Crafts by Courtney

How-to Crafts and DIY Parties

  • Home
  • How-to Crafts
    • Home Crafts
      • Holiday
      • Seasonal
      • DIY Decor
    • Kids Crafts
      • Holiday
      • Seasonal
      • Educational
      • Clean
      • Messy
  • DIY Parties
    • Birthdays
    • Just for Fun
    • Holidays
  • Blog
    • My Thoughts
    • Hubby’s Corner
  • About
  • Contact

DIY Nautical “Faux” Glass Floats from Foam Balls

I have been so EXCITED to write this post on these cool “Faux” Glass Floats.  I recently went to a blogging conference (SNAP) with FloraCraft.  I’m part of their Make it Fun team and since they were a sponsor at SNAP, they asked me to come help with the booth.  We had a coastal theme booth so they used some of my existing foam projects and had me make new ones too.

The glass floats were one of the projects I had to make (and buoys).  I’ve had glass floats on my crafting to-do list for awhile now. BUT I never thought of using foam.  I was super excited for the challenge, and I think they turned out great if I do say so myself.

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

Here are some pictures of the booth, and Jamie from FloraCraft.  SNAP was a GREAT experience and it was wonderful getting to know a little more about FloraCraft.

Glass Float Supplies Needed

  • Foam Balls
  • Smooth Finish
  • Sandpaper
  • Triple Thick
  • Coastal Acrylic Paints
  • Fishnet
  • Jute
  • Hot Glue Gun

 Step 1 – Pick Balls

I decided on medium and small size foam balls.  They have a TON of difference sizes, which is great!

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

Step 2 – Cover Ball in Smooth Finish

Let’s start by adding FloraCraft Smooth Finish®.  I smoothed on 2 coats letting each coat dry 2 hours.  I made sure to really press it into the foam.

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

Step 3 – Sand Your Ball

Now that our smooth finish has dried, I lightly damped the balls with a wet paper towel.  Then I sanded the balls down with light sandpaper until they were completely smooth. You can dry sand them, but I read the great tip on FloraCrafts website about dampening them. It worked perfect!!

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

Step 4 – Cover Ball in Triple Thick

Next let’s add our Triple Thick!!!  When I told Jamie from FloraCraft that I wanted to attempt these glass floats, she suggested using Triple Thick from DecoArt to give the “faux” glass look.

I added one coat, before I decided to paint the foam balls. Let dry 2 hours.  All you need to do is paint it on with a paintbrush, simple as that!

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

QUICK TIP: Poke a skewer through the bottom and place in a larger piece of foam.  This makes it so much easier to add the Triple Thick and paint.

Step 5 – Paint Balls

Ok, it’s time to paint!!  We found some fun colors, and painted on two coats. I let each coat dry 30 minutes. See it’s easy so far!

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

Step 6 – Add Final Coat of Triple Thick

Let’s add our last coat of Triple Thick!  Again, let dry 2 hours, or you can even do it before bed and dry overnight. That’s what I did.

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

Step 7 –  Add Fishnet

When I started this part, I really had no idea how I should attempt it.  I had several craft fails. BUT finally I found the perfect way.

I really tried to take detailed pictures, just incase I didn’t explain it right, or it was confusing.

Start off by wrapping the ball in fishnet, then use your jute and tie a knot.  Wrap a little of the jute around the ball (making it tight).  Then cut off the excess fishnet.

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

Step 8 –  Add Knot at Top

For your top knot, I braided three pieces of the jute together and hot glued the ends together.  Then I hot glued my braid to the sides.  Finally I started wrapping my jute around the braid, adding a small amount of hot glue in places.

My first braid was a little long, so I made and knot to shorten it.  I ended up loving how it turned out! So I made all of them like that.

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

Finishing Touches

Now the fun part, decorating with the glass floats.  I created a little spot in my den for the floats and they look perfect. I absolutely LOVE the colors. It matches my coastal theme perfectly!

