How to ... Make pretty, small balls

Indian paper poms with potpourri and spices are a great way to adda little exotic scent to any room. You can add a little extraessential oil to the spices if desired.
You need: Small rubber balls (such as racquetballs); petroleum jelly;newspaper; white glue; disposable drinking cups; rubber band;pencil; craft knife; awl; small craft cork; primer; craft paint;spray varnish; funnel; ribbon; rhinestones; hot glue; potpourri;and spices, such as star anise, cloves and ginger.
To make, coat each ball with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Makea glue solution of one part white glue and one part water. Tearsmall strips of newspaper, coat each strip with glue solution andlayer over the ball. Coat each ball with six layers of papier machebefore setting in a disposable drinking cup to dry.
Place a rubber band around the center of each ball; draw a linearound the center with a pencil. Carefully cut paper ball in halfand peel each paper shell away from the rubber. Set aside and allowinteriors to completely dry.
Align the edges of the dry halves and use white glue to reattachthe halves. Cover the joints with thin layers of papier mache andlet dry.
Crisscross the ball with two rubber bands to divide it intoquarters. Using the awl, carefully pierce a circular grid of holesin each quarter. Cut around the grid to make a hole for a smallcork at the bottom of each ball.
Prime and paint the paper balls, without getting paint into theholes; allowing for drying time between each coat. When dry, applya light coat of spray varnish.
Fill each ball with potpourri and spices and replace corks. Securea decorative ribbon to each ball with dots of white glue. Addrhinestones and hang.
-- Scripps Howard News Service