That is GREAT! Have you kept it outside all this time?? And this 2-part casting poly...where do you buy that? Also, thanks for the info on silicone in another post, very good info.

Sandy

2 part casting poly... YIKES!! Where am I going to find that here????

I LOVE this!! I want to make this. But 2 part casting poly??? Oh boy....

Ooh, I am SO glad I happened upon this forum and dcarch's post!!

I tried to make something similar with a balloon and twine many years ago. The directions were to soak the twine in liquid starch (hard to find then and I'm guessing even harder to find now -- who has time to starch their own shirts?!), wrap it around the balloon, let it dry, then deflate and remove the balloon. Well, the project was a bust as the twine never stiffened up enough and the balloon was impossible to remove without opening a big gap in the twine.

This looks exactly like what I had pictured the twine/starch project would be -- can't wait to try it!

Thanks for posting the instructions.

Rain

2 part casting resin ? Is there a brand name to it ? Looks interesting to try !

Give these a try.

You can also find it in Marine supply stores (for fiber glass boat work):

http://cgi.ebay.com/EASY-CAST-CLEAR-CASTING-EPOXY-8oz-KIT_W0QQitemZ170373930573QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27ab13de4d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/Castin-Craft-Easy-Cast-Clear-Casting-Epoxy-Resin-8oz_W0QQitemZ300293493954QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45eae314c2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=casting+resin

dcarch

Very cool twine ball, dcarch. I'm assuming it is relatively light weight so it could also be hung? I could see a bunch of these hanging on a tree or a few hanging on my balcony. Thanks for the info!

Can you paint this when its dry if you want a different color?
Did you have issues with the resin in the negative spaces? I've tried this with a fabric stiffener type glue and the spaces between the strings had a layer of dried glue-- almost bubble like. Maybe it was because I dipped my strings before I applied them--- it was a HUGE mess. (I don't think you'd have time to do that with the resin) so I like the idea of applying it with a brush.

Thanks for the links, dcarch!

1. The end result is very stiff and light may be one to two lbs.

2. Yes, you can paint it any color. The one shown is silver painted.

3. No problem with the negative space if you space the twines far enough.

dcarch

Wouldn't that be cool wrapped with lights? And hanging in my trees?
kathy

Why doesn't the 2 part stuff stick to the balloon?
kathy

"Posted by concretenprimroses
Wouldn't that be cool wrapped with lights? And hanging in my trees? "

It will be spectacular if you wrap the balloon with LED Christmas lights that comes in 100 on a string. You will not need the twines. The wiring will do the job.

"Why doesn't the 2 part stuff stick to the balloon? "

Why does the chicken cross the road? I donÂt know. ThatÂs the way it is. :-)
When the balloon pops, it comes right off.

By the way, the casting 2-part stuff cures crystal clear, and you can get colorants to make it in different colors.

dcarch

We made something similar years ago at Easter time. Blew up large tear drop shaped baloons then covered with colored chrochet thread then with clear drying glue. When dry we popped the baloon then cut an oval in one side of the string. We then filled the bottom with easter grass and made them into easter baskets.

Neat idea...boy I am going to have lots of things to try this winter!

Sheryll

We are now all making a mad dash to ebay to buy up the 2 part casting resin... who will buy it first? :)

Just keep this in mind:

The two part stuff curing time is dependent on the following:

1. How much curing agent you put in.
2. In cold temperature, it will take a long time to cure.
3. In hot temperature it may cure too fast.

Also,
1. It is very difficult to find large very round balloons.
2. Use disposable gloves.
3. The mixture stinks. Not a good idea to work with it in the winter with closed windows.

dcarch

A beach ball would probably work. I remember having giant balloons when I was a kid that had a rubber band on it so it would come back to you kinda like a yo-yo.

also, don't get this two part mixture on your hands. I don't think it comes off very easy.

GREAT idea!

TOPIARIES with 2-3-4 different sizes!

You could put a figurine in a large balloon, then after you break the balloon, it could be glued onto the mesh ball.

CVS has they're summer merchandise 90% off. This includes beachballs for about $.19. I picked up a bunch of them & tube floats to sell next year for 29-39 cents each.

A tire-tube float would be interesting. Who says it needs to be a ROUND ball!

AND, the imagination wonders on...............