Lia is there a pic on the website? I must have missed this. I know people use loose batting to support objects without marring their finish. I don't know if there are other options. Maybe some spray products might be bad like enamel, but would spray acrylic work? Perhaps they had the paint on the inside, like the marbled balls? If it were a frosted glass ball it might give the illusion that the paint was on the outside. Or maybe they used a glass medium to get a smooth finish? Not much help...just musing.
They sound wonderful. I am looking forward to seeing a picture when you are done, Hint, hint!

Karen, I've emailed you; are you able to receive mail at your yahoo address?

There are spray acrylics? What product name? Or am I just drawing a blank?

There is no picture on the hgtv site; I think it must have been one of those ornaments someone sent in for the Holiday Workshop tree and it just got a passing glance, or maybe a brief mention.

I'll get to work on my version right away ;-) Uhhhh... as soon as I get some clear glass ball ornaments!

Still having mail trouble, Lia. I did get the attachment saved but it did not preview any pics. I will try again tonite.
Yes there are spray acrylics. I can't remember the name but the can was pink. I got it at Kmart & used it on my mesh patio umbrella.

I finally got a good look at the ornaments last night. It looks to me like they clay and the ball were painted with glossy spray paint to make the whole thing look like ceramic, then the lid & base were painted in contrasting colors. or maybe it just looks glossy from a spray sealer. So in that case you could use balls of any color. But I thought like you that spray paints or sealers did not work well with poly clay.
The spout & handle would not have to match. It would look cute to cane them in a strip or check and then pick that up on the lid & base, ala Mary Englebreit. Or they could be stamped with a patterned stamp, then the same stamp could go on tissue which could be decoupaged onto the ball after baking.

Karen