| dancing-sparkle
ball instructions are the same as for the basic sparkleball with a few exceptions.
|
If you use the easy
printable instructions make sure you add notes for the dancing sparkleball. |
1 |
Poke a hole
(approx 1/2 in) through the bottom of all 50 cups.
Divide cups
into two groups of 25. Each group makes half a ball.
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2 |
Arrange
12 cups in a circle.
Working
from the inside of the cups, press the iron near the bottom of the cup,
through to the next cup. (see small photo)
Hold cups
so the melted hole cools and forms a bond.
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3 |
The next
layer has 9 cups. Build this ring on top of the first, one cup at a
time.
Join each
cup to at least two neighbors-- working from the inside and close to
the bottom.
There may
be small gaps between some of the cups in the second ring.
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4 |
Fit the
last 4 cups into the space left. Once they're all in place, then
join them. Attach each cup to as many others as it touches.
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5 |
At this
point, I reinforce the half by melting a notch wherever cup rims touch.
(This is optional. )
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6 |
TEST
THE LIGHTS BEFORE YOU THREAD THEM.
To thread lights: start at the prong end. Start at the outside ring.
Insert the 3 lights closest to the prong into the first cup. (The plug
and function controller will then hang out when you put the two halves
together.)
Put
2 or 3 lights in each cup (depending on your total number of lights).
Work your way around the ball half, zigzaging from outer cups to inner
cups and back. You want to end up on the outer rim, at the cup next
to one you started with.
Work
slowly, careful not to skip a cup or miss a light. If you crack a cup,
that's ok.
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7 |
Set aside
the completed half. Build the second half just like you did the first.
(Steps 1 - 5)
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8 |
On the second
half, insert lights working from the opposite end (the beginning end.
Start with any cup but make sure you finish at the outer rim.
The last
lights will be the hardest to insert as you juggle the two halves.
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9 |
Press the
two halves together, making them fit nicely. When you join them-- be
careful not to burn the lights or wire.
Go over
the sparkleball, making sure each cup is joined to at least two other
cups.
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10 |
Make a hanger
for the sparkleball. I use a bit of chain and two "s" hooks.
But you can also use clear fishing line or wire.
Attach the
hanger through a hole that goes between two cups and forms a solid bond.
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11 |
Plug in
and . . .
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12
Click
here to see a zillion more different sparkleballs
from all over the world.
|
. . .make
the sparkleball dance by changing the patterns on the function controller.
(this is
my oldest sparkleball. I bought it on a dark Texas highway over 15 years
ago. read the story.)
|
now
make
a
mini
sparkleball
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