My dear friend and talented artist Jöelle taught me a crafty thing this weekend: Pom making. I decided to document this process, because not only is it constructive and fun; its repetitive actions feels like meditation in motion. Plus, it’s a refreshing change from wasting time in front of the computer, or sliding your thumbs across your smart phone.
Step 1: Choose your hues. I opted for these yummy-looking colors, which remind my sister of Ladurée macarons.
Step 2: Cut 12 sheets of the tissue in half, then fold them into inch-thick sections. You end up with something that resembles an accordion.
Step 3: Fold the accordion into two, then tie a string around the middle.
Step 4: Cut the edges of each end into round borders.
Step 5: Unfurl the accordion.
Step 6: Carefully pull up one layer of tissue.
Step 7: Pull up another layer. Take note: since tissue is a very soft kind of paper, it can easily tear, so be careful not to yank the sheets, or they could rip off.
Step 8: Eventually your pom will grow into something like this. This is about five layers up, so it’s time to flip the pom over.
Step 9: Hey doesn’t this look like a ballerina’s costume? It’s also the first layer of the underside of the pom.
Step 10: All layers have been pulled up, and I’ve fluffed them outwards to form this ball!
Step 11: If you’re going to make just one, then you’re done. If you have to make 50 like we do, well…