This is one of those crafts that looks almost too simple to be worth the effort right up until the moment it all comes together. You start with basic dollar store supplies, repeat one tiny step while you listen to a podcast or half-watch a weeknight show, and suddenly you have something that looks wintry, glowy, and far more expensive than it has any right to be.
I love projects like this because they fit real life. There’s no complicated cutting, no special tools, and no giant mess to clean up afterward. If you want an easy cold-weather craft that feels polished enough for holiday decorating but relaxed enough for a busy evening at the kitchen table, this one absolutely hits that sweet spot.
Materials
300 white cotton swabs
Instructions
1. Cover your work surface with parchment paper or a drop cloth, then line up all 12 foam balls so you can work assembly-line style. I find this goes much faster when I prep everything first instead of finishing one ball at a time.
2. Push cotton swabs into the first foam ball one by one, inserting them about 1/2 inch deep and spacing them evenly all over the surface. Use 25 cotton swabs per ball so the finished shape looks full and spiky without crushing the foam.
3. Repeat with the remaining foam balls, keeping the swabs angled in slightly different directions so each one looks round and snowball-like rather than flat or striped. If you notice any sparse spots, fill them before moving on.
4. Take the starburst balls outdoors or to a well-ventilated area and spray them lightly with white spray paint from about 10 inches away. Rotate and coat all sides with a thin, even layer so the cotton tips and exposed foam become one consistent snowy white finish.
5. While the paint is still tacky, hold each ball over a tray and sprinkle on iridescent glitter, turning it as you go for soft allover sparkle. Let the balls dry completely before stringing them so the finish stays crisp.
6. Cut one 8-yard length of fishing line for the main garland and two 2-yard lengths for hanging and spacing adjustments. Thread the needle with the long piece of fishing line and knot one end around a small loop so the first ball cannot slide off.
7. Pierce straight through the center of one dried starburst ball with the needle and slide it down the fishing line carefully. Add the remaining 11 balls, leaving 4 to 5 inches between each one so the individual shapes have room to stand out.
8. Lift the garland and check the spacing before tying a secure loop at the top end of the line. If any ball tilts awkwardly, thread a short extra piece of fishing line through that ball and tie it discreetly to the main line to help it hang the way you want.
9. Drape the finished strand across your mantel in a soft swoop or a straighter modern line, then trim any excess fishing line. Fluff the spacing with your hands so the starbursts look balanced and full from end to end.
Variations & Tips
For fuller starbursts: If you want a more dramatic look, use 28 to 30 swabs on a few of the center balls and place those in the middle of the garland for extra visual weight.
For a more icy sparkle: Mix a little extra-fine silver glitter with the iridescent glitter before sprinkling it on. It still reads snowy, but it catches the light a little more at night.
For easier assembly: Break the project into two sessions: one evening for inserting all the swabs, and a second for paint, glitter, and stringing. That’s usually how I handle repetitive crafts on busy weeks.
For safer hanging: Use removable mantel hooks or clear adhesive clips at both ends and one in the center if your mantel is wide. The fishing line is strong, but extra support keeps the drape neat.
For storage: Wrap the garland loosely around a large piece of cardboard or hang it from a clothes hanger so the swabs do not get crushed in a storage bin.
For a softer winter look: Tuck in a few lengths of sheer white ribbon or a strand of warm white fairy lights along the mantel behind the garland, not through it, so the starbursts stay the main event.