A DIY Accordion Ball

Use colorful paper to create a pattern.

Accordion balls consist of foldable frames, allowing them to pop up when it's time to decorate or fold down when you need to put them away. They can be placed around your home all year round or used for special occasions. Unlike other accordion-style crafts that rely on accordion folds, accordion balls are made with single folds. You can make a sturdy accordion ball for a very low price by using cardstock or recycling your old greeting cards.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Compass
• Cardstock
• Scissors
• Glue

Instructions

1. Use a pencil and compass to draw eight circles on a piece of cardstock.

2. Cut the circles out of the cardstock with scissors.

3. Fold each circle in half using light creases. The two sides of each circle that fold inward will not be glued, while the sides that fold outward will be glued.

4. Put a small amount of glue on half of one of the circles, then press half of another circle against the glue. The halves should be aligned.

5. Wait for the glue to dry.

6. Put a small amount of glue on the unglued half of one of the glued circles, then press half of another circle against the glue.

7. Wait for the glue to dry.

8. Continue gluing the circles to one another until all of the circles have been glued together. When you get to the final circle, glue its unglued side to the unglued side of the first circle.

9. Wait for the glue to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut and glue more circles to create a fuller circle.

• Create different looks by using different types of paper, such as tissue paper, patterned paper and multicolored paper.

• If you want to hang the accordion ball, punch a hole in one of the circles, then tie a string through the hole.

• Applying too much glue will make the accordion ball look messy.