Bowling Ball Bugs

Retiring an old bowling ball? Create a striking ladybug for the garden! These adorable critters are as easy as 1-2-3.

A few tips to get you started: (1) Have the "antennae" cut at the hardware store-you'll save time by not doing it yourself. (2) We used caulk to secure the beads onto the wire, but a polyurethane glue works, too. (3) A quart is the smallest can of mixed paint you can buy at the hardware store, but smaller quantities of acrylic hobby paint are available at craft stores. If you do have extra, use it to make a colony of bugs!

Supplies

• Bowling ball
• Black silicone caulk
• Two 8.5-inch lengths of #6 copper wire (have the hardware store cut it for you)
• Two 1-inch round wooden beads
• 1 quart Kilz exterior primer
• 1 quart red exterior latex paint
• 1 quart black exterior latex paint
• Painter's tape
• Utility knife or scissors
• Stenciling brush or sponge

Prime and paint the bowling ball (three coats of red paint might be needed). After the paint is completely dry, apply painter's tape in the desired pattern. Stipple on black paint with a stenciling brush or sponge for texture.

Make your own stencil by cutting differently sized circles from two pieces of painter's tape put top to bottom. We used 2-1/2-inch- and 1-3/4-inch-diameter dots. Stipple the dots. After paint dries, remove the tape.

Fill the thumb hole with black caulk. Set in two antennae made from lengths of copper wire with painted wooden beads affixed to the top. You may need to prop them up so they don't droop while drying for 24 hours.