Dollar-store Ball Ornament Upgrade

Transform an inexpensive dollar-store ornament into a fiber-fun, texturalized, dimensional, colorful decoration using Kreinik metallic threads. We found this one at Dollar Tree, but it was too plain. A few simple embellishments transform it into a work of art. Easy and quick, you can make several for neighbors and shut-ins this holiday season.

Materials needed:

1. Sweater ball Styrofoam ornament (we found ours at Dollar Tree, look for similar at craft stores or online craft marketplaces)
2. Kreinik Iron-on #16 Braid in 6020 Silver
3. Kreinik Iron-on 1/8" Ribbon in 6350 Green
4. Mini craft iron or home iron
5. Kreinik Press Cloth*
6. Sequins, beads, straight pins with ball-ends

* to keep the iron-on thread from sticking to your iron, we recommend a press cloth between the thread and the iron plate. You can use a press cloth that you move around, or (especially if using a small craft iron), use an adhesive press cloth (available from Kreinik) to cover the plate. See the How-To > Iron-on Threads section on www.kreinik.com for additional info.

Instructions:

1. Turn your iron on to the highest heat setting and let it heat (no steam).
2. Using the silver iron-on #16 Braid, place the thread at a starting point, press with your hot iron for several seconds until it adheres. Continue laying the thread on the ball this way in a swirling pattern, ironing a small section at a time. 
3. At random intervals or wherever desired, iron the 1/8" Ribbon in green in figure eights to make petals. We ironed only the center areas so that the "petals" would pop out a little bit. See the detailed images for example. 
4. Using your ball-end pins, attach beads or sequins at the flower centers or randomly around the ball. See detailed photos for ideas.
5. Use scraps of ribbon and Kreinik threads to make a bow at the top. 

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