Etsy's Handmade Blog
How-Tuesday: Rolling Balls From Magic Books & Paper Toys
Story by mtraub, PurgatoryPiePressINK
Published on November 17, 2009 in How-To 		Photo by

Amy Kalyn Sims

As a lover of both books and crafts, I have a very difficult time letting my coffee table volumes or National Geographic issues sit on the shelf for long before I'm ripping, cutting, folding, and gluing. Pages sticky with mod podge, my collection of paper transforms into a vault of materials and inspiration. Paper guru Esther K. Smith will be hosting Craft Night at the Etsy Labs next Monday, November 23. As a teaser, she shares her Rolling Balls project from Magic Books & Paper Toys for this week's How-Tuesday. This would make a great project (with or without the kids!) as you get ready to decorate for the holidays.

Purchase Magic Books & Paper Toys

Long before I ever thought of making books, I got a hexaflexagon in the mail from Dikko. Other men send flowers, jewelry, or chocolate, but he wooed me with paper. (It worked — we've been collaborating on art and our family for many years now.)

He had read about them in Martin Gardiner's math column in Scientific American and made one for a grad-school course at the University of Wisconsin. The flexagon was cool. I made them for a while — sent one to my mathematician cousin (he was not impressed) — and then forgot about them. Years later, teaching a class at Cooper Union called Instant Artist's Books, I found that hexaflexagon again and decided to include flexagons in my class. Then I got a photocopy of a page from a Victorian children's book that showed magic wallet construction. Those two forms were so easy and interesting that I built a curriculum around them. I developed my Magic Books & Paper Toys weekend workshop, which started at New York's Center for Book Arts. I've taught it at Long Island University, The San Francisco Center for the Book, and Penland School of Crafts.

When I began teaching design for CUNY, I used flexagons with my CUNY undergrads for design and color-theory problem solving. Since their designs split and reverse, they make an interesting design challenge. They also keep me amused.

I added flip books, strip animations, and spinners with wonderful results. One student rendered a paint can that sprays graffiti, another made a subway car with cut-out windows that show the stations changing.

I've seen flip books of fingernails growing, T-shirts changing designs, and all kinds of winking, blinking spinners. I wish I could see the cool things YOU make!

I've seen these made from holiday cards as ornaments, but they are also interesting books. And it's fun to roll them. You could even put a simple pop-up inside.

You Will Need
Heavy, foldable paper
Compass or round object (glass, bowl) to trace
Pencil
Scissors
Bone folder
Adhesive
Drawing and collage materials to embellish
Velco, magnets (optional)

1. Trace circles onto the paper using a compass, or trace a jar or small bowl. The heavier the paper, the fewer circles.

2. Cut the circles out with scissors or a knife.

3. Fold them in half and burnish.

4. Adhere the folded circles back to back, lining them up with care and burnishing until you have enough to create a full ball shape when you open up the ball.

5. Place Velcro or magnets on the covers so that the ball can stay open.

6. Roll your book to be sure it works.

7. Embellish with drawing, rubber stamps, or collage.

Rolling Faces: You can put whatever appeals to you on the pages of your rolling book. Faces can be fun. One student thought faces of politicians would be nice rolling away. Cut them from magazines or newspapers and collage.

Thanks to Esther K. Smith and the good folks at Potter Craft for sharing this project with us. For more paper inspiration, check out Magic Books & Paper Toys.

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Tags author, book, Books and Zines, Christmas, craft, DIY, Esther K. Smith, garland, holiday, How-To, How-Tuesday, instructions, Magic Books & Paper Toys, ornament, Paper Goods, pattern, Potter Craft, project, Purgatory Pie Press, rolling balls, tutorial
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144 comments     Login to add your own!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. thebestvintage

I LOVE the rolling ball books...
haven't seen that before, very cool idea!!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:20 p.m. VixVintage

Very cool, thanks!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:20 p.m. SewnNatural

wow! now there's something i've never tried that looks like it would be fantastic. thank you very much for sharing this idea, Esther!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. Dongedyframe

Gorgeous items ! Good ideas !

