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bowling ball art

How to mosaic a Bowling Ball  - Instructions

"After"

Materials List:

• Bowling Ball

• Exterior Grade Thin set

• Grout

• Tiles pieces, plates, shells, beads

• Latex gloves

• Vinegar

• Rags, old containers for water, sponges

• Goggles

1. You want to begin by roughing up the surface of your bowling ball so that the slurry of thin set will stick well. There are a number of ways to do this.

2. Rub your thin set mixture over the whole ball.  Let dry and repeat one to three times.

3. Score the ball with a knife or tool, and then apply thin set.

4. Use a spray adhesive glue and spray the entire surface of the ball, then roll in a gritty sand mixture.

                                                         "Before" >>>>>>

• Use gloves when applying the thin set, which is extremely drying to the skin.

• Anytime your work is outdoors you want to use exterior grade products.  

• After your ball is dry, draw on your design or just begin creating an abstract design. Use the same thin set to glue on your tile pieces.  You'll have to work in sections, because the ball is round.  Each area needs to dry so that the pieces won't fall off and so that you can turn the ball over and work on the opposite side. (The Art of Patience)

• After the entire ball is covered, let dry 24 hours.  Then grout.  

• Mix your grout with water until it is the texture of  pancake mix. It shouldn't be drippy and shouldn't be too stiff either.  Push the grout into the crevasses firmly. Cover the entire ball with the mixture.  Let stand for about 10 to 15 minutes.

• Get some containers, fill with water, and grab some sponges.

• Dip  your sponge in water and squeeze out excess water.  Begin wiping off the grout you put on.  This will take a couple of times.  Wipe off,  let dry 15-20 minutes.  Wipe off, let dry.  When all the grout is removed, finish up by cleaning with a rag any remaining grout residue with vinegar.  

• There are unlimited ways that you can display your orb. I use gazing ball stands, make my own creations, use primitive items, such as metal and terra cotta piping, almost anything that you feel is attractive.  You want to enhance your work, not take away from it. Good luck!

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