Lurker seeking info on 'Penny BB'

16 years ago

Hi, let me introduce myself, my name is Wendy and you can usually find me over in hypertufa forms, but often lurk here as love to see and read all about your projects.

Now I have a question to ask on these penny balls; is there any kind of 'pattern sequence' that you glue your pennies on to the bb?, or is it just at random? I'm not planning to layer them and don't want to end up with a lot of extra spaces at the end of the project so would really appreciate any kind of guidance you can give. I only have the one BB (that I had to beg for) and don't want it to end up a total disaster!

Like I've said before you 'guys' are such a happy bunch of 'junkers' and it's all ways fun to stop in here to see what you've been up to. Thanks

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Comments (13)

kudzukween
16 years ago
You might spray the ball with copper paint before you glue on the pennies. I start at the top and work my way around in circles. Have fun :)
arcy_gw
16 years ago
First fill your holes with something. The pennies will fit nicely on the ball, but given they are round it will leave spaces where the ball shows through. If you are fine with that you don't need a second layer. We but heads down on the first layer and heads up on top. It took us about $17.00 worth of pennies. It all depends on what you want the final look to be.
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elephantear
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks so much for your quick replies I do have the bb painted a cooper color now to apply the pennies. If this one turns out well I may try another and try layering these, I think a patina would look wonderful also. My DH is an avid fisherman so would like to try that great looking bobber one that someone posted here.
Now to start the hunt for more BB...thanks again for your advice it is very much appreciated-Wendy
becky_ia
16 years ago
welcome to this site. Where in Iowa are you? I am in New Hampton-just north of Waterloo.

I have made several penny bb. First I fill my finger holes with grout and smooth it so there are no high places. Wash the ball to get off all the oils. Then scruff up the ball with sand paper to insure good adhesion. Then just start with the pennies. I use Liquid Nails in a copper color. After I randomly add the pennies (heads up) so that they are touching each other, I let it dry completely (couple of days) and then I like to grout mine (sanded grout only) using copper colored grout (terra cotta). I feel it gives a more finished look to the ball and the grout will help hold your pennies on especially with Iowa weather. Of course, do not leave them outside in the winter. When the grout dries, I like to seal my bb with a masonary sealer once a year. I did my own penny ball several years ago and it still looks good! Always getting lots of compliments.

Becky
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becky_ia
16 years ago
Forgot to mention, it took 436 pennies to cover the bb.
elephantear
Original Author
16 years ago
becky ia, Your ball looks really nice!
Thanks for the welcome, I'm not to far away from you (about 65 miles or so) My Dh is retired and we live in Harpers Ferry. I'll keep all this info handy for when I start the ball. Wendy
Junkergal
16 years ago
I did mine several years ago. With first layer I did heads down, 2nd layer heads up with last layer just random pennies to cover any spots. Took about $8 worth of pennies. I leave mine out all year just as is and haven't had a problem. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: marble spheres
jannoel_gw
16 years ago
Junkergal, where did you get all the balls? Do you own a bowling alley? You do nice work. The real little spheres look like blue raspberries.
elephantear
Original Author
16 years ago
junkergal your penny ball looks great! it looks like you may have added a sealer of some type? Also liked the blue ball, the more I see the more I want to do!
pattico_gw
16 years ago
junkergal...I took a look at your bowling balls...pretty.

There was an ad to the right of the pictures...Just courious...it said I want to get a college education in "name of my town" I wondered if it uses the name of the town where each of us looking at the pictures lives. Because it had mine....wondering if ivillage is showing that info to outsiders.

patti
arcy_gw
16 years ago
As to where to get BB I have found them cheapest at Church Garage sales. We have driven through New Hampton on the way to Waucoma many times and I know they have some large yard sales. Some have had luck getting them from Bowling Alleys, I have never tried that. Do you have a thrift store? I can't seem to remember if it is New Hampton or West Union that has one. Good Luck!
Junkergal
16 years ago
Thank you! No I don't seal any of mine. The penny ball was new, it's aged now.
Jannoel - nope I don't own a bowling alley but I happened to go to one of the bowling alleys about a month before we found out it was going to close He gave me about 15 for free. This was before they were really popular though. They charge now.
dirtpig
16 years ago
Penny ball and a few more.Would like to see what others do.
Dirtpig

a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v458/Dirtpig/?action=view&current=redbb.jpg"; target="_blank">{{gwi:132971}}

{{gwi:132972}}

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Sorry for the life of me I couldn't find a outdoor pictures of these.This is where they sit for the winter.

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Just made this one.

a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v458/Dirtpig/?action=view&current=bottletree6.jpg"; target="_blank">{{gwi:132975}}

Hubby made this for me just this week.I think it turned out every nice.Was his idea for the bb placement.

Lurker seeking info on 'Penny BB'

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