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

DIY Nautical "Faux" Glass Floats from Foam Balls

Everyone at the conference had to do a doubletake take to make sure these weren’t glass.  Plus they were so much cheaper to make then actually buying real ones.  I have three boys and I know if I actually bought real glass floats that my boys would play with them and they’d get broken.

So this was the next best option.  You just have to take a little time making them. But I’ve done all the hard work, and hopefully my tutorial will make it easier.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!!

More Coastal Foam Craft Ideas

  • DIY Starfish Wreath
  • DIY Foam Oars
  • Seashell Succulent Arrangement
  •  DIY Foam Buoy Craft
  • Foam Starfish
  • Foam Sailboat Craft
  • Foam Summer Lighthouse
  • Faux Wood What Wall Art

Love, Courtney

About Courtney Sanchez

Hi, I'm Courtney and I LOVE crafting! I am a mommy to 3 awesome boys (who keep me very busy) and wife to a loving husband. Crafts by Courtney is where I like to hang out ;)

Leave a Reply

Courtney Sanchez

Hi, I'm Courtney!

Welcome. Here is where I share the fun how-to crafts I've done with my kids and for my home. I also really love DIY parties too! Read More…

My Socials

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Newsletter

Subscribe to my email newsletter for more craft ideas, tips and valuable resources.

The TOP 4

  • Terra Cotta Pot DIY Lighthouse Garden ProjectTerra Cotta Pot DIY Lighthouse Garden Project
  • 33 Awesome Birthday Party Ideas for Boys33 Awesome Birthday Party Ideas for Boys
  • DIY Robot Costume with Duck Tape®DIY Robot Costume with Duck Tape®
  • Cardboard Box Craft - DIY DollhouseCardboard Box Craft – DIY Dollhouse

Looking for more?

Over on Instagram

craftsbycourt

Another fun day at the greenhouse transplanting Ri Another fun day at the greenhouse transplanting Rivieria Midnight Blue.  These flowers are so beautiful full grown. ✨I have to say I’ve really enjoyed working at my local green house these past couple weeks.  Seeing all the amazing flowers, transplanting them and getting my hands dirty.  I just love it!! 🌿It was such a beautiful day here in NC, just makes you appreciate the warm weather so much.  Ready for Summer 🌻🌞
Salon days with Hannah are my fav days 🤍Cut a Salon days with Hannah are my fav days 🤍Cut and color by @beauty_itwith_grace
Spring is here!! Well kinda... It's been cold and Spring is here!! Well kinda... It's been cold and rainy here in NC. But tomorrow it's should be warmer weather and the sun out! I'm excited about that!Sharing a Spring project I made on the blog a couple years ago using @decoart acrylic paints!Head over to the blog for full tutorial, link below 👇
Sharing a lighthouse project I did several years a Sharing a lighthouse project I did several years ago on the blog!! Actually it's one of my favorite projects.Link to full tutorial below 👇#craftblog #craftsbycourtney #creativehappylife #homeblogger #craftblogger #diy #diyaddict #farmhousedecor #crafting #crafter #tutorials #homedecor #summerwreath #farmhousestyle #dollartreeaddict #dollartreecrafts #summercrafts #coastalliving #coastaldecor #coastalcraft #coastaldecor #coastalstyle #lighthouse #lighthousecraft #foamcraft #nautical #nauticalcrafts
Happy first day of Spring!! 🌺🌸🌼🌻🌷 Happy first day of Spring!! 🌺🌸🌼🌻🌷Ready for warmer weather here in North Carolina!
Had to stop by a cute little beach by my old house Had to stop by a cute little beach by my old house in Apollo Beach in Florida.  It’s crazy how I took all these little beaches by my house for granted when I lived there.  I’d be at them everyday now if I could. 🌊😩🐚✨😉
Follow on Instagram

Who I Work With

Crafts by Courtney   ·   Copyright © 2013 - 2023