We are in a festive decorating mode this time of year. Let’s have a “ball” making lighted balls of many sizes using CHICKEN WIRE!
Things you will need:
- Chicken wire
- Gloves (latex or leather is best)
- Wire cutter
- Net light or wire lights
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You can make the ball as small or as big as you want. We highly recommend practice shaping a small one first to get the feel of bending the wire. It is not as easy as it looks. Your skill of playing with playdough will come in handy! |
Cafefully cut the wire to the desired size. Cut it so you have wires sticking out to be able to reconnect them (see arrow). We made the giant yard ball from about 4x 2 feet sheets. HOWEVER, it is much easier if you cut them into equal square sheets.
Connect each end of the wire first and close up the rest by twisting the wire to attach. You might want to wear thinner garden gloves to avoid cuts; however, we find it easier to do it with bare hands.
Sculpting the bigger ball is much trickier. We would recommend you wearing a long sleeve shirt to avoid getting cut as you might need to reshape the ball. You have to start by bending the wire in slowly all around, begin bending it in. Don’t worry if your circle is not perfect. Once you wrap the lights around, it will hide any imperfections.
We tried using the string lights (left) vs a net light (right). From afar, the net lights seem to illuminate brighter. Using the string lights, you will need a lot more to cover. Keep that in mind.
We use the white wire to wrap around the smaller wired ball. If you have planter dry moss laying around, you can stick them around the ball as well. Have fun experimenting and Happy Holidays from Sutherlands.
