December 5, 2010
Hancock County INDIANA
Sherry is making mini-sparkleballs with lights she bought last year on sale to give as gifts this year. She uses hot-glue to connect the cups.
December 4, 2010
San Diego CALIFORNIA
Sparkleballs are proud to be a part of the Schimka family's annual light display, one of the most spectacular in San Diego. The Schimkas -- dad Randy, sons Brandon and Stephen-- work together, designing and building the display. This yearlong project has turned out to be magical therapy for Brandon (above) and Stephen, who have autism. Read more of their story here.
December 4, 2010
Austin TEXAS
Megan's first sparkleball, which she says has inspired requests from friends and family to make them one too.
December 3, 2010
Springfield MISSOURI
Emily's entire street is making sparkleball trees this year. Here's her family's sparkleball tree and the one in front of Jason's house, across the street [rollover image.]
December 2, 2010
New Delhi INDIA
Antzy and his sister made sparkleballs for Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights.
December 2, 2010
New Delhi INDIA
Antzy used 8 oz cups (modifying the basic pattern slightly) and the no-melt method, attaching the cups with string instead of zipties. [rollover image]
November 29, 2010
Crestwood ILLINOIS
A pair of sparkleballs from "Orbi-Glow" Tom K, a sparkleballer since 1993. (Sparkleballery may be the #1 craft that appeals equally to men and women.)
November 27, 2010
Alexandria MINNESOTA
Janet (left) with Teacher Joan (right) show off a finished "Rich's Ball."
November 27, 2010
Alexandria MINNESOTA
Student
Linda (left) with Teacher Joan, who's been making sparkleballs since the
early 90's. When friends kept asking how it was done, the classes were
born. (The sparkleballs are known locally as "Rich's Balls,"
in honor of Joan's husband Rich.)
November 27, 2010
Alexandria MINNESOTA
Janet (left) and Linda on their final exam. They're hotgluing the lights in, to keep them from popping out of the hole in the cup.
November 27, 2010
Houston TEXAS
Allen Kitchen's light display is made up of 8 sparkleballs built from cups frosted with white enamel, lit by specially-constructed interior lights, and controlled by 36 different programs, Allen's display can produce, he says, an infinite variety of movements and 1 billion different colors. (See how he built it all here.)
November 27, 2010
Cambridge MASSACHUSETTS
Jyllian's sparkleheart with LED pink mini-lights.
November 27, 2010
Tingalpa, Brisbane AUSTRALIA
Every email from Rob Cox brings happy news from Australia AND brilliant
sparkleballing tips. To hang his sparkleballs, Rob uses a fishing swivel
inserted into a hole in the top cup. (rollover image).
November 27, 2010
Tingalpa, Brisbane AUSTRALIA
To help out another reader, Rob sent this photo of how he manages the hookups for his outdoor lights. Although the power strips and plugs are Australian, this gives an idea of how you might manage hanging an outdoor tree full of sparkleballs.
November 28, 2010
Fresno CALIFORNIA
Terry Kull's work on sale at a consignment shop. Instructions for his Godzilla sparkleball here.
November 27, 2010
Yigo, GUAM
From Krispy; spotted on her travels.
November 27, 2010
Greensboro NORTH CAROLINA
This is sparkleball's kissing cousin: "lighted Christmas balls" made from chicken wire and mini-lights. Jonathon and Anne Smith's lightballs are easy enough for a child to make. (Instructions on the Smith's blog.) (rollover image)
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