitter glue and dab it with a brush. Or you can just spray it lightly whith glitter hair spray.