If you know Morse code or braille, perhaps you can tell me if there’s a message in this Half-Ball Wall Art. And if there’s not, think what fun it would be to arrange the dots to create your own secret message when you make this dimensional wall art. Created by Kathleen George, this is a knock-off of an expensive design she saw in a high-end catalog. There’s nothing secret about this wall art tutorial, so follow along.

No one will ever guess that you made this dramatic wall art from balls of STYROFOAM Brand Foam!

To make the Half-Ball Wall Art, you’ll need:

• STYROFOAM Brand Foam: Balls: three 3″; four 2-1/2″; seven 2″; two 1″; and one Sheet, 36″ x 12″ x 1
• Acrylic craft paint: light blue
• Lightweight spackling OR 4-oz. jar of pre-mixed ceramic stucco texture gel
• Fine-gauge craft wire, 6” length
• Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks OR thick, white craft glue
• Tools Needed: Serrated knife; candle stub or bar of soap; wooden skewers; flat paintbrush; 1” putty knife; disposable bowl; thin spatula; measuring cup and spoons; small cup for water; paper towels; wire cutters

To make the Half-Ball Wall Art:

1. For easier cutting, wax the serrated knife with a candle stub or bar of soap. Cut all foam balls in half; set aside one 2-1/2″ half-ball for future use. Smooth any rough edges by gently rolling the half-balls on a flat surface.

2. Empty jar of texture gel into disposable bowl, or measure out ½ C. of the spackling. Stir in paint, a little at a time, till you’re pleased with the color. Cover bowl with damp paper towel when not in use.

3. Using the putty knife, spread thin, even coat of texture gel onto edges of the foam sheet. Then, evenly spread mixture over the top of the foam sheet. Let dry completely.

4. Insert skewers into the flat sides of the half-balls. Holding a skewer, spread a thin, even coat of texture gel onto rounded side of each half-ball. Place skewers in glass or jar to dry, or insert them into a scrap piece of foam.

Arrange your dots to spell out a secret message . . .

5. Arrange the half balls onto the foam sheet, either using your own pattern, or following the arrangement in the photo.

6. Spread a thin, even coat of texture gel around the base of each half-ball where it meets the foam sheet; carefully smooth the joints. Hint: Occasionally dip the tip of the brush into clean water so texture gel spreads smoothly. Let dry completely.

7. Cut two 3″ lengths from the wire; twist ends together to form hanging loops. Insert and glue wire ends into top back edge of foam sheet.

This would be just as striking made with other colors and patterns of papers.

For another fashion-forward, one-of-a-kind wall art design, check out the Disc Grid Wall Art made with holographic paper and discs of STYROFOAM Brand Foam. It’s easy to change up the look by changing out the papers. The tutorial is available on StyrofoamCrafts.com.

And don’t forget that our three home décor booklets, Great Décor in a Flash, Without a Lot of Cash, are always available for free on StyrofoamCrafts.com.

So, if could spell out a secret message in your Half-Ball Wall Art, what would it be?

Happy Friday and Happy Crafting!

Sharon