You take two tomato cages and place one inside the other. Use pliers to bend back the tall ends and hook them onto the planter. This makes the flower petals. They will stay in place without any extra support. I also wired chicken wire into the middle to plant a flower. I painted mine black. I hope this helps......or have I completely confused you??? :) Here's a picture of mine... Here is a link that might be useful: tomato planter

Marlene, that is one frou-froued up gazing ball and I'm loving it. I love the butterflies on the pole. You have been a busy girl this summer all or your projects are lovely and your yard is looking wonderful. We've been camping alot and I haven't been able to keep up with GW and my postings. Frou

I have to say that I'm not sure about where to find a 'ready-to-go' ball that size, but there's gotta be SOMETHING. I agree with the rubber/concrete idea, as there are a TON of beach-balls out now for you to use. My first thought was to find a giant Christmas Ornament (something like they'd decorate a city-tree with)...but shipping the darned thing would kill you because of the size of the box... Um...what else...this one would be hugely heavy...would likely need "equipment" to move it, but what about contacting your local construction companies and finding out where someone could obtain an old wrecking ball, or calling the local concrete dealers to see what they might be able to procure for you... But since I'm fresh out of ideas, and it's early in the day with no caffeine boost yet, I think you might be relegated to doing the rubber/crete ball- simply for cost-sake.

I just finished my all heads up penny covered bowling ball. I didn't like the black showing through so I grouted it and love it. I sealed it good and then put several coats of clear spray paint. I filled the holes up about half way with tissue and then finished with caulk. The next one I am going to leave the thumb hole open to put it on a pole. You can get old bowling balls at the good will, thrift stores for usually under $3.00. It is a very addictive hobby. I have done them with the glass marble disc's, they turn out gorgeous.