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| Newspaper ball on left, Magazine on right. |
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| I used a cookie wrapper to make a silver ball. |
Part 1 (Four strand braid)
Part 2 (Paper weaving)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
How to Weave a Paper Ball Ornament
When I was in Thailand, I would see the local people weave palm leaves into beautiful bowls, fans, balls and other amazing things. I asked my aunt if she knew how to make these things and she gave me a book that was all in Thai. I don't know how to read Thai, I can barely speak it. Somehow after a week of fumbling around with strips of paper, I managed to decode the pictures and figure it out. Here is my tutorial for you, it is not in Thai, and hopefully it won't take you weeks to make. I did take pictures, but please watch the video. It is much clearer. The first video is how to create a four strand braid, which is the basic premise behind weaving this ball. If you can do a four strand braid, weaving this ball should be simple (with some practice). The second video is how to use paper to weave the ball.
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What an inspiring blog! I love making things, and you certainly have many good ideas:)
ReplyDeleteAnne
Thank you for getting back to me about the salt dough! =)
ReplyDeleteI like your paper ornaments, I'm working on some that are different soon as I get my camera back and finish them I'll post pictures. =)
I so wish you lived close by! I'd invite you over for some tea and sconces and you could teach me how to make these precious little paper ball ornaments. I guess I'll just have to pretend while I watch the videos.
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog through craft gawker! Great tutorial, and great pictures, I love it! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThe paper ornament is so fun to make! I want to cover my Christmas tree with them :) Thank you for making my Sunday afternoon crafting party with my BFF's just a little more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI just created one of these awesome balls to hang on my tree and I think I'm going to make a few more when I'm more alive...You can see the post on my blog and leave a comment if you're feeling generous!
ReplyDeletePS AWESOME blog I'm going to be coming here quite often!
Thanks for lovely comments:) I used some stamp letters for that flower pot I made...but bought in Norway Im afraid!
ReplyDeleteAnne
Ill follow you too:) Looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I haven't ever seen paper weaving done. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the instructions! Just linked to your tutorial!
ReplyDeletehttp://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2011/12/make-garland-from-woven-paper-balls.html
i love this DIY... they look like those at west elm
ReplyDeleteThese are terrific!
ReplyDeleteNice blog!!!
Lovin' the newsprint one, too! Can't wait to try this tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I love the tutorials you make, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteit all looks so very easy!!
have a nice day
greetings from belgium
emanon
Really enjoyed your woven paper ball project - couldn't make just one! Mine are turning out more elongated than round. What am I doing wrong?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'm not sure why yours came out more elongated. The only two reasons I could think of are
1. You may not be doing the weaving tight enough
or
2. You are starting off with more of a diamond shape than a square shape.
Hope one of these two reasons are the cause, because they are easily fixable.
Rena
These are so cool. My wife and I made some ornaments this year that are pretty similar ... but we didn't braid the strips first. I'm intrigued in how you made yours with the 4 braided strips. These look like a lot of fun to make!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how you would go about making giant paper woven balls? I'd like to make some that I could hang on the trees outside. Would you just do paper that was extremely wide? I'm guessing that would do the trick, what do you think?
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful project and tutorial. I love your entire blog. Been pinning stuff on here all morning. I'm just going to have to pin it as one of my favorite blogs, :) Thanks for all of your sharing.
ReplyDeleteI just can't get mine to form a ball... what do I do with the tapered ends? I think that is what the problem is.
ReplyDeleteFantastic blog!
I made these, too. Here are a few more pictures of the steps in between for anyone looking for them.
ReplyDeletehttp://extremecards.blogspot.com/2010/05/paper-strip-bola-tutorial.html
Carol
Awesome idea recycling the silver cookie wrapper!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous and versatile project! I can see them as decorations at a pinkalicious party, cat toys or just fancy table decor. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous and versatile project! I can see them as decorations at a pinkalicious party, cat toys or just fancy table decor. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Sheryl (papernapkin),
ReplyDeleteHmm, an extremely large one may be a bit tricky but not impossible. I did make one that was tennis ball size, but I wouldn't consider that extremely large. The problem would be finding the right material that is long, wide, flat, and flexible enough to weave. Maybe wood veneer would work. I have never used wood veneer but have seen on some you tube videos. That seems like something that would also hold up to the outdoors. You probably wouldn't want to do it out of paper because you want to hang it outdoors. Another thought I had if you wanted to do it temporarily outdoors in nice weather is using wrapping paper, because that can be long enough. Hope these ideas help! I would love to hear how it goes if you do decide to take on the project.
Rena
Wonderful blog ! Thank you for the video, very helpful !!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheese Thief! I found your Blog via HowAboutOrange. I have been looking for a new shade for a hanging light, and my first thought when I saw this was perhaps using wood veneer to create a large shade. Then I read the comments and found that you had the same train of thought about creating a large ball. I am going to practice on a small scale, and then try veneer. I'll let you know how it goes.
ReplyDeleteWhat creativity!! Thank you for this amazing blog, I found you via HowaboutOrange, and I'm so loving learning all the fun stuff!! I am surely going to be a regular visitor to your blog!!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
K
thanks for your post in how to weave a paper ball
ReplyDeleteThe past tense of weave is WOVEN, not WEAVED. Language skills are important.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial! But seriously, WOVEN.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial! But seriously, WOVEN.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI came to your blog from the youtube link. You have the most wonderful way of teaching. Even someone with butter fingers would be able to learn how to weave this. I am trying to gather some more ribbon weaving techniques which I can teach children to improve their motor skills. I saw the ketupat packet weaving techniques of Malayasia. But I don't how to learn it. But at least I can start with the basic ball that you have shown. Thank you so much. I would be looking forward to more such videos from you.
sangeeta