I’m thrilled to share this super creative and useful “Yarn Chandelier Tutorial” from Nicolle of Libby Lane Press with you today!
This project utilizes yarn, a glue mixture, and balloons – and is so versatile and budget-friendly. You can use these cool spheres for all sorts of parties and occassions… from birthday celebrations to baby showers, bridal showers, and beyond! Nicolle created these particular yarn spheres for this super cute Holiday Whimsical Woodland Wonderland shoot:
Read on for complete DIY details from Nicolle…
*****
YARN CHANDELIER TUTORIAL
by Nicolle from Libby Lane Press
MATERIALS:
– Yarn
– School Glue
– Corn Starch
– Vaseline
– Dowel rod/pole for hanging
– Scissors
– Balloons
– Bowl for Mixing
*****
Step by Step INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Blow up Balloons:
I wanted various sized yarn chandeliers so I chose to incorporate a large punching balloon as my main focal point and added standard balloons for the surrounding areas. I only blew the standard balloons to approximately half capacity to keep as true of a circular shape as possible.
2. Assemble work space:
Place a long pole or dowel rod between two chairs to create a DIY ‘drying station’. I highly recommend placing a plastic trash bag or disposable plastic tablecloth underneath where you will hang the balloons. I initially began this project outdoors, however wind became a factor and I was forced to relocate (not easy).
3. Attach balloons to rod:
Tie yarn around the stem of the balloon and hang from the dowel rod. Be sure that the balloon is suspended and not touching the surrounding balloons.
4. Petroleum Jelly:
Cover each balloon in a light coating of petroleum jelly. This ensures that the yarn will not stick to the balloon once it is dried and popped.
5. Mixing & Dipping:
Mix the school glue (about half of the bottle) with approx. 1/2 cup of cornstarch and approx. 1/4 cup of water. I estimated these amounts and added more cornstarch and glue when desiring a thicker paste consistency.
Dip the yarn into the glue mixture, squeeze out excess, and begin wrapping around the balloon vertically and then switch to horizontally. Once you have covered a good part of your balloon, cut the yarn and tie to a surrounding piece. I chose to do this near the stem of the balloon so it would not be as obvious when hanging.
6. Drying/Popping:
Allow yarn chandeliers to hang for 24 hours in a dry, covered area. Do not attempt to shorten this process!
Next, pop the balloon (this is where I held my breath in anticipation). The yarn will also have dried glue crystals however they easily flake off when tapped.
Now your yarn chandeliers are ready to hang! I used mine for my Whimsical Winter Wonderland photo shoot and then hung them in my children’s playroom for a fun pop of color!
*****
Photography of the final product by: SweetBee Photography
Comments 96
{DIY} Rustic + Vintage Grapevine Wreath with Charming Paper Doily Flowers
DIY Tutorial: Bridesmaids Jewelry Gift Set
DIY Tutorial: Cute Ladybug Party Decor
DIY: Chalkboard Embroidery Hoop Signs
DIY Tutorial: Easter Silhouette Plates & Bowls
96Comments
Hi Nicolle, I really like your idea of these yarn balls. I tried making these tonight, and had a hard time keeping the yarn on the balloons. Do you have any ideas for me? Want to make them for my daughters baby shower on the 18Th of Feb.
Naomi
Nicolle-Libby Lane Press SAYS:
Hi Naomi- I am so sorry to be replying so late. I had not been checking this as I should. So many people have emailed me about the chandeliers that I forget to come back to the actual tutorial that made this oh so popular. Anyway, I am hoping you were able to solve the issue before your daughter’s shower. I initially had this problem too and would then just start wrapping vertically and horizontally around the balloon to try and create more of a ‘hold’ with the yarn. Let me know how it turned out. Best of luck!
These are so cute and an inexpensive bang for the buck. Am trying to decorate for a fashion show fundraiser and every penny counts! I tried them last night and was a bit surprised when I came back from making another glue batch the balloon had popped and all the yarn was in a heap on the floor. So…I tried again…same thing! As it is drying the balloon pops! I noticed that the mixture gets a bit hot (like a chemical reaction?) but is that what is making the balloons pop? What am I doing wrong???