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. LilithEvy

Great tutorial! Seems easy to do but WOW for the related items. They are incredibles! Seems harder to make!!! Good job everyone!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. kissadesign

<---I love paper art (can you tell?)
Great tutorial! Thanks!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. VelveteenHabbit

What a GREAT way to use up my scrapbk paper!!!
Cheryl

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. beautifulbridget

That looks like fun!! Thanks!!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. thestapeliacompany

What neat paper ornaments and things. Thanks for the tutorial!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. karmaklinik

super cool idea. i love it!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. HAREandDRUM

Wonderful tutorial! I think I've just found a new Christmas ornament project to do with my son!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:42 p.m. bylynnkrestel

i'm thinking stocking stuffers!!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:43 p.m. bylynnkrestel

love it!
i'm thinking stocking stuffers!!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. KOALACaddie

What a wonderful art form. I love thepinkpeony's japanese paper ball ornaments. Thank you for this lovely article and tutorial.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:48 p.m. lovelygifts

That's great! Love it!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. 1AEON

haha! cute! super old school!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. outofline

Inspiring! Thanks:)

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. mooshoopork

so much paper goodness! hehe

Nov. 17, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. PenelopeAndAnastasia

Oh, I'm totally gonna make these with our 2 year old for Christmas ornament presents. Thanks a bunch for sharing!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. beezmiller

This has given me some good ideas. Thanks for the inspiration!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:12 p.m. tomatored

Wow, love the rolling book idea, I need to try that!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:12 p.m. SimpleJoysPaperie

Oh what FUN ~ Paper is my passion!
Thank you for sharing!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. Morado

This one is so easy to follow and well illustrated! Thanks :o)

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:20 p.m. bythewayside

Great balls of paper! Wow, this start sure could unleash a ream of creativity!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:23 p.m. rosebudshome

oh I want to try!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. LilaJo

So freaking awesome! I want to make some of these for sure!xo

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. Waterrose

What a fun craft to make!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. Yayahandicraft

this is very fun, thank you for show us!!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. timesandchimes

Cool craft!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. Yayahandicraft

This is fun, thank you for show us how.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:41 p.m. PunkUpBettie

What a cute & fun idea!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. julieandco

Very cute! Thanks for the tutorial!!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. gailavira

Looks like a fun idea. My daughter will love this.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. jibbyandjuna

Great project!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:05 p.m. ToadLillie

Fun! And well illustrated! Thanks so much.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. blueskyclouds

It's amazing what you can do with paper and creativity! Thanks so much for sharing.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. Lunatiger

Awesome, must try this out! ^_^

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. BabbidgePatch

looks like a fun project!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. lavenderrabbit

What fun! I can already see bunny faces spinning round and round...

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. maechevrette

these are so cool! i'm going to try making a few, and i think they would be extra great with a string through the center of all the folds to make it into a tree ornament. love this!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. dancingcircle

ok - those look pretty cool

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:48 p.m. jewelrybyjackie

I just love paper crafts!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:58 p.m. vivikas

cute idea!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:59 p.m. NaturallyLit

This looks SO wacky and fun. Thanks for sharing this!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. beachhouseblues

It's a great project!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 5:29 p.m. DalkullanJewelry

Such lovely things made from paper. Thanks for a wonderful article!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. birdie1

Can't wait to try these!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. QuercusSilver

Brilliant! I needed a cradt for my son while he's recovering from the flu. We'll do this together

Nov. 17, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. peaseblossomstudio

Oh, this is neat!! I've played with these before and I love Esther's book "How to make books".

Nov. 17, 2009 at 6:12 p.m. KarKarStyle

It's so fun ! I'll try

Nov. 17, 2009 at 6:17 p.m. tootsweethandbags

well done!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. CharliesApt

Thanks for sharing this. They remind me of ornaments I had when I was a kid. This makes me want to stop what I'm doing and go make some. Must stay strong!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 6:35 p.m. oldworldprimitives

Thank you for sharing this fun project with us!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 6:37 p.m. sweetsmilesbaby

I will be making these! Maybe they will hang on long strings from the ceiling or serve as personalized place cards/conversation pieces for all of my Christmas dinner guests. Love simple and creatively open-ended projects. Thanks!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 6:38 p.m. themefragrance

Making those! Perfect for my window. Might try using my sewing machine....hmmm could do shapes too. Great fun.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. whyte

I love working with paper.....adorable, thanks for the tutorial!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. southernladysvintage

Great!! I hope to be there!!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 7:05 p.m. WoollyWonka

Very fun!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 7:15 p.m. WingsDove

This looks like something new I would love to try. Very cute. Thank you!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 7:16 p.m. WingsDove

This looks like a craft I would love to get in on. Very cute. Thank you.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 7:19 p.m. LadybugSF

I can see how these could be great holiday ornaments, too!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 7:20 p.m. LadybugSF

I can see how these could be made into ornaments for the holidays as well!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 7:25 p.m. reworkedart

i am going to make an awesome garland for decorating with some old vintage catalogs! what a great idea, thanks for sharing.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. breadandroses

Adorable! I remember making xmas ornaments like the rolling ball as a kid. Such fun. Love flexagons!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 8:05 p.m. girltuesdayjewelry

FUN! How great would a bunch of these look on a Christmas tree?

