Do-it-Yourself Metal Wire Garden Spheres

Many gardeners like to use more than just plants to decorate their gardens. Some use statues while others install water features. Still others hang things from trees, such as lanterns or decorative wire spheres. These spheres come in many metallic colors and serve several purposes. The first is simply to be pretty; if hung properly they give your garden an ethereal look and glint in the sun. The second is to scare away pests; the glitter and movement of the spheres keeps away birds and other animals. These spheres can be expensive, but you can make them at home for just a few dollars.

Round balloons
18 or 20 gauge wire (any color)
Needle
Twine
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Blow up a round balloon. Make sure to get balloons that remain spherical when you blow them up; many shapes are available at party supply stores. When inflated, the balloon should be about the size of a man's fist.
- 2
  Curl the end of a piece of wire into a circle about as large as a quarter. Eighteen or 20 gauge wire should be soft enough to curl with your fingers but still hold its shape. Slip your circle over the balloon's knot.
- 3
  Gently begin bending the wire around the balloon in different directions. Be patient and bend slowly so you don't pop the balloon accidentally. Keep wrapping until you achieve a mostly solid sphere that looks a bit like asymmetrical mesh.
- 4
  Use a needle to pop the balloon and discard the shards. Snip lengths of twine to hang your spheres from tree branches.

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