Key Hider in Reflective Garden Prism Globe - Beautiful AND Functional!

The inspiration for this Instructable is explained in the song/video....

Actually, my original vision for this Instructable was to use a BOWLING BALL (which is sitting in my kitchen, looking a bit forlorn and out of place). The plan was to drill a large hole in the bowling ball, and insert one of my prescription pill bottles in the hole as the hiding place for the key. The finished project was to be a breathtaking gazing ball/key hider.

Unfortunately, I don't own a Dremel - hence the compromise I had to make using my Mr. Cheapo poor-excuse-for-a drill on a styrofoam ball instead. Oh...and the CONFESSION - I almost forgot. (hanging head in shame) You probably don't really even need a drill if you're using a styrofoam ball. Yes, I'm pathetic, BUT when I saw that the prize for this contest is a Dremel, I ALMOST LOST MY MIND with excitement (not to mention almost having a "senior accident") at the thought that if, by some miracle, I won I could make a REALLLLY HUUUGE gazing ball key hider, thereby fulfilling my original goal!!!

But I digress....

Materials needed for this Instructable:
- 4" styrofoam ball ('or whatever size you prefer)
- White school glue (I used Elmer's brand)
- 1 paintbrush - about a 2" width
- Bowl
- Water to thin glue. I used a ratio of 1/2 cup glue: 2 tablespoons of water
- Mirror tiles (available at any craft store), or you can use glass pebbles, which are less expensive, and can be found at the Dollar Store.
- Small cup on which you can place the styrofoam ball to dry
- Dremel or drill
- Key to hide
- Jewelry findings: 1 large jump ring, 1 cool, sparkly bead with a small hole, 1 head pin with a head larger than the hole of the bead, ball chain or
ribbon.
- Jewelry pliers (I prefer chain nose, or round nose pliers), strong scissors or wire cutter
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Combine 1/2 cup glue with 2 tablespoons water, and stir well, using a stick or spoon.

Using your brush, paint half of the ball and place on small bowl to dry. This may take an hour or so. Once the ball has dried, apply glue to the other half. Continue alternating sides, until both sides have at least four layers of glue and the ball is completely dry.

If you have a pet, such as a dog or cat, I'd strongly advise keeping this away till you've finished the project, lest it be mistaken for a big marshmallow.

It could get VERY messy!

Glue the mirror tiles (or glass stones) onto the ball in a pattern that brings you joy. Leave the two ends of the globe unfinished. That's where the hook and the key will eventually be placed.

Drill a hole in the top of the ball where you will screw in the hook, or just screw the darned thing in without the drill. Also, make an opening in the bottom where you will push in your key. Don't make that hole too big, as you want the key to fit in snugly.

Let the glue "set" in the hole for a few minutes so it thickens up a bit, then screw in the hook, turning till it's in as far as it can go, without forcing it.

Once it's dry, you can add a few mirror tiles to cover the remaining uncovered area at the top.

You've gone far enough when only the top opening of the key is protruding from the ball.

Gently remove the key, and add a few mirror tiles to cover any bare areas.

Now, using your round nosed pliers, open the round jump ring just enough so that it can slip over the top opening of the key. It's better to open the jump ring by just twisting the two ends, rather than pulling them apart, which weakens the metal.

Then, put the plain end of the head pin through the jump ring.

Create a loop to close the end pin, then continue to wrap it around itself two times to secure. If there is excess wire, use your wire cutter to remove it and try to tuck the end in, as flat as you can.

*Safety suggestion: place a towel over your hands when cutting the wire to prevent the wire from flying into your eye, or use eye protection. Keep kids and pets away till you finish cutting the wire. I always turn my head away from the "action" when cutting wire, as a precaution.

THANK YOU INSTRUCTABLES AND DREMEL!!!!