Halloween Bat Ornament

How to Make Glass Ball Halloween Bat

Talk about cute! This Halloween bat ornament is the greatest. And it is easy to make except that attaching the wings can be tricky, especially the first time you try it.

I have included photographs below to help you better visualize how to attach the bat wings. Many thanks to my friend Francie for serving as my hand model!

Remember -- Handmade ornaments aren't just for Christmas. They make wonderful Halloween arts and crafts projects too! Do give this fun bat Halloween ornament a try.

Materials

55 mm clear glass ball ornament (approximately 2-1/8 inches from top to bottom, not including the cap)

• The glass ball needs to have a cap like the one shown in the photo to the right. As you can see, the sides of the cap consist of "leaves" or flaps with spaced slots in between.

• Not all glass balls have a cap like this, so be sure you get the right kind. For more information, read Ornament Cap and Spring Wire Design.

2 black chenille stems ("pipe cleaners")

9-12 black pompons

2 small wiggle eyes (I prefer self-adhesive ones.)

Glue (if you do not use self-adhesive wiggle eyes)

Black twist tie (or twist tie of any color and black permanent marker)

Ribbon

Instructions

Remove the cap from the glass ball.

Push the black pompons through the hole. (Use the eraser end of a pencil. The rim around the hole may have sharp edges.) Add enough pompons to fill the ball.

Bend and pinch the pipe cleaners into batwing shapes. Each pipe cleaner makes one wing.

Holding the four ends of the pipe cleaners together, tie them together with the twist tie, as shown in the photo below.

Color the twist tie black with paint or permanent marker and allow to dry.

Put the twist tie into the hole at the top of the glass ball. Replace the cap, working the pipe cleaners into slots on either side of the cap so that the bat wings extend out on each side. While holding the cap on with one hand, insert the wire into the slot. See photos below.

• The wire is "spring loaded," so this step isn't as easy as it may sound. You will need to press the two prongs together to fit them though the slot. Once inside the ball, the prongs will spring back open and the cap will be secure.

• If you need to raise a couple of the leaves slightly in order to work the pipe cleaners into the slots, feel free to do so but be careful not to tear off any of the leaves. After the cap is secured with the wire, gently push the leaves back down.

Attach the wiggle eyes to the front of the glass ball.

Tie a ribbon through the hanger wire. Tie the knot tight so it will not come undone under the weight of the hung ornament.

Optional: Tie a bow around the cap.

Your Halloween bat ornament is now complete!

When you are ready to store your bat ornament, consider recycling a plastic container from the salad bar to use as an ornament storage box.

For at-a-glance listings and photos of more Halloween projects and wonderful ornaments, see Halloween Arts and Crafts and Handmade Ornaments for All Occasions.

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To make this fun Halloween Bat ornament, see the step-by-step tutorial and photos on the How To Arts and Crafts.com website.

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