Nicolle-Libby Lane Press SAYS:
Hmmm– I have never heard this before. Now, I had a few pop but that was because I put a heater in the room to try and speed up the drying process (big no no), but it sounds like your mixture was already generating heat. Did you happen to wrap the balloon too tight? Once the yarn dries, it shrinks and could have caused the balloon to pop. I am sorry to hear this especially since you are trying so hard! Let me know if you tried again and if I can offer any other suggestions. Happy to try and help.
Do i cut the yarn in strips or is it just one long peice?
Nicolle-Libby Lane Press SAYS:
Hi Sam- one long strip. This is the challenge and why it is helpful to ask someone to assist, if you can. I unraveled a bunch of yarn and would dip it into the mixture, squeeze out excess and then wrap. However, if you had an extra set of hands they could feed the yarn into the mixture and you could pull the yarn out and wrap. I know it sounds tricky but it can be done. I did this alone on a windy day in my garage. I am not saying it was a walk in the park but the result is worth it, I promise! Let me know if you have any more questions. I am happy to help.
Thinking of doing this instead of tissue paper poms in baby-on-the-way’s nursery. Will flakes continue to shed or does it eventually stop? They’d be hanging over her crib so just wondering. Thanks!
Even if they aren’t used in the nursery, they will be a MUST for the baby shower!
Nicolle-Libby Lane Press SAYS:
So sorry.. I need to be checking this more often! If it were me I probably would not hang over the crib just because if the little glue crystals did ‘shed’ it would be another reason to worry since it is impossible to remove every little one. However, I think they would look darling hanging in a corner with varying lengths. I used mine to create a little scenery in a corner “book nook” where the kids can relax on beanbags and read. An easy way ti brighten a room. Good luck and email me if you have any questions.
Love this idea! We are making 3 different shades of purple to decorate the ceiling along with orange parasols for a chic baby shower!!!! Thanks so much for the idea!!!!!!! My 12 year old and I are having fun with these making different designs on the balloons with the yarn. My son is having fun with a water balloon size chandelier too! :)
How do i add glitter to it???
Nicolle-Libby Lane Press SAYS:
I believe Martha Stewart makes spray glitter. I would give that a whirl.
How lovely! I can’t wait to make this
Awesome! I am doing them for my daughters “cat in the hat” themed room. Is there anything i can use instead of vaseline (petroleum jelly)?
Nicolle-Libby Lane Press SAYS:
Hi Kirsty,
I am not so sure. I was hesitant to try it without since I knew I would be mad at myself if I went through all of the steps only for the yarn to adhere to the balloon. Maybe try a lotion of some sort? Just a thought… good luck!
Hi, i wanted to know about how much is 1/2 bottle of school glue? Im from another country and we have glue in various types of bottles. If i could get a rough estimate in ‘ml’, it would help.
Also after reading some reviews, am feeling scared to tackle this simple project but which finally seems harder (since it requires one extra pair of hands if possible or we must struggle with the wrapping around the balloon). What is really hard and what can ease it if possible? thanks
:) Chamila from Mauritius (island in the Indian Ocean)
Amazing! This is such a great party decor idea. So beautiful and fun!
Thank you for sharing!!!
We made these as young kids but we used a sugar base at Easter so they look like Easter eggs and cut out a hole to use as an Easter basket. We don’t have the recipe anymore for the sugar base…wish I did cause I would love to make again!
Do you dip the entire thing of yarn into the glue?
Nicolle-Libby Lane Press SAYS:
No, I would feed a little into the mixture, wrap, feed more into mixture, wrap etc. If you have someone that could help at this stage it would be much easier, however it can be accomplished alone albeit very messy!
I am going to try slipping in the flameless tealights you can get at the $1 store. the Grandkids will love these at night
Girls might love some "bling", like some irridescent glitter added sparsley to the last layer of glue mixture!