Anyone made their own holly balls?

[ja9]

I bought two last year - as had wanted for years and dh finally put up hanging things outside the house. BUT, they cost silly money and i wondered if i could make my own this year. I thought a quick google would bring up tutorial videos but it didn't. Can anyone share their expertise?

[ja9]

this is exactly what i want to make

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

If you get a spherical oasis (the florists would have them) attatch your ribbon and soak with water. Then add your holly until it's covered.
You can just spray or soak it if it gets dry.

I do an ivy wreath (I've got a gorgeous climbing ivy) long strands, fix a few with wire. Add a few more at a time and twist into a circle until it's chubby enough.
It looks lovely (I add a ribbon to hang it and hide any imperfections ) it's light, it costs me nothing and I am the most un-artistic person In The World/

[mrsconfuseddotcom]

A 25cm oasis sphere will cost you just over £12...

www.elitefloristsupplies.co.uk/floral-foam/wet-floral-foam/foam-spheres/oasis-ideal-25cm-floral-foam-sphere-qty-1

To be fair, £22 isn't expensive. Holly is nasty to work with and this will probably take you a couple of hours. Depends on how much time and inclination you have!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I've never bought an oasis, I had no idea they were so ££

How about a rolled up ball of chicken wire? It's light, you can prod the holly stems into the wire mesh.
I don't know about water though- you could fill the centre with newspaper before you roll it up?

Where to get chicken wire though...you don't want to have to buy a whole roll of the darned stuff.

[LaurieFairyCake]

It would be really hard, if not impossible to get the chicken wire into a ball - I have some at home and it's really stiff.
Polystyrene balls and fake Holly would be much cheaper (and reusable). You could paint the polystyrene ball green first.

I saw lots of plastic Holly in poundland type shops last year.

[mrsconfuseddotcom]

Plastic holly is very naff though!

[LaurieFairyCake]

It is, but outside you won't really notice it's plastic.

You could use real Holly and mist it with water every day or so - but you will need very firm polystyrene so it doesn't break down with the water.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

What about the plastic mesh stuff that you put up for sweetpeas.
You could make a rolled up ball with that. And as long as you put enough holly in to cover the gaps, it might work?

(Will stick with my ivy wreath)

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

BTW, my DD is called Holly and she doesn't have balls.
Should I ask for a refund ?

[ja9]

mrsconfused - that website i linked to has said out of stock since last november! I forwarded the pic to a local florist who charged me £30 per ball. I need two so £60 ...it stung a little!

[seabuckthorn]

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