Make a 'Sepak Takraw Ball' Ornament from a Plastic Bottle

Sepak Takraw, a sport native to Southeast Asia is also known as kick volleyball, and players usually use a rattan ball. The polyhedral shape of the object used in Sepak Takraw forms the basis of a planet-shaped ornament in this article's example, suitable for any celebratory occasion. Follow these simple steps to create an amazingly versatile decoration.

Steps

1. Imagine the shape of this polyhedral ornament as if it were a planet. This will help with the method for creating it. There is one piece that serves as the "equator" (in this article, it is the red piece), and the remaining pieces can be viewed as the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions, depending on the manner in which they are added.
2. Cut off the top and bottom parts of the plastic soda bottle.
3. Use the center "tube" of the bottle to cut the rings from. Note where the join of the tube meets; this join line will form your reference point for sticking down the tape from start to finish.
4. Start at one end of the center tube. Carefully stick the red tape around the tube close to one end, to form a complete circle. This red circle will form the "equator" of the polyhedral ornament.
5. Join the red tape circle at the tube's join line. Make a fine cut from the edge of the tube along the join line, just to the edge of the red tape circle.
6. Take the next color (in this example, blue) and proceed to stick it around the tube as before but don't tape it down completely.
   • Instead of taping this circle down, use tape-mount (disposable tape) to insert under the colored tape. Instead of adhering the end of this circle to the plastic tube, it will stick to the tape-mount, moving freely.
7. Repeat using the next 4 colors, placed equally along the tube. There should be a total of 5 colored rings, plus the red equator ring.
   • In each case, adhere to the tape-mount and not to the plastic tube. Thus, apart from the red "equator" ring, all the other tape rings should be attached to the tube all the way except for the last part, which will sit on the tape-mount.
8. Carefully cut out each colored ring. Gently pierce the tube with a pair of scissors and cut around each ring, leaving an even amount of plastic tube on each side of each colored ring.
9. Repeat until all 5 colored rings have been cut into individual rings, as well as the red equator ring.
   • This should be the end result of your efforts so far.
10. Create the "South Pole" or Antarctic design. This will be held in place by tacking with tape; use tape that is easy to remove. With each ring, interweave the pieces alternately (under, over, under, over, etc.).
    • Hold the blue and green rings vertically together, crossed over. Slide the silver ring horizontally around both rings. Weave the silver ring under the green ring and over the blue ring.
    • Tack in place.
    • Add the gold ring. Weave in and out so that is is positioned to form another part of the overall circular shape. Tack in place.
    • Weave the last circle in and out. Tack in place.
11. Weave in the equator circle (the red piece). Weave so that it intersects alternately with the rest of the rings.
    • The finished ball. If you are happy with this shape, glue the tacked ends into place. Or, proceed to the next steps.
12. Make the North Pole or Arctic pentagon. This pentagon is located inside the ornament.
    • Refer to the image here when placing the rings. Weave around the respective circles and adjust to create the necessary gaps to create the pentagon.
13. Tape the ends together as shown, then glue into place to strengthen and maintain the desired shape. (Note that the reference to "bottle" in the image refers to the "rings".)
14. Use the ornament decoratively. You can use the Sepak Takraw decoration for such Choose Useful Decorative Household Items projects as celebratory ornaments, a display object, or as shown here, it can add artistic flair to an ordinary vase:

Tips

• Using a clear bottle with metallic tape will create a double glitter effect.
• Consider also changing either the color or the width of the tape.
• Try a color bottle; the end result will appear as shown here – just as lovely!

Warnings

• When cutting the bottle, it can sometimes bounce. Take care to cut on a non-slip surface.
• Handle instant adhesive promptly and with care. When it sticks to your hand, it can be difficult to remove.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bottle
• Metallic tape
• Tape for tacking
• Superglue (instant adhesive)
• Tape-mount (disposable)
• Scissors

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Sources and Citations

• http://www.geocities.jp/min_pda/ - Original source, shared with permission.
• http://kitchenplasticarts.blogspot.com - Original source, shared with permission.

See also

• Make a Funnel from a Bottle
• Make a Recycled Bottle Broom
• Make a Bottle Watering Can
• Make a Pencil Holder from a Water Bottle
• Make a Medicine Bottle Air Horn
• Make an Imitation Ice Vase from a Plastic Bottle
• Make a Portable Reading Lamp
• Make a Strawberry Jar Planter from a Plastic Jug
• Make a Soda Bottle Candy Dish
• Make a Sand Timer from Recycled Plastic Bottles

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