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What is a sparkleball?

According to Wikipedia, it's an ornament handmade out of Christmas lights and plastic cups, using soldering, staples or cable ties to join the cups. It is a mid-century American folkcraft whose origins are unknown.

 

These folks like sparkleballs:

cut out + keep
Thrifty Fun
SuperForest
lighted Christmas balls of Greensboro
zoomdoggle
a few pretty things
Apartment Therapy
i green spot

 

 

 

 

 

photos:

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December 17, 2009

Tingalpa, Brisbane AUSTRALIA

Annette and Rob Cox won First Place in radio 4KQ's 2009 Christmas Decoration contest and sparkleballs played a major part in Rob's creativity. See more of Rob's handiwork here and here. And more on Rob's snowman here. [rollover image]

December 13, 2009

Ventura County CA

From longtime sparkleballer Ross Asmus. To order a sparkleball from Ross, see the To Order page.

December 13, 2009

Greensboro NC

Anne and Jonathon Smith have inspired neighborhoods across the US to hang Lighted Tree Balls (a sister concept using chicken wire balls) and to collect food items for a Christmas food drive at the same time. See their blog here. See a fantastical slideshow with music of the Smith's neighborhood (Sunset Hills) here! Beautiful images.  [rollover image]

December 12, 2009

Gainesville FL

985KTK radio anchor Chris Wells and daughter Grace (8) dipped cup rims in green glitter for extra sparkle. Chris features their sparkleball on the Storm and Chris KTK Morning Show blog where she invites listeners to make their own sparkleballs and share photos.

December 12, 2009

Hickory NC

Jennifer's got the bug: "It's exam week here at Lenoir -Rhyne and making Sparkleballs is far more fun than studying." You can order a sparkleball from her on the To Order page.

 

December 10, 2009

Warner Robbins GA

Crystal's dad made sparkleballs ten years ago, and now she's carrying on the tradition.

 

December 9, 2009

Inverness SCOTLAND

Joni Phippin is a fabric artist who also teaches sparkleballery in crafts workshops for young people and for vulnerable adults.

 

December 9, 2009

Inverness SCOTLAND

Joni writes: "There are few 'craft' projects which capture mens attention - this one is no 1." She found the no-melt how-to on Instructables.

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