Hi DaNita, I'm usually hanging out in the "Garden Junk" (GJ)forum but like to check in on this one also. Nothing says you have to grout your BB, that's up to you. There are a lot of folks in the GJ forum who do mosaics and they prepare their own grout by mixing it. For the styrofoam ball I did with the half-marbles, I did grout it using a premixed grout I got at Home Depot. It was $7 something for a small purchase but since it was my first project using the grout and didn't really know what to expect, I went with the premixed stuff. I used the clear liquid nails also. In the GJ forum, a lot use GE Silicone Glue II as a glue. I bought some of that also and it is fantastic. I've read the liquid nails doesn't hold up to the elements but mine did just fine this past late summer/early autumn. Mine isn't sealed yet (it will crackle) so I did bring it in during nasty weather because my porch does not have a roof. I also read in the GJ forum that after grouting the BB, they seal it with grout sealer. Check Home Depot or similar store for that stuff also. Go to a hardware store or just call them and ask what to use, I'm sure they'll be very helpful. As for your question - does the glue have to be clear, that's up to you. I used clear because I didn't want a white spot to show up through the clear glass half-marbles I used. My project was with teal (???) marbles (if that's the color you want to call it) but you can see through them so that's what I meant by "clear glass..." Those who mosaic in GJ forum do color their grout when mixing it up by adding acrylic paint to it. I guess it all depends on how you want your project to look. Check out the GJ forum, I'm sure you'll love it, and do a search for "bowling balls." You'll get a ton of posts picked out for your by the website. Pic of my project attached, I used the base of a lamp for the holder. I thought the white looked good on the teal color. Sal Here is a link that might be useful:

I painted of the bowling balls with outdoor paint. I used paint tape to make some of the lines straighter. I didn't tape to start off because I didn't know if they would be anything I'd like. Glad you enjoyed looking at them. Luvs, you should try painting some if you have balls. I would like to paint some as other critters but have to take time to figure out how to create them. I'm painting a message center for my GD and also a chair to match. I'll post a pic when I finish. Keep posting as I enjoy seeing all your projects.

I am so glad that people had advised you to use the SE11. I made a mistake when I made my first ball. I used weldbond, which I love for my indoor mosaics, it works great! For outdoor use? BAD IDEA! Its not for outdoor use. Soooo, I made a beautiful ball and worked long on it and now its still beautiful, but it needs to stay indoors for its life. which is okay, it lives in my living room. OMG I can't belive this, who is from Madison??? Thats where I live, oh my, I have never met anyone who does mosaics befor from Madison, if your out there I would love to talk to you!!!! Louella

MW, my first thought was "interesting" but that has been used by quite a few people so I'll say "artistic" because that is what I think of people that can come up with such creative works of art. I would love to hold it and just look into those faces; I don't want to think about cutting those dolls (poor little things) but love to look at their faces. HRSG, I like the eyes looking back at you in your mirror. Again, very creative. Reminds me of "Mirror, mirror on the wall" because it's lookin at ya.