Nov. 17, 2009 at 8:06 p.m. AvantCarde

Nice - the color and design possibilities are endless !!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 8:07 p.m. opendoorstudio

I remember making angels out of readers digest magazines as a kid... lots of folding and folding...but they always turned out wonderfully... where are they now? great feature!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 8:29 p.m. BlueCrushBeads

Super Cool Art!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 8:35 p.m. LisaFerinDesigns

great tutorial and an amazing selection of items!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 8:49 p.m. FableBay

super cool idea and great tutorial!!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. eclipse

OOh this is a neat project! I want to make a bunch of them in different sizes with sparkly papers. These would be great ornaments!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 9:17 p.m. worksandfinds

Fun, fun, fun. Thank you for tutorial.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 9:22 p.m. belovedbaglady

Ha ha ha...Liking the hairy guy!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. outoftheblue

Oh my gosh...how fun! I'm gonna try these out tomorrow while the kids are at school :)

Nov. 17, 2009 at 9:32 p.m. nailee

Like this! Easy and cool.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. ourfrontyard

Making Ornaments using that tute!! What a great idea!!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 9:47 p.m. vitamini

Cool project! A garland of those would be really pretty!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 9:59 p.m. DodgeStationPottery

Hey Esther-beautiful work! I went to SUNY, like CUNY i suppose. And I hear ya on the mag situation...they do not stay in tact. ever. Ripping out tears is what they're for right? :) Great stuff.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 10:22 p.m. elponk

i like

Nov. 17, 2009 at 10:41 p.m. recycledwares

what a fun thing to make, thanks for sharing. the magnet idea makes so much sense, ingenious.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 10:58 p.m. bstrung

How cute! My daughters will love making these. Thanks

Nov. 17, 2009 at 11:26 p.m. Iammie

Nice idea!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 12:08 a.m. loranscruggs

Hey Esther,
I caught this as it rolled by on the front page. So great to see your smiling face!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 2:10 a.m. christinececelia

totally fun!! Thanks for sharing!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 2:15 a.m. voleurdebijoux

Thank you for sharing this cool ornament project! :)

Nov. 18, 2009 at 2:42 a.m. TanyaMac

i love experimenting with paper! I make lots of paper baubles for the tree that look very much like these rolling books... ;)
www.tanya.mac.etsy.com

Nov. 18, 2009 at 3:22 a.m. halibuvalley

I mske paper ornaments too. except mine is from recycled vintage paper.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Nov. 18, 2009 at 4:38 a.m. craftjunky

wow! those looks fun to make for our christmas tree! I think I would make those out of foil paper :-)

Nov. 18, 2009 at 4:49 a.m. polkadotsandblooms

I love the rolling book tutorial, I'll be trying this with my daughter at the weekend. Thank you so much for sharing

Nov. 18, 2009 at 4:56 a.m. BayMoonDesign

I love the paper balls. Great ideas for the tons of National Geographic magazines I can't part with. Now I can repurpose some of their fabulous photos.

Nov. 18, 2009 at 5:29 a.m. Karoger

Thanks for sharing! These are clever! =]

Nov. 18, 2009 at 5:40 a.m. anemonecomms

very funky! love it! :0

Nov. 18, 2009 at 5:52 a.m. littlemoandfriends

so wonderful! thank you for sharing! xxx

Nov. 18, 2009 at 6:09 a.m. MiuAndUmi

I love this idea! Hand me the compass.

Nov. 18, 2009 at 6:41 a.m. JemmDeeCreations

I love directions with pictures! So easy to follow.
Thanks for sharing. On my way to trying...

Nov. 18, 2009 at 7:12 a.m. KimsCraftyApple

looks like fun! Another thing I'll have to try. I was thinking this would be good with christmas cards for ornaments...

Nov. 18, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. knowingjewelry

so cool!!! thank you..wonderful creative people in this community - keeps everyone on their feet creating*

Nov. 18, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. candythomasgourdart

looks like tons of fun-thanks

Nov. 18, 2009 at 8:09 a.m. MagicMarkingsArt

what a great idea - a fun book craft for art students! thank you for sharing.

Nov. 18, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. kingfishercrafts

Fantastic Paperification!
Will give it a go for sure.
Thanks Esther Smith and Co.

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:02 a.m. congcongdesign

good idea. nice decoration.

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:03 a.m. congcongdesign

nice decoration.

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:10 a.m. cassidycay

OoO! Fun!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. yoguiana

Easy and lovely! :)

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. QuiltFinger

Awesome! This looks like so much fun! Will have to try it!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. SerendipSisters

Ahh! I love vintage papers.

