Welcome Beecharmer2! This is such a fun forum with the nicest of people! If you look on the GardenJunk homepage, you'll see "FAQ" at the top of the page. It tells how to make some of the cool projects you see on the forum. There's one for marbles on bowling balls...same idea as pennies. I'll post the link below. I haven't grouted mine but I bet someone else will speak to that. This was my first bowling ball. So easy and FUN! When you do a bowling ball, have a container you can sit it in. I used an old heavy pan. The GEII is a silicone sealant. I found mine in the glue department at Lowe's. Have fun! Post a picture if you create a Bowling Ball masterpiece!!! Kirk Here is a link that might be useful: Bowling Ball Creation

Yup I agree, don't try to make the tape so uniform in one piece, use smaller pieces. Nice pics of the bumblebees!! I also agree that the edges where the colors meet doesn't have to be absolutely perfect. I would do an "up and down pouncing" with the "scruffy brush" (check out Donna Dewberry One-Stroke Paintbrushes at Michael's or Joann's craft stores or Walmart) on the color edges and I bet it'll look awesome. I'd also do about three or four layers of thin paint rather than trying to cover it in one or two layers. The scruffy brush is oval in shape and the bristles are about 1/2 inches long. You can make one actually by cutting down the bristes on a paint brush till they're about that height. If you type in "onestrokepainting.com" in your web browser line, her site will come up and you can check it out. Don't give up, we all have trial and errors with projects. Just be patient and I bet your bumblebee BB will turn out fantastic. Sal

If you have a large plant pot or planter just flip it over and put the bowling ball on the bottom which becomes the top. How about a tree stump? Old astray stands. Large candle holders. Short stool or ladder. Very large pipe cut to lenght wanted. How about a broken shovel handle, of which I have many.A section of CB Tower with the ball at the top and clematis or roses growing up. And the list goes on. Betty

They are pretty! Just find a shady spot for them. Those are so nice and a lot of work. Down here in south Texas plastic beads not only fade, they crack and crumble after about one summer outside. I only use the plastic beads for things I don't really worry about like plant hangers. Resin garden stuff doesn't last outside here either. Glass beads keep better, but are a lot more expensive. I buy them at TS and GS to keep the cost down.