How to Make a BB-8 Wreath

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The Hothidays are here which means it’s time to deck the halls with all things Star Wars! For this year’s festivities, I was inspired by The Force Awakens newest droid, BB-8. Whenever I see that little ball whizzing across the screen, it always brings a smile to my face. BB-8 kind of looks like Frosty the Snowman, which makes him the perfect decoration for this holiday season. To make your own BB-8 wreath, here’s everything you’ll need!

MATERIALS:

  • Styrofoam spheres (small and medium sizes)
  • Acrylic paint (orange, silver, white, black)
  • Black marker (fine point)
  • Styrofoam glue
  • Paintbrushes
  • Knife
  • Scissors
  • Rhinestones
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Small screws
  • Wreath

 

The idea for this wreath came to me when I saw a pretty white wreath at the craft store. As I stood there trying to figure out how to decorate it, I noticed some small styrofoam spheres in two different sizes. “I’LL MAKE A BB-8 WREATH!” I exclaimed. The woman standing next to me gave me a puzzled look as I dashed to the register with my supplies in hand.

1_Styrofoam Spheres

The spheres I chose are a small and medium size. For reference, the larger sphere is about the size of a tennis ball. To create BB-8’s head and body, I cut the spheres in half using a serrated knife. For my wreath, I ended up using 8 cut spheres (4 small, 4 medium).

2_Cut Domes

Even though the spheres were already white, I painted them with white acrylic paint. It gave them an interesting texture but truth be told, it’s not a necessary step. (Don’t worry if the back of your dome is jagged, like mine below. This side will be facing the wreath and not shown in your finished creation!)

Painted surface

Next, I made the pattern on BB-8’s dome by tracing different sized measuring spoons on the top.

3_Measuring Spoon

4_BB-8 Tops

I used an image of BB-8 as my guide while drawing the stencils with a fine point marker. I then filled in the areas with orange and silver acrylic paints.

BeFunky Collage 1

For the panels on BB-8’s body, I traced the outer rim of a washi tape to create my circular stencils.

9_Stencil Body

For the pattern inside the panels, I used a craft foam stencil that I made and traced around it. The craft foam I used had an adhesive backing. You might be able to freehand draw it but my drawing skills (or lack thereof) required me to use stencils. I then painted the panel markings orange and silver.

BeFunky Collage 2

I found these faux pearl stickers and rhinestones that worked perfectly for BB-8’s eye pieces. It’s like they were made for my little styrofoam astromech droid!

14_Rhinestones 1

20_Rhinestones 2

Even though the pearls and rhinestones were stickers, I put a drop of Tacky Glue on the backs just to make sure they were extra secure on BB-8’s head.

15_BB-8 Tops Complete

For the antennas, I used paper clips that I cut in 2 different sizes. Then I painted them with white and black acrylic paint. Once they were dry, I simply stuck them into the styrofoam tops.

16_Antennae

17_Adding antennae

Once all the paint and eye pieces were dry, I put a glob of StyroGlue onto BB-8’s head & body and gently pressed them together. I let the pieces dry for about 2 hours. (You could also use a low heat glue gun but keep in mind that high heat will melt the styrofoam.)

18_Gluing Top to Bottom

Someone’s checking out the competition…

19_Sphero and Styro

BB-8 has so much detail that you could find yourself spending hours trying to make your pieces look screen accurate. Since I was making 4 of these little guys, I decided to go with a more simplistic approach. I did, however, add lines between the panels and placed silver rhinestones on both sides.

21_Adding Rhinestones

Once your BB-8’s are ready, it’s time to add them to the wreath!

22_Wreath

I put a dot of Tacky Glue on the end of a small screw, and then twisted the screw into the back of BB-8’s body.

23_Screw in back

I wrapped a silver pipe cleaner twice around the base of the screw.

24_Pipe Cleaner

Then I placed BB-8 onto the front of the wreath and wrapped the pipe cleaner around the back of the wreath. I tightly twisted the pipe cleaner until BB-8 was completely secure. I repeated this step with all four BB-8’s.

25_Attaching to Wreath

The BB-8’s looked great on the wreath but I added a polka dot ribbon and small silver ornaments for some extra glitter and bling.

Bow

BB-8 w: ornaments

BB-8 Wreath

Bleep bloop beep! I think that means, “I love it” in droid. If you make your own BB-8 wreath, tweet me your photos @JenniferLanda. I’d love to see your creations! Happy crafting! 🙂

BB-8 Wreath w: door copy

 

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2 Comments

  1. Sam
    December 26, 2015 / 12:44 am

    I love your BB-8 wreath! I didn’t see it till today, but I’ll definitely make one for next year! I’m busy working on a BB-8 running costume for the Star Wars half marathon at Disneyland next month.

  2. Sam
    December 26, 2015 / 12:46 am

    I love your BB-8 wreath! I didn’t see it till today, but I’ll definitely make one next Christmas! I’m busy working on a BB-8 running costume for the Star Wars half marathon at Disneyland next month.

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