Wooden balls for Fabric Sculpture

twinkle77 · 17-03-2008 05:10PM #1

Hi,

I am hoping some one can help me. My friend is making fabric sculputres in her arts and craft class but they are having problems getting the little wooden balls to use as the heads. They have to be about 1 1/4 inches in size. She is based in Waterford and has tried all possible shops. She is even willing to use the wooden balls from the old car seat covers, you know the varnished ones that were out years ago, but she cant even get one of those. I have even tried the internet for both and no luck!

Does anyone know of anywhere in the country(idealy near waterford) where she can get either the balls or the car seat cover?

Also she is looking for a book on Fabric Sculpture(how to), again have tried the internet amazon etc. to no avail. If anyone could suggest a name or author of one I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for any suggestions

Das Kitty · 17-03-2008 08:04PM

I've found this:

http://stores.ebay.ie/ToolSupply_W0QQfrsrcZ1QQfsubZ4843879QQtZkm

It's quite expensive but is this the sort of thing?

There's also this which is:
http://cgi.ebay.ie/WOODEN-BEADED-CAR-AND-VAN-SEAT-CUSHION-WOOD-BEAD-COVER_W0QQitemZ330219638222QQihZ014QQcategoryZ72230QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What exactly is the fabric sculpture she's making so I can get an idea of what might do the trick?

twinkle77 · 17-03-2008 08:18PM

Thanks for that, how did you find them on ebay cos I looked and couldnt, then again wasnt really sure what to look for. i will suggest the packet of balls to her, think you are right might be a bit too expensive.

I put in a bid for a car seat on ebay last week but with postage and the exchange rate(uk) it was going to work out too expensive. She has kinda said she will get them for the class!! So she needs over 100 of them!!

I know this sounds a bit strange for the time of year but they are making nativity sets.

Really appreciate your help, thanks again.:)

Das Kitty · 17-03-2008 09:59PM

I made some freaky clowns before and I just balled up some cloth and covered it in more cloth for the heads.

Also if she didn't want them to be perfectly spherical she could get some interesting pebbles on the beach.

6th · 18-03-2008 11:35AM

Pebbles sound good but what about the scented wooden balls things, not sure what kinda shops sell them but I think BananaTree has them?

Das Kitty · 18-03-2008 11:43AM

Ya. They're spensos though.

If you could get a christmassy scented one though it could be cool.

foamcutter · 18-03-2008 06:30PM

A cheap alternative to using wooden balls would be to use polystyrene balls. They are available from craft supply shops eg, cork art supplies

Das Kitty · 18-03-2008 07:29PM

I checked and they're a similar price if not slightly dearer online.

Jeez you'd swear I was OP by the way I'm going on.

twinkle77 · 18-03-2008 08:46PM

Thanks for the scented balls suggestion but you are right they would be too expensive. I had looked into the polystyrene balls last week for her but apparently the figures have to be baked in the oven to set them so they would be a non runner.

Thanks also for all the other suggestions but again they wont work. The reason they have to use the wooden balls it that they have to be able to thread 2 pipe cleaners through them to form the arms and the body. I have some one who will drill the holes for her so that is not a problem.

I know it doesnt sound like it but i really do appreciate all the suggestions.

I really dont know what she is going to do, cant seem to get these balls????

kadman · 25-03-2008 08:49PM

Das Kitty wrote: »

I've found this:

http://stores.ebay.ie/ToolSupply_W0QQfrsrcZ1QQfsubZ4843879QQtZkm

It's quite expensive but is this the sort of thing?

Am i missing something here, 100 no 11/2" for 40 dollars, or am I reading this wrong.

kadman

Das Kitty · 25-03-2008 09:18PM

That's what I see too. About 25 of your earth money

kadman · 25-03-2008 10:24PM

So whats expensive about that......

What would you expect to pay for them

kadman

Das Kitty · 26-03-2008 07:55AM

Postage is an extra $11.

It's expensive enough for bits of wood I suppose. If it were me I'd definitely buy the balls, then again I'm quite flush at the moment!

coolwings · 26-03-2008 05:39PM

Would table tennis balls not be about that size?
By the box from any sports or lifestyle shop I would think .........

Das Kitty · 27-03-2008 08:44AM

Yeah but they would melt in the oven.

coolwings · 27-03-2008 10:44AM

Yeah ... I guess they would!

How about home made playdough made into doughballs?
Carp anglers use a bait called boilies, which are essentially dough, blanched in hot water to toughen the skin.
The angling boilies are smaller than you mention - usually from 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter so buying them readymade might not be an option, unless made for special request at a (carp fishing) tackle shop or carp fishing lake office.

Like here:
http://www.fishforcarp.com/html/make%20boilies.htm
and here
http://www.carp-uk.net/articles/boilies.htm

Wooden balls for Fabric Sculpture

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