DIY Shola Ball Topiary
Have you had the same home decor for years? Or, are you someone who completely rearranges their home every season? I think I’m somewhere in the middle. I like changing up my home decor but often find my rooms getting quickly overcrowded. It’s very easy to go from simple and stylish to cluttered and disorderly and, before you know it, your home is being featured on an episode of Hoarders. I can definitely relate to that feeling.
I tend to find myself adding instead of changing. I must have accumulated a million of those popular decorative vase filler balls. I can’t help myself, I love them! With all of the colors and styles, what’s not to like. They’re great for adding a little accent color to a room. Having so many, I decided that I needed to come up with a way to upcycle them into something brand new.
For this next tutorial, I’m taking these unique Shola balls that I found at Target and creating a one of a kind topiary. I love how easy it is to take part of my existing decor and creating something completely new. You’re making something fun and unique that you can add to your home all while saving money. How great it that!?
YOU’LL NEED
- Decorative Shola Wood Balls
- Tie-Dye Kit
- 3 1/2″ Terra Cotta or Ceramic Pot
- Heavy Duty Wire Hanger
- Floral Foam
- Pea Gravel
- Drill & Wire Cutters
For my project, I chose to use lime green dye. I think any variation of a pastel or muted hue would work well for this style spring topiary.
STEP ONE:
Prepare your materials in advance. Once you begin, the dye has a limited efficacy. You’ll definitely want to protect your work surface and wear gloves as the dye does stain. Prepare the mixture according to manufacturer’s instructions. This one-step tie-dye kit by Tulip is amazing, just add water and you’re ready to go!
STEP TWO:
Pour 3/4 of the dye in a bowl. Use remaining to apply directly to hard to reach cracks and crevices of the intricate shola ball. Fully soak to saturate with color.
STEP THREE:
Place your shola balls in a plastic bag to slowly dry for about 6 hours. This will allow the dye enough time to penetrate into the porous material.
STEP FOUR:
After your shola balls are completely dry prepare your drill. I used a 1/8 drill bit. Carefully drill down onto a hard surface. DON’T aim drill toward your hand but rather, angle downward. Remember not to drill completely through the second ball as it will be on top of the topiary.
STEP FIVE:
Cut the wire hanger at both sides. Use the straight piece as your topiary support. Thread through the drilled shola balls.
STEP SIX:
Place foam in pot and top with decorative stones or pea gravel.
Enjoy your new upcycled home decor that is completely unique to your style. This topiary is fresh, fun and perfect for spring. What makes it even more special is that it’s handmade and one of a kind. Creating your own custom home decor can be easy, rewarding and best of all, inexpensive – especially if it’s upcycled from what you already have.
Do you have any ideas on how to take your existing decor and turn it into something fresh and new?
