Temari Balls
What is a Temari Ball?
A Temari ball symbolises deep friendship, loyalty and good luck.
They were originally made by mothers who crafted them as gifts for their children. Each year, a child would receive one ball as a significant gift for the New Year. Nowadays, there are still many mothers that carry the tradition and still make them for their children.
These unique Temaries are a thoughtful and meaningful present for everyone who loves art, colours and geometric forms. Children are often drawn to them for the vibrant and beautiful colours.
The History and meaning of Japanese Temari Balls Temari is an ancient cultural folk art of Japan. Its name is derived from two Japanese words, te and mari. The stands for hand and mari stands for a ball. This ancient toy has been carefully preserved by tradition and through the efforts of the Japan Temari Association for over 1400 years.
Aside from the aesthetic aspect of the Temari, these balls are also valued for the symbolism attached to it when given as a gift. It is often used as a sign of deep friendship and loyalty. It is also used as a way to convey well wishes to those who receive it. Mothers would also create Temari balls to give to their children during New Years. In crafting these balls, the mothers would often hide little strips of papers containing their wishes for their children in the weaving of the threads. The children would most likely never know what their mothers wished for them but would understand that it was given to them with all the best intentions and love.
Pattern and colour ideas
If you are interested in any of these Temari balls, please contact me here or alternatively go to the next page Commission Temari Balls.
Frequent Ask Questions
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How long does it takes you to make a Temari Ball?
This is one of my most common ask questions and probably the hardest to answer. The truth is that it depends on the size of the ball and the complicity of the pattern. Different patterns take a lot longer then others.
In general small balls with around 19 cm in diameter, e.g. my holiday collection, takes around 3 to 4.5 hours per ball.
Larger Temari balls like the one in the top right hand corner take more like 6 to 8 hours to complete.
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How big or small can you make the Temari Balls?
In general I can make nearly any size. I start with around 10 cm in diameter as a little good luck or hand charm. The next very popular size is around19 cm in diameter. This size is great for hanging the Temari balls on for example Christmas trees or branches. They are fine to hang up to a size of around 24 to 25 cm in diameter. If it is going to be just as a present to play with or to display I can certainly go bigger. The largest ball I have ever created is 55 cm in diameter.
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What are Temari Balls made off?
I make my Temari balls out of lots of different materials. I start with a styrofoam ball. The next step is to wrap a lot of knitting yarn around the styrofoam base until the touch feels good and soft, this is usually around one 1 to 2 cm of yarn. The first layer is wrapped gently and soft around the ball. The next step is to wrap the ball base with sewing yarn. This layer is wrapped tighter around the ball. once the ball feels firm, strong and is round the end will be sewed in and secured. The next step is to create a grid. this grid is the base for the pattern. lastly the pattern will be stitched on top.
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Can I choose special good Luck charms to put inside my Temari ball?
Yes absolutely. I have just upgraded this to my services. The good luck charm is made out of wood and will be placed in the center of the ball. then it will be covered with all the different materials. Therefore, you are not able to see the charm from the outside. However, I have created small certificates which will accompany the the Temari ball. The certificates show the charm itself and display the meaning of the chosen good luck charm.
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How much is a Temari Ball?
This is a difficult question to answer as the price depends on the size of the ball, the pattern (more time consuming patterns verses less time consuming patterns) and if you would like to make it extra special and place a good luck charm inside it. As a rough guide prices start from $15 all the way up to $170 depending on what you choose.
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Does the Temari Ball come with an information sheet?
Yes it does! Every Temari ball will come with a small information sheet. It will talk about the history of the ball's and its meaning, which will make this a perfect and meaningful gift.
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How about the packaging?
The Temari ball's will come in a cardboard box (either round or rectangle), just like you see them here on my website. However, please not that the packaging might change slightly over time as suppliers might change. I am trying to be as sustainable as possible and are mainly using recycled cardboards to send out my products. I am also using sustainable paper tape with a non-toxic water based glue and to protect the Item I am always using recycled packaging as much as I can. However, The actual products used to produce the e.g. Temari Balls are produced with high quality products and brand new.
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How do I know that a Temari ball has good quality?
Temari balls are wrapped in many layers. Each layer is wrapped differently tight around ]the ball which makes the ball dense but also bouncy. A well done and completed Temari ball can bounce when thrown on the ground or a flat surface. It also can spin smoothly on a table or flat surface. The pattern should be equal and exact.
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What can I use Temari balls for?
Temari balls were traditionally made from mothers for their children as toys and good luck charms for New Years. Even though these balls are beautiful gifts for children and they love the colors and patterns, these balls can do more then just being a wonderful toy gift. Despite their toy origin, Temari balls are beautiful when decorated in as a center piece on a dining table, shelve or vase. I can always add little hangers so that you are able to hang your Temari for example in a window, on a Christmas tree, on branches or hooks. I have also used very small balls as gifts on dinners. I placed the balls in the middle of the plate and attached with a needle the guests name of a piece of paper. This simply looks stunning and brings a smile on your guests face.