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. SerendipSisters

I love the vintage paper!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. mythunderstood

love it all! I used to buy art flip books instead of toys for nieces and nephews. That paper slinky is amazing!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. MetroGypsy

Fun project! Thanks for the article!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. Fairyfolk

We'll try this for sure.
Blessings and magic.

Nov. 18, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. sewlola

This is cool!

I can add some glitter and make ornaments.

Nov. 18, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. sewlola

Cool idea!

I can add glitter and make nice ornaments. :)

Nov. 18, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. PaperAffection

i'm in love with this article :)

Nov. 18, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. BlueRoseRetro

I love the directions for the rolling ball. They are a work of art in themself. How entertaining. I am going to make one!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. designlab443

fun project, i'll have to try this one.

Thanks for sharing!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. Manicmushroomglass

My crafty little niece will love these. We have a LOT of books ang magazines in need of a exelent craft! Thank You!!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. sharonclancydesigns

Love it! Looks like fun and a great way to re-purpose!!!!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 1:41 p.m. FunktapusDesigns

Ooh! Thanks so much for including my starfinder digital kit! I have 8" and 4" paper ones available as well! :)

Nov. 18, 2009 at 3:20 p.m. YoYoByBahar

Ilove paper works!!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 8:55 p.m. SecondHandNews

Fabulous Article, thanks so much for the how to.

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:24 p.m. designsbyericakortz

Very cool. Thank would make cool christmas ornaments ohh with glitter. Thanks!

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:56 p.m. nailee

love this. so easy and its kinda stylish to decorate in the room.
Thanks*

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:57 p.m. nailee

love this. Its easy and kinda stylish to decorate in the room.
Thanks*

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:59 p.m. nailee

love this. It's easy and kinda stylish to decorate in a room.
Thanks*

Nov. 18, 2009 at 11:52 p.m. sarahsupplies

awe. cool article. Thanks so much for featuring my paper!

Nov. 19, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. sweetpastryshop

Great ideas and good tutorial!thanks!

Nov. 19, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. CaptiveStudio

Love the how to article, you rock.

Nov. 19, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. babook

Thanks for share this nice holiday craft project ! It totally great to use on party : )

Nov. 19, 2009 at 12:44 p.m. redyellowandblueink

nice article, very cool projects!

Nov. 20, 2009 at 6:11 a.m. SweetPeaFabrications

Oh, no! Something else to try! Very cool- love the article!

Nov. 20, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. artdoggie

that's cool!

Nov. 20, 2009 at 5:53 p.m. EclecticSol

So sweet! Love the idea.

Nov. 21, 2009 at 5:23 a.m. konkokto

that is really great. thanks !

Nov. 21, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. Kukaramba

I want to make a lot of them to put on my Christmas tree! I just love this simple idea!

Nov. 21, 2009 at 11:28 a.m. cameowhite

I Love it, so cool, I am looking forward to playing and creating. Thank You for sharing.

Nov. 23, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. gasometri

we love cutting and we turn dead paper "alive"!
come and see our paper jewelry.
thanks for your feedback ;)

Nov. 23, 2009 at 1:28 p.m. froufroufrilly

What a great idea! And you can get so creative with it and put those old mags to good use, finally.

Nov. 24, 2009 at 6:27 p.m. bbrunophotography

What a cool, creative gift idea! I'm thinking of using some of my colorful gardening magazines to make one for my 17-month old granddaughter. She LOVES books, and the shape of this project adds a peek-a-boo flair. I like it! Thank you!

Dec. 1, 2009 at 4:31 a.m. eclipse

Thanks again for the tutorial! I made some of these with a fruit theme
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eclipse_...
I want to make more and string them together like a garland.

Dec. 4, 2009 at 10:10 p.m. backyardcolorado

Excellent idea!!! I'm going to try to make these! Thanks for your great creativity!

Dec. 6, 2009 at 7:43 a.m. kokabu

hi!!everyone would you help me do me research by fill my questionnaire at link below
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewfo...

Dec. 6, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. SuaVoce

Just about to try these out with my roommates!

Happy holidays!
Sarah
La SuaVoce Designs

Dec. 14, 2009 at 12:21 a.m. annavos

I can so relate to cutting up everything in sight! People hide their books and magazines when I come over. A few years ago, an older woman gave my mom a big bag full of sheet music that was her mother's. My mom asked me if I could use it-duh! They're from the 20's to the 60's and have become a major addition to my collage work. I love stumbling across finds like that.

Dec. 16, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. alipink

Beautiful! I am going to try this project with my kids :-)

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